What are the steps in painting a wooden Fence?

[Rose]

I have a ugly wooden fence in my backyard, it's natural wood it has never been painted before. I am a renter and I would like to throw a communion celebration back there in May. I need to keep cost to a minimum. Do I prime and then paint and what type of paint is good? I was planing on going to home depot for help. Any ideas of where I should start??

Thank you in advance for your help

[Scots Pines]

Unless you have been given permission to paint by the landlord, start by asking his permission to paint first, and if he gives you permission, ask if the wood has ever been treated....in any case, to get a good finished result, you will need a primer and a top coat, so ask your paint store people for assistance

x

[Carl]

If you buy really cheep paint it's hard to get it to look good with one coat.
A primer is used in general to get the paint to stick for a long time.
The cheapest thing to do is to buy a really good paint with one coat.
Get permission from the owner before you do it too.

[Deb S]

Home Depot will be a big help to you. You do need to prime first to seal the wood and then use an exterior latex paint a day after priming. You might do a light sanding after the primer is dry but since it is a fence it isn't necessary.