Frequently Asked Questions

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Sheds & fences

Why do I need to protect my fence or shed?

Fences and sheds are made of wood. If you don't protect wood it'll turn grey in the sun or rot in the rain. At best it won't look good. At worse, it'll collapse. You can choose two different kinds of Fence Life to protect it. One Coat gets the job done fast. 5 Year Weather Defence needs two coats but will last year after year, after year. Revise with correct products.

How does the Precision Finish Power Sprayer work?

Our new Power Sprayer paints a fence panel in just 2 minutes. What's different is the power settings. You can control how it sprays. It has an accuracy setting so you can do the fiddly parts of your fence, with a small spray pattern. A control setting, that has a wider spray pattern, ideal for filling in gaps. Setting 3 is made for speed. Covering large areas, quick.

Can I use a brush to apply Sprayable Fence Life?

You don't have to use a sprayer to apply our Sprayable One Coat Fence Life, you can still use a brush. To get the job done as quickly as possible, we'd recommend using a wide brush. Get loads of Fence Life on your brush and put a thick coat on, be careful not to spread it too far. If your wood is very weathered, you may need to put another coat on, just make sure to leave about 4 hours between coats.

Can I use a jet wash to remove paint from my fence?

We wouldn't recommend using a jet wash to remove paint from your fence. The wood needs to be clean and dry, or the new paint won't stick properly. Use a stiff brush to get rid of any dirt.

Can I use the non-sprayable Fence Life in a sprayer?

You can't use our standard Fence Life in a sprayer. If you do, you might end up damaging the sprayer by clogging it up. If you want to use your sprayer, pick up a tub of our Sprayable Fence Life or Fence Life Plus+

How can I clean Fence Life splashes from white plastic window frames?

If you get splashes of Fence Life on something other than your shed or fence, just give it a wash with soapy water before it dries.

What is the best size brush for applying fence preserver or Fence Paint to sawn timber?

There is no best brush size, but get the job done as quickly as possible, we'd recommend using a wide brush, about 4".

How should I prepare my fence before I paint it?

Give your fence a good clean with a stiff brush to get rid of any dirt.

Is Fence Life safe to use near plants or fish?

Fence Life is safe to use around plants and pets.

How to stop green mould coming through the fence?

To prevent mould on your shed or fence, use our Shed & Fence Preserver, its an all round garden life saver. It'll protects your wood from rot, decay, wood burrowing insects and wood discolouring fungi. Its all in one formula also adds colour and waterproof protection, so your garden wood will look great for longer.

How to remove fence paint off a rendered wall?


Can I use Fence Life to paint concrete fence posts?

Our Fence Life products are for wood only. If you want to paint concrete, try our Garden Paint.

How do I clean the Fence Sprayer?

To empty the sprayer, push the pump handle all the way down and lift the pressure release valve until no ‘hissing’ can be heard. Once the pressure has escaped, unscrew the pump unit and tip any liquid back into its tub. (Alternatively, spray the excess liquid back into its tub before releasing pressure). Remove as much product as possible before cleaning, some local authorities have special facilities for the disposal of waste coatings. Don’t empty into drains or watercourses. It’s important that the sprayer is cleaned thoroughly after use. Don’t leave the sprayer filled with product when not in use or overnight. Rinse out the sprayer several times with clean water, then refill with clean water. Re-pressurise and then spray through the nozzle until the water runs clear, it’s best to do this on the Speed setting. Unscrew the wand handle from the trigger and clean the filter with clean water. Remove the nozzle and white filter and clean with warm, soapy water and an old toothbrush. Make sure you don’t use a sharp object as this will damage the nozzle and ruin the spray pattern. Put the nozzle back together and take care to do this in the correct order.

When should I treat my fence?



Why do I need to protect my deck?

Decking is expensive so you'll need to protect it to stop the sun turning it grey or the rain damaging it. You can use a decking stain or an oil, both will protect it and keep it looking great.

What's the difference between a stain and an oil?


What's Ultimate Decking Stain and Ultimate Decking Oil?

Our Ultimate Decking Stain and Oil are guaranteed to last twice as long so you'll get the most out of your deck. They give the best protection against the weather and everyday use.

What's the best way to clean decking?

