Cuprinol Garden Shades

Cuprinol Garden Shades offers a rich colourful finish that seals and protects a huge range of garden surfaces including sheds, fences, terracotta, brick and stone! It's opaque, natural finish allows the natural texture of the grain to show through.

Not sure which colour to choose? Cuprinol Garden Shades is available in small 125ml pots which allow you to sample a range of colours before buying what you need.

Ensure that wooden surfaces to be treated are clean, dry and free from surface dirt and debris before painting.

Bare or New Timber

1. Brush wooden surfaces with a stiff brush or broom to remove surface dirt, debris, mould, algae and moss
2. Areas affected by mould, mildew, algae and fungi should first be treated with a mould and mildew cleaner
3. All rotten timber must be cut out and replaced
4. If the wood surface is looking worn or has greyed from sun damage and the effects of weathering, Cuprinol Garden Furniture Restorer can be used to revive the wood before painting
5. Any holes, gaps or splits in the surface of the wood should be filled beforehand
6. Bare or untreated garden wood can be pre-treated with wax free wood preserver prior to painting if required

Please Note It is important that any wood preservative used does not contain wax, oil or silicon as these will penetrate the wood and repel any water-based product that is applied on top.

Previously Coated Timber

Existing surface coatings such as paint or varnish must be fully removed back to bare wood before Cuprinol Garden Shades by sanding or using a suitable wood stripper.

Brush Application

1. Stir Cuprinol Shades paint thoroughly before and during application to ensure a consistent colour
2. Apply evenly along the wood grain using a good quality brush
3. The surface will be touch dry in 1 hour
4. Allow 2 - 4 hours drying time between coats (2 - 8 hours in cool weather)
5. Apply second coat as above. The second coat must be applied the same day as the first. If the first coat is left to dry overnight then the second coat will not adhere to the surface correctly

Spraying Cuprinol Shades

1. Shake contents of the tin thoroughly before decanting into Cuprinol Spray and Brush sprayer (not suitable for use with the Cuprinol Power Sprayer)
2. Refer to the sprayer user guide for full instructions before every use
3. Cover any nearby surfaces to protect from over-spray
4. Any overspray should be cleaned up immediately (whilst still wet) with water and household detergent

Top Tips

• Apply a small test area before beginning any project to assess the colour and compatibility of the finish. The colour shade of the final finish may differ to that of the website and the tin when dry. This is down to the type and natural colouration of the wood being treated.
• Don't apply in temperatures below 5°C, in damp conditions or if rain is likely before the product has dried. Low air temperature and or high humidity may prolong the overall drying time of the product.
• On areas subject to wear, such as garden furniture, allow Cuprinol Garden Shades paint to dry for a few days before heavy use or contact with soft furnishings such as throws and cushions.

Regular Cleaning

Surfaces painted with Cuprinol Garden Shades can be cleaned at regular intervals with a dampened, lint-free cloth or Cuprinol Garden Furniture Cleaner.

Maintenance

To maintain the surface finish and its protective properties, re-apply a fresh coat of Cuprinol Garden Shades if the surface starts to show signs of weathering, following the Preparation and Application instructions above.

Q. Can I use Cuprinol Shades Paint on decking?

A. Although ideal for decking balustrades and handrails, this garden paint is not durable enough for decking boards and will soon start to show signs of wear and tear. For alternative products suitable for decking, see our full range of Cuprinol products.

Q. My garden shed and fence panels have been previously treated with decking oil. Can I now colour them with Cuprinol Garden Shades?

A. It depends on how long ago your shed and fence panels where oiled. Cuprinol Garden Shades paint is a water based product so any remaining oil or wax from previous treatments will likely repel the paint. If the timber hasn't been treated for a couple of years it may be OK. In situations like this we always recommend a test area before starting the main project to test adhesion.

Q. I want to use a wood preserver on my garden fencing before painting with Cuprinol Garden Shades. Which one should I use?

A. It's important that you use a wood preservative that doesn't contain wax, oil or silicone as these will prevent the paint from penetrating and adhering to the wood. Wood preservers that are advertised as being waterproof and resistant to weathering often contain wax, oil, silicone or a combination of these.

Q. Is Cuprinol Garden Shades suitable for a large log cabin / summerhouse at the end of the garden?

A. Absolutely - Cuprinol Garden Shades is suitable for any garden structure including summerhouses and log cabins. If it's a bare wood structure, new or old, its probably worth treating it with a wax free wood preservative first to protect the wood from mould, algae and fungi. Allow this to fully dry before painting. Its important than any preservative used is wax free otherwise the paint may not adhere to the structure.

Q. Is Cuprinol Garden Shades suitable for garden fences and is is solvent-based? Does it contain any wax?

A. Cuprinol Garden Shades is perfect for garden fences but is a water-based product. It also doesn't contain any wax. If you are specifically looking for a solvent-based fence paint or treatment, we recommend looking at our range of alternative fence paints.