How to clean and oil timber cladding?

[MSD]

Hi,

I moved into this place a little more than 2 yrs ago.

I can see the stain fading away on the cladding due to direct exposure to rain and sunlight.

What is the process to clean and oil the cladding as part of regular maintenance?

I have attached a few pictures.

Mitesh

[JacobZ]

Hi Mitesh (@MSD),

Thank you for your question about cleaning and maintenance of your timber cladding.

You would treat the cladding in the same manner as you would a deck. Check out How To Oil Your Deck for some guidance.

Start by giving the timber a clean with a pressure washer. You can then scrub the timber with Cabot's Deck Clean and a stiff-bristled brush such as this Oates Long Handle Deck Scrub Brush.

Finally, flush the timber with clean water to remove any soap suds or leftover dirt particles.

You would then oil the cladding as you would a deck, using an applicator such as this Cabot's Decking Oil Applicator. Applying thin coats will help reduce any drips or running oil. Make sure you use drop sheets to prevent oil dripping on your rendered wall and windows.

Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[MSD]

Thanks Jacob.

I have attached a few additional pictures. I the pictures you will see the timber on the side has weathered a little more than the other side.

I did run my hand over the timber and I feel it needs a bit of sanding, as the surface is not smooth.

Can you please advise what I need to do for sanding and what sanding equipment is required.

[MSD]

Also please check if what I see at the bottom of the window looks like mould?

[JacobZ]

Hi @MSD,

You can sand everything cheaply by using 120 Grit Sandpaper wrapped around a Cork Sanding Block, however this will be time consuming and hard on your body.

To make the job easier, you can use a random orbital sander with 120 grit sandpaper to speed up the process and lighten the load on your body.

The timber at the bottom does not look mouldy; rather it looks more weathered than the rest, likely because it sits at ground level and water has pooled against it.

Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[MSD]

Thanks Jacob.

A couple of additional questions.

1. Is sanding required for the entire cladding or just areas where i need it? My main concern is whether the cladding will have a consistent look because I haven't removed the original oil stain. Some areas have weathered more than others.

2. Do i treat the weathered timber below the window, given future water pooling is expected due to rain. I have read about waterproofing applications for timber.

3. Due to timber weathering under the window, it had developed cracks. Any wood filler required?

[EricL]

Hello @MSD 

It will be necessary to sand the entire cladding as anything not sanded will not absorb the oil or stain placed over the surface. This will produce an uneven finish, and any part not sanded but still oiled over will peel and come off. Unfortunately, if a waterproofing membrane is used, it means that it can't be oil, stained or painted as the waterproofing will reject anything placed on top of it.

As to the cracks and holes in the timber I suggest using either Polyfilla 450g Exterior Timber Filler or Earl's 140g Merbau MulTfill Ready To Use Filler to cover all the damage. Please make sure that the filler is fully cured before you start oiling or painting.

If you ned further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[MSD]

Thanks Eric.

I have been reading that you start sanding with a 60 or 80 grit and back your way up to 120.

Is that required or can I just use 120 from start to finish?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @MSD,

I would start at the 120-grit and see how it goes. I suspect 60 or 80 would be far too coarse and you might scratch the timber. If you are not getting anywhere with the 120 you can go down to 80.

It's always best to use the highest grit that will do the job. You would only go coarser if that is not working. This is because once you go down to 60, you need to then sand again with 120 to remove the scratch marks of the 60.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell