How to Clean and Repaint Outdoor Shepherd’s Hooks

Shepherd’s hooks get dirty, rusty, and grimey just like any outdoor garden decor item. It’s important to clean them semi-yearly to keep them looking nice.  If you properly take care of them they should last you for several years, if not decades.

I pull all of mine out of the ground and lay them across a plastic tarp. I use the garden hose to rinse off all of the cobwebs, dirt, and debris. You’ll want to use a liquid all-purpose cleaner. I like to use Krud Kutter or Fabulouso mixed in a spray bottle and diluted with water. Spray them all and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

If you have stuck on dirt and grime gently use a bristle brush or a Mr. Clean Eraser to losen it up. If they’re painted…be gentle using a bristle brush so that you don’t scratch up the surface. Take the garden hose and rinse them clean. To dry…take them back to their original spot in the yard and poke them into the ground to air-dry in the sunshine.

Repainting your outdoor Shepherd’s Hooks is an easy process. Lay them on a plastic tarp and spray with an outdoor paint. Wait 45-60 minutes and spray on a second coat. Let dry for 2 hours and flip them over to the other side. Repeat the spray paint process, letting time elapse between coats. Recently I changed all of our’s from black to white to fit in better with all of our outdoor decor.

When looking for a good spray paint I recommend sticking with a trusted name brand and go with one that is specifically made for the outdoors. Make sure you shake the can well and stand back at a proper distance to avoid drips and drabs. Do all your painting on a warm weather day preferrably with low humidity. Your paint application will be smoother and dry quickly.

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