Treated 3-Rail Split Wood Fence - Paint or Natural?

[Pettrix]

I installed a 3-rail split wood fence at my property entrance a few years ago. The wood was factory pressure treated but the Arizona sun has done a number on the wood, it has caused splitting, dry rotting, and discoloration.

It is only about 75 feet of fencing but I was considering painting it with a Sherwin Williams exterior wood latex paint. I have used that paint before and it does an excellent job in protecting the wood and it puts a nice brown color to the wood.

Even if I don't paint the fence, it should remain standing for years but painting it should preserve it for the long term.

What do you guys think? It is a rural area so it looks good and rustic but should I paint it or leave it be?

 

[Soundguy]

i like asphalt fence paint. tough.. cheap and bug/rot/sun restant.

however.. the black and brown latex fence paints are also a good 2nd, if spendy, choice.

 

[Garybake]

There are some great solid or semi-transperant stains that will presserve and give that natural look and easy to apply.

 

[Wnc3]

Stain...it fades instead of peels. Much easier over the long haul, just keep spraying as needed.

 

[Soundguy]

asphalt fence paint doesn't peel. it will slowly erode over the course of a couple decades though.. kind of like a water, bug, rot proof stain, but opaque, and on steroids, cheaper and easier to apply..

soundguy

 

[jimmyj]

I leave all mine rustic. I like the look better and it's way less work. Some places look nice painted but I feel it's only required if you have a fancy look to your fences vs a rustic look.

 

[Western]

Look into Linseed oil, may be an option for you.

 

[jinman]

Look into Linseed oil, may be an option for you.

How about spraying with a mixture of diesel and used motor oil? . . . Oops! Sorry EPA! I was just kiddin'.

 

[Western]

How about spraying with a mixture of diesel and used motor oil? . . . Oops! Sorry EPA! I was just kiddin'.

EPA???! on yeah the " European Per Acre" calculator

 

[KennyG]

Personal opinion is that split rail only looks right natural. So let it age a year or so until it uniformly grays out, then put on clear, non glossy preservative if you want. At least that's what I would do.

 

[Wnc3]

asphalt fence paint doesn't peel. it will slowly erode over the course of a couple decades though.. kind of like a water, bug, rot proof stain, but opaque, and on steroids, cheaper and easier to apply..

soundguy

Good to know. Thx

 

[Soundguy]

ps.. thins well with mineral spirits, and if you don't use the rest of the pail for 10ys.. it just becomes tar.. and you can then thin it again and use it..

 

[Egon]

It's all your personal preferences and how much work you want to do!:thumbsup:

Something your wife will decide!

 

[Pettrix]

Here is what the fence looks like:

 

[Egon]

Looks finished:thumbsup:

 

[Garybake]

Think your trying to get that just busted my butt look that you remember (& Felt)
Seriously, looks half seasoned to me, not quite uniform yet.
Nice Job!!!

 

[jinman]

Here is what the fence looks like:

Nice lookin' fence!:thumbsup: However, if it weren't for cedars, you wouldn't have any trees at all, would you?

 

[Pettrix]

Nice lookin' fence!:thumbsup: However, if it weren't for cedars, you wouldn't have any trees at all, would you?

Out here it is all juniper trees. They also call them pinion pine trees. You can grow larger trees like Aspen or Ash but they require supplemental water, especially in summer, but they are not native trees. The only large trees we get at this elevation are Walnut trees which grow near dry creeks.

 

[Pettrix]

Think your trying to get that just busted my butt look that you remember (& Felt)
Seriously, looks half seasoned to me, not quite uniform yet.
Nice Job!!!

Thanks

I think I will just leave them natural UNLESS the wife doesn't like the look but so far she said she likes the natural look.