Best Fence Paint – Review and Buyer’s Guide

Our fence is the first thing people will see when they arrive at your home. For that reason, it’s important to keep your fence looking its best at all times. However, because they are outside where elements such as sunlight and rain will constantly get to them, most fences tend to become faded, chipped, cracked and overall damaged over time. Luckily, by using the right protective paint product on it, you can keep your fence looking its best while simultaneously keeping rust and corrosion at bay. With all that in mind, this article will review five of the best fence paint product on the market. Even more than that, it will provide useful information about fence paints and fence painting in general.

Image	Product
EDITOR’S CHOICE	Ready Seal 510 Type: Wood stain and sealer Net Content: 5 gallons Weight: 10 pounds Check Price	Check Price
PROTECTIVE PAINT	Ready Seal 125 Type: Wood stain and sealer Net Content: 1 gallon Weight: 7 pounds Check Price	Check Price
WOOD STAIN	DEFY Extreme Type: Clear wood stain Net Content: 1 gallon Weight: 8.7 pounds Check Price	Check Price
BARN PAINT	KILZ Exterior Siding Type: Self-priming paint Net Content: 1 gallon Weight: 11.85 pounds Check Price	Check Price
LATEX PROTECTIVE PAINT	Valspar 3125-10 Type: Latex paint Net Content: 5 gallons Weight: 57.8 pounds Check Price	Check Price

1. Ready Seal 510 – Best Overall Fence Paint

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Featuring a high-quality semi-viscous formula that combines wood stain and sealer, this product is capable of protecting your wooden fence against external elements while also refining its look. Due to its combination of stain and sealer, this product is capable of adding color as it dries and solidifies, forming a strong tinted coating. What is more, this product is quick and easy to apply, and it requires no pesky additional steps such as wet line application or back brushing.

Application and Uses

As previously mentioned, this product has been formulated for application on wood in order to add tint and seal. It should also be noted, however, that, due to its advanced formula, this fence paint does not require a previous application of primer. Once dried, apart from adding color, this formula creates a hard coating that inhibits penetration. Semi-viscous and consistently smooth, this fence paint can be applied using a sprayer, roller or brush. As if all that wasn’t enough, its formula allows application at any temperature.

Setting Process

This product has a golden pine color that brightens and intensifies as it dries. At this point, it should be said that the Ready Seal 510 Wood Stain and Sealer is not a quick-dry product. As a matter of fact, most applications require at least two coats with a minimum of 45 minutes between each. However, when applied correctly, this is a fence paint that looks great and will last you a long time without cracking or fading. However, because it requires no primer and it also works as a sealer, this is a product that, ultimately, will save you a great amount of time and energy.

Content and Affordability

Unlike most products of its kind, the Ready Seal 510 Wood Stain and Sealer comes in a single 5-gallon presentation. Taking into account its price, this makes it a very convenient product for taking on larger painting jobs such, including staining/sealing exteriors of wooden buildings, porches, decks and so on. Additionally, because it can be used with efficient tools such as rollers, the Ready Seal 510 Wood Stain and Sealer is a fence paint that will last you a long time. Taking all that into account, it can be confidently said that this is one of the products with more budget benefits on the market.

PROS

• Can be applied using a sprayer, roller or brush.
• Requires no wet-line application or back brushing.
• High temperature-resistant.
• Can be applied at any temperature.

CONS

• Requires various coats to get the right color.
• Color varies as it dries.

2. Ready Seal 125 – Best Protective Fence Paint

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Oil-based, semi-transparent and incredibly rich, the Ready Seal 125 is one of the most popular paints for fences on the market. Without requiring primer, it is capable of effectively penetrating the wood in order to give it color. At the same time, it creates a coating that protects the wood against external threats such as UV rays, rainwater, corrosion, and various others. Requiring no back brushing or wet lining, this is a fence paint that’s incredibly straightforward in its application.

Ease of Application

Unlike various other fence paints on the market, the Ready Seal 125 does not require priming or sanding before application. Additionally, it works as a sealer, eliminating the need to purchase any other product in order to paint and protect natural woods. The actual application of the product is also very simple and easy. As a matter of fact, this product does not require back brushing or creating a wet line in order to be properly applied. Instead, you will only need to open the can, dip the brush or roller in and go to town on your fence.

Protection

At this point, it needs to be pointed out that the Ready Seal 125 offers one of the strongest levels of protection among products of its kind. Despite being oil-based and comparatively thin, its formula dries slowly but surely, ensuring that a tough, consistent protective coat is formed as a result. Smooth and hard, this coat is can’t be penetrated by water, debris, insects or anything else. At the same time, it deflects harmful UV rays, eliminating the possibility of fading, sunlight damage and even wood bloating.

Unique Formula

What is truly remarkable about the Ready Seal 125, is its wonderful consistency. At the same time, this fence paint is penetrating and covering. This allows it to perform well as both a wood stain and a guard against external elements. At the same time, it produces a tinted shine that can make your fence look brand new year round. It should be mentioned, however, that, depending on the type of wood it is used on, this formula may get a bit tacky after drying.

PROS

• Proprietary formula penetrates wood with ease.
• Great protection against mold, mildew and damaging UV rays.
• Requires no primer.

CONS

• Includes a recycling fee in certain states.
• Can get somewhat tacky.

3. DEFY Extreme – Best Wood Stain Fence Paint

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This water-based, crystal-clear wood stain can make your deck or fence look beautiful with a quick and simple application. Fortified with zinc nano-particle technology, its formula also has the capability of reflecting UV rays, preventing premature fading, color loss and even permanent damage. Featuring high-quality resins, the DEFY Extreme 1 Gallon Exterior Wood Stain is extremely durable, typically lasting a year or two more than the average competitor. As if all that wasn’t enough, the nanoparticles used to repel UV rays also prevent mildew from forming on the wood.

Wood Staining Capabilities

As previously mentioned, the DEFY Extreme 1 Gallon Exterior Wood Stain features high-quality resins as a major part of its formula. These resins are capable of effectively penetrating different types of wood, adding tint and color in an organic way that does not damage or suffocate the material. As a result, the DEFY Extreme is a great option for staining natural wood structures such as wood decks, siding, playsets, outdoor patio furniture and, of course, fences.

Advanced Formula

Without a doubt, one of the greatest advantages of the DEFY Extreme 1 Gallon Exterior Wood Stain is its advanced formula. Offering a great balance between staining and sealing capabilities, this formula eliminates the need to purchase additional products to finish the job. Even better, this product uses zinc nanotechnology to provide protection against various external threats.

Enhanced Protection

The DEFY Extreme uses zinc nano-technology to extend its own duration by reflecting and repelling potentially-harmful UV rays. By preventing these rays from being absorbed by the paint or the actual wood, this fence paint greatly reduces fading, discoloration and direct damage to the wood. Even better, this zinc nano-technology helps prevent mildew from forming.

PROS

• Extremely durable.
• Stains efficiently and durably.
• Protects wood against UV rays.
• Works well with wood brightener.

CONS

• Does not work well in high-traffic floors or decks.
• Somewhat expensive.

4. KILZ Exterior Siding – Best Protective Fence and Barn Paint

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Who does not love the idea of a white picket fence? If you choose to have one, however, you should keep in mind that white paint on wood requires a lot of maintenance. Luckily, this white fence paint by KILZ can help you keep your fence (or any other wooden structure) look its best while also protecting it against potentially-harmful external elements.

Coverage and Protection

Featuring a unique formula that employs both oil and water as a base, the KILZ Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint offers impressive coverage capabilities. Apart from being extra durable and easy to apply, this formula is incredibly versatile as it works not only with wood but also masonry, stucco, and other sanded glossy surfaces. As if that wasn’t enough, once dry, this paint offers a great level of protection against harmful external elements.

Uses

As its name states, this product is mainly useful for painting external wooden structures such as fences, sidings, decks and many more. In addition, though, this is a good paint for covering and protecting other porous materials such as stucco and masonry. What is more, featuring a great level of adherence, this paint is fantastic on vertical surfaces. As a result, if you have a house, barn, porch, deck or fence that you want to be painted white, this is a great option for you.

Formula and Application

Without a doubt, the KILZ Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint is a convenient and practical product. Largely, this has to do with its easy-application formula. A unique combination of water and oil, this formula is quite unique as it is both highly penetrating and covering despite being thin and easy to apply. However, take into account that, depending on the porosity of the wood, this formula may vary in its coverage.

PROS

• Resistant to cracking, peeling and fading.
• Works well on porous and non-porous surfaces.
• Can be applied using a spray, brush, or paint roll.

CONS

• Requires a wet edge during application.

5. Valspar 3125-10 – Best Latex Protective Fence Paint

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Featuring a smooth, easy-flowing texture and a tough, durable finish, this fence paint by Valspar is a great option for covering large wooden structures such as barns and cabins. Apart from wood, this product works well on other materials, including masonry, primed metal, weathered steel, and aluminum siding. Once applied, it is capable of protecting said structures from external elements. What is more, the paint itself is fade and weather resistant.

Coverage and Affordability

Without a doubt, the Valspar 3125-10 Barn and Fence Latex Paint is a product designed for covering large wooden structures. In particular, it’s great for simultaneously beautifying and protecting large structures such as barns and wooden cabins. For that reason, it comes in two colors often associated with structures such as those: red and white.

Latex-Based Formula

Due to its latex-based formula, this is an efficient fence paint that is capable of covering large surfaces with only small amounts. Semi-viscous and very consistent, it spreads wonderfully across larger surfaces. It should be painted out, however, that this formula does not penetrate wood very effectively, resulting in the need to apply various coats before the result can be considered acceptable.

PROS

• Allows you to cover large surfaces using small amounts of paint.
• Affordable.
• Easy to apply.

CONS

• May require you to apply various coats.

Buyer’s Guide

Types of Wood Stains

Solid

Also referred to as opaque, solid stains are very durable and dependable. Due to their consistency, they hide the grain of the wood much like straight-up paint would. As a result, they are suitable to be used on woods such as pine as their grain is not relevant.

Semi-Transparent

A compromise between solid and clear, semi-transparent stains add tint and color to the wood without fully covering its grain. For that reason, it is a good option for decorating and refining wooden structures while also showing off the natural beauty of the building material. In particular, semi-transparent wood-stain is very compatible with high-quality woods such as western red cedar.

Clear Sealer

Clear sealer for wood typically contains little or no pigment. What is more, it does not usually include resins of any kind, eliminating its possibility to penetrate and modify wood in any meaningful way. However, they do include water repellents, UV blockers and other ingredients that protect the wood against external elements. As a result, they are a perfect choice for highlighting the natural beauty of grainy wood while helping it maintain its physical integrity, color, and vibrancy.

How to Apply a Wood Stain

In order to properly apply a wood stain to your fence, follow these steps:

Step 1: Soak a small amount of the wood stain on a brush of the appropriate kind. Let any excess paint fall off the brush back into the can of paint.

Step 2: Using precise, straight strokes, apply a liberal amount of the wood stain onto the wooden surface you want to cover.

Step 3: Allow anything between 15 and 30 minutes for the wood stain to adhere to the surface and properly dry. If you have extra time, however, let the product dry for longer as this will ensure the wood will absorb a good amount of it. This is particularly true when working on hardwoods as woods of this type take a longer amount of time to absorb the stain.

Step 4: After it has dried, clean the surface using a clean, dry rag. Remember to always wipe according to the direction of the wood’s grain.