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Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you are a seasoned professional or taking on a DIY project, we value the relationships we build with our customers. Our goal is to help you achieve the best possible results with our products. We take great pride in our customers’ success.

One of our experts is available to answer your questions directly Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm. Do not hesitate to give us a call. With over 40-years of industry experience, we are happy to help.

Product Questions

Latex Paint

  • Becoming more common
  • Minimal odor
  • Shorter dry time
  • Will not inhibit rust
  • Thin with water, if necessary
  • Can be sprayed with most DIY sprayers
  • Soap and water clean-up
  • Can be used on new wood or repaint

Oil-Based Paint

  • Becoming less common
  • Strong odor
  • Longer dry time
  • Inhibits rust
  • Thin with mineral spirits, if necessary – mineral spirits will not thin Fencecoat
  • Not compatible with most DIY sprayers
  • More mold and mildew resistant
  • Specialty cleaners, such as Gojo, required for clean-up
  • Best on new wood, can also be used when repainting

Fence Pro Black

  • Acrylic latex water-based paint
  • More economical
  • Forms a layer of film on the outside of the fence, similar to conventional water-based paint
  • Can dry to a slightly tacky finish
  • Most common on fences and barns, will not inhibit rust on metal surfaces
  • Medium dry time
  • Minimal odor
  • Soap and water cleanup, similar to conventional water-based paint
  • Can be sprayed with most DIY sprayers
  • Not suitable for decks or high traffic surfaces
  • View Fence Pro Black Label – PDF
  • View Fence Pro Black Data Sheet – PDF

Fencecoat Black

  • Acrylic lacquer paint, similar to an oil-based paint
  • More economical
  • Soaks into wood
  • Can dry to a slightly tacky finish
  • Most common on fences and barns, performs well on metal surfaces
  • Medium dry time
  • Very strong odor
  • Requires specialty hand cleaner
  • Not compatible with most DIY sprayers
  • Not suitable for decks or high traffic surfaces
  • View Fencecoat Black Label – PDF
  • View Fencecoat Black Data Sheet – PDF

Jetcoat Black

  • Oil-based paint
  • Less economical
  • Soaks into wood
  • Dries to a hard finish
  • Most common on high visibility surfaces such as gates, doors, metal surfaces, and barn interiors
  • Slow dry time
  • Strong odor
  • Requires specialty hand cleaner
  • Not compatible with most DIY sprayers
  • Not suitable for decks or high traffic surfaces
  • View Jetcoat Black Label – PDF
  • View Jetcoat Black Data Sheet – PDF

Enamel Pro White Fence & Barn is more popular as many users prefer the look of semi-gloss white on their fences.

Fence Pro White is also popular for users who prefer the look of a flat white on their fences. Flat white tends to be slightly cheaper than semi-gloss.

To prevent tannin staining and rust from nail heads, a base coat of Fence & Barn White (oil-based) can be used prior to the latex paint topcoat.

Premium Asphalt Aluminum

  • More common used
  • Contains asphalt which will more effectively inhibit rust
  • More common to use on roofs and large exterior metal structures
  • Great at stopping rust and reflecting heat. 
  • Very little leak stoppage
  • Slightly browner color due to the presence of the asphalt.

Liquid Aluminum

  • Will dry to a harder finish
  • Does not contain asphalt, less rust inhibiting than Premium Asphalt Aluminum
  • Will not run as much on vertical surfaces, and is more commonly used on vertical surfaces such as grain bins and walls
  • Very little leak stoppage
  • Easier to get a more even look
  • Fence paint is more elastomeric (softer and more flexible) than conventional paints. Wood fences tend to expand, contract, and warp when exposed to the elements. The elastomeric properties of our products prevent cracking and peeling.
  • Fence paint is specially formulated for exterior application to withstand UV radiation, mildew, and moisture. 
  • Fence paint is safe around valuable horses and livestock, even when cribbing occurs.
  • Fence paint is economical compared to other types of paint. The immense surface areas painted require large volumes of paint.

Yes. We regularly make custom colors and custom products for our customers. Minimum order size will apply. We are experts in formulating our products for a variety of end uses and applications. Contact us for more information.

