While you could technically leave these up and paint around them, removing exterior lights and other fixtures will give you a blank slate for a neater paint job.

Cut the power supply to any fixtures before removing them and use electrical tape to cover any exposed wires to prevent an accident while you’re working.

If you paint over dirt, grime, cobwebs, and other types of crud on your shed, the paint won’t adhere well and will likely end up looking scratched or bumpy.

Grab a bucket of water and an all-purpose cleaner, and use a wire brush to scrub the interior and exterior of your shed thoroughly. Let it completely dry before painting,

Use a scraper to remove any peeling paint before adding a fresh coat to make sure the new coat of paint sits smoothly on the surface of your shed and doesn’t start peeling as well.

Sand rough spots in the direction of the grain using sandpaper or a mini sander. Then, use some wood filler to close up any holes and let the wood filler dry fully before painting.

Before painting your shed, take care of any repairs that are needed, such as replacing a section of the siding or patching a hole in the roof.

If you wait to address a repair, the shed won't look as nice as it could once you finish painting it. Once the shed is painted, you want everything to

be done.

Cover flowers and shrubs with lightweight plastic sheeting, and use drop cloths for the grass and any wood or concrete surfaces around your shed to avoid accidental splashes.

While most paints are unlikely to kill plants, the chemicals and additives in some paints can still hurt their leaves, interfere with their energy reserves, and kill cell clusters.