When a house is lived in, it becomes a home. However, over time, your home will face wear and tear. Your deck is no exception to that.

If your deck is starting to look like it’s seen better days, don’t worry. This blog will teach you how to oil a deck, and much more. We’re going to talk about everything from how frequently you must upkeep your deck, to what kind of product you should use. We’ll go through a step-by-step process so that the instructions are easy to follow, even for a beginner!

How Frequently Should You Oil The Deck?

You may notice that decks start looking dull and discoloured if they’re not cleaned and re-oiled regularly. So how often should you give them some attention? Well, this mainly depends upon where you live. If your home is protected from the elements with trees or close buildings, you may relax on the upkeep. But if you live somewhere tropical or prone to storms, that’s a different ballgame.

In general, you should oil your deck every 6-12 months. You can also supply a water-based decking oil which will last a little longer. Besides making your deck look nice and shiny, re-oiling your deck will keep the wood protected. So don’t think of skimping on maintenance to save a few bucks. You’ll ultimately have to shell out a lot more to get the timber replaced.

Want to know some golden advice? Find out whether your deck needs refinishing by pouring water on it. If the water seeps into the board instead of beading, time to get to work and restain.

Should You Use Oil Or Stain?

Another common query. With so many products out there for deck maintenance, it’s quite a battle to choose what’s right for you. Here’s our advice. If your deck is faded and you’re looking to give it a new colour, go for a stain. This will bring your deck back to life by making it vibrant again! If your deck is made of softwood or pine, then again, stain is the right choice for you.

So when should you use oil? When the colour on your deck is looking fine and just needs a polish. Also, if you have hardwood boards on your deck, oil should be your ideal option. 

List Of Things You’ll Need

• Deck Cleaner/Detergent
• Sponge
• High-pressure washer/ Garden hose
• Decking oil
• Applicator
• Turpentine
• Old Rag

How To Oil A Deck

By following these few easy steps, you can make the exterior of your home look dashing. Read on until the end so that you don’t miss out.

Step 1: Clean The Deck

First and foremost, any painting or coating job will require you to have a squeaky-clean base. Since decks are located outside your house, they collect their fair share of dirt and dust. If you have a high power washer, then the work just got a lot easier for you. Simply spray water on any tough spots and make sure you reach every corner. Clean away all the loose dirt before going over with a cleaner.

Next, take a deck cleaner or detergent, and scrub every exposed part of the deck. After you’ve removed all the remaining dirt, wash away the soap with the power cleaner, again. If you don’t have a power washer, fret not. With a little bit of extra time and effort, you can practically achieve the same thing with a garden hose and scrubber.

Step 2: Apply The Oil

Before you apply oil and coat the wood, let it dry. If you don’t wait for the boards to dry thoroughly, you’re practically sealing moisture into the wood. This will make coating redundant, and the wood will decay anyway. After the wood has dried completely, take an applicator, and mix the oil well before coating the deck from a corner. Mixing the oil is important, especially if the can was sitting on your shelf for a while. This will ensure that the pigments are well mixed in.

You can use a large deck brush, or a lambswool applicator to coat the deck. Using an applicator or deck brush will make things easier for you since you don’t have to bend. Aim for an even coat on the whole deck. When coating the boards of your deck, always go for one board at a time. That means, coat the entire length of one board in oil before you touch the next one. If you’re using a large applicator, you can cover 2-4 boards at the same time. Just ensure you’re using enough oil to give an even coating on all the boards.

How Many Layers Should You Paint?

Once the first layer has settled, you can stop there or go for more layers depending on how worn out your deck is. If you’re just doing regular maintenance and your deck looks pretty fine, one coat is good enough. But if your deck shows signs of wear and tear, that second or third coat will help you increase your deck life. Also, make sure all of the coats are even and that you use enough oil to coat and seal every nook and cranny.

That’s a wrap. Oiling a deck is pretty easy, and requires no trouble at all. Make this a fun activity with your kids this weekend. Your home will thank you in the long run.

Did you enjoy reading this blog? Are there any tips you have when it comes to how to oil a deck? Let us know your thoughts. Until then, goodbye!

Call us direct at Earles Paints on 07 4121 5202 for all the information you need, or visit us at Earle Paint Place Maryborough.