Steps To Preparing A Deck For Oiling Or Stain

As with any painting project, preparation is key. Without proper preparation, you could end with a finish that doesn't look particularly great and/or it won't be long before you’re having to do it again. Below are our steps for preparing a deck for oiling or staining that will ensure a finish you’ll be happy with that will last as long as possible. Haymes Paint was founded in Australia by the Haymes family almost 90 years ago. Each Haymes generation has taken care to hand on the commitment and passion for crafting quality products for the next generation. We offer a wide range of paints including interior & exterior paints, an artisan collection and paints for textured & timber finishes. If you’re preparing a deck for stain or oil, here are our recommended steps:

Steps For Preparing A Deck For Oiling

To ensure a finish that looks fantastic and doesn't have you recoating again any time soon, here are our recommended steps for preparing a deck for oiling & staining:  

1. Remove Tannin And Oils 

If you are coating new, unweathered timber, you’ll need to remove any tannin & oils. The removal of tannin & oils is usually done naturally through weathering however, this can take weeks and will vary depending on the type of timber. Woodcare Rapid Prep is a one-step preparation product for new bare exterior timber that speeds up the weathering process enabling you to coat your timber immediately. Rapid Pred has the added benefit of optimising the performance of the finish coat too. 

2. Clean The Surface 

This is an important step that is often overlooked or not done adequately but is essential to ensure proper application and longevity of your coating. Our Woodcare Wood Cleaner is a powerful, easy-to-use solution that cleans, revives and prepares exterior timber for coating. It also helps timber to absorb the coating and ensures maximum adhesion and performance. 

3. Apply The Oil Or Stain 

When applying your oil or stain, always ensure you follow manufacturer instructions as how you should apply the coating can differ. Our Woodcare Dexpress deck and timber stain is ideal for preserving hardwood and softwood timbers including Merbau, Spotted Gum and Treated Pine. It lasts three times longer than traditional decking oils, is UV & mould-resistant coating, is quick-drying and washes up easily in water. Another option is our Woodcare Decking Oil is an oil-based timber finish that penetrates surfaces, preserving timber. It creates a protective barrier that repels water, is mould & algae-resistant and protects against UV damage. When preparing a deck for stain, the steps above apply. However, if the timber has previously been coated with a stain bear in mind that you may also need to strip it back if it's peeling or cracking, or if you’re changing the colour.

Buy All You Need For Preparing A Deck For Stain Or Oil

There are Haymes Paint stockists located throughout Australia. Use our Store Finder to find your nearest Haymes Paint stockist to pick up everything you need for preparing a deck for stain or oil. Your local paint experts will also be able to answer any questions you have and give you handy tips & tricks when it comes to preparing a deck for oiling and staining. You can now also purchase our timber deck restoration products online too.