Quiz: What should I paint next?

Summer is the ideal season to paint in the garden, so if you’re looking to do a bit of redecorating to add some pzazz to your outdoor space, now’s the time! 

A lick of paint can easily freshen up a previously painted item of garden furniture, fence or wall with a day’s effort – or you can add your own personality to bare materials with a hint of colour, or go completely monochrome!

Painting in the garden can be physically and mentally strenuous. However, here are a few recommendations to follow which will make this DIY job much quicker and easier.

And once you’ve finished reading these tips, take the quiz at the bottom of the page!

Painting tips for gardens

Use a sprayer

Using a paint sprayer can shed hours off your painting time, depending on how big the job is. For example, spraying a length of fence can be completed in under an hour, including prep time, whereas painting with a brush can take far longer – not to mention, it’s far more taxing on the body.

When it comes to using a paint sprayer, make sure to cover up anything nearby that you don’t want to be sprayed. If painting a fence, get someone to hold a piece of cardboard at the top of the fence to stop the paint going all over your neighbour’s house and garden! Spray constantly and steadily to achieve a smooth, even coverage – and avoid drip marks by keeping your sprayer moving.

 

 

The W 510 Universal Sprayer from Wagner is an ideal paint sprayer for all sorts of painting jobs in the garden and home. It’s designed to be used with water or solvent-based wall, ceiling, wood and metal paint and features a high-powered turbine for rapid application, an easy-clean detachable gun, plus two attachments to suit your paint type. From garden furniture to fences and walls, you can quickly complete any painting job around the house and achieve an even finish with this handy gadget.

Choose your paint jet setting to suit you – the sprayer features three settings: vertical, horizontal and spot. It also boasts extra fine atomisation to deliver even coverage with a single coat, saving you even more time!

Find this sprayer at QVC now.

Choose a mild day with a low chance of rain

Summer is the best time to paint because, of course, the weather is more reliable. However, it’s worth looking at the weather forecast to check what the precipitation and temperature will be like on the day you’re planning to paint.

Don’t choose a day where there’s even a slight chance of rain, as your paint will need several hours to be fully dry and water resistant. On the other hand, you also don’t want to paint on a day that is too hot, as you’ll likely feel uncomfortable and get worn out quicker. Even when using a sprayer, painting still requires physical effort!

Ensure your surface is clean before painting

A clean surface will allow your paint to adhere to the material and provide a smooth and even finish that will look far more presentable than if you were to paint on a dirty surface. Sometimes, a brush and a wet cloth can do the job by removing cobwebs and dust. 

However, if the surface that your painting has been exposed to the elements for a while, and appears a bit more weathered, try using a pressure washer (only if the surface is unlikely to be damaged by its use) a few days before you plan to paint to get rid of the grime and allow your surface to dry.

What to paint next

If you’ve got a spare day to do some DIY in the garden, but you need some inspiration on what to paint, take our quiz for an idea of what you should paint next according to your gardening personality!