Cuprinol

Cuprinol Paint and Woodcare: Choose by Surface, Not Just Colour

A fence coating, decking treatment and timber preserver are not interchangeable. The MGN Cuprinol range covers three different types of project: adding decorative colour to garden surfaces, maintaining exterior decking and protecting bare timber against biological damage.

Not every Cuprinol product is a paint. The range includes water-based exterior coatings, decking stains, penetrating oils, clear preservatives and specialist timber treatments. Start with the surface and its condition, then decide whether the priority is colour, added grip, a natural finish or timber protection.

The quickest way to narrow down the choice is:

• Rough-sawn fences and sheds – Ducksback
• Garden furniture and mixed surfaces – Garden Shades
• Coloured decking with added grip – Anti-Slip Decking Stain
• Natural-looking decking maintenance – UV Guard Decking Oil
• Grey, weathered decking – Total Deck Treatment
• Sound timber needing clear protection – Wood Preserver
• Bare timber needing broader treatment – 5 Star
• Timber with active woodworm – Woodworm Killer

Cuprinol Garden Shades for Decorative Exterior Colour

Cuprinol Garden Shades is the most flexible decorative range available on this page, but it is not a universal exterior coating. It is intended for sheds, fences, garden furniture and other suitable exterior wood. It can also be applied to terracotta, brick and stone, allowing several garden features to be finished in a coordinated colour.

The water-based coating produces a natural matt finish that allows the texture of the woodgrain to remain visible. When the surface is correctly prepared and the product is applied according to the instructions, it provides exterior protection for up to six years. Garden Shades is not suitable for decking.

Custom-colour options include:

• Cuprinol Garden Shades Exterior Paint Custom Colour 2.5L – medium tinting base
• Cuprinol Garden Shades Extra Deep Base Custom Colour 2.5L – extra-deep tinting base

The tinting base is part of the colour formulation rather than a different grade of paint. Select the required custom colour and use the corresponding base shown for that colour.

Garden Shades is the stronger choice when you need Cuprinol garden paint for more than rough-sawn fencing, or when you want a broader selection of Cuprinol colours than the ready-mixed Ducksback range provides. It can serve as both Cuprinol fence paint and Cuprinol shed paint, but its wider surface compatibility makes it particularly useful for projects that also include garden furniture or masonry features.

Final colour and coverage can vary according to the original surface, its porosity and any existing coating. Test the selected colour on a small prepared area before completing the whole project. A minimum of two coats is normally required, and bare wood may need a suitable preserver before painting.

Cuprinol Ducksback for Rough-Sawn Fences and Sheds

Cuprinol Ducksback is the more focused option for rough-sawn exterior timber. It is designed for fence panels, sheds, timber cladding and similar vertical garden surfaces where a ready-mixed colour and water-repellent finish are required.

Its wax-enriched, water-based formula helps rainwater run off the treated timber and provides protection for up to five years. The non-drip consistency is useful on vertical surfaces, while the coating becomes showerproof approximately one hour after application in suitable conditions.

A 5L can covers up to 24m², equivalent to around eight standard fence panels depending on the porosity and condition of the wood. Two coats are recommended.

Available Cuprinol Ducksback colours include:

• Cuprinol Ducksback Autumn Gold Exterior Wood Paint 5L – warm brown
• Cuprinol Ducksback Black Exterior Wood Paint 5L – solid black
• Cuprinol Ducksback Forest Green Exterior Wood Paint 5L – traditional green
• Cuprinol Ducksback Forest Oak Exterior Wood Paint 5L – dark brown
• Cuprinol Ducksback Silver Copse Exterior Wood Paint 5L – contemporary grey

When comparing Cuprinol fence paint colours, check the timber type before selecting the shade. Ducksback is intended for rough-sawn wood; the colour alone does not make it suitable for smooth garden furniture, masonry or decking.

Choose Ducksback for a straightforward fence or shed project. Choose Garden Shades when the job includes different compatible surfaces or requires a custom-mixed colour.

Cuprinol Decking Treatments: Stain, Oil or Restoration Treatment?

Decking is a horizontal walking surface exposed to rain, dirt and regular wear, so it needs a purpose-designed treatment. Standard fence and shed coatings should not be used as substitutes for Cuprinol decking paint, stain or oil.

The three decking options available serve different purposes.

For Colour and Added Grip: Cuprinol Anti-Slip Decking Stain

Cuprinol decking stain is the appropriate choice when the deck needs a visible colour refresh together with added underfoot grip. Cuprinol Anti-Slip Decking Stain contains microbeads that improve grip and an algicide that helps the coating resist green algae and mould.

Its semi-transparent finish adds colour while allowing the timber grain to remain visible. It is suitable for bare or previously stained softwood decking.

