Summer sorted: Odd jobs to get you through the holidays

Take advantage of the long summer days and check some DIY jobs such as painting the fence off your to-do list. Fence painted in Resene Pitch Black.

If your home needs a little TLC why not make the most of the summer holidays (and golden weather – fingers crossed!) and do a few touch-ups at your place? Whether you only have a few spare hours, or a few weeks of annual leave up your sleeve, these DIY odd jobs can help your home look refreshed for the new year.

Odd job #1: Paint the fence

It doesn’t get easier than painting a fence, and if you want to rope in the kids to help with some DIY, then this is an easy job they can try. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is an ideal paint for exterior projects including any type of fence, from pickets to rough sawn timber. It’s an ultra-durable paint that is designed to withstand New Zealand and Australia’s harsh UV light, as well as high winds and rainy conditions.

To get started, treat any moss, mildew or fungus with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Allow the product to penetrate the timber for up to 48 hours before scrubbing and rinsing clean. Then clean the timber with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. When the timber is thoroughly dry, it’s time to get painting.

Decant your paint into a Resene Paint Pot and use a cutting-in brush to paint the edges and between the slats, followed by a flat brush to paint the main part of the fence paling. If you are new to painting – or if you’re choosing a paintbrush for kids to use – choose a smaller and lighter brush so that painting is not too tiring. Paintbrushes are usually recommended for ensuring the paint gets right into the grain of the timber, but for really larger fence palings consider using a Deck & Fence Roller.

Remember to be sun smart. Wear sun-protective gear and paint the fence in the morning or late afternoon – this will also prevent the paint from drying too quickly. Make sure you keep a wet edge on your paint and apply evenly to avoid lap marks.

For more about painting – or staining – your fence, check out this article:

How to prep and paint a timber fence

Before you start painting your fence, make sure you treat the wood with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This will create the perfect canvas for your Resene paint to adhere to.

For really tall or long fences, use a roller to make the job quicker and easier, then use a paintbrush to get into any hard-to-reach spots. This fence is being painted in Resene Pitch Black.

Odd Job #2: Clean the pathways

If your concrete pavers lead you up the garden path or your dirty driveway is driving you bonkers, then get a longer term clean up underway with Resene Deep Clean. Simply apply using a garden sprayer and leave the product to soak in – no rinsing or scrubbing required! The cleaning formula will work over time to freshen up the concrete.

To give concrete surfaces a makeover, consider staining with Resene Concrete Stain, or create a whitewash/colourwash effect with Resene ConcreteWash. Resene Concrete Stain is available in seven colours including Resene Bleached Grey, Resene Red Terracotta and Resene Black. Resene ConcreteWash creates a softer look and is available in Resene Greigewash, Resene Whitewash, Resene Stonewash, Resene Blondewash and Resene Claywash.

Colour options for Resene Concrete Stain:

Odd Job #3: All the trimmings

Windowsills, trims and doors take quite a beating from the elements and are subject to a lot of wear and tear. Show them some love by giving them a couple of coats of Resene paint. First treat for any moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer – this is particularly important on windowsills, as they are often places where condensation and mould can accumulate. Then clean the surfaces using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash.

Paint with two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss or Resene Enamacryl gloss in your chosen Resene colour. These waterborne paints are durable like traditional enamel paints except with easy-to-use and Eco Choice-approved formulas that are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

For more about painting windows, architraves and doors, check out these articles:

If your door has glass, use a paintbrush to cut in around it, or mask it with painter’s tape, before painting the panels. This door is being painted in Resene Bush.

Remember to paint the doorstep using Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint, a tough acrylic resin for maximum abrasion resistance. Doorstep being painted in Resene Bush.

Odd Job #4: Redo the guest bedroom

If you have guests coming to stay, it won’t take long to give your guest bedroom a quick makeover before they arrive. Simply treat any mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and clean the walls with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner before painting the walls in Resene SpaceCote, a durable paint that’s ideal for broadwall areas and is available in flat or low sheen finishes.

For advice on picking paint colours for bedrooms, read this article:

Paint your way to a better sleep

Odd Job #5: Paint the house exterior

OK, painting your home’s exterior is more than just a touch-up job – but why not kick the year off with a bang by tackling a big job? Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is a durable waterborne paint that’s ideal for exterior surfaces such as weatherboards and is built to withstand the elements. Or if you prefer a higher sheen that will be easier to clean, use Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss waterborne paint.

If your surface has lots of imperfections, you might prefer to use a matte finish such as Resene Lumbersider Matt which will help to hide the less than perfect parts. To help you figure out how much paint you’ll need to paint the exterior of your home, check out our paint calculator below.

Before you start painting, remember to give your house a good wash with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove any dirt and cobwebs. It’s best to try and stay ahead of the sun and not paint while you are in direct sunlight. This will help you maintain a wet edge and avoid lap marks in the paint caused by the paint drying too quickly. If it’s hot, then using Resene Hot Weather Additive in your paint will slow down the drying time on your paint, making the job a little easier.

Check out these articles for more advice:

How much paint will you need?

If you change data entered into the fields below, ensure you press the calculate button again to re-run the equations and get the new answers.

Height (m)

Length (m)

Surface Area (m2)

Spreading rate (m2/L)

Number of coats

Calculated result: 0 Litres in total

To find the spreading rate of your Resene product, click here.
NB: Porous surfaces and shapes (ie corrugated iron) will require more paint.

Try to stay ahead of the sun and try and paint in the shade. House exterior is painted in Resene Double Concrete and Resene Everest, window frames in Resene Half Black White.

Top tip:

If you are painting any exterior surface a dark colour, opt for a Resene CoolColour formula. Resene CoolColour paints contain special heat-reflective technology that keeps dark colours cooler when exposed to UV light. This protects the substrate from heat-related damage such as warping and makes surfaces cooler to touch in summer.