How to stain Jarrah deck to remove red colour?

Question

Hi There, I have a Jarrah deck for my porch. It’s been sanded back and currently weathered. I was thinking I should oil it but I don’t like the colour it is when it’s wet ( a red colour) see photos. I’m wondering is there a way to stain or potentially use an oil that will not bring out the red?

Or will a stain not mix well? I was hoping to get a more oak, or brown , or even that weathered colour.

Thankyou!

Dogman · Answer

thanks @MitchellMc @EricL . I’ll try an oil with a pigment. Appreciate your recommendations.

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @Dogman,

I thought I'd add these helpful guides on How to stain a deck and How to oil your deck.

Keep in mind that the deck needs to be entirely dry before you oil. So, if the patch in your image is being readily wet, it might be an idea to cover it with a tarp to keep the rain off.

Looking forward to seeing your results.

Mitchell

EricL · Answer

Hello @Dogman

What you’re seeing is completely normal for Jarrah. When it gets wet or oiled, the natural tannins in the timber deepen and the colour shifts to that rich red tone. Any clear oil will always bring that red back because it essentially creates the same effect as wetting the wood. If you’re aiming for more of an oak, brown, or weathered look, you’ll need to use a pigmented oil or stain rather than a clear finish.

Clear decking oils aren’t recommended for your goal because they always enhance the red. Even products labelled “natural” or “clear” will darken Jarrah and make it appear redder once applied. A tinted decking oil is usually the best option because it still behaves like an oil but contains pigment to counteract the red tones. Colours such as Natural Oak, Weathered Oak, Driftwood, Grey Wash, Walnut, or other brown tones work well. Sometimes even colours marketed for Merbau can help mute Jarrah’s red. These products soak in like a traditional oil while subtly shifting the colour, which tends to give the most natural-looking result.

Brands like Intergrain, Cabot's, CUTEK, and Feast Watson all offer tinted decking oils in weathered, oak, and brown tones. A deck stain is another option and contains more pigment than oil, so it can push Jarrah toward a brown or oak colour more strongly. It still penetrates well, but the finish looks slightly less raw and more coloured compared to a tinted oil.

If you like the current weathered appearance, you can also choose colours labelled Weathered Grey, Silver Grey, or Driftwood. These tones work by cancelling the red rather than enhancing it. It’s very important to test on a small hidden area first because Jarrah can vary significantly from board to board. Applying two coats will generally give a stronger brown or grey tone and reduce the red further. It’s also best to avoid anything labelled clear or natural oil, as those will bring the red colour straight back.

My best advice would be to visit your local store and having a look at the brown and grey tinted oil sample board in the paint department. This will give you a much better idea of what the tints look like. I also suggest speaking to the paint specialist at the store for more information.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric