What stain to protect treated Pine outdoors?

[PatDIY_Dad]

Hi

Can anyone suggest the best outdoor stain or sealer for h3 treated pine decking and one that is safe for kids to play on

The deck will be always outside in the weather

Prefer to keep the natural pine look

We have a weathered cubby house thats got fence palings as weather boards which have gone that pine greyish colour so if it goes slighly to that colour that would be ok to

[EricL]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad 

For your H3 treated pine decking, an excellent option for sealing and protecting the wood while keeping a natural appearance is a clear or semi-transparent decking oil or sealer. From the store, products like Cabot's Aquadeck Natural or Feast Watson Decking Oil in Natural would suit your needs well. These products are designed to penetrate the wood, offering long-lasting protection from weather exposure while enhancing the timber’s natural look.

Given that kids will be playing on the deck, it's important to choose a water-based, low-VOC product, as these are safer and more environmentally friendly. Cabot's Aquadeck is a particularly good choice in this regard, as it’s durable, water-based, and easy to reapply when needed.

To prepare your deck for staining or sealing, make sure the timber is clean and free from dirt, grease, or mildew. If the deck has been exposed to the weather for some time and has taken on a greyish hue, you can use a wood cleaner or rejuvenator, such as Cabot's Deck Clean, to restore the timber's natural color before applying the sealer.

Once cleaned and dried, apply your chosen stain or sealer using a quality decking applicator, brush, or roller, following the product instructions. Multiple thin coats generally work better than a single heavy one to ensure even coverage and absorption.

For the cubby house, the same product can be used to seal and protect the weathered boards, preserving their slightly greyish tone while offering protection from the elements. Regular maintenance, such as reapplying the stain or sealer every couple of years, will keep your deck and cubby house looking great and protected for years to come.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[PatDIY_Dad]

 Thanks mate

I didnt see this reply before I went to my local store and I ended up getting https://www.bunnings.com.au/feast-watson-4l-natural-matt-look-decking-oil_p1520576

I did call them to ask some questions and they said to let the pine get weathered for 2 weeks before applying

He also said to clean it with a proper cleaning product but would that be nesccesary if the wood still looks like its natural colour?

[JacobZ]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad,

A good clean before coating is definitely worthwhile as you'll want the surface to be free from any contaminants that will affect how the oil penetrates the timber.

There are specialty products such as Cabot's Deck Clean that are developed for this purpose, but applying warm soapy water and using an Oates Long Handle Deck Scrub Brush to clean the surface should be fine. Just make sure any dirt, oil or other contaminants get removed.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[PatDIY_Dad]

Yeh I might just give it a scrub with soapy water first. I mean I should be done putting all the boards on tomorrow ( half way there ) and its now raining tonight but they are generally clean

I do have one question though. Some of the older 3m long boards I got for the picture frame border have that H3 treated green tinge and the other boarda that were from a brand new pallet are not and nice and pine looking

Can I somehow get that green colour off before applying decking oil?

[JacobZ]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad,

The green tinge comes from copper in the treatment used on the boards oxidising over time. Unfortunately, it is soaked into the fibres of the timber so it would be nearly impossible to remove completely, but the outer layers of timber are usually the most affected. 

You can try sanding the boards to remove the top layer, but I imagine the layers beneath will still have a slight green tinge to them.

If you'd like to try sanding them, make sure to wear a mask while doing so.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob