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Routine staining or sealing and periodic inspections to extend life.

You should wait three to six months after you buy it to paint pressure-treated wood. It needs time to dry from the chemicals applied to it. The paint will not adhere to the treated wood as well if it’s still wet from chemicals. To test the wooden boards, drip water onto them. If the wood absorbs the water, it’s ready for painting. If the water beads up, it’s not dry enough to paint yet. You can build your deck or fence while the treated wood is still wet, but you’ll need to paint it later.

Generally, these steps are included in exterior house painting:

• Prepping and protecting the areas not being painted

• Scraping away loose paint

• Cleaning off dirt, grease, and debris

• Caulking gaps and openings

• Priming with a quality paint primer

• Painting the prepared areas, including trim and accents with chosen paint finish

• Adding a second coat

• Cleaning up the site and disposing of tape, plastic, and drop cloths

There are several ways to make a wooden fence more visually appealing and keep it that way for years to come.

• Treat the fence with a wood sealant to protect it against the elements. It’s recommended to reseal a fence every two to three years, but if you live in a harsh climate, you may want to do it more frequently than that.

• Restore the fence if it’s old, corroding, or fading. That includes cleaning it and making small repairs where needed.

• Paint the fence in a color that you like, whether that’s a simple white or more vibrant option. Fences usually need to be repainted every one to three years.

• Decorate the fence with planters, string lights, birdhouses, mirrors, shutters, and more.