Painting a Trex Fence
One of the best features of a Trex fence is the availability of three natural colors. The Trex Fencing colors (Saddle, Winchester Grey, and Woodland Brown) are created by a pigmentation process during production, and manufacturing is performed in a way to ensure that the materials retain color as the product weathers.
Although Trex products never need to be painted or stained for protection, Trex can be painted either to refresh the designated color or to achieve a custom color. Trex products can be painted or stained at any time, even years after they have been installed. Paints and stains that adhere well to wood will work as well or better with Trex products.
What types of paints and stains should be used?
The following paint companies have evaluated Trex fencing and have suggested these coatings:
| Paint Manufacturer | Tech Support Phone Number | Suggested Coating |
| Behr | 800-854-0133 | Deck Premium Plus Exterior Solid Wood Deck Stain (no primer needed) |
| Sherwin Williams | 800-474-3794 | S-W Deckscapes ext. acrylic Deck Stain A15-150 Series S-W Woodscapes ext. acrylic Deck Stain A15 Series |
Trex Saddle painted to darken the weathered color
Shall I wait until my Trex fencing is faded before applying paint or stain?
Yes, it is important to wait for Trex to fade (approximately 12-16 weeks) before applying paint or stain. If the Trex femcing is painted or stained before it fades, the paint or stain could become discolored and adhesion may be compromised. This discoloration is not permanent and can be cleaned.
Once I’ve picked out my paint or stain, what do I do?
These easy three steps will guide you:
1. Wait until the Trex fencing fades, approximately 12-16 weeks.
2. Clean your Trex fence surface. Never paint over dirty surfaces or surfaces with mold or mildew. Refer to your owners kit (the Product and Installation Guide) for cleaning instructions.
3. Apply the paint or stain in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.
How long will the paint or stain on my fence last?
This depends on the paint, but testing has shown that paints and stains on Trex fencing will last as long as or longer than paints or stains on wood. Because Trex fencing absorbs minimal moisture, the paint or stain will not experience checking or splitting.
What about cleaning my painted or stained Trex fence?
Consult the Trex Fencing Care & Cleaning Guide and your paint or stain manufacturer’s directions before cleaning.
