3 Tips for a Great Paint Job: Painting Your Shed or Outdoor Structure

A new coat of paint can make your outdoor structure look as good as new! Whether you’re painting an unfinished shed for the first time, changing up the look of your existing backyard structure, or adding a fresh layer to help maintain and preserve your shed, there are a few things to consider as you prepare to get out those brushes and rollers.

Painting Your Shed Tip #1 – Choose the Right Paint

Walk into a paint store or the paint section of any home improvement or hardware store and you’ll be greeted with hundreds, if not thousands, of shades to choose from, up and down the rainbow, from the egg shell to midnight. Unless you’re re-painting in your previous shade, you’re likely to spend some time choosing a color. But don’t forget that selecting the proper TYPE of paint is important, too. For the best protection, we strongly recommend a high-quality exterior 100 percent acrylic latex paint, perhaps in a semi-gloss or satin finish.

Painting Your Shed Tip #2 – Prepare Your Surface (Or, Clean and Prime)

Before you begin to lay on the paint, you’ll want to ensure your wood surface is ready. A smooth and clean “canvas” will help prevent flaking, chipping and blistering in the future, and it also makes the painting process easier. Give your exterior walls a good cleaning, maybe bringing in a pressure washer if there are years of grit and grime. (Use caution with a pressure washer though; older, weathered wood may be damaged with too much pressure.) Sand down any rough edges, and repair or replace any broken pieces of wood. Caulk any open spaces.

After your shed is clean, you’ll then want to apply primer. This is an important step because the primer helps protect your wood, helps preserve the paint and, in general, contributes to a nicer finish.

Painting Your Shed Tip #3 – Pick the Proper Brushes

The type of brush you choose contributes to the quality of your end results. A higher quality paint brush is pricier, but consider that a better brush leads to a better application. Remember that you will need various size brushes, too. You’ll need smaller ones for around trim, windows, and other features. Rollers might be efficient for you, depending on the size of your shed and/or the height of painters!

These tips for a great paint job are just a few ideas—applying the proper number of coats, protecting areas you don’t want painted, and taking your time and being careful also will help your shed shine and your hard work last longer.