FAQs
How long will the coating last?
There are two aspects to consider
(a) First and most important is TOTAL PROTECTION of the timber
DECK-DOC is the only product that will repel moisture being absorbed into the timber for several years. The oil absorbs into the timber and seals from the inside as well as the outside. This feature is important as it protects the timber against wood rot and fungal damage such as mildew and algae. Equally important the oil will encapsulate the timber and retain the natural oils and tannins therein, preventing the timber drying out, cracking, splitting and warping. The tannins determine the colour of the timber, so protecting the tannins and keeping them in will retain the timbers natural colour.
DECK-DOC’s Revolutionay Oiling System will protect for years will never crack or peel.
IF WATER DOES NOT BEAD ON THE SURFACE THE TIMBER IS UNPROTECTED
(b) Second THE COSMETIC APPEARANCE of the timber
The desire to have the cosmetic appearance of the timber looking at its best all the time. As with all things exposed to the weather they become dirty with accumulated dust, grime and air borne pollution. We wash and polish our motorcars to keep them looking good, so to we need to care for our outdoor timber.
After time timber can appear grey because of dirt build up. It is not the timber that has turned grey, it is the accumulation of dirt built up on the surface.
The dirt build up needs to be cleaned off from time to time. Refresh with a light coat of oil and the cosmetic appearance will came back to like new as the oil is protecting the colour in the timber fibres.
If timber is not exposed to the full weather elements and has some protection, the cosmetic surface and the natural beauty can be easily maintained by occasionally cleaning the surface by lightly sweeping with an oiled Lambs Wool Applicator and Oil Scouring Applicator.
SOLID COATINGS VERSES ABSORBING COATINGS
SOLID COATINGS: These coatings leave a solid membrane on the surface, will solidify and with constant movement of outdoor timber will ultimately break down in a short period of time resulting in the coating cracking and peeling causing damage to the timber. It will absorb moisture, dry out, and lose its tannins (colour). The maintenance in restoring this timber is costly as it will require mechanically sanding back the timber
ABSORBING COATINGS: Natural oil absorbing coatings brings out the timbers natural colour and beauty, and only needs enhancing and enriching with repeat applications and does not require costly maintenance.
DECK-DOC’s UNIQUE OILING SYSTEM:
Moves with the timber, encapsulates the timbers natural oils and tannins, protects the colour and protects the timber exactly.
How often do I need to apply the oil?
Depends on the absorption rate of your timber, as well as weather Conditions. A guide is to “Feed it when it needs it”
See with the eye when you think the Surface appears dry and in need of more oil. Some parts may need more oil sooner than others as some areas are exposed to the weather more than areas that are under cover. For frequent maintenance, there is no need to clean the timber surface again, simply apply a small amount of Oil on the areas that need it.
A good rule is to protect your timber before the winter elements and before the summer elements
As the oil absorbs and builds up in the timber fibres the less frequent you need to re apply.
How long does it take to dry?
By following the instructions carefully and not over applying, it should only take 24 hours to dry in summer. In winter however, it can take longer and is therefore recommended to apply on sunny days 15° – 27°
Surfaces should be completely dry before applying.
DO NOT APPLY TO WET SURFACES
Why is my surface not drying?
This is due to over applying. Timber will only absorb so much oil within a 2-3 hour period. Flooding the timber does not make the timber absorb any more oil. Therefore any wet oil that has not absorbed in to the timber will sit on top and needs to be wiped off. This will then allow the oil to dry in the top surface layer.
If the surface is tacky how do I correct it?
This can happen with over applying and where excess oil left on the surface has dried and has not been wiped down. We recommend applying the oil over 2sq metres at a time in order for the oil not to dry too quickly before it has a chance to absorb in to the timber.
If the surface has a tacky surface simply spray kerosene on the surface, this will soften the oil and bring it back to a wet state. Scrub the surface using Deck-Doc Oil Scouring Applicator and wipe off the wet excess oil using dry cloths. Always work an area of 2 sq metres at a time, as hot conditions hastens the drying time.
What will my deck look like in 2 years using Deck-Doc Oiling System?
A Natural Lanolin based absorbing oil coating
This deck had 3 applications of Deck-Doc Oil over a 1 year period in order to
build up the oil in the timber fibres and to give full protection.