Yes. We can add our anti-cribbing and chewing additive to any of our products. This treatment is commonly used on many major central Kentucky horse farms and is completely safe for valuable horses and livestock.

The anti-cribbing additive causes the spraying process to be unpleasant due to the taste/smell. Contact us for more information.

Product Application Questions

All airless tips regardless of brand are sized in a 3-number format, examples: 323, 415, or 517.

The first digit, typically from 3 and 6, represents the spray fan width. The first digit multiplied by 2 equals the spray fan width in inches.

The last 2 digits of the spray tip size indicate the hole orifice in thousandths of an inch, determining how much paint the tip lets out. Higher gallon per minute (GPM) sprayers are able to spray with tips with larger orifice sizes, allowing more paint to be sprayed over a fixed interval of time.

Examples:

  • 325 is a tip that sprays a 6-inch fan and with a 25 thousandths inch orifice.
  • 617 is a tip that sprays a 12-inch fan and with a 17 thousandth inch orifice.

You can find recommended tip sizes for our products in our product data information on our website.

We typically recommend 323 or 325 tip for painting fence, but can vary with product and sprayer specs. Using a tip with too large of an orifice size for the sprayer being used can lead to a pulsating/surging spray pattern. Call us for more information.

1. Gather and Wear Proper Safety Equipment

  • Respirator or Dust Mask: Select a respirator or mask rated for the type of coating you plan to use, to help prevent inhaling paint particles.
  • Safety Glasses or Goggles: Protect your eyes from overspray and debris.
  • Gloves: Protect hands from paint and prevent accidental injection injuries.
  • Protective Clothing: A painter’s suit, or at least long sleeves and pants, helps shield skin from overspray. Head socks (“spray socks”) are also an excellent way to keep hair and face clean.
    Petroleum Jelly on Exposed
  • Skin: Applying a thin layer to remaining exposed skin can make cleanup much easier at the end of the day.
    Always keep your protective gear on until the cleanup is complete.

2. Plan Your Sprayer Setup

  • Sprayer and Hoses Placement: Choose a location for the sprayer and hoses away from objects that shouldn’t get paint on them. While unwanted, hoses can bust. Ensure hoses remain clear of snags and keep all equipment away from property that you would not like to get paint on. 
  • Vehicle: When spraying large stretches of fence, it is typically necessary to move the sprayer and paint around the property. Typical paint trucks are extremely dirty – it is not recommended to spray out of a vehicle that you would not like to get paint on.
  • Account for Wind: Be aware of wind speed and direction. Overspray can drift onto nearby structures, vehicles, driveways, or other surfaces.

3. Estimate Your Paint Needs

  • Panels vs. Posts: A “panel” typically consists of two posts and either three or four 16-foot boards
  • General Rule: 3-rail or 4-board fencing generally requires about 1 gallon of paint per panel.
  • Quick Calculation: Count your fence posts, then divide by 2 to find the approximate number of gallons needed for one coat on your entire fence.
  • Refer to our Fence Paint Calculator for a more precise estimate of your paint needs.

4. Spraying Your Fence Boards

  • Spray from Post to Post: On horizontal boards, work in a single, continuous stroke from one post to the next. Stopping mid-board can cause visible vertical lines in the dried paint.
  • Two Strokes per Board: One coat of paint on a fence typically requires at least two passes (down and back) on each horizontal board.
  • Tops and Narrow Edges: Spray the tops of posts and the top narrow edges of the boards from both sides. This effectively provides double coverage on the areas most exposed to wear.
  • Do Not Paint Bottom Edge: Do not paint the bottom edges of horizontal boards. This gap allows moisture to escape, preventing premature paint failure and wood rot. Completely sealing the wood can trap moisture inside, leading to swelling, cracking, and rot.

5. Covering Fence Posts

  • Multiple Angles: Fence posts often require more than one stroke to achieve full coverage because of their shape.
  • Adjust Sprayer Direction: Turn your spray gun sideways to apply vertical strokes on posts. This will help reach all angles and ensure an even coat.

7. Finishing Up

  • Cleanup: Continue wearing your protective gear during cleanup. Properly dispose of or clean any used materials (rollers, brushes, buckets, sprayer parts).
  • Inspection: After the fence dries, inspect for any missed spots or uneven areas. Touch up as needed.

