Protecting painted wood

[SOCH88]

Hi, I've just built a hot tub surround in the garden for our lazy spa. The surround is built using a mix of decking boards and cladding.

I've already treated the wood and have just applied the second coat of Cuprinol fence paint (Muted Clay - matt).

I'm very happy with the finish and would like to protect it as best as possible. Is there a product I can apply to protect the paint from stains / chips etc? I don't want to alter the appearance of the existing paint job at all.

Thanks

 

[sodthisforfun]

I wouldn't put anything on that - it's the Cuprinol garden shades stuff right? It's waxy so not sure you'd have a lot of success with stuff on top. The beauty of that range though is that you can easily patch it up or repaint in a couple years if the wood gets weathered and needs it.

 

[Johnny Allround]

Cuprinol clear varnish will give you some added protection. But do you need it really?

 

[SOCH88]

Thanks for the replies. I was concerned the chlorine in the water may discolour the paint over time when getting out of the tub / kids splashing etc?

 

[Johnny Allround]

In that case make sure you coat both sides!

 

[sodthisforfun]

I've used clear varnish over the paint (for a garden bench) and it does change the colour.. goes a bit dull. Wished I hadn't as the rain sits on it for ages

I also painted some old terracotta pots and sprayed lacquer over on a couple, the lacquer peeled off over the winter, taking the paint with it, whereas the ones without lacquer are fine.

 

[conny]

Lacquer/varnish restrains the wood from being flexible. It won't stop it from flexing so the lacquer/varnish simply cracks and often falls off/chips.