It was then neglected for 2 years.
As dirt, dust & pollution settle on the surface it will dull and look dirty.
This can happen over a 6-12 month period.
Deck-Doc’s oiling system seals in the natural oils & tannins of the timber.
The tannins determine the colour of the timber. Sealing in the tannins preserves the
timbers colour.
This sealing process also repels moisture preventing water or dirt to penetrate the timber.
As dirt and dust settles on the surface it can give a dark appearance.
This is due to moisture in the surface dirt.
The pictures here shows the same deck after cleaning with Deck-Doc’s Timber Cleaner.
It was found that even after cleaning, water was still beading and repelling moisture after a 2 year period. This was due to the oil remaining in the timber protecting the colour and
preserving the timber.
The Timber Cleaner removes the surface dirt and is the ideal preparation for a light coat of oil to restore the original as new appearance.
No sanding is ever required.
The picture here shows how the colour has been restored after a fresh coat of oil being
applied to the upper surface.
The Deck-Doc Oiling system seals in the colour from the inside as well as the outer layers.
A light coat of oil brings back the colour at the same time preserving, nourishing & totally protecting the timber for a further extended 2 or more years.
Decks that have some covered protection will maintain the cosmetic appearance much longer than fully exposed decks.
What will my deck look like after 2 years using water, resin and urethane based coatings?
The artificial colour disguises the natural beauty of the timber (similar to a coat of paint).
These coatings leave a solid membrane on the surface which starts to crack & peel off after a short period of time. The timber is then totally unprotected & will absorb water and start to dry out.
The timber will loose its natural preserving oils, tannins & colour. It is the tannins that determines the timbers natural colour.
The whole surface required sanding. All nail heads had to be punched in to a depth of 3-4mm.
The surface had to be sanded 3-4 mm to restore some original timber colour.
It required 80 hours to sand off the water based coating from all surfaces.
The vertical surfaces were most difficult and time consuming to sand back.
This is a very costly restoration procedure.
This shows the finished sanded surface. However in spite of the deep sanding there is some natural colour loss due to the loss of tannins from the timber.
New timber should never be weathered of detanninised.
Weathering and detanninising leaches out the natural oils and tannins.
The tannins determine the natural colour of the timber. The natural oils preserve the timber preventing drying out splitting and cracking.
Deck-Doc seals in the natural oils and tannins maintaining the natural colour, preserving and protecting the timber.
Choosing a coating for your deck & things you need to know
See instructional videos here.
Deck-Doc to the Rescue (Portarlington home owners dilemma)
Read this cutomers ordeal and how Deck-Doc helped
DECK-DOC to the Rescue
I am very disappointed with my local Hardware Store after seeking advice from them on
what coating was appropriate for my situation.
I was recommended to use a water based product that the salesperson
assured me would be suitable for my cypress pine fence and panelling.
I was not informed that if I use a water based coating on my fence, it would crack and peal in a
very short time as well as, I would need to sand down my fence before any in between applications.
I was also assured that it would show the natural timber colour, which it certainly does not nor did the
coating protect my timber.
This coating was applied approx 2years ago
The coating started breaking down after 1 year and large pieces were cracking, and peeling off.
I contacted a few tradesmen to find out the cost of fixing this problem which involved sanding the
coating off in order to get back the original colour of the timber.
This exercise was not viable as it would have been cheaper to replace the timber than to sand it back.
The cost quoted for this job was in the thousands of dollars, way beyond which I was prepared to pay.
I contacted Deck-Doc and asked their advice on my dilemma. They explained the most cost effective
way to proceed was to apply Deck-Doc Timber Cleaner and use a pressure washer to remove as much of
the loose coating as possible.
Then apply Deck-Doc Decking Oil which would soak into thetimber as well as protect the timber from further
deterioration. It was explained to me that my fence would look a little patchy initially, but the appearance
would improve overtime as the old water based coating continued to flake off.
This picture shows the timber fence cleaned and oiled with Deck-Doc Decking Oil.
I only need to re oil again when it starts to look dull from the weather and to build up the oil in the timber which
will protect the timber and preserve the timbers natural colour .
It has been a very stressful experience.
Although the outcome is not ideal I am relieved that my fence is protected and I can confidently look forward to
when all the old coating is off and my fence & screens are back to their former glory.