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Hello Workshop crew, first time poster here. I thought I'd join since I'm going to have plenty of projects going forward following the purchase of our first home.
First job; the decking requires some love. I'm guessing it requires a full sand, then choice of paint or oil. Is sanding in necessary or is there a cleaner that might work? I believe the current treatment is an oil, since the previous owner kindly left a few tins of different Cabots oils in the shed.
The decking is undercover but does get slightly wet on the edge in patches closer to the garden.
Thank you in advance for your advice and time.
Joey
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Northerndandy. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about restoring a deck.
The sections of your deck closest to the edge, where exposure to water and the elements has caused more wear, will definitely need sanding to remove the deteriorated coating. While the rest of the deck looks to be in better condition, the overall coating appears to have deteriorated enough that starting fresh would be the best approach. Sanding the entire deck back to bare timber will ensure a consistent finish across the whole surface. We hire floor sanders that will make the job much easier.
Once sanded, you can reapply a suitable decking oil. Since you already have Cabot's oils left by the previous owner, check if they’re still in good condition and compatible with your timber. Oiling not only restores the deck's appearance but also provides essential protection against moisture and UV damage. The current colour on the deck appears to be possibly mission brown which is masking the true colour of the timber. This might have been done as it was a more budget-friendly treated pine or for personal preference. There's a good chance that the timber is hardwood decking and might be more suitable for a stain such as Cabot's Aquadeck Merbau. This will allow more of natural timber qualities to shine through.
To keep your deck looking great for years to come, apply maintenance coats of oil annually or as needed, especially on the edges that are more exposed. This will eliminate the need for extensive sanding in the future and maintain the deck's durability and beauty.
Here're a couple of helpful step-by-step guides: How to sand a deck and How to oil you deck.
Congratulations on your first home, and good luck with this and your upcoming projects!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
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