You'll need to clean your decking a couple of times a year to keep it looking its best. Ronseal Decking Cleaner and Reviver is great at cleaning and reviving weathered or tired timber decking. It can be use as a general cleaner to brighten and enhance your deck throughout the year. It's also ideal for use as a pre-treatment too, as it opens the grain of the wood to allow the new coating to stick for a longer lasting finish. Start by removing any moss, mould or algae off the deck with a stiff brush. Pour Ronseal Decking Cleaner & Reviver directly onto your deck, and scrub the surface immediately using a stiff brush then leave for about 15-20 minutes. For the best results, wash thoroughly with a pressure washer. Work from one end of a decking board to the other. Alternatively, scrub the surface with a stiff brush then hose it down. Make sure you completely wash off all the product, otherwise it could affect future coatings.

Are your decking products eco-friendly?

Our Ultimate Protection Decking Stain, Oil and Decking Rescue Paint don't have an unpleasant smell and are safe to use around plants and pets (although wait for your decking to dry before letting them walk on it). You can wash your brushes out in warm, soapy water.

Do you offer clear decking coatings?

For a clear decking coating, try one of our natural finishes. We don't offer completely clear finishes, as you need to have a little bit of a tint in to protect your decking from the sun. Ronseal Ultimate Protection Decking Oil is available in a variety of colours including Natural, Natural Cedar, Natural Oak and Natural Pine.

Can you advise what's the best way to use decking stripper?

Stripping your deck doesn't have to be back breaking work. Our Decking Stripper is really easy to use and works in no time at all. All you need is a nice warm day, above 10°. Make sure you wear some gloves. Give the tin a good shake then pour the Stripper into a metal or plastic bowl or tray. Use a good sized brush, around 4 inches, to put a thick layer on. Work in small sections and don't paint yourself into a corner. Leave it to work for about 30 minutes, if it's a particularly hot day, re-apply the Stripper over any patches that start to dry out. After 30 minutes, scrape the surface with something sharp like a paint scraper to see if it's worked. If not, put a bit more on and leave for 10-15 minutes. You then need to give it a scrub with a stiff brush. Scrub along the grooves and also across them to help loosen the finish underneath. Pour on some water and keep scrubbing. Finally, give it a good wash down with a hose or jet wash. Let your deck dry out for a couple of days. You'll then be ready to stain or oil it.

Can you recommend a decking applicator tool?

The Ronseal Perfect Finish range is the easiest way to protect your deck. It comes with the handy Perfect Finish decking applicator pad and pole, putting an end to getting on your hands and knees with a brush.

Why do I need to use decking end grain preserver?

When decking has been pre-treated, it is possible that the end grains will be left unprotected after they have been cut. To protect these end grains from wet and dry rot, you'll need to treat them.

Can I order a sample decking paint?

Unfortunately we aren't able to provide sample pots, however we work hard to ensure that the colour chips in store and the shade labels on the tin are as accurate as possible to help you make your decision.

I'm looking for a cedar red decking stain, which products can I choose from?

Our Ultimate Protection Decking Stain comes in 13 colours including Cedar. If you're looking for deeper tones, look for Mahogany or Dark Oak. For a more natural finish, try our Decking Oil. For bolder, opaque finishes, as well as some contemporary colours, try our Decking Rescue Paint.

Do you have an "all in one" decking treatment?

There are no "all in one" treatments when it comes to decking. Ronseal Decking Rescue Paint can be applied onto grey, weathered decks with little preparation, just a good scrub with a decking brush to remove any loose bits of wood and any loose coatings. However it's best to pre-treat the decking with our Cleaner and Reviver as it makes the paint stick better and last longer.

Do you have a black or dark blue decking stain?

Ronseal Ultimate Protection Decking Stain is available in a range of wood tones, as well as more contemporary options like Charcoal, Slate, Stone Grey and White Wash. If it's an opaque blue or black colour that you're after, try Ronseal Decking Rescue Paint Deep Blue or Charcoal.

What's your equivalent to Liberon Decking Oil?

Ronseal Decking Oil provides decking with natural looking protection against the weather and foot traffic. It takes 2 hours to dry, and can be re-coated in 6 hours. If you have less time, try our Ultimate Protection Decking Oil which offers the same protection levels but is dry in just 90 minutes and can be recoated in 4 hours.

