How to paint concrete fence posts and panels in 7 easy steps

When it comes to garden decor, old and shabby concrete fence posts aren’t it. A perfect way to refresh and maintain your fence is to paint these concrete fence posts with a new and flattering shade. It’s time to grab your paint, tools and maybe even a moisture meter, because here is the foolproof process to achieve stunning results!

Before we start: key considerations

Before we get into the process of how to paint concrete posts, there are a few considerations you should make to ensure your project is a resounding success.

Weather

It’s worth waiting for a sunny day for your fence painting project as your paint will need to be applied in dry conditions above 5 degrees Celsius.

Time frame

If you are working with a paint that requires you to apply subsequent coats of paint on the same day, like Cuprinol, you will have to factor time into your planning.

Whilst you can always lightly sand down surfaces before recoating later on, it will take a lot longer overall to complete the project.

1. Select your products and tools

When it comes to painting fence panels, a quality fence paint that you can either paint by hand or spray onto the surface will do the trick. But what about the concrete?

If you want to paint concrete fence posts, there are many products on the market you could pick up, from epoxy-based paint to masonry paint. The latter is designed specifically to bond well to uneven and porous surfaces, hence why it is also used to paint brick exterior walls.

The best product for the job

Despite the wealth of choice, we do have a favourite. We recommend Cuprinol Garden Shades as it can be used on both fences and concrete – talk about killing two birds with one stone!

Due to its water-based formula, it’s also the healthiest option for people and the planet. The best part is that it doesn’t even come close to a compromise on results – in fact, Cuprinol has been developed by experts to achieve a whopping 6 years of protection against the elements on wood and will fully adhere to concrete surfaces.

Tools you’ll need to grab

• Paint rollers or sprayer (for the fence panels)
• Large and smaller sized brushes (for the concrete fence post)
• Painters tape
• Overalls or equivalent messy painting clothes
• Pressure washer and/or scrubbing brush
• Stepladder (if necessary)

2. Preparation

There are two parts to this step: giving your fence posts and panels a clean and completing a moisture check.

Cleaning the fence posts

The concrete surface you work with should be clean and bone dry. So, if your fence posts are in a rough condition you may have to brush them down with a wire brush, jet clean or handwash them. Bear in mind that if you do clean them with water you will have to wait for them to completely dry.

Cleaning the fence panels

Fence panels can be cleaned in the same way, although they will also need to be stripped or sanded down to bare wood when necessary. The elbow grease is worth it, we promise!

Top tip: If you’re uncertain about your surface for adhesion, test a small area with your paint to begin with.

Moisture check

The qualities of concrete differ significantly from exterior wood surfaces. While both surfaces absorb paint, concrete is particularly absorbent due to the tiny pores that run along the surface of the material.

For this reason, you should check the moisture levels before you paint your concrete fence posts. Conducting this check could be as simple as using a concrete moisture detector (AKA moisture meter) or you could lay a plastic sheet directly on the surface. If droplets of moisture form on the inside of the sheet, there is moisture within the concrete.

If it’s looking particularly wet (or over 85% in terms of moisture according to the detector), you may need to give the concrete a few days to dry out before proceeding.

3. Application: how to paint fence panels with concrete posts

Fence panels

For the fence panels there are several options available: roller, brush, sprayer or a mixture of these. Ensure you stir the paint thoroughly regardless of the method and apply the paint along the grain, taking care to achieve even coverage.

Remain conscious that Cuprinol is a wax-enriched product, meaning that when it dries it acquires a liquid-repelling quality that doesn’t discriminate. Yes, this means it will repel additional coats. With this in mind, it’s best practice to paint sections in durations of 2-4 hours.

Concrete fence posts

First, apply painters tape around the edges of the fence post to protect your fence panels. After this, you can take a standard paint brush and apply the paint, slowly working your way up and down the surface and working it into the tiny holes.

A smaller brush can be used for the sides. Again, slowly work the paint brush up and down the surface, ensuring full coverage and that includes all the tiny nooks and crannies.

4. Touch up

At this point, you should step back and inspect your work for any missed patches or inconsistencies. With the texture of concrete fence posts, and especially those that are particularly rugged, make sure to dig deep with your brush to apply the paint fully.

5. Leave to dry

If you chose to use Cuprinol Garden Shades, the drying period is approximately 1 hour under normal weather conditions. In areas more subject to wear, such as gates and where furniture may lean against fence panels, leave a few days before heavy use or contact.

6. The finish line

Your fence posts are looking neat, it’s drying well and you’re ready to put your feet up – but wait, there’s one more step to consider: the clean-up.

Cuprinol is a water-based paint as opposed to an oil-based product, meaning that cleaning up afterwards is as simple as water or clean spirit.

Top tip: If you have leftover paint you’re not going to use, you can reseal the can for paint recycling or to pass on to a lucky friend or worthy community paint project.

7. Aftercare

To prolong the gorgeous new look of your fence posts, we recommend cleaning your surfaces with a dampened, lint-free cloth at regular intervals.

Eager to learn more?

There you have it! How to paint concrete fence posts and panels in a few simple steps.

For more specialist how-to guides, why not cast your eyes over the rest of our design and inspiration blog? We have paint hacks and recommendations aplenty.