BRUSH UP YOUR OUTSIDE SPACE READY FOR SUN
Get your coats of paint on and freshen up your weather-worn garden woodwork
Spring is here, and that means preparing our outside spaces for use again after being battered by the winter wind, snow and rain.
Fences, decking, sheds and summerhouse will all need freshening up and given extra protection with a coat of oil, varnish or maybe a coloured paint, ready for alfresco enjoyment in the sunny summer days ahead.
Follow our guide and you’ll soon have the woodwork in your garden looking like new.
How to care for your decking, fencing, sheds and summer houses 1
First, prepare the area. Lay down tarpaulin or dust sheets to protect patios and terraces beneath where you are working and also to cover plants. Tie bushes and climbing plants away from the surface you are going to paint.
2
Look for any signs of damage such as rot, mould or loose slats and take the opportunity to repair or replace any damaged areas. Use a Seriously Good wire brush and scraper to clean the panelling. Only a light brushing is needed to remove dirt or debris that might have collected over the year.
3
Shake up your tin of paint, open and stir again if necessary so it’s smooth, free of lumps and with no patches of oil, water or other colours. Pour some of the paint into a paint scuttle. For painting, use the Ultimate swan neck shed and fence brush to apply, working the paint into all the crevices and corners. Its ergonomic design creates a natural angle so you can paint faster – as much as 40 per cent quicker than the Harris Essentials block brush – for longer. Combine with the Harris Ultimate extension pole for covering decking. If you prefer a roller, and have a flatter surface to paint, try the Harris Seriously Good roller frame & sleeve set.
4
Allow the paint to dry. Add another coat for a deeper colour. Store the shed and fence brush in the Brush Protector to stop the paint on the brush from drying between applications. The storage case will keep the brush wet for up to two weeks, so you can take your project in stages until you have the coverage you want.
Harris painting and decking tools are available from good DIY stores. See the website for your local stockists. For more information about Harris decking and exterior woodwork application and care products, go to harrisbrushes.com