Hi Team, I built my Mebau deck 24sqm last year. Now I am planning to oil it for the first time. I need to maintain the natural look. Please advise the steps to follow. Below are some pictures. The deck is facing maximum sunlight. Thank you
Hi @DIYImpressions,
Due to the deck being unsealed for a significant amount of time, it's looking a bit mottled, and there is some staining. I'd recommend you give the deck a good scrub down with Cabot's New Timber Prep and a stiff bristle broom and then allow it to dry. Using the preparation product will even out the surfaces and hopefully reduce that staining.
Next, you apply a Merbau-tinted decking oil as per directions on the can.
Now, I'd like to question what you're referring to as maintaining the "natural look". Currently, your Merbau decking has lost most of its colouring and looks dry and un-nourished. If this is the natural look you are referring to, then a decking oil will change its appearance. It will go darker and add colour back to it. If you have a look at this guide on How to build a deck you'll see in the last steps the application of an oil and the results. You can choose to use a natural decking oil that won't add a Merbau colourant. This would be a more "natural" look, but it will still nourish the timber. Nourished timber is always darker in tone than dry timber. If you apply some water to the deck, that will be a similar look to adding a natural decking oil.
Here's a helpful step-by-step guide on How to oil your deck.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hi @MitchellMc
I am referring to its natural look when it was first installed. Here are the pics.
https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Featured-Projects/Low-level-Merbau-deck-over-concrete/ta-p/94116
You have suggested using Cabots New Timbre Prep. Then what's the purpose of Cabots Deck Clean? And for how long should I let it dry?
Next, I am told that Intergrain is the best. If so, what's the difference between Ultradeck and Nature's timber oil?
Thanks,
That natural look you are referring to is raw unsealed timber. Typically we seal timber with oil to prevent staining and early decay. Any oil you add will darken the timber and change its appearance, and it will not look natural or raw anymore.
The difference between Cabot's Deck Clean and Cabot's New Timber Prep is that deck clean is for removing dirt, grime and contaminants from an oiled deck before you re-coat it with oil. The new timber prep is for stripping tannins and marks from raw timber. You have water staining marks on your deck, and the deck clean might not be enough to remove them. If the marks are not removed or minimised, the deck will appear mottled after you coat it with oil.
A correction to what I mentioned above, I've just now read that the New Timber Prep is to be followed by Deck Clean. You'll need to use both products. Drying times will vary depending on the weather and your location. The deck needs to be fully dry before the application of your oil. To check, in a sunny location, you can tape a square section of a plastic bag onto a decking board so it is sealed on all sides. After an hour, if there is moisture trapped under the bag the deck is still wet and requires further drying.
The difference between Intergrains Ultradeck and their Nature's Timber Oil, is that the Ultradeck is an oil-based product, and the Nature's Timber Oil is water-based. Both can be used on your deck. The water-based Ultra-deck will give you a more raw and natural look than the Nature's Timber Oil.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Thanks @MitchellMc
If i am choosing Intergrain product, then do I have to go with UltraPrep Oil remover and Ultraprep Clean?
also as per product description Ultradeck oil is a water based oil. Can you confirm that please? and any reference pictures of water based coating vs oil based coating?
regards
Hello @DIYImpressions
If you are referring to the Intergrain 4L Natural UltraDeck Timber Decking Oil, it is a water-based decking oil. One easy way to tell is to look at the left bottom corner of the can, you'll see the clean-up tag which is either water or turpentine.
In regards to the Intergrain UltraPrep Tannin & Oil Remover and the Intergrain UltraPrep Timber Cleaner. It would be prudent to use like for like as the UltraPrep cleaners have been tested with the Intergrain Decking Oil.
Here is a link to the Intergrain Brochure: Intergrain (it has colour samples on show)
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Thank you @EricL . Do i have to take out the lights as well for the application or its safe to go over it?
Hi @DIYImpressions
I suggest covering the lights with Masking Tape so that you won't have to disassemble the lights. Make sure that the tape is secure so that when you go over it with the brush it will not rip off.
Once you're finished with your staining, carefully remove the masking tape so as not to accidentally pullout your lights.
Thanks @EricL
i am performing this activity on long weekend. So day one I will only do tannin removal and prep clean. Next day, I’ll air blow the deck to get rid of any dust and start with 1st oil coat and then let it dry the whole day followed by 2nd coat next day. Is that alright as I have limited sun window.
My only tip is to keep an eye on the temperature before you apply the 1st coat. If it is too cold, I would hold off until it gets a little bit warmer. Also please remember that excess moisture in the atmosphere can also have an adverse effect on decking paint. Aside from that your plan should work nicely.
Yes this is the plan. I will check the precipitation level and will start in a sunny day. But is it alright to have a 1 day gap between oil coats? Also how do i make sure the 1st coat is completely dried before I start for the second coat.
