Decking Oil

Before you can apply the Decking Oil, you need to ensure your decking is clean. Remove all furniture and use a pressure washer or specialist decking cleaner to get rid of dirt, oil, mould, leaves and any other detritus.

How to prepare new decking for oiling

The timber of new hardwood decking should be left to weather naturally for about six months. This will ensure any pre-treatment has eroded and so it will be easier for the oil to penetrate the wood.

1. Once your deck has weathered, use a decking cleaner and scrubbing brush to open the pores of the wood and remove contamination from the decking.
2. Rinse is thoroughly with clean water, preferably using a pressure washer.
3. Let the deck completely dry before applying the oil.
4. You can check if you have cleaned thoroughly enough by splashing the deck with water. If the water beads, you will need to keep scrubbing to remove the coating. Once water has stopped beading, your deck is ready to be oiled.

How to prepare old decking for oiling

For old decking, you need to remove previous finishes like paint and varnish. You need to strip the deck back to its bare wood before oiling.

1. Once you have removed all dirt and contaminants, use a pressure washer or decking stripper to remove loose, flaking or peeling coatings. To avoid patchiness, completely remove all coatings.
2. Treat the ends with end grain protector to ensure water doesn’t seep through and damage the wood.
3. Once the wood is completely bare and clean, it will be ready for oiling.

Decking Oil needs to be applied in dry conditions when the forecast is clear of rain and frost.

1. Thoroughly shake the tin to ensure the contents is mixed together.
2. Pour the whole tin into a tray. If you need to use more than one tin, mix them together.
3. Apply the oil on a small hidden patch of decking to make sure you’re happy with the colour. The colour can be influenced by the texture, grain, type of wood and any other previous treatments so always be sure to test it first.
4. Apply a first coat to your deck using a good quality brush or roller. Focus on a few boards at a time and work the oil into the surface. You will need to stir the oil regularly while you’re applying it.
5. Wipe away excess oil with a lint-free cloth.
6. The first coat will be rainproof in two hours and after six hours, it will be ready for a second coat.
7. Apply a second coat after six hours.

Wait 24 hours before moving furniture back onto your deck.

Cleaning

Your brushes can easily be cleaned with white spirit or a brush cleaner.

Once the oil is dry, your decking can be cleaned with decking cleaner.

To keep your finish looking its best for longer, regularly clean your deck and remove leaves, mould, mildew, algae and any other dirt. Mould and algae should be removed with decking cleaner, general dust and dirt can be tackled with a stiff wire broom.

Maintenance

Inspect your coating every six months to look out for any chips or patches. Re-coat the patch when necessary.