Thread: Decking Oils.

Anything based on Tung Oil will darken the grain over time....but so will many of the typical deck timbers as well. Mostly due to oxidisation which is what is actually protecting the timber surface.

We are using the Intergrain Decking Oil (good product) on our red gum deck and it darkens it but then the RG darkens by itself in the sun too. Nice wide boards however let the grain come through.....most decking boards these days are too narrow to see much grain and are made from the sort of hardwoods that doesn't have much visible grain in the first place...

What timber is your deck?

Silentbutdeadly.......love it.

Thanks for replying. My deck is merbau. I want to keep it as red and as natural in color as long as possible. I understand a little darkening. I just don't want it going brown opaque so to speak.

Dr - 307.

The only way then is to protect the timber from UV and oxygen.....which there's not much about to deal with that that ain't polyurethane....

SBD,

I used an oil called Aqua Oil. That looked grouse. I take it you are using Ultragrain Ultradeck?

Dr - 307.

Hi

I have used Intergrain Ultradeck - the "water based" oil finish. It has a lot of pigment that needs a lot of brushing to get an even finish. The "water based" oil penetrates easily, leaving you with the pigment to try to brush to an even finish. It looked good when it was done - except for the splatter from all the extra brushing - had a brain fade and didn't cover EVERYTHING . I'll now only use real "oil".

Hi John,

Thanks for the 'inside info'. I actually came across Spa n Deck at Bunnings yesterday. I think I'll be using that. I'll talk to Jim about it when I'm ready. He is after all the resident expert on S n D.

Cheers,
Dr - 307.

Originally Posted by Dr - 307

SBD,

I used an oil called Aqua Oil. That looked grouse. I take it you are using Ultragrain Ultradeck?

Dr - 307.

Nope. http://www.intergrain.com.au/naturestimber.html

This was after two coats but before the sun begins to brown it

I think I might go with the Spa n Deck stuff. The forum has a lot of satisfied users.

Cheers for the help,
Dr - 307.

I really like the look I got with cabots decking oil but am in the process of changing to spa n deck due to how long it lasts. I think oil looks better than the spa n deck but oil just doesnt hold up in the QLD sun.

Looking thru a brochures of Intergrain and Feast & Watson and realised they are both owned by the same company. Interesting.......

Great thread, sorry to hijack, i'm just about to stain my merbau fence and was wondering which stain to go, i too would like the natural look to stay and not darken over time from re staining.

I see spa n deck have a natural and a honey stain does anyone know what is generally used for a natural look on merbau? Would the honey natural change the complete look of the merbau?

I pretty much like the way it looks when its wet, is it possible to get that look with a stain?

Thinking and thinking and thinking......I was decided on Spa n Deck but now not sure. Don't know. I think I'll stick to what I know and go with an oil. Wanted to keep as much grain as possible. The Spa n Deck will hide alot of it especially with subsequent applications. Really f**ked if I know. i thought when I first started building decks and verandahs that span tables were hard. Picking a finish for the deck is bloody harder. Whatever I choose, I definetely want to keep away from the 'opaque' look.

You've got me stuff then , i still have no idea and i'm in 10 minds, and can't stick to what i know as i don't know anything to start with.

Im in the same boat. I am bout to oil my deck and need somethig nice. Since i have 140mm boards, you can actually see grain in the boards at the moment. They have weathered for the past few weeks, just coz I was a bit slow and didnt finish. but My handrail posts are cypress. I just sanded them down adn they look nice. I was going to use the same oil on the deck as I do on the posts. So Im looking for an oil oil. LOL if that makes sense.
I built a merbau letterbox a year ago and used some "timber oil" ill find out the brand, and it looks real nice.
I'll stick to real oil I think Dunno what brand it is but i'll let you know. Cheers.