Help - Spotted Gum Deck

[hawk234]

Hi, my first post here - hope someone can assist....

I've just had a new spotted gum deck in our back yard. When 'raw' it looked absolutely sensational, could not have been happier. On advice we've just had it sanded and oiled with Wattyl Weathergard Natural Oil and it looks awful. Even though it was a natural oil it was brown in colour like it had some pigment of some sort. The end result is that the timber has gone MUCH darker (expected it to go somewhat darker) and all my beautiful (and expensive) stainless bugle head screws look brown. The timber also looks a little patchy - like some parts are taking up the oil better than others.

Are there any simple solutions to these issues? Are they normal? Any help greatly appreciated.

[Waldo]

Did you run over the deck with rags to take the excess oil off before the oil went tacky?

[hawk234]

It was applied by a floor finishing contractor that the decking guys used - I cannot say for sure if they did but they seemed pretty competent.

[orraloon]

As Waldo has suspected it has probably been slopped on too thick. This is the most common mistake with oil. Did the contractor coat it more than 1 time is the other question. It is hard to guess the cause without a pic of the problem to get a clearer idea. To get the best result about 1sq m at a time is coated then after a few mins wiped off with a rag, repeat until job is all done. Then repeat in a day or 2. A third coat if you feel up to it. Many light coats is the go rather than one drenching. The wood will however be well protected. You can either leave it until it is due a touch up next year or strip and do it again now. Outside decks open to the sun and rain will take on a weathered look unless you sand and oil them every few months in any case so the new deck look is a bit of a passing fancy.
Regards
John

[delruss]

I have used Wattyl Natural Decking Oil for about 15years. The tin has very clear labelling that it is natural decking oil but that is the product. They make this product with many different tints (stains) in them which is indicated by a very small label at the bottom of the front of the tin. I am guessing but, particularly since your screw heads are also pigmented, I think that your contractor may have used a tinted decking oil and that is why your spotted gum has turned very dark.
Good Luck.

[MarkInBoatshed]

Just noticed this thread. Two things come to mind:

Spotted Gum is waxy, not as much as Tallowwood but still oily/waxy. A good wipe over with acetone might have helped, can't imagine your contractor did that.

Did they tell you the finish was UV resistant? I understand that without some pigment it is impossible to filter UV.

Rustins outdoor furniture oil is pigmented; I was disappointed by this at first but it is so effective I can live with my table being darker; it still looks good.

I imagine the finish will wear off your s/s screw heads before the wood, so maybe in time....

Mark

[dhphlcs]

Hi, my first post here - hope someone can assist....

I've just had a new spotted gum deck in our back yard. When 'raw' it looked absolutely sensational, could not have been happier. On advice we've just had it sanded and oiled with Wattyl Weathergard Natural Oil and it looks awful. Even though it was a natural oil it was brown in colour like it had some pigment of some sort. The end result is that the timber has gone MUCH darker (expected it to go somewhat darker) and all my beautiful (and expensive) stainless bugle head screws look brown. The timber also looks a little patchy - like some parts are taking up the oil better than others.

Are there any simple solutions to these issues? Are they normal? Any help greatly appreciated.

Wattle oil and water bases have been great on our spotted gum deck but no oils last on spotted gum.
2 years later we have to reapply every 2- 3 months, painful.
Spotted gum is distinctly different colours can be very blond and that is the look even after oiling.
Its not a one shade timber that's why it looks so distinctive.
Wash and deck clean and apply another oil.
Mine has also warped a little even using aged spotted gum.
Good luck