Get started with Cabot's Natural Decking Oil
Give your timber the TLC it deserves with Cabot's Natural Decking Oil. Timber oils are designed to complement and enhance the natural colours of your deck – they work particularly well on darker timbers such as merbau, spotted gum or jarrah.
If you’re looking to change the colour of your deck, a stain is more suitable, but this product works well if you’re protecting or refreshing your outdoor timber surfaces. You’ll be summer-ready in no time!
- Oil-based timber oils work by leaving a slight film on top of the timber which protects your deck from UV rays and water.
- Cabot’s Natural Decking Oil has everything you need to nourish and protect your timber, leaving a lovely semi-transparent, matt finish
Prepare
Before you get started, there are a few things you’ll need to do first – preparation is key!
Preparing the surface properly before you begin allows the oil to glide on smoothly for even coverage.
Depending on your project, You might also need:
- Cabot’s New Timber Prep
- Sander
- Paint Stripper
- Cabot’s Deck Clean
Clean
Depending on the surface you’re oiling, there are several ways to get your timber ready:
Use Cabot’s New Timber Prep on damp timber.
This helps draw out tannins and oils from the surface.
Apply Cabot’s Deck Clean following the instructions on the product packaging.
Allow the timber to dry thoroughly before proceeding to any further treatment or coating.
Sand the timber surface thoroughly
Or use a paint stripper to eliminate any existing coatings.
Clean with Cabot’s Deck Clean following the instructions provided on the product label for best results.
Use Cabot’s Deck Clean to thoroughly clean the surface.
Follow the instructions provided on the product label.
Sprinkle water onto the timber surface.
If the water beads on the surface → More sanding is required.
If the water soaks in → The timber is ready to be coated with decking oil.
Sand back the surface to expose fresh timber.
Apply Cabot’s Deck Clean following the instructions on the product label for best result.
Fill Imperfections
Apply
Use a broad, flat paddle to stir Cabot’s Natural Decking Oil thoroughly before and during use to ensure even consistency.
Using a brush, apply the oil liberally along the full length of each board, including exposed edges and the ends of each board.
After applying your first coat, leave your timber to dry for six hours before applying a second coat. Wait another six hours and it's ready. Too easy!
Your deck is ready—so when can you coat it? Right now.
Cabot’s New Timber Prep is formulated to draw tannins and oils out of wood, so when you apply a decking oil or stain afterwards it will give a smooth, even look. Skipping this step could result in a patchy, discoloured deck when coated, particularly with new timber such as merbau, spotted gum and jarrah.
How to use Cabot’s New Timber Prep:
- Shake the tin well.
- Apply generously and undiluted to the timber.
- Take care—surface will be slippery.
- Leave on the deck for 10–15 minutes.
- Do not let it dry—add more if needed to keep timber damp.
- Use Cabot’s Deck Prep Brush.
- Do not use a wire brush.
- Rinse with a hose or low-pressure washer.
- Remove all product to prevent timber discoloration.
- While timber is still damp, clean with Cabot’s Deck Clean.
- Your deck is now ready!
A coating remaining tacky may be caused by:
- Weather conditions. In cold or humid weather, a coating will take longer to fully cure.
- Application of a thicker coat.
- Contamination on the surface prior to coating.
Allow the coating to dry for another week in good weather. In most cases, the coating will fully cure and the tackiness disappears.
Strong sun and humid weather can create white water rings on parts of a deck. Heat can cause the pores of the timber to open up, trapping moisture underneath the coating of the wood, causing a cloudy, white mark.
How do I get rid of white heat rings?
The easiest way to get rid of heat rings is to use a hairdryer to draw out the moisture. Keep it on a low-heat, and move it around the damaged area. As the coating gets warm and the moisture starts to evaporate, the white marks should start to disappear.
If the timber is fully cured, lightly wipe the damaged area with a clean cloth soaked in methylated spirits. The methylated spirits should draw the moisture out from the coating. Remember, being gentle is key; rub too hard and you might damage the coating.
It is normal before a deck is fully cured. White spots can appear on water-based coatings when they come in to contact with moisture before they are fully cured. After a few days of sun exposure, the spots should dry out and fade, leaving no trace of anything but your handywork.
If the stains haven’t faded after a couple of weeks, and you want to have your deck looking picture-perfect, simply scrub them with Cabot’s Deck Clean to remove any residue from rain or other water. When the deck is fully cured, the stains will stop appearing. Too easy.
The applicator can still be used in direct sunlight and hot weather conditions, but you may experience some spreading issues due to the coating drying too quickly.