Can I get a replacement decking applicator pad?

The Perfect Finish Decking Applicator Pads are sold as part of the Perfect Finish pack and are not available separately.

Do you provide a sprayable decking treatment?

We do not recommend that you spray any of our decking products and don't have a sprayable decking protector product available.

Do you have a dark green decking paint in your product catalogue?

Ronseal Ultimate Protection Decking Stain is available in a range of wood tones as well as more contemporary colour such as Mountain Green. For a more opaque finish, try Ronseal Decking Rescue Paint which comes in 10 colours including Willow. We don't have a specific dark green decking paint, but we have lots of other products and colours to choose from.

How can I make my Decking Stain or Oil last longer?

Inspect your decking regularly, if any deterioration or opening in the coating is seen address this as soon as possible by touching up where needed. Preventing water getting into the surface will lessen the chances of the product lifting over time.

Garden furniture

Why do I need to protect my garden furniture?

Your furniture is at the heart of your garden, so you want to keep it looking good. It needs protecting, sun damage will turn it grey and rainy days will lead to rot and decay. Our stains and oils protect your garden furniture and keep it looking like new for longer.

What's Perfect Finish?

Our Perfect Finish range comes with a unique applicator. It'll help you get the job done fast - It's over 5 times faster than using a brush and puts on just the right amount for the perfect finish. You get everything you need in one tub.

Garden paint

What's the colour range of Garden paint like? Do you have a colour chart or colour sheet?

If you want your garden to look a bit different, our Garden Paint comes in a range of colours that'll look great and can be used on wood, brick, terracotta and metal. All Garden Paint colour swatches are available on our website on the Garden Paint product page.

What's the finish of Garden Paint like?

It is an opaque finish, and will look great as well as add protection to wood, brick, terracotta and metal.

What's the difference between Garden Paint and Chalk Paint?

Our Garden Paint is perfect for adding colour and protection to your garden. It's a softer paint so it will flex with the wood when it warms and cools. This prevents it from chipping and peeling. Chalk Paint is for interior wood, and is designed to be tougher to hold up against scratching and scrapes.

Do you have an "One Coat" version of the Garden paint?

For the best colour and protection, you'll need to put on 3 coats of Garden Paint, leaving about 4 hours between coats, warm weather will shorten this time. This makes sure you've got enough on to protect your wood from the suns UV Rays, and the rest of the weather.

Can Garden Paint be used on a front door?

We have other products that are more suitable for use on your front door like our 10 Year Weatherproof Wood Paint.

Can I order a tester pot for a couple of colours to see which one I like most?

Unfortunately we aren't able to provide tester pots, but we do have 250ml size pots available to buy. These are ideal if you're not sure what colour you want, or if you want to do a small area.

Do I need to use an undercoat before I use Garden Paint?

You'll need to use a suitable primer if you're using Garden Paint on metal, otherwise just get painting!

Can Garden Paint be used on furniture?

Our Garden Paint can be used to add colour and protection to just about anything in the garden including furniture. Metal furniture will need priming first before using Garden Paint.

How long will Garden Paint last?

Our Garden Paint will protect wood for up to 5 years. The length of protection when used on brick, terracotta and metal will vary.

Can I use a sprayer to apply Garden Paint?

You'll need to use a brush to apply Garden Paint, as it hasn't been designed for use in a sprayer, and may clog it up.

Interior wood

Why do wood knots show through paint?

Resins escape from wood through knots. These resins can leak through primers, undercoats and topcoats leaving yellow marks in your paint. Our Knot Block Wood Primer & Undercoat is guaranteed to stop this from happening.

How to prepare internal wood before painting?

Bare wood - Lightly sand your wood to give it an even finish. Use 120grit sandpaper and sand in the direction of the woodgrain. Remember to wear a face mask. When the dust has settled, give the area a quick vacuum and wipe your wood with white spirit. Fill any holes or cracks with our Multi Purpose Wood Filler. Then use one of our Primer & Undercoats to help your paint stick and make it last longer. Previously painted wood - If your old paint is in good condition just give it a light sand with 240grit sandpaper. Then, to help your paint last longer, put on one of our Primer & Undercoats. If your paint is flaking or cracked you’ll need to sand it back to bare wood. The easiest way to do this is with an electric sander. Use 120grit sandpaper and sand in the direction of the woodgrain. It creates a lot of dust, so make sure you wear a face mask. When the dust has settled, give the area a quick vacuum and wipe your wood with white spirit. Fill any holes or cracks with our Multi Purpose Wood Filler. For holes and cracks bigger than 5mm use our High Performance Wood Filler. Then use one of our Primer & Undercoats.

