Cuprinol Ducksback

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Quality
Durability

Advantages:	Easy to apply,
Disadvantages:	Expensive, Takes a long time to apply if you are using a brush

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I bought some fencing panels for the ones that have fallen to pieces at the back of the garden. Clearly the ones at B & Q were not, or gave the appearance of being well sealed, I really don't know what to expect when I am told something is "tanelised", so I decided to buy preservative. There are lots of various types to choose from. The phrase "Water off a ducks -back " is very visual - there's even a picture of a duck on the container. Lets not be fooled this IS clever marketing and designed to part us with our cash.

However I have used many different sorts of preservative in the past. Creosote was, and is definately my number one. However I believe you have to be a farmer or need a license of some sort to buy it and use it. There is a huge worry/scare factor there as it is a coal tar derivative - it has been banned from the public for some time(2003). Many of the new products are water based and Ducks-Back is another, It does say it wax enhanced - when you open the container there is quite a thick layer of an oily substance on the top. This is a wax, it smears as an oil will on paper. It does reject water. A good stir mixes everything in the container together. There is a traditional creosote smell when the container is opened. Is this a marketing ploy too?

The preservative is thickish, denser than most of the other products I have used. Again it quite fills me with confidence.

There is little difficulty applying it. It goes on well, it soaks into the wood and spreads into the cracks. The colour changes when it dries - they all will. There is a small range of traditional colours to choose from. Comfortable garden colours - Forest Oak was my choice. There are swatches on the Cuprinol website, the colours are also shown on the tin.

The manufacturers claim that the product is touch dry in an hour and will resist showers in the first hour - it does dry if the product is put on thinly, back to that later. This was not given the opportunity to test. The following day I tipped a bucket of warter over it - and it does run off. As good as any product I've used- except the dreaded creosote. It seems to do the job at least initially.

There are some claims on the tin that are very difficult to substantiate.

1. It keeps on mentioning 5 Year Ducks-Back. Reading the tin it says, "up to 5 years protection", this is a bit naughty as the implication is a sort of guarantee.

2. Rainproof in an hour. Not tested. However put on it does dry, and it does seem to give protection.

3.It claims to have Low Volatile Organic Products - I need an industrial chemist to check this - surely low is a relative term.

4. Cuprinol makes it. This is a respected company - part of ICI, they make good products and are British too.

5 Pet Safe - I have to assume that the cat and the dogs will not test this - but is it tested on animals in a lab? - I hope not!

6 This 9 litre container claims to cover 14 6ft by 6ft fencing panels - not a chance. It coverered 6. Now I did put it on thickly, but I assume that this was not so thick as to be more than twice the recommended amount. I was assuming that I would have some over to do some other articles in the garden. Very disappointing. If it works it will just get my vote on this score.

Conclusion.
Pros
Up to now - confident it will do good job.
Nice thick colours and a reasonable choice.
Appears to be environmentaly friendly - brushes rinse in water.
Waterproof almost immeadiately.
Seems Safe and easy to apply.
Easily available
Respected manufacturer

Cons
Over priced for the cover you get.
Can't be sprayed - it says so on the tin - there is a roller version.
Colours change when dry.

Will revise my review in time.