Painting a long fence may seem like a huge task, but following these steps can make it more manageable than many people expect. If you have any questions about the painting process or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.

Refer to our Fence Paint Calculator for a more precise estimate of your paint needs.

3 rail or 4 board wooden fencing generally takes 1 gallon of paint per panel. A panel is composed of 2 posts and 3 or 4 16-foot fence boards. No panel is exactly 16 feet, they will commonly be a few inches short. The easiest way to estimate paint needs for your fence job is to count your fence posts and divide by 2, this equals gallons needed to complete the project.

1 board fence with wire generally takes 1 gallon of paint per 27 running feet of fence, covering both sides. We like to say 1 board takes 6/10 of a gallon per 16 linear feet, covering both sides.

Posts with wire, while only painting the posts, take roughly 1 gallon of paint per 15 posts.

When painting new boards—or repairing sections of an existing fence—with white paint, a different approach is needed than when using black paint. Wood naturally contains oils, resin, and sap (collectively referred to as tannin), which can cause discoloration (bleeding) through latex paints. Additionally, nail heads can rust and bleed through latex.

Why Use an Oil-Based Primer?

  • A thin coat of oil-based white effectively seals in tannins and prevents nail head rust from bleeding through.
  • A single light coat is sufficient unless you won’t be topcoating for an extended period.

Topcoat with Latex White

  • Latex white provides a brighter finish and is more resistant to cracking and peeling over time.
  • Once the oil-based primer has dried, latex white adheres well and maintains a clean look longer.

Gloss Is Generally Preferred

  • Gloss finishes resist dirt, grass stains, and bird droppings more effectively than flat paint.
  • Rain easily washes away debris from a glossy surface, helping maintain a fresh appearance.
  • Flat finishes will not show as many imperfections in painting or in the underlying substrate.

Additional Protection

  • All of our white paints include mildew inhibitors.
  • Contact us for more tips on extending the life of your white fence paint. We’re always happy to help.

Fences should be painted every 3 to 6 years depending on the following factors:

  • Condition of the Fence – new fence typically need to be painted sooner than subsequent repaints, fences in bad condition also tend to require paint more often than those in good condition
  • Thickness of Coat – a lighter coat will not last as long as a heavier coat
  • Color – black will typically look better longer than white
  • Personal Preference – towards the end of the life of a coat of paint some property owners will want to repaint sooner than others

Brushing and Rolling vs. Spraying

  • For smaller fences or specialty projects, brushing or rolling can be less intimidating and quicker to start than setting up a spray rig.
  • One person can roll both sides of 1,000 feet of 4-board fence in an 8-hour day – assuming 8 hours of continuous hard work and being set up properly to efficiently handle material.
  • Rolling is also ideal when fences are near landscaping, buildings, or vehicles where overspray could cause damage.

Recommended Tools and Techniques

  • Use a 7″ roller (no extension pole) with a 1″ or thicker nap; a wire mesh roller screen in a bucket is more efficient than a standard roller tray.
  • Paint posts vertically, then turn the roller horizontally to get behind boards.
  • Do not paint the bottoms of horizontal boards to allow moisture to escape.
  • Pay extra attention to tops of boards and posts, giving them two coats (one from each side), as these areas weather the most.
  • For larger jobs, a vehicle is recommended to move material around the property

Additional Tips

  • Less paint is typically needed when rolling vs. spraying, especially if the user is careful to avoid spills and drips. If the user is careless and slinging paint, more paint may be used than if spraying.
  • New fences with baton boards or woven wire may be challenging to roll due to tight gaps; recoats are typically easier.
  • Large farms often maintain extensive fencing with rollers by choice, proving the method’s viability.
  • For more advice on product selection or application, feel free to contact us.

Agricultural painting typically covers vast surface areas, so you’ll need a sprayer that can handle large volumes of paint quickly. Gallons per minute (GPM) is the key factor—opt for the highest GPM your budget allows to maximize efficiency over large areas.

Most airless paint sprayers, from budget-friendly homeowner models to high-end commercial units, easily reach 2,000+ PSI, which is generally more than sufficient pressure. Focus on GPM first, then ensure your chosen unit’s PSI rating meets your coating’s requirements.