Available finishes include:

• Cuprinol Anti-Slip Decking Stain Urban Slate 2.5L
• Cuprinol Anti-Slip Decking Stain Black Ash 2.5L
• Cuprinol Anti-Slip Decking Stain Hampshire Oak 2.5L
• Cuprinol Anti-Slip Decking Stain Silver Birch 2.5L

“Anti-slip” means the coating is formulated to provide additional grip; it does not make decking maintenance-free or eliminate every slipping risk. Leaves, dirt, standing water and biological growth should still be removed regularly.

For a More Natural Timber Finish: Cuprinol Decking Oil

Cuprinol decking oil is better suited to softwood decking that needs nourishment and weather protection without a heavily coloured surface coating. UV Guard Decking Oil penetrates the timber and helps replace oils and resins lost through ageing and weather exposure.

Available options include:

• Cuprinol UV Guard Decking Oil Natural 2.5L – natural appearance
• Cuprinol UV Guard Decking Oil Natural Oak 2.5L – lightly tinted oak finish

Use decking oil where retaining the character of the timber is more important than creating a substantial colour change. The existing deck should be clean, dry and suitably prepared so the oil can penetrate evenly.

For Grey and Weathered Decking: Cuprinol Total Deck

Cuprinol Total Deck Treatment Clear 2.5L is formulated for grey, weathered wooden decking. It restores and oils the timber in one treatment while leaving a clear, natural-looking finish.

It can be applied using a garden broom and covers up to 22m² from a 2.5L pack, depending on the condition and absorbency of the deck.

In practical terms:

• Choose decking stain for colour and added grip
• Choose decking oil for natural-looking maintenance
• Choose Total Deck for visibly grey, weathered boards

Cuprinol Wood Preserver, 5 Star Treatment and Woodworm Killer

A preserver, a general timber treatment and a woodworm killer do not perform exactly the same job. The correct product depends on whether the timber is sound, at risk or already affected by insect activity.

For Sound Timber: Cuprinol Wood Preserver Clear

Cuprinol Wood Preserver is a clear penetrating treatment for sound interior and exterior timber. It helps protect against decay, mould and blue-stain fungi without introducing a coloured finish.

It can be used on exterior timber before painting, staining or varnishing and on suitable interior timber that may experience occasional damp or condensation.

Available pack sizes are:

• Cuprinol Wood Preserver Clear 1L – smaller repairs and individual timber sections
• Cuprinol Wood Preserver Clear 5L – larger areas and ongoing maintenance

Use Cuprinol clear wood preserver when the timber is fundamentally sound and needs preventative protection before its final decorative finish.

For Broader Bare-Timber Protection: Cuprinol 5 Star

Cuprinol 5 Star Wood Treatment is intended for bare timber requiring protection against insect attack, re-infestation and fungal decay. It is a more specialist treatment than a standard decorative coating and should only be applied after paint, stain or varnish has been removed.

Available sizes include:

• Cuprinol 5 Star Wood Treatment 1L – detailed repairs and smaller areas
• Cuprinol 5 Star Wood Treatment 2.5L – larger treatment projects

For exterior use, treated timber should subsequently be finished with a suitable woodstain or paint. The treatment protects the wood but is not intended to act as the final exterior decorative coating.

For Active Woodworm: Cuprinol Woodworm Killer

Cuprinol Woodworm Killer 1L - Low Odour is intended for bare timber affected by active woodworm. The clear, water-based formula penetrates the wood to treat the infestation and helps reduce the risk of further attack.

Existing paint, stain or varnish must be removed before application so the treatment can enter the timber. Once fully dry, the surface can be finished as required.

Woodworm treatment does not repair timber that has already lost structural strength. Where activity is extensive, structural timber is affected or there is uncertainty about whether an infestation is active, obtain an appropriate timber assessment before covering the surface.

Likewise, treating fungal decay does not remove the source of moisture. Leaks, condensation or poor ventilation should be corrected, and significantly damaged timber may need repair or replacement.

Before Ordering Your Cuprinol Product

Confirm the following before selecting a colour or pack size:

• Is the timber rough-sawn or smooth?
• Is the surface vertical or walked on?
• Is the wood bare or previously coated?
• Is the timber sound, weathered or damaged?
• Do you want colour or a natural finish?
• Is the priority decoration, grip or preservation?
• Does the existing coating need removing?
• Is the forecast suitable for application and drying?

Coverage figures are estimates based on correctly prepared surfaces. Rough, porous or weathered timber may absorb more product, while a previously coated surface may need additional preparation to achieve an even finish.

For other brands and non-branded alternatives, browse the full wood preservatives and treatments range.

Buy Cuprinol Products from MGN Builders Merchants

Once the surface, condition and required finish are clear, selecting the correct Cuprinol paint or timber treatment becomes much simpler. Review the individual product page for the latest specification, preparation requirements and safety information, then use the postcode checker to confirm availability, delivery options and minimum order requirements.