Regardless of whether you are building a new deck or refurbishing an existing deck, Sikkens timber preparation products make the prep work easy.

For existing hardwood decks that require a deep clean to remove the dirt and grime of winter, a cleaning product such as Sikkens Cetol BL Deck & Wood Cleaner will ensure the timber is clean prior to recoating. This fast acting gel brightens and revitalises grey and weathered timber in 15-20 mins, and allows the new coating to properly penetrate and adhere to the timber for long lasting protection.

However, if your deck is in bad condition, it may be necessary to strip back and sand the surface before recoating. Any areas affected by mould or mildew must be properly treated before recoating, otherwise mould will continue to grow underneath the fresh paintwork.

If you are building a new deck, it is preferable that hardwood timber is seasoned to extract tannins and oils, this can be done naturally over a period of three to six months after installation. However, if you want the job finished quickly, an application of Sikkens Cetol BL Tannin and Oil Remover will draw oils and tannins to the surface in 15 to 30 minutes. Coating unseasoned hardwood timber results in the premature break down of the new coating and will leave discolouration and staining under the coated surface.

As Sikkens Cetol BL Tannin and Oil Remover can extract the majority of tannins quickly, it provides peace of mind, and is great for those who don’t have time to wait for the natural process of seasoning to occur.

Users can be reassured that correct preparation and thorough cleaning allows the new coating to properly penetrate and adhere to the timber for long lasting protection.