How to Paint a Gazebo + the Best Type of Paint to Use

During the warm months, a conventional wood gazebo makes a lovely open-air space ideal for entertaining.

A well-done paint job will keep a gazebo looking great for many years while shielding the wood from elements that may otherwise harm it.

There are a few key information that you have to know before you start painting.

In this article I will share with you all of this information before you learn how to paint a gazebo.

Painting An Old or New Gazebo

There are a number of thing that you have to do before you paint a gazebo for the first time. For example, the moisture level on the wood need to be at a minimum.

As a matter of fact, it’s crucial to ensure that the wood’s moisture level is under 20% if you’re painting a newly built gazebo for the first time.

You can get that information from the lumberyard that provided the wood. If they dont, you an electronic moisture metre so you can take the measurement yourself.

If the moisture level is too hig you can put the wood to cure. Test again after four to six weeks if the moisture content is still too high.

Then, instead of using an oil-based primer, apply an acrylic latex primer to stop extra moisture from becoming trapped inside the wood.

You do not have to use new wood, there are many home that is being demolished and you can repurpose those wood.

Remember the saying, reuse, reduce and recycle. However, old wood has problem too.

For example, lead may be in the paint especially paint made duing the 1970s.

Before removing any painted surfaces from a gazebo built before 1978, conduct a lead paint test.

Paint and hardware stores sell lead test kits that have been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and most larger areas have expert testing services.

The EPA advises speaking with a licenced lead-based paint specialist if the testing indicates unsafe levels of lead.

Step 1: Get rid of the old paint off the gazebo

Wood Gazebo: Painting over old flaky paint does not look good. We have to remove all the old paint and dust from the surface of the wood and start with a clean slate.

A lead-free gazebo that has been painted before should be scraped and sanded to remove any flaking or peeling paint, followed by a power wash and thorough drying.

For the best result, you can sand the wood with a good sand paper, do the sanding in the direction of the wood grain.

Remember to check the moisture of the wood because we neet the level to be below 20%.

You can achieve this by letting the wood dry for a few days, then apply an all-purpose acrylic latex primer next to ensure good adhesion of your final coat.

Metal Gazebo: For metal gazebo you can use a wire brush to the get rid of the old paint.

Doing this on wood with dig in the grain of the wood. If you are a lazy like myself you can use an electric drill with an attached sading bit then wiping it down with a emery cloth.

Brick or Concrete Gazebo: you cannot sand brick or concrete with a drill and a wire brush may distroy the bricks. You may have to use a chemical to get rid of old pain.

You can try trisodium phosphate and warm water. The combination is good for thoroughly cleaning the concrete or brick services.

Step 2: Prime the surfaces on the gazebo

Priming the surface of the gazebo is important whether wood, metal or brick.

The primer protects the surface of the wood and metal to helps protect it from the element. In addition, it provide a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to.

The primer also hides some of the minor blemishes and imperfections so that the paint job can look amazing.

For concrete surfaces you have to use a concrete filler before the primer. The filler will cover over all the cracks adn imperfections.

Step 3: Painting the gazebo in stages

You’ve cleaned and primed the different surfaces of the gazebo – the roof and ceiling, the sides and the floor.

Now it is time to start painting. The best way do do the painting is to start from the roof and move all the way down to the floor of the gazebo.

Painting the ceiling:

The gazebo’s ceiling can be painted with any exterior paint, but utilising one designed for porch, pergola or gazebo ceilings has some distinct advantages.

An acrylic latex paint is good for this job because of the protection it offers.

Paints that are specifically designed for outdoor use sometimes contain special ingredients that protect the ceiling from mould and mildew.

These paints will also include an an anti-spatter additive to prevent paint from splashing everywhere.

Definitely use an epoxy paint for concrete ceiling because it adhere will to the surface and provide a satin smooth finish can even the experts would be proud of.

You can apply the paint with a paint roller with an attached extension pole and use a brush for the corners or hard to reach areas. If the ceiling is ahrd to reach a good ladder would help. Here are my selection of ladder that are perfect for the job.

Dont forget, you might need a ladder to reach the top of the gazebo to paint all those hard to reach corners.

Even though the paint has anti splatter properties, some may still splash on the floor. Dont worry, it was for this reason we start at teh top.

Painting the sides of the Gazebo:

The ceiling is already painted, not is it time to do the sides.

The sides of a gazebo may include decorative wood railings lower down and ornaments at the eaves- ornamental frieze are good examples.

The exteria paint used on the ceiling can be use here. Apply two coats of the acrylic latex paint as a topcoat; they last much longer because they expand and contract with the changing temperatures.

Bye bye blisters and cracks. For the best result you choice of paint is important – paints with eggshell, satin, or glossy sheen is perfect.

It make if easy for the homeowner to wipe off handprints or other outdoor grime that accumulate overtime.

Application of the paint is also important, use the best paintbrush money can buy – a high-quality, synthetic-bristle brush is the best is you require a smooth finish – free of brush streaks or marks.

Paint the floor of the gazebo:

Now that you’ve completed the ceiling and sides of the gazebo its time for the floor. The floor is the most difficult part of the jobs.

We have to clean the paint splash, get rid of furniture scrapes, and other blemishes. A rotary sander can smooth all blemishes on the wood floor.

Alternatively, you can use a pressure washer to get rid of excess grime and damage resulting from heavy footfall, snowfall and rain danage.

The acrylic latex paint can be used on the floor. It reduces the occurrences of abrasions and prevent moisture seapage to the underside of the flooring.

Paint on the floor can be applied using a paint roller with adn extension pole.

Tips when painting outdoors

Check the weather forecast before beginning an exterior paint job. The sunny warm weather is best. It is difficult for paint to dry in winter when the time is cold.

You do not want to gazebo to stand out too much. Paint the gazebo in a colour that matches the surrunding.

Cover the furniture that cannot be moved to prevent paint splashes or damage with tools.

If you do not have a gazebo you can build one. Here is a few words on the history of gazebo; it is kind of interesting.

You can try a temporary gazebo if you are not sure of the permanent ones, here are some useful information about how to anchor a gazebo in the backyard.