Here's a video on the application of the Intergrain decking oil. The instructions suggest waiting three hours before applying your second coat. So, if it were a warm day, then you would wait the suggested time before re-coating. If it's a colder day, you could give it another hour. It's best to do the second coat after the specified time and not wait until the next day.
i did Ultraprep Tannin remover yesterday and below is the result. Stains are somewhat removed but i can also see some new stains where the water stayed for a while. Do i need to repeat the applicator or the Ultra Pre New timber clean will solve the problem?
There are some significant improvements there. Personally, if you have some of the tannin remover left, I would give it another scrub down with it before moving on to the cleaner. I think a more uniform finish could be achieved. You'd likely be fine going straight to the cleaner now, but I'm looking for the best results for you. The issue is once you clean and apply the oil, there's no going back to trying to remove stains. This is our chance now to get the timber looking it's best and most uniform.
So I applied tannin remover again and also performed UltraPrep deck clean twice and here ate the results. So picture 1 is the before coating, 2nd is after 1st scrubbing with tannin remover and 3rd is 2x tanning and 2x deck clean. My deck is 28 sqm so I bought the Deck Clean accordingly i.e 6 ltrs. But surprisingly I only utilised 2ltr of the chemical with 8 ltr of water and still some liquid is left in the tray. Logically it should have been utilised completely as per description and i am sure I applied generously on the deck. Did I miss something?
That deck looks very nice, and you've done the prep and clean up very well. Looking at photo number three it seems to me that all the old tannins have been removed sufficiently and that surface looks ready for a new coat. Please make sure that the decking panels are totally dry before you begin recoating the deck.
Please remember to wear personal protection such as appropriate clothing, gloves and goggles when you begin painting your deck.
i have successfully completed 2 coats for oil and willing to do a third one as my deck is exposed to full sun. Its evening now but the precipitation level is 0. Can I still go ahead? I am using Intergrain Ultra deck waterbased Merbau oil
https://www.bunnings.com.au/intergrain-4l-merbau-ultradeck-timber-decking-oil_p1520136
How'd you go with those coats @DIYImpressions? Any chance of some update pictures? I'm very keen to see your results.
@MitchellMc
Alright, I didn’t proceed with the 3rd coat as the 2nd was bit sticky and it was very cold. Below our the pictures. I see lap marks from the first coat in the middle of deck because thats where my deck is divided into two sections. My first coat was section wise thats why I see the lap marks. Therefore in second coat i went through whole timber board of both sections at same time. It reduced the lap marks in middle but i can still see them for some boards. Refer to pic B
Can I sand that area and do the 3rd coat all over again? And how to do the sanding?
Lastly, I am unable to do the coat today because is lightly sticky and rain is expected as well. Is it ok to do it later like after a week? Will this cause any issues?
Also the pictures shows milky spots. Is that normal?
That looks fabulous, and I'm really happy you went the extra mile with the stripping and cleaning process, as most of those watermarks are now not noticeable. You're fine to leave the deck until you get some sunny weather, do not be tempted to do your third coat if rain is predicted. In fact, with the two decent coats, you'd be fine to leave the deck until the weather warms up in spring.
I would be inclined to leave the area in the middle that's received extra coats between the boards and has the lap marks. Sanding now is going to create several other issues. You can't sand just this area and recoat and be assured that you will not create the same issue but over a larger area.
Milky spots are completely normal when coating a deck in winter. Allow the product to fully cure over the course of a few days of sunny weather.
@MitchellMc Thanks to you and Eric. You guys are always so helpful.
Once the deck is fully cured, I'll take some nice photos and will write complete project details along with tips so other members can benefit.
Regards,
Our members would really appreciate that @DIYImpressions. I'm sure you've picked up some great tips and tricks along the way and have plenty of advice to share that will be of benefit.
Hi @MitchellMc @EricL
while oil coating i stained my rendered walls though they were masked. What can i use to remove the oil stain? Also i need to remove this from deck lights.
My apologies for the late reply, I've just been in contact with the Intergrain technical team, and they've suggested starting with detergent and water in combination with a scrub brush. Since the oil is still fresh it might still come off or at least reduce its colour intensity.
However, if there are stubborn stains that refuse to go, the next product to try is Diggers Methylated Spirits - 1L in combination with a clean rag. However, please note that excessive use of the spirits will thin out and damage your painted surface. Unfortunately, using stronger cleaning chemicals means that the paint surface on your wall will get damaged.
In regards to your deck lights, I suggest trying both methods suggested to try and get as much of the oil off its surface.
Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles when using cleaning chemicals.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
I've just finished giving my old hardwood deck its first coat of oil, and I learned a very important lesson: If you are not going to bother sanding back an old, existing deck to rid it of splinters, then use a roller or a brush to apply the oil. I used the sheepskin sock and now it's full of splinters and I can't wash it out to use again because I'll bleed to death 😂
Thank you @EricL @MitchellMc
I was able to remove the stains with soap water. The new oil deck looks stunning. Thank you for all your help. You may want to convert this post as a project so others can benefit.
Thanks for the update @DIYImpressions. It would be great if you could share some photos so members could get inspiration from your work.
Jason
