pressure treated gates

AliceW

A couple of years ago I had some tall pressure treated gates fitted  at the end of my drive. I thought that because they are pressure treated I wouldn't need to treat them with anything so I've left them as they were, but now I've seen on the internet that to help them last, I should maybe use something to give them a waterproof coat. 

My fence is painted in grey Cuprinol Duck's back and I like how it looks. I thought maybe I should paint the gates with it, but it says on the tin for fences and sheds --  which maybe means the wood used for gates is different?  Any thoughts/advice would be great.

kimwp

The gate is just a moveable bit of fence

Devongardener

It’s all wood built in different styles so why not?

AliceW

Thank you. It says on the  Ducksback tin  for rough sawn timber. The wood on my gates seems quite smooth (The description said  "planed all over".) so I thought the Duck'sback might not protect it very well.

Albermarle

AliceW said:

Thank you. It says on the  Ducksback tin  for rough sawn timber. The wood on my gates seems quite smooth (The description said  "planed all over".) so I thought the Duck'sback might not protect it very well.

I think you are right. You would be better to use something more akin to paint, like this. ( other brands exist) 
Opaque Timber Protection Products | Sadolin

ThisIsWeird

AliceW said:

Thank you. It says on the  Ducksback tin  for rough sawn timber. The wood on my gates seems quite smooth (The description said  "planed all over".) so I thought the Duck'sback might not protect it very well.

You are right. 'Fence paints' are usually only suitable for rough-sawn timber, as used on many types of fence panel. It just doesn't adhere to planed or sanded timber - it's really weird!

You have a few options available to you. The first thing is to prevent the gate from rotting, and that requires timber preservative. You'll need to wait for the rain to stop, and ideally have a good couple of weeks of really dry and sunny weather. Then you can soak it in either water or spirit-based timber treatment, the former being nicer to use, but the latter probably being a bit more effective. Both can be a clear product, so will leave the timber looking just as it does now.

To give it a decorative coating, ideally one that also adds more protection - ie tries to prevent rain getting through in the first place - your choice is essentially a 'stain' or a 'paint'. The former will soak in, offer a colour and protection, but will not give it a solid 'coat' of cover. Decking 'oils' work this way. The main - overwhelming - benefit is that the layer doesn't peel, but slowly erodes, losing colour and effectiveness after a couple of years. It's then very easy to re-coat.

'Paints', however, do provide this protective 'skin', will often obliterate the wood grain, and look good - until it starts to fail. Once you have bubbles and cracks and peels, it's scrape-scrape-scraps time, which is a major pita.

Photo of your fence and one of your gate?

Rdwill

https://www.barrettinepro.co.uk/25/274/barrettine-wood-preservative

I always use this stuff, its a bit pricey, but compared with having to do the job twice / or the product not working its well worth the extra money.

casper_gutman

The best paint I know for planed timber is Jotun Demidekk. I used it on a log cabin five years ago. It went on like a dream and still looks as good as the day it was done. Whatever you use, follow the instructions carefully - especially regarding priming, number of coats, and treatment of exposed end grain. E.g., Jotun recommend applying three coats to end grain for every one on the other areas - so, if applying two or three coats generally you need six to nine (!) on cut ends.

AliceW

Albermarle said:

AliceW said:

Thank you. It says on the  Ducksback tin  for rough sawn timber. The wood on my gates seems quite smooth (The description said  "planed all over".) so I thought the Duck'sback might not protect it very well.

I think you are right. You would be better to use something more akin to paint, like this. ( other brands exist) 
Opaque Timber Protection Products | Sadolin

Thank you. I hadn't a clue what to use.

AliceW

Rdwill said:

https://www.barrettinepro.co.uk/25/274/barrettine-wood-preservative

I always use this stuff, its a bit pricey, but compared with having to do the job twice / or the product not working its well worth the extra money.

Thank you!

AliceW

Rdwill said:

https://www.barrettinepro.co.uk/25/274/barrettine-wood-preservative

I always use this stuff, its a bit pricey, but compared with having to do the job twice / or the product not working its well worth the extra money.

Thank you. I see they do it in clear.  (Which means I wouldn't have worry about using a stain I might end up not liking the look of!)