Anybody here ever successfully painted a chain link fence? It will be new. I have read to clean and degrease it, use an etching primer, then an epoxy paint. Is that the way to go?

I used latex exterior on a gate once. Held up surprisingly well.

Obviously scraped, but otherwise held up.

Personally, I wouldn't even consider it.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Personally, I wouldn't even consider it.

Given your time, the cost of materials, and the environment for proper application, it would be better to get it taken down and buy dipped (plastic like coating) chain link fence to put back up. A neighbor tried to spray his back in the early 2000's and 70% of the paint went on my grass, and what did hit the chain link fence was coming off 5 years later.

It's been many years, but used a paint mitt (kind of looks like a car washing mitt) so no over spray issues. Only lasts a few years however, but you should get a longer lasting finish if you etch it, we didn't.

We used a paint made for chain link fencing, almost looked like a galvanized silver color.

Interesting idea. I agree that even IF you found a way for it to bond and look decent now, it will look like crap in a few years defeating the purpose.

They do make dipped colors I think. You mention this is going to be new - I'd erect what you want rather than something that needs painting. Even then it's still a link fence - it's never going to look fancy.

Echo

Dipped/coated would probably give the longevity & look nicer.

The paint mitt is a good idea to have likely significantly less waste.

Spray, I'd put some form of backer board to prevent obscene amounts of overspray.

When they painted the wrought iron gates/fences in our neighborhood, I believe the did it all by hand, rollers probably. I don't recall seeing any spray rigs.

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.
I know that the best way would be to purchase pre coated, but this is for a pre fab dog kennel. It will be by the house and I really don’t want the galvanized look there. I do plan to use brush, mitt, and roller instead of spraying. So, not the best situation, would rather have a dipped kennel, but this is what I have to work with. I expected longevity to be an issue, was trying to minimize that by selecting the proper materials up front.

I once had a chain link fence that was getting rusty. I used a silver colored spray can. My only concern was for it to just look better than rusty so I didn't bother with a lot of prep.

Did it 40+ years ago on a summer job. One guy on each side with standard rollers going up and down with the rollers together. Yeah, it was messy. We looked like the Tin Man afterwards!

I seem to recall someone saying the best way to paint a chain link fence is with a disobedient child and a small brush.

Still gives me nightmares!!!!
I was probably 11 or 12 and my grandparents neighbor wanted his chain link fence painted. These lots were just shy of 2 acres square.
He provided the supplies a little roller and the paint. It was water thin metallic silver I am guessing oil based. I had to clean up with gasoline nothing else seemed to get it off.
That job took me every bit of a week and a half to do.
Dumb kid did not negotiate price before hand. I was working to buy a bike so anything to get towards it I was happy.
He paid me $500 the bike was $475 (pretty stout for a 11 year old kid 26 years ago).

I think my granny told him how much the bike was. I also think after watching for a bit he felt bad for how much of a pain in the butt the job was.
I just rolled this stuff on with no prep really. I took a wire brush to some of the posts where it was a bit corroded.
That finish looked decent for probably 15 years.

If I were to do it again I would cut me a big section of cardboard to put behind the section I was painting and spray it.

You can buy it already plastic dipped in black and green that I know of......easy to order it from HD or lowes, that is what I'd do...… Otherwise spray it with Rustoleum enamel in the quart cans......they make some good primers...….us their primer first and thin it appropriately to spray it out of a cheap wagner power sprayer.

I saw the dipped chain link supplies at Lowe’s, but I needed a pre fab kennel. I already got the kennel in the size I needed. I was hoping somebody would have experience with particular types/brands of paint and primer. I have a feeling this will be another one of those “it can’t be THAT hard...” in the beginning projects, ending with “what was I thinking??”.
Thanks for all the replies.

Why not paint it the color you want with Plasti-Dip? A friend painted his car wheels with this about 10 years ago and it still looks like it did the day he put it on. He color tinted his to get a custom color to accent his car.

Some people are obviously masochists.

How much fence are you planning to paint? 20-30' go for it. Piece of cake.

I like black on chain link and have a 3' bl vinyl coated fence for my small dogs.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
How much fence are you planning to paint? 20-30' go for it. Piece of cake.

I like black on chain link and have a 3' bl vinyl coated fence for my small dogs.

It will be a total of 80 feet. Black is my color choice, too. I think it kind of “disappears” better than silver. I already pressure washed and degreased the panels when they were still loaded on the trailer. I think I’ll put them up and let them weather a little while before I begin painting.

Painting chain link fence? I think you may be on to something that would keep the last 3% perpetually employed.

If it's for a kennel, do you wonder whether the dog's claws might scrape off bits of paint and he/she might end up eating the bits?

If so, might want to factor in toxicity in choosing a finish. Or going bare-link.