Wooden lattice makes a decorative addition to a porch or patio, but you may find you grow tired of the color, or the lattice is unpainted. Most pre-painted lattice comes in green hues, but it can be painted any color you like. The slats on the lattices look intimidating to paint, but it is easy with the right technique. Follow these steps to paint the wooden lattice.
Prepare to Paint the Lattice
To paint the lattice, gather:
If the wood has recently been treated, give it sixty days to cure. Spray the lattice with a hose, and let it dry, which should remove dirt. To clean older lattices or stubborn grime, squirt two or three dish soap on them, and spray it with the hose.
Sand and Prime the Lattice
Removing the lattice makes it easier to sand an paint. Lay the lattice on drop cloths or plastic, or spread the cover over the ground. Sand the lattice to remove splinters and light scratches, then sweep o vacuum dust.
Priming is necessary to reduce the number of paint layers needed, since wood soaks paint quickly. Priming also helps to hide stains. Use spray paint outdoors, or in a well-ventilated area.
If you choose to brush the primer on, brush it in thin layers over small sections. Shake the primer can, hold the nozzle several inches from the wood, and apply a fine mist in back and forth movements on one side of the lattice. Keep the button depressed until you lift it from the surface.
Add another layer after the first layer dries, if needed. Prime the other side in the same manner.
Paint the Lattice
Let one side dry completely before painting the other. Insert the paint can in the air gun, set to a fine mist, and allow the paint to circulate two or three minutes to remove air from the lines. You may prefer to test different settings on cardboard.
Push the trigger, and work the air gun in a fan motion by spraying two horizontal motions, then spray at alternating angles. Move your hand before depressing the trigger, and keep the spray nozzle about one foot from the surface.
Overlap strokes on the inside of slats. Let the first coat dry, and apply another coat, then clean the inside of the spray gun with the hose.
Contact a service, like Klenosky Paint, for more help.
Share18 April 2018
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