Prep your deck
Your deck is a unique haven, the one space in your home that doesn’t need pruning, weeding, dusting or vacuuming. Get your deck ready for the summer entertaining season by using Cabot’s products to create a low-maintenance stained timber finish you’ll love
If you want to change the colour of your deck while keeping the natural features of the wood visible, you’ll need a timber decking oil. Before you start oiling your deck, it’s important to prepare the surface so you can get good results. In dry weather, this is a job you can get done in a single day.
YOU’LL NEED
+ Cabot’s New Timber Prep
+ Cabot’s Deck Clean
+ Cabot’s Deck Prep scrubbing brush
+ Cabot’s Deck Hand bucket
+ Cabot’s Deck Coat lambswool applicator
+ A paint brush
+ Cabot’s Aquadeck Decking Oil
STEP ONE
WEATHER YOUR DECK
If your deck is brand-new, you’ll need to leave it exposed to the elements for 4 - 6 weeks to let the tannins leach away. However, if you want to skip the weathering process, use Cabot’s New Timber Prep. Always follow Cabot’s New Timber Prep with Cabot’s Deck Clean. You can also use these products if you’re recoating timber that has previously been coated. Once your deck is ready to be treated, you’ll need to prepare it for oiling.
STEP TWO
PREPARE YOUR DECK
Dilute the Cabot’s Deck Clean with water, then use your brush to scrub it into the timber. Be careful not to splash any people, pets, plants or painted surfaces with Deck Clean. Leave the solution on the timber for 20 minutes, then wash it off with water. When it’s dry, your timber is ready to coat.
STEP THREE
OIL YOUR DECK
Give your Cabot’s Aquadeck a good stir before you start. Then start by carefully cutting in the edges of your deck with a brush, before using your Cabot’s Deck Coat lambswool applicator to apply the first coat. Oil 3-4 boards at a time and always work along the whole length of the boards. Stopping in the middle of a board may lead to patchy results. Try to work quickly – the oil will penetrate the timber on its own so there’s no need to overwork it, but also don’t apply the oil too thinly.
After the first coat, allow your deck to dry (about 1 hour), then apply a second coat in the same direction as the first coat to smooth out any inconsistent areas and deepen the colour’s intensity. Leave to dry and voila! Your deck is ready for summer entertaining.