Deck Oiling

[Arry]

Hi

I am planning on re-oiling my deck on the weekend.
It was laid Mid-Feb this year but with the Western Australian heat of summer it needs re-doing.

My question is: what is the best way to prepare the deck and apply the oil?

I am thinking of hoising it down tonight, then sweeping the deck tommorrow morning and then applying the oil with a paintbrush.

The only problem is that kneeling down on the deck and applying it will take forever and by the end I am sure my knees will be killing me.

Any suggestions as to the prep work and applying it and making it easier would be greatly appreciated.

[woodcutta]

Arry,

When I was researching what finish I would use on my deck I was concerned about the amount of time to oil and having to do it every few months.
I find a quick going over with a high pressure washer and then I use a cabots deck pad and it takes me about 20 minutes to 'mop' on the oil.

Regards
woodcutta

[strangerep]

what is the best way to prepare the deck and apply the oil?

I am thinking of hosing it down tonight, then sweeping the deck
tomorrow morning and then applying the oil with a paintbrush.

Depends how dirty the deck is. Take a damp rag or paper towel and rub it
over a small section. If plenty of dirt comes off, then simple hosing and
sweeping won't be adequate. You'll need to clean it properly with napisan
and oxalic acid (search back through this forum for details).

Then you need to let the deck become absolutely bone dry before applying
the oil. I.e: several sunny days or more (as an absolute minimum). In
autumn/winter this can get a bit tricky if dew keeps condensing on the
deck overnight.

[...] kneeling down on the deck and applying it will take forever
and by the end I am sure my knees will be killing me. [...]

The standard technique is to use sheepskin on the end of a pole.
Bunnings sells these. You'll also need a roller tray, or whatever, to dip
it in. Importantly, apply the oil very sparingly. Press the sheepskin on the
tray so it's not carrying too much oil. Then apply it carefully over a large
section. (I find that gently dabbing it over the section, and then going back
over to spread it out, gives more even coverage that's not too excessive.)

In the past, I've regarded the sheepskin as a throwaway (single-use) item,
because cleaning it is a pain. But they're a bit too expensive for that.
Recently, I noticed Bunnings have a cheap "pad painter" device where the
pad is replaceable, somewhat cheaper than sheepskin (and hence easier
to view as single-use). The device allows swivel, and is designed to screw
onto the end of a pole. You can get a relatively cheap aluminium extension
pole from Bunnings also. Both items are useful for other things
(e.g: painting high places). Also, having an extension pole means that you
can wipe the (drained) pad back over the deck after 30 mins or so to remove
any excess oil off the top. For best results, do one coat like this that's allowed
to soak in, then remove the top excess as much as you can. Allow to dry for
several days and then repeat.

[Arry]

many thanks guys, greatly appreciated

Looks like I am making yet another trip to Bunnings

I think I almost live there lately

[Dusty]

Depends how dirty the deck is. Take a damp rag or paper towel and rub it
over a small section. If plenty of dirt comes off, then simple hosing and
sweeping won't be adequate. You'll need to clean it properly with napisan
and oxalic acid (search back through this forum for details).

Then you need to let the deck become absolutely bone dry before applying
the oil. I.e: several sunny days or more (as an absolute minimum). In
autumn/winter this can get a bit tricky if dew keeps condensing on the
deck overnight.

The standard technique is to use sheepskin on the end of a pole.
Bunnings sells these. You'll also need a roller tray, or whatever, to dip
it in. Importantly, apply the oil very sparingly. Press the sheepskin on the
tray so it's not carrying too much oil. Then apply it carefully over a large
section. (I find that gently dabbing it over the section, and then going back
over to spread it out, gives more even coverage that's not too excessive.)

In the past, I've regarded the sheepskin as a throwaway (single-use) item,
because cleaning it is a pain. But they're a bit too expensive for that.
Recently, I noticed Bunnings have a cheap "pad painter" device where the
pad is replaceable, somewhat cheaper than sheepskin (and hence easier
to view as single-use). The device allows swivel, and is designed to screw
onto the end of a pole. You can get a relatively cheap aluminium extension
pole from Bunnings also. Both items are useful for other things
(e.g: painting high places). Also, having an extension pole means that you
can wipe the (drained) pad back over the deck after 30 mins or so to remove
any excess oil off the top. For best results, do one coat like this that's allowed
to soak in, then remove the top excess as much as you can. Allow to dry for
several days and then repeat.

This guy's (strangerep) a gun! Follow this advice and you won't go too far wrong.

[Spelunx]

There is also available a Wagner Deck Oiler. It has a little reservoir that you fill with oil, then run it over the deck. This saves going back and dipping the applicator all the time.

I haven't used one yet, but they do look pretty good.

I would be interested in any feedback if anyone else has used one.

[Arry]

Well I have oiled my deck and it looks fantastic
Many thanks to those of you who posted advice.
I went to Bunnings and bought a pole and then bought a flat sponge like device that was made for decks and attached that to the pole.

Made it so much easier and simpler.

Question: Should I do another coat and if so when?
Pitty, I did the coat yesterday and about 24 hours later it is pouring with rain.

At least it had 24 hours to dry a little.

[strangerep]

Should I do another coat and if so when?

In the first year, there's a rule of thumb to re-oil every 3 months or so.
Then you can drop back to every 6 months (to keep it looking nice),
or 12 months if you don't have enough spare time. )
But.... this assumes the deck was weathered and cleaned properly.

From your first post, I gather the first coating was back in mid-Feb?
Actually, I also got the impression that you constructed the deck then,
and oiled very soon thereafter. Is that correct, or have I misunderstood?

If you oiled it immediately, that was a mistake - but it's done now.
I made exactly the same mistake, and found that as I kept applying further oil
coats, the tannins and extractives kept rising underneath the oil. After
about 6-9 months it started looking really crap, even though I was applying
more oil. So I didn't have much choice but to let the oil break down
by weathering extensively over summer, then hit it with high pressure
water cleaner, napisan, etc, and re-oil.