EASY STEPS TO CLEAN YOUR DECK

A new coat of oil on your old deck not only looks great, it also protects and preserves your decking timbers.

Gather your supplies

• Deck cleaner

• Decking oil

• Black exterior paint

You’ll also need Plastic sheeting; bucket; stiff broom; gloves; pressure washer; squeegee; paintbrush; lambswool applicator; cloth

For you to note

Use a water- or oil-based decking oil depending on what has been used previously. Water-based coatings look more like a painted finish than an oil-based coating, which penetrates the timber.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Cover plants near the deck with plastic to protect them while you’re cleaning. Also protect any paintwork from the deck cleaner, especially dark colours. Hose off deck to remove surface dirt.

STEP 2 Mix deck cleaner and water in a bucket in the ratio of 4:1. Using a stiff broom, scrub the timbers of the deck. Leave cleaner on deck for 15 minutes, keeping it wet. Wearing gloves, scrub the handrail as well.

STEP 3 Use a pressure washer to clean off deck and handrail. Work along the grain of each board to remove dirt and greying timber. Squeegee off extra water. Leave to completely dry.

STEP 4 Cut in around edge board of deck and against painted surfaces with a paintbrush. Use lambswool applicator to apply the decking oil. Work a few boards at a time, laying off each board to remove lap marks. Apply 2 coats of oil, allowing it to dry between coats.

STEP 5 Paint deck posts black. Keep a cloth on hand to wipe any paint off the wires as you go. Let dry.

STEP 6 Apply a coat of oil to handrail. Let dry. for PROJECT SUPPLIES, see OUR stockists page

Scrub away years of grime and bring your old deck back to life.