What is Diamond Hard?

Diamond Hard means the coating is extra tough, so it'll protect and last longer. It'll stand up to knocks, scuffs, spills, heat and whatever else daily life throws at it.

What's Silver Guard technology?

The Silver Guard barrier found in our Anti-Bacterial Worktop oil stops E Coli and MRSA growth immediately. It helps keep wooden surfaces clean and free from bacteria.

What's BBA Approval?

BBA stands for British Board of Agreement. It's an Independent body that certifies that Ronseal 5 Year Wood Stain delivers 5 year protection.

What's the difference between the wax and a varnish?

Traditionally varnishes give a hard protective surface and waxes are soft which means they mark and scuff easily. Our Interior wax gives you the look and natural feel of a wax while protecting like a varnish. It's lightly tinted and comes in a matt finish. A varnish gives wood a richer colour and comes in gloss, satin and matt.

Which primer can be used under gloss paint?

Any of our primers can be used under gloss paint. The finish of the paint will not be affected by the primer.

Do you make any oil based interior varnishes?

Most of our vanishes are water based, however our Ronseal Ultra Tough Varnish is a Polyurethane Solvent bourne Varnish.

What is Diamond Hard?

Diamond Hard protection is the name which we use for our hardest varnishes and paints. They have higher hardness and scratch resistance than traditional products.

What is Silver Guard Technology?

Silver Guard technology is the name which we use for the silver based biocide which is used in Anti-Bacterial Worktop Oil. The oil goes into the wood and helps to prevent growth and cross contamination of bacteria. The anti-bacterial effect lasts up to 6 months depending on extent of use.

I want to paint a pine door, what product would you recommend?

As pine is a knotty wood make sure you prime it using our KnotBlock Primer. This will help prevent any staining from the knots coming through the paint. Once the primer is dry, you can coat it with whatever colour wood paint you like.

What is the difference between a wax and a varnish?


Is Yacht Varnish suitable for interior use?

Yacht Varnish is extremely durable. It can be used inside and outside but remember it is solvent based, so if using inside make sure the room is well ventilated.

Wall treatments

Why do I need to use a Primer and Undercoat?

Primers help your paint stick. Undercoats cover bold colours and dark marks. Our Primers and Undercoats do both.

Why is stain block better than normal emulsion?

Walls can get stained easily, especially when you have kids or pets. If you just paint over them with normal emulsion chances are they'll come back once the paint is dry. Our Stain Block will prevent them bleeding through permanently.

Why use a spray paint?

Speed, spraying makes it quick and easy to use. It doesn't leave any brush marks. And there are no brushes to clean up after. It is important to protect surrounding areas from overspray.

How to cover up interior damp?

You always need to find and fix the problem causing damp. Once that's done use our Damp Seal to cover any damp stains on your walls.

Why is stain block better than normal emulsion?

Stain Block is a Wall Primer to use under your emulsion. It's made to block stains and stop them showing through your top coat.

Damp is causing wood to rot, how do I fix and prevent this?

There are many potential causes for both wet and dry rot, it's best to call a reputable tradesman for an assessment if you aren't sure of the root cause, it generally comes down to a combination of humidity/condensation and poor ventilation. Once the root cause has been identified and fixed, the damaged wood can be repaired. Rotten timber should be either replaced, or cut away and filled. A good quality primer and topcoat should then be applied, this will keep the moisture out of the wood and prevent further rot from occurring.

Can I use damp seal paint on wallpaper?

This would not stop the damp damaging the wall paper. And even though it would cover the damp stain, it could still cause the wallpaper to come away from the wall and peel off. You should remove the wall paper, then use damp seal and then you can put new wallpaper over it.

Are your products safe to use in the kitchen?

