Timber decking finish

[Westy2]

Can anyone advise me on what is the best protective, longlasting finish (oil) for exterior decking, I have a mixture of Ausie hardwood and some Yellow Balau, have applied 3 coats of Feast Watson decking oil about 3 months ago but it seems to be fading already !

[JB]

Sikkens Cetol HLS. More expensive but better build up.

[vsquizz]

Westy, 3 coats is not much for outdoor stuff. Give until it no longer takes. I certain personage hereabouts proports the following;

Once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year and once a year thereafter. This is oil finishes we are talking about though ..not anything else.. That may be a bit over the top but jarrah outdoor furniture I have built has always required 5 or 6 coats in the first year, regardless of the various different manufacturer's.

My own stuff only needs re-oiling every two years now and that is with FW Decking Oil.

Cheers

[SteveI]

Westy

I've used Sikkens, Feast Watson and Cabots - they all fade if the timber is in full sun.

Sikkens does give a better build-up as JB said, but if you don't keep renewing it every 9 months or so, I found it became blotchy (and left a "skin"). Even Sikkens says it will last only 12 months.

I've gone back to Feast Watson or Cabots

Make sure you are using a tinted oil - the clear ones have less UV protection and the timber will fade quickly - I know the tint will gradually darken the timber, but that is the trade off - grey or slowly darkening timber.

The other thing is to use Deck Clean - think there is another brand called Kleenwood - or similar. They have oxalic acid (and detergents??) that help strip the grey oxidised timber to bring its colour back and remove stains like rust. You'll need a high pressure water cleaner for best results.