How to renew scratched deck?

Michaelb147

Hello again

The Outdoor deck area really need some attention as the previous owner owners used some sort of stain or paint on the deck and it’s scratching very easily and looks terrible

I’m currently working through punching down all the nails before I can sand and stain or use an oil

What’s better to use oil or stain and then also what process do I need to follow to get this back to looking better than what it is

The biggest issues I have is that only half of the deck was stained or painted and it’s scratching very very easily and the other issue I have is water spots from rain coming in on the outers side of the deck

thanks in advance for the advice

EricL

Hello @Michaelb147,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your deck.

You are going in the right direction in regards to deck restoration. Those scratches and water stains will disappear once you start sanding the timber surface. In regards to your question about oiling and staining. The choice between oiling or staining a deck depends mainly on how you want the timber to look, how much maintenance you are prepared to do, and how much protection your deck needs from sunlight and weather. Both options are good, but they behave quite differently.

Oiling a deck keeps the timber looking natural and brings out its grain in a subtle way. Because oils penetrate deeply into the wood rather than sitting on the surface, the deck feels more like raw timber but with richer colour. Oils are excellent at nourishing and protecting the timber from drying and cracking, and they are usually easier and quicker to re-coat because you can often apply fresh oil without heavy sanding. The trade-off is that oils generally need more frequent maintenance, especially in sunny or high-traffic areas, since the colour fades faster than stain.

Staining a deck gives stronger, more uniform colour and offers better UV protection because stains contain pigments that sit closer to the surface. This makes a stained deck resist fading for longer and can also help hide imperfections or older timber. Stains usually last longer between maintenance cycles than oils, but refreshing them can require a bit more preparation because you often need to clean and lightly sand to ensure the new coat bonds evenly.

If your priority is a natural timber look with simple upkeep, oiling is often the better choice. If you want richer colour options and better long-term fade protection, staining is usually the stronger option.

In regards to the section of your deck getting water stains, I suggest installing Coolaroo 3x2.4m Graphite Crank Operated Outdoor Blind to cover your deck and prevent rainwater from splashing your deck.

Here are some handy step-by-step guides that will help you with your project:

Here are some of the discussions regarding deck restoration:

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and mask when working on your project.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric