Sick of staring at your tired, grey deck? You might be overdue for a fresh coat of decking oil. If your boards are looking dry, faded, or a little rough underfoot, oiling your deck is one of the most effective ways to protect it and bring the timber back to life.
It's a job you can absolutely tackle yourself over a weekend, provided you follow the right sequence and use the right products for your timber. In this guide, we'll walk you through the full process of oiling a deck, from cleaning and prepping the timber through to applying your final coat.
Quick Answer: How Do You Oil a Deck?
Here's a quick overview to give you an idea of what's involved. To oil a timber deck:
- Clear the deck of furniture, plants and any other obstructions
- Sweep away loose dirt, leaves and debris
- Clean the timber with a dedicated deck cleaner
- Allow the deck to dry completely
- Sand any rough patches or flaking old coatings
- Stir your decking oil thoroughly before use
- Apply the first coat, starting with the edges
- Apply a second coat once the first has dried
- Set a recoat schedule to keep the deck protected
Follow this sequence and you'll end up with a deck that looks after itself for the next 6 to 12 months.
Tools & Equipment You'll Need
Before you start, make sure you've got the following on hand.
- Timber Deck Cleaner (WOCA Exterior Wood Cleaner)
- Sandpaper (120 grit)
- Decking Oil (WOCA Exterior Wood Oil)
- Deck Oil Applicator (WOCA Exterior Oil Applicator 9")
- Replacement Pad for Exterior Oil Applicator
- Coating Brush
Or grab everything you need at once with our WOCA Deck Oil Bundle. You can browse our full range of decking oil and timber deck cleaners, plus exterior tools and accessories, any time you're getting ready for a deck treatment.
Decking oil is generally available in a few sizes, so match the tin to the job: a smaller bottle is fine for outdoor furniture or a small patch repair, a mid-size tin suits most standard residential decks, and a larger drum is worth the investment once you're covering a big deck or multiple areas. As a rule of thumb, it's always better to order slightly more than you think you'll need than to run out halfway through a coat.
Step 1: Clear and Prepare the Deck
Start by clearing the deck completely. Move furniture, pot plants, rugs and anything else sitting on the boards out of the way, since these will trap moisture and stop the oil from curing evenly underneath.
Grab a blower or a stiff broom and sweep the whole area to remove leaves, dirt and other loose debris before you bring any product near the timber.
Step 2: Clean the Timber
Cleaning is the step most DIYers are tempted to skip, but it's worth taking the time. Dirt, mould, mildew, tannin stains and general grime all sit on top of old timber and stop decking oil from penetrating properly, so a good clean before you oil makes sure you’ve got the best foundations.
Hose the deck down first, then apply WOCA Exterior Wood Cleaner mixed according to the directions on the bottle. Work it into the timber along the grain with a stiff broom, then rinse the deck thoroughly with the hose.
Step 3: Let the Deck Dry Completely
Timber needs to be completely dry before you apply any oil, or you'll trap moisture under the new coat. Depending on the weather, this can take anywhere from 24 hours to a couple of days, so keep an eye on the forecast and plan your project around a stretch of dry weather. This is one of the reasons a cool, dry spell in spring or autumn tends to give the best results for a deck treatment.
Step 4: Sand Any Rough Patches
Once the deck is dry, check for any rough or splintered areas and give them a light sanding. If your deck has been previously treated with a solid stain, paint, or a decking product that's flaking or peeling, you'll need to sand it back until you've removed the failed coating and are working on a nice, even surface. Hose the deck down again afterwards to clear away any sanding dust before you move on.
Step 5: Mix Your Oil
Most decking oils contain natural oils and pigments that settle at the bottom of the tin during storage. Give your oil a thorough stir with a stirring stick until the colour is consistent, and keep stirring as you work if you're covering a large deck.
If you're still deciding on a colour, a mid-tone, natural shade generally gives you the best of both worlds. On timbers like spotted gum, we’re a fan of a teak-toned oil. It provides solid UV protection while still letting the natural grain and colour of the timber show through, rather than looking flat or overly dark.