Our products are mostly safe to use in Kitchens, bathrooms and other interior rooms. Just give the back of the tin a read to double check.

Does your anti-mould paint come in clear colour (omit)?

Our Anti-Mould paint comes in a clear coat. This means you can paint over the top of any coloured paint without it changing colour.

How soon after applying mould killer can I apply paint?

When using our Mould Killer Spray you can paint over as soon as the surface is dry. This will vary from job to job depending on how much spray has been used and the temperature of the room.

Can I paint over Anti Mould Paint?

No, painting over the Anti Mould Paint will prevent it from working. If you want a decorative paint other than White use out Anti Mould Clear Coat to protect the colour and to benefit from the Anti Mould properties.

What is the difference between Anti condensation Paint and Anti Mould Paint?

Anti Mould paint prevents mould growing on the decorated surface. Anti Condensation Paint prevents condensation forming on the surface by creating an insulating effect. These two products can be used together to address issues associated with cold and mould prone environments.

Wood filler

Can I use a wood filler on Rotten Wood?

Yes. If you've got rotten wood, just scrape out the really rotten bits. Then use our Wet Rot Wood Hardener. Once this has made your wood hard again it's ready for fixing with our High Performance Wood Filler.

Which wood filler wood should I use on hardwood?

You can use either our Multi Purpose or High Performance Filler on Hardwood. And both come in a range of colours to help match the wood you're fixing.

Do your wood fillers also come in darker shades?

Yes. Our Multi Purpose Wood Filler comes in White, Natural, Oak, Light, Medium & Dark, so you can get a really good match to whatever wood you're fixing. Our High Performance Filler comes in White, Natural & Dark.

Can I use wood filler in place of wood glue for a small piece of wood which came off furniture?

No, you shouldn't use this instead of glue. But you could use the filler to repair the damage.

How thick can you apply wood filler to damaged wood?

For smaller holes, our Multi Purpose Filler fills to 5mm, but you can fill deeper holes in several layers. Our High Performance Filler will fill to any depth.

After a filling a hole with wood filler, can you screw into that area?

Once dry all of our Wood Fillers can be screwed, drilled or planed.

Can I use a wood filler to repair gaps in hardwood floor?

You can use our Wood Fillers to repair damaged wooden floors. But you shouldn't use any fillers to fill the gaps in between floorboards.

Wall filler

What's the difference between 5 Minute Filler and Big Hole Filler?

Both can be used to fill large holes in your wall. Our Big Hole Filler takes longer to dry, but once it is dry it can be drilled and screwed.

Do your wall fillers come pre-mixed, or will I have to mix the filler myself?

Most of our wall fillers are ready mixed, so you can get straight on with the repair. But you can get our Multi Purpose Wall Filler as a powder, than needs mixing, great for larger jobs.

In what sizes does the Quick Drying Filler come in?

The Quick Drying Filler comes in 100g tube, 330g tube & 600g tub to suit all project sizes.

Will I have to sand down your Smooth Finish Filler to achieve the desired effect?

Yes. Our Smooth Finish Fillers leave a great finish, but for the best results you will need to give it a light sand before decorating.

Can I use the Smooth Finish Multi Purpose Filler to repair an brickwork?

Our Multi Purpose Filler works on plaster, stone, concrete and wood. And you can use in inside or out.


Do you sell clear (no colour) floor varnish?

Our Diamond Hard Floor Varnish is available in Clear Gloss, Satin and Matt. It's also available in a range of Satin colours. We don't recommend applying over paint, as they can react and discolour the paint.

Can I use wood varnish on laminate floor?

You can only use wood varnish on wooden floors. You can not 'revarnish' laminate floors, as it won't stick to laminate flooring. If you want to refresh your laminate flooring, try our Laminate Floor Seal. It'll bring back the shine to your worn laminate flooring, as well as covering small scratches and scuffs. This is easy to apply. All you need is the product, a clean floor and a cloth. Apply it evenly over the surface and that's it. You're done!

Which of your products replaces the Contract Quick Cure Floor Seal?

Our Contractor Quick Cure Floor Seal has been replaced by our Quick Cure Floor Seal. Quick Cure Floor Seal is extra durable against heavy foot traffic and chemicals. It can be used on domestic and commercial flooring. It's touch dry in just 30 minutes and can be recoated in 90 minutes. Simple!

