DIY

from My Renovations July 2022

Outdoors

PROJECT: TIMBER DECK

With winter upon the Sunshine Coast, an outdoor deck might be the last place you want to spend your evenings. But now is the ideal time to prepare the perfect timber deck to ensure it’s ready and waiting for those warm spring evenings. Haymes’ Paint wood care expert Wendy Payne shares her top five tips to get you started.

1. QUALITY TIMBER It’s important to take your time and be conscious when sourcing timber for your deck. Make sure that you are purchasing from a reputable supplier. Where possible it is important to look for the FSC chain of custody certification label. This indicates your timber comes from well-managed forests, controlled sources, or reclaimed materials.

2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK Haymes Paint off ers three alternate timber finishes, It is essential you understand your desired finish before going to your local stockist. Have a think about whether you would prefer water or oil-based finish and a satin or matte finish. Also, take note of how frequently the product needs to be re-applied so you know when you will have to re-coat

3. CHECK THE WEATHER Check, double-check and triple check the weather before you decide to start preparing your deck for coating. Ensure that no rain is expected for 48 hours and avoid applying on hot to-touch timber or in direct sunlight.

4. CLEANING AND COATING Use the appropriate timber cleaner and quality brushes prior to coating. Preparation is key for penetration and adhesion of the timber finish. Calculate and use the correct amount required for the job as horizontal surfaces wear five times quicker than a vertical surfaces.

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5. MAINTAIN COATINGS AND REGULAR INSPECTIONS If you want your deck looking its best year-round it is important to know how regularly re-coating is needed. Colour, orientation and amount of use will impact the wear on your deck. Conducting regular inspections will be the best way to gauge when your deck will need re-coating. Maintaining the finish of your deck will protect the timber from the harsh Australian UV. For more visit haymespaint.com.au

tip

If you’re unsure what was previously used on the timber, you can conduct a methylated spirit test on a small section to identify if it was a water-based or oil-based product. Method: Clean down a small section to remove any built up dirt and any contaminants. Using a clean lightcoloured cotton cloth, dab with metho and rub. If the finish goes soft and comes off on the cloth it’s waterbased. If there is no sign of either it’s oil-based.

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