Yes. It is always best to agitate paint. Hard settling (settling in which the paint solidifies on the bottom of the container) can occur if the paint is stored without agitation for an extended period of time, typically over a year.

Buckets can be agitated by flipping the bucket upside down and rolling it around. 

Drums can be agitated by carefully bubbling air into the bottom of the drum with an air compressor. Latex drums (Fence Pro Black, Enamel Pro White Fence & Barn, etc.) tend to not settle quickly and may not require nearly as much agitation. Fencecoat Black tends to settle quickly. If you bubble air be extremely careful and go slow as to not spray paint out of the top of the drum.

Oil-based products, in particular, tend to settle more than latex products.

When agitating any product the most important thing to do is avoid spills.

All of our drums have 3/4″ and 2″ bung holes.

When spraying, we recommend a drum suction kit in the 2″ bung hold. A drum suction kit consists of a fitting to attach to a paint sprayer, solvent resistant suction hose, 90-degree elbow, 3′ pipe, and a rock guard. We sell these kits preassemble

When rolling, we recommend a 3/4″  boiler valve (typically best) or a 2″ muck valve (if faster filling is required).

We sell all of this equipment. Contact us for more information.

It is best to store all paint in a dry place out of direct sunlight in temperatures between 40°F and 90°F. 

Water-based paints will become ruined if it freezes. Oil-based paints (which are sold in metal containers) can rust if exposed to water for extended periods of time. 

Empty drums should be stored on their side with the bung firmly in place in order to minimize rainwater seeping into the drums.

We collect empty drums at our location in Nicholasville, Kentucky for recycling. We also pick up empty drums in the Central Kentucky area. Returned drums must be empty.

Many scrapyards accept empty drums.

Spray

  • More common for larger, multi-drum jobs
  • Higher overspray risk
  • Longer setup time – quicker once set up
  • More expensive equipment

Roll

  • More common for smaller, residential jobs
  • Lower overspray risk
  • Significantly easier set up – slower once set up
  • Less expensive equipment

Contractor

  • Consider this option especially if you have a large property and do not own a sprayer
  • Often cheaper than expected

We recommend weed eating around all fence posts and doing whatever is possible to remove obstructions between the fence and your sprayer. This will make painting much easier.

Overspray is very difficult to cleanup. It is important to be cautions when spraying as overspray can travel significantly further than many users expect. It is also important to consider wind direction. 

Clay/wax bar will remove some overspray from a car. It is not uncommon for customers to take their cars to a detailer to remediate overspray on cars.

For removing overspray from a house or other structure, a hard pressure wash is recommended.

It is often impossible to completely remove all overspray once it has dried. 

Ordering Questions

  • Nationwide network of dealers, including Lowe’s and Tractor Supply Co.
  • Direct at our store in Nicholasville, Kentucky
  • Local deliveries in Central Kentucky on our truck
  • Shipped nationally on LTL and TL carriers

For smaller jobs, shipping can be prohibitively expensive and it is typically best to purchase through one of our dealers. Give us a call and we will work with you to determine the best place to purchase our products.

We  ship on common carrier (LTL) and on full trucks (TL). When ordering, we will let you know the freight cost. Let us know if you have any concerns with delivery and we will work to find a solution.

LTL deliveries 

We are freight experts and will work with each customer to make sure their freight needs are met and they receive their order at the right place at the right time.

We pride ourselves in our fast ship time. 99% of orders ordered before 3 p.m. will ship same day.

For deliveries in states near to Kentucky, it is not uncommon to receive deliveries next day. We can give an estimated delivery date before orders are places.

Orders are best taken over the phone to ensure all information is received as needed. In order to place an order we need the following information:

  • Product and quantities
  • Shipping address, we will work with you to determine if delivery is available at your location
  • Credit card with billing address

Yes. We ship all over the country through our network of freight carriers. =

Yes. We can recommend painters in many areas nationwide. Call us and we will do our best to find someone for your job.

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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Lexington Paint & Supply! We are closed December 24, 2025, reopening January 2, 2026. For immediate assistance call or text our cell numbers below: