Preparing the fence for painting

[Jeanied]

I have a lovely tub of 'shades' paint to brighten up my fence - trouble is the fence is partly green on the wood where the algae have grown and parts of it has dirty dog / cat paw prints on.
What is the best way of preparing the fence before I get the brushes out? I can't sand it and I think jetwashing may be counterproductive, producing more muddy splashes.

What do other grapes advise?

[chris]

Scrape or wash it off by hand?

Cover the soil with tarp and then hose/jet wash?

Jet wash first, then rise off with low pressure to stop any further splatting.

[Scarlet]

Good wire brush and some elbow grease

[Feral007]

I'm considering a wire brush and some vinegar on the algae growing on the horse float (its possible the same thing would help with getting the horse on the float as well )

[goodolpete]

B&Q do a "Geocell Ecochem algae and moss remover" that worked well on my trellis before I cuprinolled it.
Pete

[Potstubsdustbins]

Depends what's below the fence to get splashed, but most algae will come of with 50/50 bleach and water.

[Bal]

I used a jet washer on my fence and it came up a treat, so much so I didn't even paint it after that.