1. Getting prepared

No idea where to start, or what product to use? We can help take the guess work out of your deck makeover.

Preparation is key, especially when staining or oiling timber. The amount of cleaning and prep you need to do will depend on how old your deck is and what has been used on it before.

If your deck is brand new: You either need to wait 8-12 weeks before staining for the weathering process to draw out tannins, oils and treatment from the timber, or you can use Procoat Timber Cleaner & Brightener to prep without the need to wait. You generally don’t need to sand new timber.

If your deck is grey and weathered: Thoroughly clean the surface with Procoat Exterior House & Deck Wash to remove dirt, moss and mould. Then treat with Procoat Timber Cleaner & Brightener. You may need to do some sanding. If you have any rough areas you will want to sand these down to a smooth finish.

If your deck has been previously stained or oiled: Procoat Exterior Woodcare products can be applied over previously stained timber*. Note, colour from previous stains can affect the result of the new coating, so we recommend testing the colour with a testpot first. Thoroughly clean the surface with Procoat Exterior House & Deck Wash to remove dirt, moss and mould.

*If your deck has been previously coated with Cutek™ CD50, read the below.

2. Choose your product

With all the options available, it can be difficult to know what’s right for you. For each option there are plenty of colours available to enhance your wood or give it a new colour. Whether you choose stain or oil, with a quality product and patient application you’ll get a fantastic result.

Oil vs stain

Timber Oil: An oil preserves the original colour of the wood, allowing you to see the grain and natural beauty of the timber. This is a common choice for premium hardwoods. If you like the finish of an oil, we recommend Procoat Premium Exterior Timber Oil

Timber Stain: Choose stain if you want to add colour to your deck. Or, if your wood is very weathered you may wish to use a stain to cover blemishes and add uniformity to the boards.

If you’ve chosen stain, you’ll need to decide on water or solvent based stain. Both have their advantages.

A waterbased stain like Procoat Deck & Exterior Waterbased Stain is easier to work with. Clean up with water rather than turps and there’s no strong solvent smell. The wait time between coats is shorter than with a solvent based stain.

A solvent based stain like Procoat Deck & Exterior Oil Stain penetrates deeper into the wood and can last longer.

3. Apply your stain or oil

Like most outdoor activities, you need to wait for a good weather day—not too cold or hot, and most importantly, no rain forecast.

Ideally, you would have done your prep-work a day (or a week) in advance. It’s a great idea to get your first coat on early in the day, before it gets too hot. This helps prevent your stain from drying too quickly and allows you to blend sections for an even finish.

Start staining

1. If required, mask the edges like you would when painting. You don’t want stain up the side of the house!

2. Open the stain and stir thoroughly. Use a broad, flat paddle and an up-and-down scooping motion to ensure you’ve mixed any pigment settled to the bottom of the can. Continue to stir throughout use.

3. Apply your stain, in the direction of the timbers’ grain. Ensure you don’t apply more stain than can penetrate the timber, as this will lead to ‘lamination’, where the stain dries and forms a film on top of the surface.

Important notes

• Read the label instructions. It’s important to follow recoat times.

• Use quality accessories—we recommend a good-quality brush and/or lambswool applicator pad.