deck oil

I have just built a Merbau deck. Have been told should wait about 6 weeks before oiling. Is this correct? Which products are the best? I have been told Sikkens is very good. Anyone have any ideas?

Theory is to give it 6 weeks or so before oiling. I think one of the reasons behind this is to gove time for the tanin to leach out of the timber. I could be talking out of my **** here and I am sure somebody more knowledgable than I can give you the "good oil" on this.
I also understand that hosing with water and\or a mild bleach solution will accelerate this process.
I have used a no name Decking Oil, that a friend of mine who tells me is made by Wattyl and is exactly the same as the Wattyl badged stuff except it is cheaper. I get the untinted mix, it comes up very nice indeed - a nice mahogaony colour. There is also a "Merbau" tinted mix.
Recommend you do this on a nice sunny day to give it time to dry without the dog-kids-wife putting footprints all over it.
I have also seen a ripper deck that was done with Bristol decking oil.

Geno is on the right track, however you don't need to wait if the timber is not freshly machined and has already been well seasoned.

Some of these decking oil products do not penetrate very well due to the various cocktail they are made of (or unseasoned resinous timbers). The last thing you want is a plastic looking coat which sits on top and then peels off over time. Best thing to do while your waiting is get a small tin of the intended oil and try it on an offcut to see if it soaks in and gives the desired effect.

Cheers

Hammerhead


I have used Sikkens, Feast Watson and Cabots.

All came up looking good and all lasted about the same time (12 months)

The only thing I found with the Sikkens is that it did seem to leave a skin, which left things a bit blotchy after the second time around.

The section of deck with Feast Watson or Cabots came up well for its renovation (after using the woodcleaner - Deckclean or Kleenwood - think they are the brand names)

Hammerhead,
I have been using Feast Watson Decking Oil on mine and it does a great job:D

Thanks to everyone. Great tips. My first time here and i'm really impressed with how quickly and helpful you've all been.

Will keep watching. Thanks again.

I've just done two gates with merbau and ummm....

I 'think' Feast Watson products.

I used the 'timber treatment' first which helps protect and retain the timbers color. Then a coat of UVC which I've been told needs no maintenance and lasts years (7 was the gate I'd seen it used on).

Sorry if this is vague it's too cold to go to the shed to check.


GC

I have oiled my merbau deck 4 times with Wattyl decking oil in the past 14 months including the oiling prior to laying. The direct sunlight is bleaching the timber seriously. I'm testing a new water based product called " dexpress" has anyone used it before???

Hi Guys

(long time no speak!)

Sorry to resurrect an old topic but it seemed more relevant to add it here than start a new one, so....

I've also recently had a deck built (Batu, similar to Merbau) and it was immediately oiled in a Solver decking oil by the contractor. 4 months later it looks terrible, grey patches everywhere.

I am going to re-oil it on the weekend and was told by Solver to use an Oxalic acid to clean the deck off first. Or should I hit it with a sander?

Thanks

Marcus

I'd do what they told you to do, cause it's their product you're using.

If you're going to sand it, you'll need to punch all the nails first.

If you're not happy with the Solver, try Bristol Decking Oil. I've built a few decks over the years and now use nothing but Bristol.

Me, I have always used Sealeys Weatherproof Oil - a combo of turps, linseed and some molecular binding stuff as well. Cheap, goes on easy and I reckon looks great on merbau. It doesn't leave the plastic type of skin that Sikkens can, and is easy to recoat. Manufacturers recommend a couple of coats in first couple of weeks, then again at about 3 months and then anually.

Cheap and not nasty.
Jeff

I've tried various covers for treated pine and it always ends up grey coloured like Marcus's after about 12 months.

I have an undercover deck and an outdoor (full-sun) deck under an open pergola.

What should I put on treated pine in all those three applications and conditions?