The ultimate guide to protecting and enhancing your outdoor timber & decking
As the warmer months arrive, it’s the perfect time to protect your deck from Australia’s harsh sun and unpredictable weather. Fiddes Universal Decking Oil is specially formulated to nourish, seal and defend your outdoor timber while bringing out its natural beauty.
Whether you’re working with new decking, refreshing an older surface, or even finishing off an outdoor furniture piece, this guide will help you get the best results.
Choosing Your Colour
Fiddes Universal Decking Oil is available in a Clear, which allows your timber to naturally silver, and 3 natural colour shades containing UV filters that resist colour fade.
Not sure which one to go with? We now have 250ml sizes available for purchase, so you can test before committing to a full 5LT tin.
*Colour will vary by timber species & application method. Test prior to application.
Equipment You Will Need:
- Fiddes Universal Decking Oil in your chosen colour
- Fiddes Floor Brush OR 10mm microfibre roller
- Paint tray *
- Good quality brush
- 80 grit sandpaper or sanding disc *
- Fiddes Deck Cleaner or Oxalic Acid (optional)
👉 Shop our available products here
* These products can be purchased from your local hardware store.
Step-By-Step: How to Apply Fiddes Universal Decking Oil
Preparation
Ensure all surfaces are clean, dry and free from any previous finish.* For best results use Fiddes Deck Cleaner or Oxalic Acid to remove any built-up dirt, grease, fungus or previous coatings. Allow to dry completely before proceeding.
Sand the substrate with 80 grit sand paper, removing all traces of dust after.
Ensure that you are stirring the oil before and during use to evenly distribute the pigments and oils.
Application
Apply Fiddes Universal Decking Oil on a cool dry day, ideally between 10 – 30°C. Avoid hot, direct sun or applying just before rain. Longer drying periods may occur during application in cold, damp or humid conditions.
* A single application will cover approximately 8-16 sqm per litre depending on density of substrate.
First Coat
To begin, working in sections cut in your edges using a good quality brush. Then using your Fiddes Floor Brush or 10mm microfibre roller & a paint tray, apply consistently and evenly, following the direction of the timber grain.
Leave to dry for 6 – 12 hours
* You will likely find that your timber absorbs more oil on the first coat compared to the following coats.
Second & Third Coats
Sand the surface lightly if necessary and apply your second and third coat as per your first coat.
* Drying time may increase on the second and third coat.
Annual Re-application: When & How to Refresh
Outdoor timber is exposed to constant wear and weathering, even with a protective oil. Annual re-application is the best way to keep your deck looking great and performing well long term.
In areas of high weather exposure, re-application may be required more frequently.
How do I know it’s time to re-apply?
- Water no longer beads on the surface.
- Timber starts to look dull or faded.
- Dry, patchy or worn areas appear.
- High-traffic zones lose colour faster.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time for a refresh.
How to Re-apply Fiddes Universal Decking Oil
- Clean the surface using Fiddes Deck Cleaner and allow to dry.
- If required lightly sand the surface.
- Apply one maintenance coat of Fiddes Universal Decking Oil using a 10mm microfibre roller or Fiddes Floor Brush, following the instructions above.
- Once dry your deck is ready for use!
It’s that easy! No need to strip back or start from scratch. Annual maintenance helps you avoid bigger jobs later and keeps your outdoor timber protected all year round.
Want to know more?
Head to our YouTube and watch our videos on Outdoor Timber Care.
👉 Fiddes YouTube – Outdoor Timber Care
OR click here to go to our Universal Decking Oil product page for further details and application instructions.
Want More of our Universal Decking Oil?
Want to see more of our Universal Decking Oil in action? It was recently featured on Channel 7s DVine Living Series 4. Where Dale Vine and the team from Best Abrasives brought a tired old deck back to life. Click here to watch the transformation and see just how easy it is to apply and how big a difference our Universal Decking Oil can make.
