Exterior wood paint has to do one thing above all: move with the timber. Fences, cladding, sheds, carports and pergolas swell when wet and shrink when dry — rigid stains and varnishes crack after two or three seasons. Elastic rubber paint based on liquid rubber follows every movement, doesn't flake and protects the wood for 8–12 years against rain, UV and greying.

Why conventional exterior wood paint fails

• Wood moves: spruce, pine and larch change their volume by up to 8 % over the year — a rigid film develops hairline cracks, water gets in, the paint lifts
• UV radiation breaks down the binders in alkyd paints — after 2–4 years the surface turns chalky and grey
• Moisture from inside: dense varnish films trap residual moisture, the wood rots under the paint
• Every repaint starts with sanding — the work repeats every 3 years

Elastic wood paint based on liquid rubber

Liquid rubber (also called rubber paint, rubberised paint or flexible coating) forms a highly elastic, waterproof membrane on wood. It stretches with the swelling timber and contracts again as it shrinks — without cracking and without losing adhesion. At the same time the film stays breathable (V2 per EN 1062-1): residual moisture can escape outward and the wood stays healthy. The paint is water-based, solvent-free, low-odour and available in 14 RAL colours direct from stock.

Suitable timber surfaces

• Garden fences and privacy screens — the classic, 8–12 years without repainting
• Timber cladding and boarding — weather side with a third coat
• Sheds, summerhouses, carports, pergolas — walls, doors, load-bearing beams
• Play equipment and sandpit surrounds — physiologically safe after 28 days of curing
• Pressure-treated timber — at the earliest 4–6 weeks after treatment

Not suitable: walk-on decking boards (they become slippery — use wood oil there), timber in permanent ground contact and windows with high visual demands.

Step by step

1. Clean. Remove algae, moss, dust and loose paint — pressure washer at max. 120 bar or a scrubbing brush. Treat heavily greyed wood with a wood reviver, rinse thoroughly, leave to dry for 48 hours.
2. Sand. Key loose fibres and old stains with 80–120 grit, brush off the dust. Wood moisture below 18 % — check with a moisture meter if in doubt.
3. First coat. Thinned with up to 5 % water, applied with a brush or lambswool roller along the grain. Paint cut ends, knots and post bases twice — that's where the wood absorbs most. Coverage approx. 150–200 g/m².
4. Dry. At least 4 hours at 23 °C / 50 % humidity, longer in cool weather.
5. Second coat. Undiluted, crosswise to the first. Coverage 100–150 g/m². Rain-resistant after 6 hours, fully cured after 28 days. A third coat on the weather side and on post bases.

How much do you need?

For two coats on rough-sawn timber: 0.3–0.4 kg/m². A fence 30 m long and 1.8 m high, painted on both sides (108 m²), needs around 32 kg — six 6 kg tubs. For a shed with 40 m² of exterior wall, two 6 kg tubs are enough.

Which colour?

Brown (RAL 8017) hides greying best, Graphite (RAL 7024) and Black (RAL 9005) for a modern look, Green (RAL 6005) for sheds that blend into the garden. Test very light shades on tannin-rich timber (oak, larch) on a small patch first.

👉 See all 14 RAL colours

Common mistakes to avoid

• Painting onto damp wood — blistering after the first summer
• One thick coat instead of two thin ones — the underside stays wet and the paint lifts in sheets
• Painting freshly treated timber straight away — preservatives prevent adhesion
• Forgetting cut ends and post bases — that's where weathering starts

FAQ

Does the wood paint hold on old stain?

Yes, if the stain is firmly bonded: sand, dust off, paint straight on. Remove loose stain mechanically first.

Can you still see the wood grain?

No — rubber paint is opaque. If you want to see the grain, stick with stain and accept shorter renovation intervals.

How long does the coating last?

8–12 years on normally exposed surfaces. After that a single refresh coat without sanding is enough.

Is the paint suitable for children's play equipment?

Yes, after full curing (28 days). Water-based, solvent-free, VOC below 30 g/l.

Ready to start? Choose your colour and tub size.

Go to the shop → · Application overview · FAQ

Related terms: Our product is sold in DIY stores and the trade under several names — liquid rubber, liquid rubber paint, liquid membrane, rubber paint, rubberised paint, flexible coating, elastic exterior paint or polymer coating. They all mean the same product: a waterproof, highly elastic coating based on acrylic latex.