Prep the deck

We all know summer is coming and pretty soon it will be time to have family and friends out on the deck for the first summer barbeque. In fact with the New Zealand way of life orientated towards al fresco dining, the deck has become the environment of choice.
The furniture you have on the deck may also be in the same box as your deck and may need a new lease of life using the same techniques.
 
So, how is your deck looking?
Has your deck lost the colour it had originally? Faded in some areas and not others? How about marks from furniture, pot plants or the barbeque?
Whether you have constructed a new deck or you are looking at revitalizing the one you have, it’s important to make sure you have the knowledge and tools to add life to your outdoor living areas.
 
Getting started
Adopt a planned approach to stain your deck successfully, just as you do when painting the house. This begins with proper preparation, because if the job is not done thoroughly from the outset there is little chance of your deck ending up looking perfect for the summer of entertaining ahead.
Simple preparation steps to well-stained deck will include:

• Sanding off the old stain to expose the timber.
• Ensuring the surface is free from dirt, grime and oils.
• Using Wattyl Combat to reduce mould growth, warping and cracking.

 
Weathering of new timber
Allow any new dense or resinous timbers, such as jarrah, teak, kwila, cypress pine and other hardwood timbers, to weather for four to six weeks before staining. Pine treated with LOSP (Light Organic Solvent Preservative) should weather for two weeks prior to application.
If the timber has a shiny dressed surface or patches from the timber production process, sand using 150 grit sandpaper to allow for stain adhesion and penetration or allow to weather for six weeks.

Choosing the right product and colour
Part of the planning process is to ensure you have the right product and colour.
A stain often takes on a slightly different hue on different decking timbers, so carrying out a test on a spare piece of decking or getting samples from the team at Mitre 10 is a really good idea.
Major manufacturers like Wattyl help by offering test pots. Take an off cut and try several stains to be absolutely sure which will look best on the timber you have chosen.

Here are a few types of stains from the Wattyl range that you will find at Mitre 10:
Wattyl Forestwood Traditional Oil Stain: This is a rich penetrating oil stain that adds colour and allows the grain to show through. It’s best used on rough sawn and smooth weathered timbers. It dries to a low sheen and is available in a beautiful range of warm, earthy colours.
Wattyl Forestwood Aquatech:  A water-reduced oil stain suited for exterior surfaces, such as rough sawn and weathered smooth timbers of weatherboards, beams, pergolas, gates and windows. You will find an extensive range of standard and tinted Aquatech colours available.
Wattyl Forestwood Decking Stain: A solvent-based stain that gives a matt oiled finish. It’s suitable for most decking and garden timbers, including durable softwoods and close grain hardwoods. Available in a range of standard timber colours.

Surface preparation
Before you start applying the actual stain, double check to make sure you’ve removed all mould and stains like grease, oil or any other contaminants. You can deal to mould by using a stiff brush and stains can be removed by using a good solvent like Wattyl Deck & Timber Prep.
Simply follow the instructions and allow your deck to dry before applying your stain. This preparation product can also be used to help maintain the appearance of your deck. Wash your deck with it every year following the label instructions and it will remove stains and contaminants – giving life to your stained deck or furniture.
From here the real work of staining your deck begins. By preparing thoroughly, the job becomes much easier and, ultimately, the result will be that much better.