Wood stain - do I need preserver first?

KaratePigeon

I have bought a timber playhouse for my little boy, and decided we wanted it yellow. So I've got a tin of Cuprinol Garden Shades and was ready to paint it but it says on the tin that if it's untreated wood then to use Cuprinol Clear Wood preserver first. Is it necessary? as it seems really expensive to have to buy both. The wood preservers I have seen all seem solvent based, whereas the Garden Shades is water-based so would it even go on top?

The info that came with the playhouse just says that it is treated with a water-based treatment but that this is just enough to protect the wood in transit, and that it must be properly treated as soon as possible after it has been recieved.

Thanks for any advice.

planemad

I know the exact product you are talking about.

I have just done the new gates at the front of my house.

Just to ensure that I get extra life out of the gates I used the wood preserver first, its like a solvent with the same consistency as water.
With the preserver I used 2 coats on the wood and about 4 coats on the end grain.

Going on top with a water based product is no problem but you do have to allow a few days for the first preserver to dry.

The wood preserver slightly darkens the wood at first but the wood but changes back to original in a few days.:beer:

For longevity of the wood I would do the preserver first.

savemoney

Not sure on the product but if the playhouse is directly on the ground to make it last longer I would keep it a few mm of the ground if you could maybe use some slate or something else but you pobably have to be careful if doesn't stick out so a child could cut themselves, may just enough to allow the thickness of the playhouse

greyteam1959

If the Cuprinol wood preserver is solvent based be very careful the the fumes don't make the playhouse very unpleasant to use for months.
The fumes might also be considered dangerous by some people.
Even tho you may not put the Cuprinol on the inside, the wood is so thin it will soak through.
Just a thought........