When is the Right Time to Paint Your Treated Pine Post and Rail Fencing? 

You’ve recently decided to install Treated Pine Post and Rail fencing on your property and are looking to elevate its looks with the finest paint in the country. As you get busy planning your painting project and imagining the beautiful fencing, remember to check if your timber is ready for the paint or not. 

If the timing isn’t right, even the best paint, primer and all the preparation will fail. The challenge is how to determine the right time to paint your Treated Pine Post and Rail Fencing. 

At Stock & Noble, we provide the finest fencing solutions to high-end property owners across Australia and New Zealand. This includes our range of premium paints, stains and primers. Over the years, we’ve helped numerous clients create stunning and safe properties using our paints. Through this blog, we will share all the knowledge and insights gained from these projects and paint experts, so you can turn your painting project into success. 

We will discuss the challenges you can expect while painting Treated Pine Post and Rail Fencing and the right time to paint it. 

In the end you’ll know the correct timing to achieve beautifully painted fences that last long, and your options to make the best use of your money and efforts. 

Challenges of Painting Treated Pine Post and Rail Fencing 

Deciding to build a Treated pine post and rail fence, especially in substantial quantities, brings with it a set of challenges. The supply company manufactures the necessary components and delivers them to your property for the fencing contractor’s installation. 

Typically, the right time to paint would be before attaching additional fencing products like horserail or mesh to the treated pine fence. However, this approach might not work, if the timber is fresh and not properly weathered, as we will explain in the following paragraphs. 

Cracking of Treated Pine 

Treated pine, being a soft timber, undergoes changes in its first six to twelve months within its new environment. During this period, the rails may experience cracking and warping, while the posts will significantly dry and develop cracks.  

Peeling of Fence Paint  

Even if you apply the best paint like Forever Black, on your treated pine, the movement and cracking of the substrate timber pose a unique challenge. Paint, no matter how high quality, cannot absorb this movement, leading to moisture seepage and eventual peeling away from the timber. So, all your hard work and investment will not give you the beautiful fencing you expected. 

Understanding the Main Problem 

Despite thorough preparation, including priming and following the recommended process of painting your timber, the substrate’s continuous movement and cracking make it impossible for the paint to adhere successfully. This results in a scenario where, even with the best efforts, the paint doesn’t last as expected, and the overall appearance falls short. Unfortunately, this is the nature of buying and using softwoods such as Pine. 

Expert Recommendation on Painting Treated Pine Post and Rail Fencing 

While addressing this challenge may seem daunting, our advice is rooted in practicality. Allow all fencing to be installed and let the treated pine weather for 6 to 12 months.  

Alternatively, let it go through a full seasonal cycle, especially during the summer when most of the cracking occurs. Once this initial period is complete, applying a primer and high-quality paint becomes more effective. This way, the paint can fill in the cracks, providing a better chance for longevity. 

Here are 3 Options You Can Consider: 

Patience Pays Off

 If time allows, waiting for the Treated Pine to weather before painting is the most effective approach. It would’ve done with all its cracking, warping and movement, ready for you to apply the finest paint. 

Quick Fix with a Plan

If there’s a pressing need to paint, consider using a more cost-effective paint initially. Accept that the timber will crack and be prepared to repaint with a high-quality option in a year. 

Staining as an Alternative

For those seeking an option less prone to peeling, stain could be a suitable alternative to traditional paint. Make sure you use a water-based stain so the paint still adheres when you apply it in the following years. 

Know How to Time Your Painting Project? 

In conclusion, the key issue in painting a Treated Pine fence lies in the timing. Understanding that the substrate needs time to settle, and weather is important. If you try to paint right away, even with the best materials, your efforts may result in disappointment as the substrate continues to move and crack. 

So, the best solution is to learn the unique characteristics of the timber and time the painting process accordingly. While challenges exist, our expert recommendation emphasises the importance of patience, allowing the timber to weather before applying a primer and high-quality paint for lasting results. Whether you choose to wait, apply a cost-effective paint in the interim period or opt for a stain, thoughtful planning ensures your fence looks as good as it should and stands the test of time. 

Once your Treated Pine Post and Rail fence is ready, the next step is to find the best fence paint for your project. A detailed comparison of the top 10 fence paints will help you make the right decision based on your vision and budget.  

If you need any more guidance related to choosing a suitable primer, paint or stain, reach out to our experts. They will help you every step of the way to create a beautiful property, just the way you imagined.  

If all this information makes painting seem too hard, you may consider an option of pre-painted fencing like our Premium Steel Post and Rail.