What time of year should you oil decking?

In general, Spring is the best time of the year to oil your decking. But it also depends on how long you've had your decking. Ideally, newly-laid or newly-treated decking should be left to weather naturally for about six months before you stain or oil it.

What is the best temperature to oil a deck?

Avoid the Cold

If you're staining your deck in the spring or fall, wait for a day with highs above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, make sure freezing temperatures aren't in the forecast for that night. If it drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit before the stain has thoroughly dried, it can hinder the curing process.

Should I oil my decking before winter?

Protect Your Deck

Painting, staining or oiling should be done in the spring or autumn on mild, dry days. The product won't apply properly if it is too hot or too cold, so if your deck is more than six months old and untreated, we recommend covering it in a tarp over the winter.

Can I oil my deck in winter?

Protecting timber through the winter months is essential; a good coat of stain or oil will keep moisture out, and make sure it's ready for use again next barbecue season.

How long should you wait before oiling a deck?

Leave your deck to weather or oil it straightaway? The professionals say that you should leave it exposed for three to six months as this will give the timber time for the tannins to leach, which will prevent staining caused by extractive runoff when you oil it.

How to Clean

Do you need 2 coats of decking oil?

Make life easy with a good decking oil

Just clean the surface thoroughly using a good quality decking cleaner, which will get rid of the dirt, then re-oil it. 2-3 coats should do the trick.

What happens if you dont oil your deck?

What can Happen when Regular Deck Oiling isn't Performed? If regular oiling and maintenance is not performed on your deck, there can be some unpleasant consequences. In most circumstances, it's just a case of natural deterioration over time resulting in fading, warping and weakening of the timber.

How many coats of oil does a deck need?

With decking oil, two coats are usually sufficient, but a third coat can be applied for longer-lasting protection. It can take up to seven days after application for a decking oil to be fully cured, but the deck will be functionally dry well before this.

How long does a deck need to dry after oiling?

On average, decking oil takes about four hours to dry. But every brand is different, so the best thing to do is check the tin of your decking oil to see the estimated drying time. The drying time of your decking oil also depends on the temperature—it will dry slower during cold periods, and faster in hotter periods.

Does it matter if it rains after oiling a deck?

Stains and oils penetrate wood best when it's cool and dry. If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat.

Can you stain a deck in November?

Fall is the perfect time to take on the task of staining your deck. Not only will you not roast in the sweltering summer temperatures, but the cooler fall weather is ideal for staining. Most deck stains recommend that they be used when outdoor temperatures are above 50 and below 90.

Can you put too much decking oil on?

An excess of oil isn't going to damage your decking, so it's nothing to worry too much about. The thing with oils is that because of their ability to soak into the surface, it can be tricky to get them out of grooved decking.

How often do you apply oil to outdoor decking?

It is essential to oil your deck every six to twelve months in order to protect and nourish your timber deck. A great way to know if your deck needs oiling straight away is by splashing some water over it. If the water absorbs quickly, it indicates that your deck needs to be oiled right away.

Is it better to oil or stain a deck?

If the deck is Merbau, Teak or Jarrah for example, you will most likely want to use an oil to enhance the natural beauty of the timber. Alternatively, if your deck is Treated Pine, you may want to use a stain to change the colour and achieve a more rich, solid look.

Can you oil a deck without sanding?

If you let the timber go for 2-3 years, you may face sanding again before applying the re-coat. If you oil regularly (before the oil starts to break down) you will achieve a consistent finish without sanding.

Do you use a roller or brush for decking oil?

If your decking is smooth, a long-handled microfibre roller is the ideal tool for applying decking oil. If your decking is grooved, you can attach a floor brush head to a wooden handle - the firm texture will help you push the oil into the wood much more effectively.

How do I clean my deck after oiling?

3Clean the deck

Leave the solution for 10–20 minutes, but keep the timber wet – you don't want the deck cleaner to dry. Simply apply more product to maintain dampness. After 10–20 minutes, rinse off the surface with water using a pressure washer or garden hose. Let dry before moving onto the next step.

Is water based or oil based decking oil better?

OIL BASED coatings penetrate into the pores of your timber, leaving very little film on the surface. WATER BASED coatings work by not only penetrating the timber, but by building a film on the surface. This film inhibits UV radiation, prevents water soaking-in and is the reason WATER BASED lasts longer than OIL BASED.

Can you oil a deck in hot weather?

Make sure to avoid very hot temperatures though, because excessively warm weather might mean that the oil dries too quickly, and therefore isn't fully absorbed into the wood.

What decking doesn't need oiling?

Composite decking timber doesn't require Oiling, painting or sealing. Additionally, it doesn't fade and is termite resistant. You don't need harsh chemicals or oils to protect your deck and keep it looking great.

Should you oil decking every year?

We recommend thoroughly cleaning and oiling the decking once a year. This is best done in spring so you have the decking looking its best for use in the summer months. However, if the decking looks like it needs another coat of oil, it can be re-applied at anytime and as frequently as you think necessary.

Does decking oil make wood waterproof?

Decking oils are waterproof, and many of them contain UV filters or blockers, which help to reduce the effects of sun and water damage on the wood. Decking oils provide great protection against mould and fungus due to their deep penetration into the wood and efficacy at keeping water out.

Why is my deck still sticky after staining?

"A sticky or tacky deck is usually due to over-application or failing to wipe the excess stain from the surface of the wood.

What is the best month to stain a deck?

Because you want to wait for days that aren't excessively hot or humid, the best times to apply deck stains are in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is moderately warm and dry.