Painting black fence panels..

[ChroniC]

I bought the house with half the fence panels in a dark black which had gone a slight grey through sun damage, replaced some and stupidly tried to match them down up, painted all the panels but I now feel it just makes the garden look closed in and drab, pretty much exactly like this....

What's the best course of action. I am not going to sand these down, so unless I go with a strong primer and then actually painting them instead of a stain. I don't know what to do.

Would stripper take enough colour oit, or am I wasting time trying?

 

[ChroniC]

I haven't. I have seen a pressure washer take paint off of decking, but that was a solid style paint, I assumed that it wouldn't work because the stain has bled into the wood itself.

Not a bad idea to give a it go first though.

 

[ChroniC]

Rough sawn timber absorbs stain really well so you stand very little chance of getting it off without causing significant damage to the timber. You'll need to paint over it.

Alternatively (and depending on quantity) it might be easier to just replace them at circa £30 a panel.

I thought as much. Some have faded really badly so I was hoping I could maybe break down the black with some strong fluids.
Not really realistic to change them as its about 15 panels and some aren't mine.

 

[ChroniC]

I would just save yourself the hassle and replace the panel! New fencing really brightens up a garden!

Not really wanting to waste, 500quid on replacing all the panels for the sack of some aesthetics.. Just wondering if it could be covered or removed cheaply.
Appreciate the suggestion though.

 

[ChroniC]

You've spunked six figures on a house and you're quibbling over £500?

Yes when it doesn't need doing. It's not the end of the world. I'm just asking for suggestions on changing something I don't like.
I hardly spent 6figures on house, it's called a mortgage. 500quid is lot of money to waste on replacing decent fences that are just ugly.
Wow I'm surprised that such an issue to understand.

 

[ChroniC]

The same Ronseal one coat that is posted above. Its black oak.. The older ones are greyer and that's why I am not a fan, as I have painted over these also and now I have various different shades of black.

I think I'll take the pressure washer to them first and see if can lighten them enough to take on another stain.

 

[ChroniC]

Sounds like a good shout. Might get some testers when I can, so I don't make the same mistake again.

 

[ChroniC]

Does anyone have pictures of their fence panels with the shades on?
When I first put in some of the fence panels they were obviously light orangey brown, it offset the colour the grass to give a pleasent open space. I feel the black, just has a weird enclosure feel to it...
Would love to see some examples of brighter colours on the panels.