How to season Merbau deck partially covered?

[awdav1]

Just in the process of laying Merbau pre oiled deck boards and have a question about seasoning. 

Not all of my deck is exposed, infact only 1m at the end of my 5.7m boards are exposed and then around 15 of the 44 boards will be fully exposed to rain (sideways rain basically).    So of course only that amount will season by rain.  The rest will be coeverd and probably will never 'season'.  So once finshed laying all the boards (its a 3 weekend process as I get time and the money) should I be hosing the boards that will never see the rain ?  Should I just wait 6 weeks once done and then oil/stain them ?

What do people do with decks that are fully covered in regards to seasoning ?

[EricL]

Hello @awdav1 

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

I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to oil a new spotted gum deck? by @PennyH. In it I suggested using Cabot's 2L New Timber Prep. It is designed to remove tannins and oils from new timber surfaces to allow for immediate coating. This would be the alternative method to seasoning as the cleaner will remove oil and tannins of the decking panel. If you feel that there is still quite a bit of oil in the panel after the first wash, I suggest doing a second wash to make sure that all the tannins are washed out.

Please make sure that the decking panels are totally dry before you apply any stain or oil on the surface.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[awdav1]

Thanks Eric,

Ok so will it matter than some of the deck has been seasoned while others have not ?  I assume this won't matter at all.

[EricL]

Hello @awdav1 

My best advice would be to include the seasoned sections in the wash to make sure they have a uniform finish. Please make sure that the surface is totally dry before you apply any oil or stain on the surface.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric