One of the simplest ways to update the garden is to paint the shed in any colour you like, and it couldn’t be easier.
1. Wash and prepare the shed
Sam Jenkinson, shed expert at Tiger, said: “Before you start the painting process, you’ll need to make sure your shed is clean.
“Start by sanding the wood down as much as possible, removing any flakes of existing paint.
“Also, check the shed for any cracks or gaps and use wood filler to close them up.
“Then using water and a wood-friendly detergent, clean the shed of any mud, grime or dirt. For any trickier ground-in dirt, cobwebs or debris, a wire brush is great to use.”
2. Treat your shed
An optional shed but one which is highly recommended is to apply a preserver, which adds a layer of protection to the wood.
This helps to protect it from bad weather and should help the building last much longer.
3. Prime the shed
Another optional step is to prime the shed before painting to help create a more even finish and an extra layer of protection.
According to the pro, this helps to prolong both the life of the shed and its paint job.
4. Preparation
Sam explained: “Before painting, cover any surfaces you don’t want to paint with newspaper and masking tape, such as windows, metalwork or surfaces you want to paint in a different colour at a later stage. Use your dust sheet to cover any plants that you can’t move away.
“Make sure to paint your shed on a reasonably warm day and avoid painting in temperatures below 5°C or if wet weather is expected within 48 hours.
“Paint around midday or early afternoon so that the paint isn’t affected by drops in temperature.”
5. Paint
With a water-based wood paint, use a wood brush or roller and paint in very thin layers to avoid clumps or drops.
If you do find any drips, dab the brush onto the area so the paint soaks into the wood.
Sam noted: “Work on all the trimmings first before painting each board – starting at the top and moving down.
“For the best results, paint in the same direction as the grain of the timber. Generally, try to aim for at least two layers of paint, allowing 2-4 hours between coats.”
Before taking off any masking and other coverings, let the paint dry for at least 24 hours.
