How to maintain balcony timber deck?

[inno]

Hi Bunnings community,

We have a light-colour timber decking that has started to weather. See below for a picture taken a couple years ago and a picture taken recently. You can see that some parts have started to darken in colour.

What would be the best way to maintain and prolong the life of this timber decking? What products should we use so that we can keep the same look?

Thanks you in advance!

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @inno,

Thank you for your question about restoring and protecting your deck.

Are you aware of what product was put on your deck in the past? It almost looks like it might be thinned decking paint.

In this section here, it looks like the colour has flaked away but timber hasn't splintered. 

Could you please take a closer photo of this section? If you run a flat tool such as a paint scraper over this section does anything flake off?

Once we've worked out what has been used on your deck, I am happy to offer specific steps moving forward.

The process will more than likely involve sanding the boards back with an orbital floor sander and then applying a fresh coat of either decking paint, or a clear decking oil such as Cabots Aquadeck.

Let me know what you find. Once we've done some investigation, I'm happy to assist further.

Jacob

[inno]

Hi Jacob, thanks for your comment.

I ran my finger across the area that you highlighted and there is a layer that can flake off. Unfortunately, I do not know what product was put on it. I will try to find out.

[JacobZ]

Hi @inno,

It certainly looks like deck paint to me. 

You can check out Timbercolour Exterior & Deck Paint for Cabot's colour options in their deck paint. There are a few colours that look similar, but colour matching based on photos is extremely difficult. If you can get a big enough patch, roughly the size of a 50-cent piece, they may be able to colour-match it at your local store's Paint Desk.

If you have some sandpaper handy, would you be able to sand the section where this paint has peeled? I am fairly confident it is treated pine decking but sanding it a little bit will remove the weathering and give us a better picture of what it is and from that make a better colour selection with Cabot's tool in the link above.

Let me know how you go.

Jacob

[inno]

Hi Jacob,

How much do I need to sand it? Does the below picture help?

Will I need to sand the deck before painting it? Or can I just apply another layer of paint?

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @inno,

I am fairly confident that you have treated pine decking from your latest photo.

You'll have to let me get in touch with Cabots for their advice when they reopen tomorrow.

Please bear with me and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Jacob

[MitchellMc]

Hi @inno,

Your deck is considered weathered, requiring you to sand it back to fresh, undecayed timber. You'll need to sand enough to remove the damaged timber and establish a smooth, splinter-free surface. Then, you can apply a fresh coat of paint. You could paint over the area, but it's likely to continue to splinter.

You'll need to apply maintenance coats every few years or when the paint starts to wear through; otherwise, the timber will start to degrade as it has done here.

Mitchell