How to prepare exterior timber for coating

Evaluate the condition of the timber

Exterior timber may be in the following states:

• New, bare timber
• Weathered grey timber 
• Previously oiled or stained timber
• Previously painted timber

The preparation required for each state of timber varies.

New (bare)

New, bare timber

Now you can skip the weathering process. 

Step 1: Cabot's New Timber Prep

Instead of waiting 4-6 weeks to coat your new timber you can now coat your deck in just one day. Cabot's New Timber Prep is designed to draw out the natural tannins, oils, treatment residue and contaminants from new bare or uncoated timber surfaces.

Step 2: Cabot's Deck Clean

Cleans and rejuvenates new and old timber and prepares timber for coating by removing dirt, grease and other contaminants.

When used in conjunction with Cabot's New Timber Prep, Cabot's Deck Clean, cleans the natural tannins, oils, treatment residue and  contaminants that have been drawn to the surface and neutralises Cabot's New Timber Prep to prepare timber for coating.

Step 3: Coat

Apply decking oil or decking stain with a decking applicator for an even finish and to save time.  You may need to 'cut in' around the deck edges with a brush first.

Allowing the Timber to Weather

Allow timber to weather for 4-6 weeks before coating to let it release its natural oils and tannins. In dry conditions, hosing the timber every few days will help to release the tannins.

• After 4-6 weeks, clean the timber with Cabot's Deck Clean.
• Mix Cabot's Deck Clean with water in a buck at a 1:4 ratio.
• Scrub Deck Clean into the timber with a stiff bristled brush or broom.
• Allow the solution to activate on the surface for 20 minutes and then wash off with high pressure water.
• Allow to dry and the timber is ready for coating.

Weathered (grey)

Weathered, grey timber

Grey timber is usually just the outer layer of dead timber fibre and the build up of dirt on the surface of the timber. Timber with slight to mild greying can be restored with Cabot's Deck Clean, timber with significant greying and deep cracks may require sanding before cleaning with Deck Clean.

Step 1: Know  your timber

The final appearance of any timber coating is affected by the unique characteristics of the timber species being coated,

so ensure you are familiar with your timber and its natural properties. Some common exterior timber types include: Kwila & Treated Pine.

Step 2: Water Bead Test

Timber that has been previously oiled or stained timber can usually be recoated without having to remove the previous coating. Timber that has been coated with a penetrating oil or stain is recognisable as there is no visible layer of coating on the surface of the timber.

Is your timber ready for coating?

Check with a simple Water Bead Test.

Sprinkle droplets of water on the timber surface and wait a few minutes.

Water Beads on the surface

If the water beads on the timber, the coating on the surface, further weathering, sanding  or use of a paint stripper is required before applying the new coat, if this is not done, then the surface of the timber will repell a future coat.

Water soaks into timber

If the water soaks into the surface you are ready to clean your timber and apply your

preferred coating.

Step 3: Clean

Depending on the condition of your timber additional preparation may be required. Go to the how-to section on our website to find out more.

Always prepare timber with Deck Clean to remove dirt, oils, grease and other contaminants that may impact the final finish

• For mild greying, clean the surface with Cabot's Deck Clean
• Mix Cabot's Deck Clean with water in a bucket at a 1:4 ratio.
• Scrub Deck Clean into the timber with a stiff bristled brush or broom.
• Allow the solution to activate on the surface for 20 minutes and then wash off with high pressure water. Be careful when using a high pressure water cleaner with any old and cracked timber, as the water pressure may tear apart loose timber. 
• Excessivley dirty timber may require several treatments to remove all dirt.
• Allow to dry and the timber is ready for coating

Step 4: Coat

Apply decking oil or decking stain with a decking applicator for an even finish and to save time. You may need to 'cut in' around the deck edges with a brush first

Previously oiled or stained

Previously oiled or stained timber

Step 1: Know  your timber

The final appearance of any timber coating is affected by the unique characteristics of the timber species being coated,

so ensure you are familiar with your timber and its natural properties. Some common exterior timber types include: Kwila & Treated Pine.

Step 2: Water Bead Test

Timber that has been previously oiled or stained timber can usually be recoated without having to remove the previous coating. Timber that has been coated with a penetrating oil or stain is recognisable as there is no visible layer of coating on the surface of the timber.

Is your timber ready for coating?

Check with a simple Water Bead Test.

Sprinkle droplets of water on the timber surface and wait a few minutes.

Water Beads on the surface

If the water beads on the timber, the coating on the surface, further weathering, sanding  or use of a paint stripper is required before applying the new coat, if this is not done, then the surface of the timber will repell a future coat.

Water soaks into timber

If the water soaks into the surface you are ready to clean your timber and apply your

preferred coating.

Step 3: Clean

Depending on the condition of your timber additional preparation may be required. Go to the how-to section on our website to find out more.

• Always prepare timber with Deck Clean to remove dirt, oils, grease and other contaminants that may impact the final finish

• Scrub the cleaning solution into the timber, wait 20 minutes then hose off

 Step 4: Coat

Apply decking oil or decking stain with a decking applicator for an even finish and to save time. You may need to 'cut in' around the deck edges with a brush first

Previously painted

Previously painted timber

Step 1: Know  your timber

The final appearance of any timber coating is affected by the unique characteristics of the timber species being coated,

so ensure you are familiar with your timber and its natural properties. Some common exterior timber types include: Kwila & Treated Pine.

Step 2: Water Bead Test

Timber that has been previously oiled or stained timber can usually be recoated without having to remove the previous coating. Timber that has been coated with a penetrating oil or stain is recognisable as there is no visible layer of coating on the surface of the timber.

Is your timber ready for coating?

Check with a simple Water Bead Test.

Sprinkle droplets of water on the timber surface and wait a few minutes.

Water Beads on the surface

If the water beads on the timber, the coating on the surface, further weathering, sanding  or use of a paint stripper is required before applying the new coat, if this is not done, then the surface of the timber will repell a future coat.

Water soaks into timber

If the water soaks into the surface you are ready to clean your timber and apply your

preferred coating.

Step 3: Clean

Depending on the condition of your timber additional preparation may be required. Go to the how-to section on our website to find out more.

• Always prepare timber with Deck Clean to remove dirt, oils, grease and other contaminants that may impact the final finish

• Scrub the cleaning solution into the timber, wait 20 minutes then hose off

 Step 4: Coat

Apply decking oil or decking stain with a decking applicator for an even finish and to save time. You may need to 'cut in' around the deck edges with a brush first