So you’ve just bought a new wooden shed and it’s been a lifesaver in the garden. It’s fantastic for storing everything and has been essential for moving some of the household clutter. But you want to give it the once over, just to make it feel more homely. So it’s time decorate. There are two main reasons for painting a wooden shed. Firstly you can give it a really good finish, and help the building fit into your garden style, secondly, it actually helps protect the wood from various damaging issues.

Here are some helpful tips that would be helpful to follow when painting your wooden shed to ensure that you achieve the best possible results.

• Paint
• Paint roller and brushes
• Hose
• Sandpaper
• Gloves
• Scrub and dry brushes
• Bleach
• Caulk
• One large and one small bucket
• Oil based primer and wood treatment – we have a range of treatment products available.

Cover Any Cracks or Gaps

The first step in the process is to make sure that the shed doesn’t need any more structural work. If you are painting an older shed, the first step is giving it a once over and cleaning it up. You need to remove any debris, spider webs, mud, and mould from the walls, roof and interior of the shed, it’s essential to ensure that all cracks in the wood are properly cleansed. After this step is done, apply caulk to the areas in need, making sure that all gaps are covered.

This approach contributes to any weather protection elements of the shed, giving it better protection against rain or heavy winds. If you are using a silicon-based caulk, or any similar materials, you need to wait for about a day after applying the sealant before you proceeding any further. While the caulk dries, use sandpaper to chip away at loose or patchy bits of paint that may have been left behind from its previous state. If you’re working on new sheds there shouldn’t be a need to worry about it!

If you want to help keep the heat in, take a look at our guide here on how to insulate a shed.

Treat the Wood

Make sure that you allow the caulk to completely dry off completely before moving on any further. Once it’s dry, you can start using spirit-based wood treatment on all of the wooden surfaces. Make sure the material is spread evenly and generously. A proper application of wood treatment can significantly prolong the lifespan of wooden garden sheds, preventing rot weather damage and rust around the screws. As with the caulk, make sure that the treatment has completely dried off before moving on any further.

Apply Wood Primer

The next step is applying the oil-based primer on all surfaces. In addition to providing an extra layer of protection against the elements, the primer also makes it easier for the paint to be spread evenly, and to grab hold of the surfaces without any problems. Needless to say, using good quality paint is vital, as old or dried paint won’t take the same effect. Specialists usually recommend the same type of paint used on porches, since it is very durable, and can withstand punishment from the weather.

Paint the Shed

The first coat of paint should be applied onto the wood only after the primer is dry. Use a long-nap roller to spread the paint with the grain of the wood. Slowly move around the shed until every wall is covered. Once this is done, you need to allow the first layer of paint to dry off completely. It usually takes around 16 hours for the first layer to completely dry. After this, the shed is then ready for its second, and final, coat of paint. Apply it just as you did the first, making sure that the paint is evenly distributed and consistent throughout all surfaces.

Once you get all the preparatory stages out of the way, the actual painting process is quite simple. If you want to use multiple colours on the same wall, apply the wood treatment and primer, wait for them to dry off, and then attach thick sheets of paper or nylon to the walls, using duct tape. Paint the colour you want in the exposed area, wait for it to dry, remove the covers, and then paint the other colours.

Make sure to cover the areas that have already been painted with the same sheets, in order to prevent any overlaps or colour runs. By using this approach, you can even create models. All you need is a very large sheet of paper, or several smaller ones, tied to each other. You then have to make a large stencil, which will allow you to paint any specific designs you want, without the colours running.

To provide your shed with the best possible finish and to provide it with further weather protection, these instructions should take you in the right direction.

Disclaimer: Please note that this guide is intended to present general information regarding the subject. All information indicated are representative and not exhaustive, which means that the results may vary depending on your item, its size, complexity and other circumstances. This is only advice and we do no accept responsibility for any problems you may have whilst following this guide, it is only a representation and not a definitive guide. When in doubt, please ask your manufacturer before proceeding.