What to paint the new fence with

bretts

Hi

I just recently got some fence panels and I want to coat them with something to preserve them, I went to B and Q and the guy told me you can use a wood preserver, I am looking to have it just natural clear, I dont want to colour them at all, a guy in wickes told me you could use a decking oil too, I am confused which is better, price wise both are about the same.

Davesnave

Fence panels that are just dipped are like cars used to be before the majority of mass manufacturers started galvanising the underbodies, not just Audi.

In other words the protection is minimal and they soon start to rot. Rotting is a biological process aided by UV in sunlight, which also attacks the wood.

Preservatives based on spirits kill the fungi that attack wood, but they gradually leach out. Many of them, like Creocote, also stain and aren't available in a clear colour, but I believe there are some that are. It really doesn't matter to me with my chicken houses!

Some people on here recommend Ducksback. I think that's a water/wax based product, but no experience here.

Of course, I don't know what kind of panels you have.

When I installed tanalised (pressure treated) panels, they lasted at least 20 years without costly maintenance or effort on my part. They cost 2x more than DIY sheds' panels. Like a galvanised car, they withstood everything nature threw at them and weathered to a nice grey. Whatever colour yours are now, they won't stay that way naturally!

bretts

Hi Dave

Yes they are pressure treated, costed about 65 to 70 per panel, they gave 10 years warranty against rot as well but I just wanted to make sure its not raw wood exposed to the weather, it does have a green tinge to it which is on most of outdoor wood.

EmmyLou30

If they're pressure treated then no painted on treatment will prolong their life that much more - certainly not enough to justify the cost of the paint, the time and effort and the fact they'll look crap in less than a year and patchy forever more even when you paint them again. Let them weather to a lovely uniform grey instead and save yourself the hassle.

27cool

Most fences end their life as a result of wind damage. Not as a result of rot. Painting them is a complete waste of money in my humble opinion. Unless you are doing it for the decorative effect.