With bamboo becoming a favourite material of eco-warriors in the UK, there are plenty of gardens across the country with eco-friendly bamboo screening.
And as a nation of DIYers always looking for our next renovation, many might be asking the question: “Can You Paint Bamboo Screening?”
Can You Paint Bamboo Screening?
Yes, you can paint bamboo screening but stains and paints do not easily adhere to bamboo surfaces due to it being dense and smooth. For bare bamboo screening, start with a primer such as Dulux Trade Super Grip Primer or Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3. From there, sufficient adhesion may be achieved for you then to use your favourite fence paint such as Cuprinol Garden Shades.
Why Do You Need to Use A Primer?
If you’re even slightly familiar with decorating, you’ll know that creating a key on surfaces with which paint can adhere, is the difference between a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing finish or something that is patchy and flakes.
So with this in mind, you might be thinking, why can’t you just give the bamboo screening a quick rub down and chuck the paint on. Well, bamboo is an incredibly smooth surface, and like surfaces such as bare metal and glass, needs to be primed first.
Using something like Dulux Trade Super Grip as a primer will basically mean that fence paint will stick to the surface without any issues.
If you went straight on with the paint without using the primer, it’s likely that the paint won’t last.
Unfortunately, these high-quality primers aren’t cheap but on the upside, they do have immense covering capabilities (Dulux Super Grip can cover 18m²/L for example).
How Do You Paint Bamboo Screening?
Painting bamboo screening is a little more time consuming than painting your typical garden fence but nonetheless, it can be done. For a great finish, follow these simple steps…
Step 1: Clean the surface
Like all types of outdoor surfaces, your bamboo screening will likely need a good clean before you start. Make sure all muck and cobwebs are removed as this will impact the final finish.
Step 2: Give it a light rub down
You don’t need to be too vigorous here – simply give the screening a light rubdown with sandpaper and wash away any dust. Make sure the screening is completely dry before moving on to the next stage.
Step 3: Prime with Dulux Super Grip
At this stage, you need to prime the screening for the topcoat. We would highly recommend using Dulux Super Grip but Zinsser 1-2-3 is also a good option.
Apply the primer evenly with either a synthetic paintbrush, microfibre roller, airless or conventional spray system (you’ll need to thin the primer if using a conventional spray system). Dulux recommends that you stir the primer thoroughly before and during use.
Step 4: Let the primer dry
The primer will take around 4 to 6 hours to dry so bear this in mind when choosing the time of day to paint your bamboo screening. If you want to get it all done in one day, pick a day where no rain has been forecast and start early in the morning.
Step 5: Apply 1 or 2 coats of your chosen fence paint
Once the primer has dried, the surface of your bamboo screening will be ready to paint. Apply your chosen fence paint as you normally would and if needed, add a second topcoat. Take care not to let the paint pool in small crevices and always do a test area before painting.
In order to keep the paint looking fresh all year round, we’d recommend giving the screening a fresh coat every couple of years or so.
Final Thoughts
With more and more people choosing bamboo screening for their gardens instead of typical wooden fencing, it’s very likely that people will need to know the ins and outs of painting bamboo screening. We hope this guide has given you the information you need.