Ronseal Fence Life Plus 5L

In-Depth Look

Fence treatment is one of those maintenance tasks that most homeowners put off until the timber starts looking grey and weathered. Ronseal Fence Life Plus makes the job as painless as possible with a fast-drying, easy-to-apply formula that transforms tired fencing in a few hours.

Application and Drying

The product applies well with a wide brush, a roller with a long-pile sleeve, or a pump sprayer. On rough-sawn fence panels (by far the most common substrate), a single generous coat is usually sufficient, though a second coat will improve both the colour depth and protection on very dry or porous timber. Being showerproof in 1 hour, and fully dry in about 4 hours, is useful in the UK, where all-day dry weather cannot be relied upon. Being water-based, brushes and rollers clean up with warm soapy water, eliminating the need for white spirit.

Colour and Protection

Fence Life Plus is available in a range of popular colours. It gives a colour finish to the timber. UV protection helps maintain the colour, though some fading is inevitable on south-facing panels that receive intense sun exposure. Ronseal states up to 5 years of protection. How long it lasts depends on exposure, and fully exposed, south-facing runs may need treating sooner.

Verdict

Ronseal Fence Life Plus is a quick-drying, water-based treatment for fences and sheds. For the best results, apply it to clean timber in suitable weather and follow the coverage on the tin rather than spreading it thinly.

How It Compares

Ronseal Fence Life Plus is a water-based fence and shed colour treatment with a matt finish. Ronseal states 5 year protection and coverage of about 6m2 per litre, which is about 30m2 from the 5 litre tub. It can be applied by brush or sprayer, works on rough sawn or smooth timber and on damp wood, and Ronseal states it is showerproof in 1 hour and fully dry in about 4 hours. It also states the product is safe around pets and plants once dry.

How does a water-based treatment compare with other ways of finishing a fence?

Our Cuprinol anti-slip decking stain page is a different type of product, made for decking, so it is not a like-for-like comparison with a fence paint.

Preparation affects the result more than the choice of product. Brush off dirt, moss and loose material, and let the surface dry as far as the instructions require. Work in dry weather where you can, because Ronseal states the finish is showerproof in 1 hour but takes about 4 hours to dry fully. Stir the tub before use, and check the colour on a hidden panel first, because colour can look different on different timber. Keep the lid sealed between sessions.

Common Questions

How many coats does a fence need? One or two, depending on the condition of the timber and the colour you want. Rough sawn timber and bare wood tend to need more coats. Follow Ronseal’s instructions on the tin.

Can I paint a damp or new fence? Ronseal states the product is suitable on damp wood. New treated timber may need to dry out first, so check the tin. Brush off dirt, moss and loose material before you start.

How do I work out how much to buy? Measure the length and height of each panel and add them up. Remember to count both sides if you are painting both. Rough sawn timber soaks up more than smooth, so you may use more than the stated coverage of about 6m2 per litre. A 5 litre tub covers about 30m2 at the stated rate.

What do I do about plants and grass near the fence? Cover plants and the ground with sheets while you work. Wipe splashes off quickly while the product is wet. Ronseal states the treatment is safe around pets and plants once dry, but wet product should be kept off them.