Fence repairs

[chriselevate]

I've got 20 fence panels that I need to paint and make a few repairs to. Sadly the previous owners installed cheap fences between the concrete posts but they are still in average condition.

A few questions...

1. Is it just treated timber that I should be using on them and then painting them with my Cuprinol once they are repaired?
2. What sort of nails should be used to re secure where some of the pieces have come undone?
3. Is there an easy way to lift a 6ft panel out to paint it? Getting it 12ft in the air to slide it out is not easy!

Thanks

 

[JohnD]

thin timber, as is used on panels, is not prone to rot unless it is touching the ground.

although it may be saturated with water during heavy rain, it will dry out as soon as sun or drying winds appear.

It spends very little time at the ideal level of damp and air that encourages rot.

you'll find wooden fenceposts usually rot first and break a little above ground level, where moisture levels are ideal for rot.

It's not worth lifting them out to stain.

 

[chriselevate]

Thanks John,

As mentioned, I don't have wooden posts so that's not the issue. They haven't rotted they have just warped and broken in winds etc. A few new bits of timber, some nails and a good paint should sort them for a good few years.

If anyone could advise me on what timer and nails I can use I would appreciate it please as per the original post...

1. Is it just treated timber that I should be using on them and then painting them with my Cuprinol once they are repaired?
2. What sort of nails should be used to re secure where some of the pieces have come undone?
3. Is there an easy way to lift a 6ft panel out to paint it? Getting it 12ft in the air to slide it out is not easy!

 

[Chud]

If you've got two people and two pairs of steps or platforms then you should be able to lift them out without too much trouble.

One thing I'd really recommend is getting a sprayer of some sort (even if it's just one like this https://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb558srg-100w-electric-solenoid-spray-gun-220-240v/11919) hang up a tarp to catch any overspray and do it on a windless day, for the sake of overspray and when you're lifting the panels in and out. If you go the brush route you'll be there about 10x as long! With a sprayer you really want to check viscosity (most sprayers come with a viscosity test cup), thin the stain/paint appropriately, then strain and filter your paint/stain - I use a cheap plastic kitchen strainer followed by a disposable paint filter like these, if you don't filter the paint you'll probably get quite a lot of nozzle blockages.

Don't use one of those cuprinol sprayers as they are a nightmare for splattering stuff you don't want to stain.

 

[foxhole]

If they are ready made panels the timbers too thin to nail , you will have to add a timber to both sides then pin through both to repair.
I usually just use a set of steps to remove panel , easier with two people though .

 

[chriselevate]

Yeah they are pre made panels. The only problem with adding timber to the plain side it that it face an alley way so I don’t want to make it any easier for people to climb over.

What sort of timber and nails would you guys suggest to do the repairs and patching up?

Thanks

 

[JohnD]

I use tilers (roofing) batten.

 

[foxhole]

Would not take the weight of being climbed , and far easier to just lift and crawl under a panel .

 

[chriselevate]

True. Makes it more difficult to paint in 5 years time though if both sides have horizontal timbers.

Which nails does everyone recommend for fence repairs?

Thanks

 

[chriselevate]

Any suggestions on nails that will do the job for me please?

 

[foxhole]

Annular

 

[chriselevate]

Perfect! Thanks.

 

[Notch7]

I would use screws, using a hammer on fence panels is hard because they are so floppy.

 

[foxhole]

I would use screws, using a hammer on fence panels is hard because they are so floppy.

You would remove the panel , repair on hard flat surface and reinstall.

 

[Notch7]

You would remove the panel , repair on hard flat surface and reinstall.

Burger that for a game of soldiers

Insitu is how Id play the game