How to oil your deck
Re-oiling your deck is an important part of any outdoor maintenance schedule, as it adds a new layer of protection to the wood, giving your deck a longer lifespan. The first signs that you may need to re-oil are deterioration, patchiness or discolouration on the edges and other areas of the timber deck. If this is the case, it’s time to pull on the safety gloves, grab your hose and oil and start coating!
Gather your tools and materials
Remove surface dirt and dust
Remove all furniture and items sitting on your deck. Sweep the surfaces to get rid of the dust and dirt.
Clean the deck
Once you have removed any dust and dirt, hose down your deck – the surface needs to be damp prior to any application of Cabots Deck Clean. Add 1 part Cabots Deck Clean to 4 parts water in a bucket and mix well. Apply generously to the timber with a broom and scrub vigorously. 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. Empty your bucket of cleaner and water, as you need to use it for the oil in the next step.
Prepare the oil
Once your deck is dry from the cleaner, it's time to prepare your decking oil. Give the Cabots Decking Oil a good stir so the colour at the top and the bottom of the can are the same. It should take roughly 30 seconds.
Pour the oil
Once it's all combined, pour the oil into your empty bucket.
Brush the edges
Start by dipping your paint brush in the oil and carefully coating the edges of your deck.
Coat the deck
Once you have brushed the edges, grab the Cabots Decking Oil applicator and apply the oil coat 2–4 boards at a time, following the grain. Work along the whole length as stopping in the middle of the board may lead to patchy results. Try to work quickly, as the oil will penetrate into the timber almost immediately.
After you have coated your deck, let the oil dry – this may take up to two hours or more depending on the temperature you're working with and the type of decking oil you've got.
Apply the second coat
We recommend a minimum of two coats to maintain durability and protection from UV exposure. Therefore, once the deck is dry, repeat the coating process. We suggest using less oil, as the wood will not absorb as much of it and it may pool on the surface and become sticky.
Let it dry again for a minimum of two hours.
Replace your furniture
Once your deck is dry, put your furniture back and enjoy your deck once more!
Add the finishing touch to your deck
Looking for furniture to match your good-as-new deck? Explore our range of hard-wearing outdoor furniture.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
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