Can I paint a floor with a roller?

Yes, you can use either a good quality synthetic brush or a roller with our floor paints. Using a roller will be quicker, but you may need to put an extra coat on, as each coat will be thinner than applying by brush.

Can I put varnish over floor paint?

Floor Paint should be tough enough to withstand any wear and tear. However if you wanted to varnish over, we wouldn't recommend it, as varnishes intended for use indoors can react with the paint and cause a yellowing effect. This includes waterbased varnishes that would be clear without this reaction.

How can I achieve the perfect finish on my floor?

You want to keep your wooden floors looking beautiful. That means protecting them against shoes, spills and scuffs. That’s what our Floorcare range is for. There are three different kinds of finishes. Our Floor Varnish and Floor Wax give diamond hard protection. Floor Oil nourishes the wood, but you'll need to use it more often. To get a perfect finish on your flooring, try our Perfect Finish Diamond Hard Floor Varnish. It comes with our Perfect Finish pad that puts on just the right amount, so you don't get any brush marks. Its long handle also takes the backache out of varnishing your floor. It dries quickly, in just 30 minutes and will give diamond hard protection against knocks, scuffs and scratches whilst leaving a natural looking finish that shows off the grain of the wood. All you have to do is choose from any of our natural wood tones.

How should I prepare a floor for varnishing?

We know prep is a pain, but it’s worth it to get your floors looking their best. Start by sanding your floor. This will give the wood an even finish and help the varnish to stick. The easiest way to do this is with a floor sander. Use 120 grit sandpaper and go along the length of the boards. Make sure to wear a face mask, because it creates a lot of dust. Let the dust settle. Then give it a vacuum and wipe it down with white spirit. If you notice any holes or imperfections use our Multi Purpose Wood Filler to fill them in.

Are your varnishes water based?

Our varnishes are water based. Water based finishes don't have unpleasant odours and dry a lot quicker than solvent based finishes.

Can I use your varnish on concrete or cork floors?

None of our varnishes are suitable for concrete floors or cork tiles. On concrete, the varnish would sit on the surface and wouldn't dry. Our varnish could potentially soak into the cork floor tiles, expanding and damaging them.

Is the Garage Floor Paint a spirit, water, or an epoxy based paint?

It is water-based. This means it'll dry quicker and not have a strong smell.

Can I paint my metal garage door with your Garage Floor Paint?

No. We currently don't offer any product suitable for a garage door.

Do you offer Garage Floor Paint in blue?

Our Garage Floor Paint currently comes in Steel Blue, Slate, Tile Red & Green.

Does the Garage Floor paint have non-slip properties? Could I mix sand in to make it more grippy?

Our Garage Floor Paint is formulated to be slip resistant. Don’t mix in sand as it might contain impurities which would affect dry times and adhesion.

What's the difference between Garage Floor Paint and One Coat Concrete Seal?

Concrete Seal is a clear coat that protects you floor from stains and marks, but leaves it looking natural. The Paint will protect and colour your floor.

What's the best way to remove Concrete Seal from a surface?

Concrete Seal is designed to penetrate the floor so it can be difficult to remove, and because it can be painted over once cured there’s no real need to remove it.

Can Concreate Seal be used for outdoor surfaces?

Concrete Seal can be used on interior and exterior flooring but only if under cover, It would not be suitable for a patio or drive.

How to prepare a concrete floor for painting?

Leave newly laid concrete for a month before painting. Wire brush the floor and get rid of any dust. You'll need to seal the floor first with a stabilising solution to stop it from cracking or blistering or you can dilute the paint with 10% water. If the floor isn't newly laid, just wire brush the floor and give it a wipe with white spirit.

Kitchen & bathroom paints

Is the Ronseal Tile Paint heat resistant?

No, it can not be used in direct contact to heat, but would be fine on a splash back or behind a hob for example.

What's the best way to remove One Coat Tile Paint from a surface?

Use a solvent based paint stripper to remove Tile Paint.

Can the One Coat Tile Paint be used in both the kitchen and bathroom?

Yes, the One Coat Tile Paint can be used in both Kitchens and Bathrooms.