In the summer, many do chores around the garden that they have been putting off, and one of the most dreaded jobs is painting decks and fences.
Wooden decks and fences need to be repainted as wood can absorb water from rain, snow or humidity and without a protective coating it will eventually lead to rotting.
Painting wooden areas around the garden can be time-consuming, but Ronseal expert Jimmy Englezos says there’s a simple way to paint using only items around your home.
Jimmy said, “Instead of spending all your time on your hands and knees, a clean soft-bristle brush can act as a giant brush.”
He added: “Similar to painting, a clean household mop can be used to stain the patio. Just pour the patio stains into the mop bucket and dip the mop head into it to soak up the solution.”
It may sound strange, but using a soft-bristled broom or mop is perfect for painting a large surface and saves you hours of time.
Make sure the area is completely cleaned beforehand as painting over mold or dirt is pointless as it will eventually break down the wood.
Also remember to always paint on a cool day with cloud cover, because the paint will stain or dry unevenly if the weather is too hot.
How to use a brush to paint wood
All you have to do is pour the paint into the large tray and then dip the brush head in the same way you would with a brush. Brush the paint in a back and forth motion until the area is completely covered.
Jimmy said: “Unlike a paint roller, a sweep brush can get into the grooves of the deck instead of painting them.
“This means you don’t have to worry about missing areas. However, for tighter spots and edges, I would use a hand-held brush.”
How to use a mop to paint wood
Use a clean flat mop to dip into the paint container, wait for it to absorb the solution, then sweep it across the area to paint it completely.
For even easier work, use a mop with microfiber pads, as they are easy to remove and clean, so you don’t have to worry about damaging the mop.
Jimmy said: “Make sure you take care of any loose or cracked boards as you don’t want the mop head to catch and crack or tear away from the decking surface.
“Make sure you apply two coats to the entire deck before letting it dry. Because flat mops are designed to spread liquids evenly, using them ensures an even stain coating across the deck and prevents large spots from forming.”
