Need to repaint summer house, paint discontinued

[rainsunsnow]

When I bought my house I was told that I need to repaint the summer house every 2 years. There's a 2.5 litre tin of paint of the specific colour along with another with a little left in it, in the garden shed. I went to the paint shop the previous owner used and that specific paint gas been discontinued, apparently a few months before I bought the house.

The guy said he can make up a colour that's similar but it's a different type of paint, a stain.

I'm not sure if I should go for this or use what I have already (not sure if it would do the entire summer house which is around 3 meters long and there's also a small garden shed needing done).

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not great at DIY and don't want to mess it up. Thanks

You don't have to use the exact same paint! Just pick a similar colour if you like it or have a change and go for something different.

If you go to somewhere like B&Q or a Johnsons Paint Centre (or other paint shops - most seem to do it) they will be able to match the colour and produce as much paint as you need. Or choose another colour!

When I bought my house I was told that I need to repaint the summer house every 2 years.

Who told you this? Does it need painting? You are allowed to decide yourself if and when and with what to paint it.

Hi, it was in notes left by the previous owner saying repaint every 2 years. They'd already done it the year I bought the house but the paint had apparently been discontinued soon after.

It's looking a little mouldy/dirty of late so I'd need to clean that off first. I feel bad about wasting the paint I have but not sure if it will still be good after so long? B&Q is a good idea I will ask there too. I quite like the colour it is, wouldn't want to stray away from it too much. Thanks

*It specified it needs repainting every 2 years to maintain durability/waterproofing, rather than them suggesting it as an option.

I would just go down to b&q or wherever locally and find a colour you like in a decent outdoor paint designed for wood. Take a sample of the paint you have and most places will be able to colour match for you too. Or just buy an off the shelf vaguely similar colour. So long as you prep properly before you paint (ie clean and light sand) then it won’t really matter if it’s not the exact same brand/colour of paint.

If the tin has not been opened then it is probably still ok. Just needs a good stir! You will also want to clean the house and maybe lightly sand before you repaint. If it still looks good I probably would wait another year before doing all that work!

Every paint usually has coverage somewhere on the tin so that should give you a pretty good idea of how much you need.

Just get swatches from Cuprinol, Ronseal, Coat and Dulux weathershield etc - you’ll be able to find a similar colour. Then you’ll know you have enough for both.

What is the "paint" used last time?

Two years only sounds rather poor performance to be honest. I'd rather pay more for a decent product that lasts longer than one which is so shoddy it needs redoing frequently. It's not just the time it takes to redo something, it's knowing your inferior paint just isn't up to the job.

Jotun Demidekk isn't cheap but lasts and lasts. DSis's shed is painted with that and it still looks like new. Mine was done with Protek which is peeling and flaking at the worst bits.

Maybe use the leftover paint to paint the shed and then buy new paint for the summerhouse?

Be careful what type of paint you use- that's more important than what colour. (Colours are relatively easy to match in most types of paint.) Some outdoor paints contain waxes and other paints won't stick to them, for example. Check with the manufacturer of the paint you think of buying that the type you intend to use is compatible with what is alredy there- decent manufacturers will usually have a helpline or webchat or something- lucky you have a can of what's be used to check what is was. If there is algae on the summerhouse, use something like Algon first ( and be sure to leave it to do its work the time specified) to get rid of the algae or the paint won't stick. Bitter experience has taught me that even scrubbing it off to the point you can't see any won't do.

What is the paint used last time?

Sadolin Superdec is a great outdoor paint. It's described as an opaque woodstain but it's easy to use, cleans up in water and lasts well, certainly more than 2 years. Specialist paint shops can tint it to any colour you want.

Find a similar type of paint in a similar colour.

The current paint is Johnstones woodstain in sugar maple. I've just been to the Johnstones decorating shop and been told it's over a hundred quid for them to mix up a similar colour! 😮

I then went to B&Q and the guy suggested Cuprinol Ducksback. So I'll have a think and look at the options here, thanks.

Ducksback- worth checking with Cuprinol that it will stick to the woodstain. Also, do be sure to get that algae off first if you're using Ducksback- I scrubbed the heck out of my fence and thought I had cleared it, but the algae came right back and took Ducksback off in less than a year. I have now used Algon before repainting, having learned my lesson....the Ducksback was fine on new clean wood where I'd mended the fence and still looks like new.

Good idea, I'll make enquiries about the Cuprinol Ducksback. Algon, will look for this, thanks.