Step 6: Apply the First Coat
Keep your eye out for an overcast day, since that’s the best time to coat a deck. Direct, harsh sun causes the oil to dry unevenly, which can leave lap lines and picture framing around the edges of boards. If you can, plan the job around a mild, overcast stretch rather than a scorching weekend.
Begin around the edges and any tight spots with a wide-bristled brush, cutting in neatly where the boards meet walls, posts or steps. Feather the cut-in line out as you go so there's no hard edge where the brushed section meets the rest of the board. Then move on to the main deck area using a deck oil applicator to apply a thin, even coat across the rest of the boards, working in the direction of the timber grain.
Dip the applicator pad fully in the oil, then lift up and pull it back across the timber rather than pressing down hard. If you can see pools of liquid sitting on the surface, you've put too much on. Go back over that section to spread it out evenly. Decking oil is a penetrating treatment, not a paint, so it should soak in rather than sit on top. Avoid using a paint roller, since it tends to load the timber with too much product.
Step 7: Apply a Second Coat
Leave the first coat for at least 12 hours before recoating, ideally closer to 24 hours if the weather allows. Give the deck a quick sweep or blow over to clear off any leaves or debris that have settled overnight, then apply the second coat using the same technique. A second coat gives the timber more even protection and helps even out the colour across the whole deck, particularly if some boards have soaked up more oil than others.
Once the second coat is on, keep furniture, pot plants and rugs off the deck for another 2 to 3 days to give the oil time to cure properly before it's put back under load.
Step 8: Set a Recoat Schedule and Enjoy Your Deck
Give your deck a rinse every few weeks to keep dirt and grime from building up, and plan on a full clean and reapplication of decking oil every 6 to 12 months, depending on how exposed your deck is to direct sun and weather. A deck that gets full sun all day will need attention more often than one that's shaded or covered.
With the right prep and the right decking oil, your deck should look fresh, protected and ready for the next twelve months of Australian weather. Staying on top of a regular oiling schedule is a lot less work than dealing with cracked, warped or rotten boards down the track.
Get Your Deck Ready for Summer
Oiling a deck is one of the most rewarding DIY jobs you can tackle, and the results speak for themselves once you see the timber's natural colour and grain come back to life.
Browse our full range of decking oil, timber deck cleaners and applicators to get everything you need for your project. And if you're weighing up which oil is right for your timber, our guide on the best decking oil in Australia compares the leading brands, or get in touch with our team and we'll point you in the right direction.
FAQs
How often should I oil my deck?
Most decking oils need to be reapplied every 6 to 12 months, depending on sun exposure and foot traffic. Decks that get full sun all day will need more frequent attention than shaded areas.
How much decking oil do I need?
As a rough guide, an average 30 square metre deck needs around 3.75 litres for the first coat and 2 to 3 litres for the second coat, though this varies with the timber species and how porous it is. Older, previously bare or particularly porous timbers like spotted gum will soak up noticeably more oil on the first coat than a newer, denser deck. It's always worth having a little extra on hand rather than running short partway through a coat, since running out mid-board can leave an uneven finish.
Is decking oil better than deck paint or stain?
For long-term timber health, yes. Paint and solid stains form a surface film that eventually cracks and traps moisture against the wood, which can lead to rot. Decking oil penetrates the timber and allows it to breathe, which is why it's the preferred option for ongoing deck maintenance.
What's the best time of year to oil a deck?
A cool, dry spell in spring or autumn is ideal. Avoid applying decking oil in very hot, direct sun, and always check the forecast to make sure you've got a dry window for the timber to cure properly.
Do I need a special applicator for decking oil?
A dedicated deck oil applicator makes the job much faster and gives a more even finish since the sponge pad is designed to spread a thin, consistent layer across timber boards. A wide-bristled brush is still handy for edges and detail work.