One of the most common questions we receive at Crawfords Fencing is:
“Should I paint my new timber fence?”
The answer is yes—but not straight away.
Painting or staining your timber fence is one of the best ways to protect your investment, improve its appearance and extend its lifespan. However, timing is everything.
Why Paint Your Fence?
Applying a quality coating helps:
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Protect the timber from Australia’s harsh weather.
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Reduce UV damage.
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Help minimise splitting and cracking.
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Improve the appearance of your property.
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Extend the life of your fence.
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Reduce ongoing maintenance.
A protected fence not only lasts longer but also keeps your property looking its best for years to come.
Don’t Paint It Too Soon
Most new timber fences are built using H3 CCA-treated pine. After treatment, the timber contains moisture that needs time to naturally dry before it is sealed.
Painting too early can trap that moisture inside the timber.
As Crawfords Fencing Director Tyrone Crawford often explains to clients:
“Painting a new treated timber fence too early is like putting wet timber in a plastic bag on a hot day. The timber can’t breathe, the moisture has nowhere to go, and you’re sealing it in before it’s had a chance to dry properly.”
For this reason, we generally recommend allowing your new fence to dry for approximately 6–12 weeks, depending on the weather and the paint manufacturer’s recommendations.
Choosing the Right Paint
At Crawfords Fencing, we recommend using a dedicated fence primer or fencing paint available from specialist paint suppliers, particularly on H3-treated pine.
While premium exterior paints such as Dulux Weathershield perform exceptionally well on many kiln-dried timber products, treated fencing timber behaves differently. A quality fence primer is designed to penetrate the timber while allowing it to breathe naturally as moisture moves in and out with changing seasons.
Using the correct primer before applying your top coats helps improve adhesion, provides a more durable finish and can extend the life of both the coating and the fence.
Paint or Stain?
Both are excellent options.
Paint
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Excellent weather protection.
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Large range of colours.
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Modern appearance.
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Long-lasting finish.
Timber Stain
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Maintains the natural timber look.
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Easier to recoat.
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Less likely to peel.
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Enhances the timber grain.
Preparation Is Essential
Before painting or staining:
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Allow the fence to dry thoroughly.
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Remove dirt and construction dust.
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Lightly sand rough areas if required.
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Follow the coating manufacturer’s preparation instructions.
Proper preparation will always produce a better and longer-lasting result.
Crawfords Fencing’s Recommendation
At Crawfords Fencing, we believe a quality fence deserves a quality finish.
Allow your new fence to dry properly, use products designed for treated timber, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for preparation and application.
Taking the time to do it properly will help protect your investment, maximise the life of your fence and keep it looking great for many years to come.
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Haymes Ultra Premium Prepcoat Ultracover – Excellent acrylic primer for exterior timber before top coating.
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Dulux 1Step Prep Primer, Sealer & Undercoat – Suitable for exterior timber, including treated pine, when applied after the timber has dried sufficiently.
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Taubmans 3 in 1 Primer, Sealer & Undercoat – Another quality option for prepared exterior timber
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Crawfords number one recommendation on stains and oil –
CUTEK® Extreme CD50 – sold from Leisure Timber Lilydale, vic. – amazing product
Need a New Timber Fence?
Crawfords Fencing proudly services Ringwood, Ringwood East, Ringwood North, Croydon, Heathmont, Blackburn, Mitcham, Vermont, Doncaster, Templestowe, Ferntree Gully, Wantirna, Bayswater, Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Yarra Glen and surrounding suburbs throughout Maroondah, Whitehorse, Manningham, Knox and the Yarra Ranges.
Contact Crawfords Fencing today for a free, no-obligation quote and experience the difference quality workmanship makes.