Choosing the right deck penetrating oil is the key to success when you want to get the top finishing on your deck.
Before picking any make sure you analyze your requirements carefully and check whether you need to get a clear or colored finishing. Also, check your budget and maintenance expectations before you buy any specific product.
IMO, if your deck is made from an expensive hardwood material (like teak) it’s good to use premium quality oil like Ronseal decking oil.
However, if it is made with some other cheaper wood materials, any kind of decking oil (even a homemade one) can work for you. Just keep in mind, not to apply the DIY decking oil over any paint or stain as it won’t work very well.
How to Make Decking Oil?
Making a DIY oil for your timber deck is easy by using a homemade recipe that includes raw linseed oil, mineral turps, and an oil drying agent like Terebene or Terebine Driers.
You can use all these in a ratio of 4:11:1 respectively. Do not use less than 11 parts of turp as it can make the oil too thick and sticky once it’s applied and dried on the surface.
Making this decking oil at home can save you around 40 to 50 percent of what you will need to spend on buying a commercial deck oil available on the market.
So, it’s great to save good money if you do not have enough budget to preserve your decking area.
Oiling Your Deck with ‘Home-made’ Decking Oil
A little care of your decking area will help you apply the right oil to your deck for the best results.
But before you start, be sure to take enough time to make the best-informed decision about what product you want to use for oiling, and then follow the instructions to get results that will last for a long time.
The steps below will help you get the most out of the DIY decking oil that you will apply to your wooden deck boards.
Step 1 – Clean and dry
Assuming that you have already cleaned up all the dirt and mess from your decking area, the first step is to give your deck a good wash.
You can use water and detergent or can even make use of a good commercial deck cleaning solution. I recommend using a high-pressure sprayer or a garden hose, especially if your deck is very dirty.
Once you have rinsed and cleaned the area, let the surface dry for 1-2 days. Plus, check to see when the next rainfall event will happen. You need the deck to be fully dry both before and after applying the product.
Step 2 – Stir the oil thoroughly
While preparing the homemade decking oil, it is good to make a fresh batch a few hours before you want it to apply. Stir it nicely before starting with the project. You should avoid using the old oil that has been prepared weeks or even months before.
If you are using a commercial oil product, be sure that it has not broken down in the can. This means using a stick to stir it for a few minutes so that the color pigments and compounds are remixed to their proper condition to allow an even application.
Step 3 – Test before application
Find a small part of the deck that is not well seen and apply the oil. Let it fully dry and see the results. If it looks good, start covering the rest of your timber deck.
If it does not look good, at least it’s in a place where few people will see it. You can either add some tinting agent (to alter the color) or purchase another oil and try that.
Step 4 – Coat the deck – starting with the edges
Once you are happy with the results, use a quality paintbrush and decking oil you should start oiling the edge of your deck first.
Once done with the edges, start applying the oil coat on the boards in the direction of the grains. You should work on 2-3 boards at a time and complete oiling along the whole length without stopping.
Since the oil will penetrate very quickly into the wood, this will avoid forming the patches.
Step 5 – Let it dry and apply the second coat
After you have oiled your deck completely, let the oil dry naturally. It may take around 2-3 hours for decking oil to dry depending on the type of oil you have used and the temperature you are working in.
After making sure that the oil is completely dry, apply the second coat of oil to the deck. Remember, this time you will need to apply less oil as the wood has already absorbed enough oil in the first coating.
I recommend applying at least two coats of oil as this will offer better UV protection and enhanced durability. After about 2-3 hours of oil coating, your decking area is ready to put the furniture back and enjoy.
Follow-up deck maintenance after oiling
Remember, maintaining your decking area is important once you have oiled it. It will not only keep your deck looking fresh and shining all year round but also ensure longevity.
The easiest way to maintain the oiled decking area is to oil and seal the area at least every eight to twelve months. So make sure you spare some time on your weekend to perform this activity.
What’s the Best Oil for Deck Commercially Available?
If you are planning for a refinish and want to buy the best decking oil with UV protection, here are a few popular brands and options you can try:
- Ronseal
- Holzol
- Osmo
- Liberon
- Barrettine
- Manns premier
- Cuprinol UV guard
I have already worked with Ronseal decking oil and it works brilliantly to enhance the natural look and texture of wood. The good thing I liked about it is its easy application, quick drying time, and availability in different colors.
Many other decking oils out there are formulated with ingredients that offer low odor.
Some of them are also Eco-friendly and will help to nourish the wood in the most environmentally friendly way. So, if you want you can look out for these options, too.
The conclusion
DIY decking oil can be a cost-effective and convenient option for maintaining your deck, but its safety and worth depend on the quality of the product and proper application.
While many DIY oils provide decent protection, they may lack the durability and professional finish of high-quality alternatives. Additionally, safety precautions, such as proper ventilation, protective gear, and correct disposal, are essential when handling these products.
If you’re confident in your skills and choose a reliable oil, DIY decking oil can be a worthwhile investment. However, for long-lasting results and expert application, professional options may be a better choice.
Traditionally most floors in houses were made of concrete. But today, depending on personal preferences, the room or space that Read more
We are constantly finding new ways to update our home exteriors. If you are a bit tight on budget, renovating Read more
The reason why people choose hardwood flooring is it's durable and provides a rich classic look to the home. Plus, Read more
Cypress wood has been used for thousands of years in shipbuilding, so it is well-known for its water-resistance properties. Due Read more
Hi, I am Mark Garner a professional carpenter, woodworker, and DIY painter. I live in the small city of Peoria, Arizona as a semi-retired woodworker. I have started this blog with a simple motive to help you with my wood experience in this sector. If you like to know more about what I love doing and how it all got started, you can check more about me here.