Wood Treatment for Shed

Abbafan1972

Hi there.
Can anyone recommend a good wood preserver that is clear and able to paint over with Ronseal Fence life. It's for a new shed that should be arriving next week. 
We will need 5 litres and will paint on with brushes. 
Thanks in advance. 

chrisw

This stuff gets good reviews but I'm not sure how easy it is to paint over.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/sika-wood-preserver-clear-5ltr/47030?tc=UA8&ds_kid=92700052138700993&ds_rl=1243321&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8Jjrp4SP7AIVTM3tCh0lAQSWEAQYAyABEgKAL_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Jeepers_Creepers

I haven't used the Sika product, but they are a reputable brand and that stuff is what you are after. Ie, it is a clear, water-based (micro-emulsion) preservative that'll do just that - preserve the timber from rot and decay. It can be - it should be - painted over afterwards as it won't in itself repel water; it literally just soaks in and helps prevent decay. 

Everbuild Lumberjack is also good, and again you'd ideally want their 'solvent-free' version since you'll be applying a water-based fence paint over it.

Coat it all, but - as always - focus (apply extra coats!) on the cut ends of the timbers as that's where most water penetration takes place, so I guess that mainly means the shed corners, around windows and doors etc. Also concentrate more on the lower cladding boards as these will always be the ones to remain most wet when the rest have dried off - they will be the first to rot. 

Products like 'Fence Life' are just coatings and help to keep water from getting to the timber, but they have no preservative quality in itself. If the shed has smooth - planed - timber cladding, also check that the fence paint you plan to use will adhere to this - some are very much only for use on rough sawn timber. You might be better off with something like Cuprinol Garden Shades (tho' I've no experience with how good it is) or even Bedec Barn Paint which I understand is awseome...

TELLIT01

Sadolin have a range of products which will do the job.

Belenus

Abbafan1972 said:

Hi there.
Can anyone recommend a good wood preserver that is clear and able to paint over with Ronseal Fence life. It's for a new shed that should be arriving next week. 
We will need 5 litres and will paint on with brushes. 
Thanks in advance. 

Have you considered using a coloured solvent based wood preservative that will both protect and colour your shed?

I use water based Ronseal Fence Life on my pre-treated rough sawn timber fence panels. I spray it on which saves a lot of time and effort.

However, for my smooth planed wooden summerhouse shaped shed, I use Langlow or Barrettine solvent based red cedar preservative. I apply that by brush. Other colours are available and there are also good alternatives such as Sadolin etc.