Deck renewal project

[Andy_Mann]

@Jason, we had strong winds & good rain overnight, but I'm not sure where it was headed to afterwards.

Having said that, it's fine here today.

Fingers crossed that Workshoppers have fine weather for their outdoor projects over the weekend.

[GarryL]

It looks great, using the right tools makes the job so much easier , oils is good but I would have preferred a good stain then 2 coats of Estapol Marine Lacquer ,not the cheapest way but a nice low gloss finish.

[Brad]

I think we have shared our weather with Tassie.

[Trying]

Happy Sunday @Jason - still busy on my deck. Hilarious happenings around here. A nice chap was standing on my nearly finished deck about to measure up for a quote for blinds. I was explaining that the deck was built in what was a very busy flight path for all the local birds along the river here. I am used to it - he was not !  I saw a rather large magpie with her fledgling about to swoop in. I called "incoming" and ducked. He thought I was a lunatic-until they almost took his ears off as they passed.  On another note, the soil here is quite compacted and I'm too puny to dig, so I thought I'd make a dry creek bed as a part of the garden along the deck. Truck was to deliver assorted sizes in rocks but some wires got crossed and they were set down quite far from the work area.When I got home truck was gone. Now people in boats on the river, or walking through the bush or along the bank often see this strange old woman ( me ) carrying rocks away from this "cairn" in the bush to build her darn garden! Building this deck has been a wondrous experience-but thank my lucky stars it's nearly done. Now...back to the creekbed. Cheers

[Trying]

@Jason Dry creek bed "before" - it's a work-in-progress.Cheers

[Trying]

Finally !! Here's the finished ' dry creek bed.' I'm happy, but I'd love some feedback. Not looking to do a 'fix it' but I know some of the rocks don't marry up with others. Be gentle with me-still sore from carrying the damn things but I had such fun ! Cheers

[greygardener]

Well done @Trying.

[Jason]

Anyone else planning a deck renewal project this spring?

Jason

[katwhite_]

Hi Jason, curious what oil you used? We've replaced our decking with merbau, and after a few weeks of letting the tanines out, we're ready to oil. I'm thinking clear and not stained oil. 

[Jason]

Hi @katwhite_,

Thanks for joining in the discussion. I used Intergrain Ultradeck, which is a water-based product. Intergrain recommends four to six weeks of weathering, or you could use PowerPrep if you are keen to get cracking as per this information - How to skip weathering your deck.

Regarding colour, if you've got a spare decking board, you might like to do a test using a sample pot and see if you are happy with it. If you go with Ultradeck, you'll probably be tossing up between Merbau and Natural.

I found this information from Cabots really interesting about why there's no clear (colourless) decking oils. They say the reason all exterior decking oils have pigment in them is due to the colour being the component which provides  protection from Australia’s harsh Ultra-Violet radiation. Screening out UV helps to protect the timber surface, and prevent degradation. Bare timber left in the sun will go grey and eventually cup, crack and splinter.

I'm sure Workshop community members who are more knowledgeable and experienced than me would be happy to help further if you have other questions. It would also be great to see your deck - perhaps you could share some photos and document your project before and after for the benefit of other members. 

Thanks again,

Jason