Many wood species contain water-soluble coloured extractives ( eg Larch ) which may leach out naturally when weathered. Weathered, bare wood surfaces can be refreshed with Osmo Wood Reviver Power-gel. Bare wood species with a high content of natural wood extractives need to weather off (min. 4 weeks) before the initial treatment or be cleaned with Osmo Brush Cleaner and Thinner (degreaser). Oil is also really durable and is easy to maintain – you just need to keep it clean and touch it up every now and then. It’s very resistant to dirt and water so doesn’t require much upkeep at all.' Also oiled finishes although dry and ready to use after 24 – 48 hours continue to cure and get more durable for days and weeks following application. Covering will prevent the natural curing process from occurring and this is one of the reasons we do not recommend putting rugs over and oiled floor for the first month.

Stir the contents of the tin thoroughly before and periodically during use and especially so with coloured oils This depends on your home's exterior and the colours and tones in your garden. Avoid anything jarring, and look to either complement or contrast with your walls and fences. As you have a dog I would recommend considering an oiled finish, this will be far easier to maintain over time, oils soak into the wood surface and so is less likely to be effected by claw marks, and even if it is, you can simply patch repair and the oil will blend well. Oils are also easy to maintain as they wear, simply ensure the surface is clean and dry and then you are able to apply a top up coat when needed, usually around 1 or 2 years down the line, depending on use. Resinous wood, such as Larch or Douglas Fir, needs to weather off for at least 6 weeks to improve absorbency. Pressure impregnated wood and tropical species like Massaranduba, Bangkirai, Garapa, Iroko need to weather off for at least 3 months. Cedar requires a 3 month weathering period to improve absorbency.

Which is the Best Decking Oil?

The finished surface is influenced by several factors, including the condition of the wood. Therefore, a trial application is always required, especially for unfamiliar surfaces. If it doesn't bead, you'll be ready to put on the oil. If it does then you'll have to clean it again until the water stops beading.

Its a bit of a battle to maintain the natural colour of these types of woods I am afraid, they will just naturally silver and for many people this is the desired result. It is a balancing act to get the best for the wood, protection or colour. For the following wood types, a weathering period is recommended. Depending on wood species, new or freshly sanded wood requires up to 12 weeks (approximate) exposure to the exterior elements before application. Thoroughly clean or lightly sand old microporous stains or completely remove old varnishes before application. If any sanding works are carried out some fresh wood species must be weathered as directed above to improve absorbency once more. Sanding to finishing grades of no more than a P120 grit are recommended. Always wear a dust mask when sanding. Due to their surface properties, ribbed or grooved as well as rough (sawn) wood surfaces absorb more product per square metre than smooth surfaces.

Rosewood: 4-6 weeks exposure. However, Natural Oil Woodstain 727 Rosewood is optically suitable and requires a weathering period of approx. 12 weeks before use of Natural Oil Woodstain. Oils often come in natural colours or clear, and enhance the natural appearance of your wood,' explains Jimmy Englezos, senior product manager at Sherwin-Williams. If you keep up with regular maintenance there should be no need to retreat with the reviver, but if you do need to use it again in the future the oil will need to have worn away or you can use a pressure washer to remove the last of it. If possible, and if the wood is absorbent please apply the first coat to all sides before installation.

If the finish is an oil it should have soaked into the surface of the wood and will naturally wear away over time, it will not peel and flake unless it has been over applied.Oils can not be removed with a stripper, some lift will come from using a pressure washer, but take care not to hold the nozzle too close to the woods surface as this will damage and splinter the wood. For longevity, you can't beat the natural silvery grey patina of oak or warm hues of cedar. Natural timber tones tend to work well anywhere.This period is often around 10 – 12 weeks and can allow the wood to start to silver some, it depends very much on the time of year and level of exposure to the wood. You may find that it this time of year you may get away with minimal fading as we go through the winter. And the wood may then be ready for application come the Spring. Always, stir the contents of the tin thoroughly, at least for a couple of minutes before applying. This ensures that colour pigments and other important ingredients of the product are well distributed and not concentrated at the bottom of the tin. Bangkirai: 12 weeks exposure. 006 Bangkirai is optically suitable and a very popular choice of colour tone. I am sorry for the delay in response, it is a super busy time here at Wood Finishes Direct. A stain or paint is a surface sealer and is likely to, over time, peel and flake, if the treatment appears to be lifting it is likely that this is the finish you have and this can be removed with a pressure washer or stripper product such as the Paint Panther Paint and Varnish Remover

Thank you for getting in touch with your question. It is a common question asked for beautiful tropical hard woods such as Ipe, Balua and Iroko. Jatoba is a less common one, however if it is anything like the others it will require a period of weathering. Tropical hardwoods tend to have a naturally high oil content when they are relatively new, these oils will prevent the uptake or adhesion of any product that you try to apply. So a weathering period to allow these oils to naturally disperse is the recommendation. We recommend using the clear version, as it delivers a beautifully natural finish. The same can't quite be said about the teak colour, as it's a little orange. When you start adding a little colour, the factor increases, so a light or natural oak for example will bring you up to a 20 – 30 factor and then a dark oak, rosewood, or dark brown will bring you up to a factor 50. This is the best way to maintain the natural colour of the wood over time, but of course if you don’t want to add colour then a clear oil with UV stabalisers will require annual top up. Ipe: 6-8 weeks exposure. 006 Bangkirai is optically suitable and a very popular choice of colour tone. Only apply in double figure temperatures and when the weather is set to be dry for at least the minimum drying time displayed on the tin. Single figure temperatures, damp or wet conditions could adversely affect the application and final finish of the productStaining can provide more colour options than oiling, but it can be more difficult to maintain and may require more frequent refinishing. However, oiling is often easier to maintain and when using a clear finish will offer a more natural look. In addition, oiling may not provide as much colour variety in comparison to staining.