Thread: Spotted Gum Deck

You'd be better off posing the question over at the Reno forum.

It depends how dry the timber was when put down. If its ringing wet green, just with the bears shaken out, then it will need to dry out a bit. If seasoned or kiln dried get an oil into it ASAP. The timber will continue to dry with an oil finish on it. If its left till spring it will be showing signs of neglect, as that would be 6months. Some oil now want do it any harm.

Originally Posted by boshduck

Hi,

First time user.

We have just had a new deck built (spotted gum) and is almost complete.

I want to treat and stain the deck to protect it and keep its natural beautiful look.

I am certainly no expert in this field but have been told to (once the pergola is finished) wash it, protect it then stain it.

I was recently down at a paint shop where I was told to leave the deck (being such a hard wood) for 5-6 months. Let it naturally expose itself to sun and rain and then do the protecting and staining in Spring (being February now).

Is anyone able to lend me any advice at all or which opinion I should be taking?

Cheers.

Good Luck we have an uncovered 2 year old spotted gum deck and its a hassle.
It was made with older wider dried spotted gum if your wood wasnt dried and aged then good luck as a builder told me his just buckled and had to be tossed. We were told to leave it for 6 weeks before covering it so we did even though our timber was specially sought out.
Even with all the oil we have put on it some pieces still warped a bit at the sides but they are still intact.
We have oiled it many many times with water and oil based finishes and they only last weeks maximum. (2- 3 months)
The timber also gets very dirty and the dirt seems to soak into the wood and when you wash and clean it out comes all the dirt and the deck is 200% better looking already even before the oil.

The sun and weather take it all away.
Now we are about to start with a oil varnish combination. so we will see.
D Hayes