Expert Advice

OIL BASED PRODUCTS give a classic, naturally oiled timber look. However, drying times are typically longer than water based coatings, and Mineral Turpentine is typically required to wash up any coating equipment. For exterior products, WATER BASED PRODUCTS give a slightly higher sheen than oil based products, have lower odour, and brushes and application equipment can be washed up in water. Some water based products will last longer than oil based products.

A DECKING OIL is designed to protect timber without dramatically changing look of timber. DECKING OIL is naturally pigmented so it will change the colour of timber slightly - you can even choose mild colours to accentuate the colour in timber species such as Merbau and Jarrah. DECKING OIL enriches timber to protect it from warping, cracking or truning grey, and is perfect for coating hardwood timber. DECKING STAINS have higher levels of pigment than Decking Oils, so they change the colour of timber. They are righly recommended for Treated Pine, renewing the colour of grey weathered timber, and for making timber coordinate with house and landscape design. DECKING STAIN will give longer lasting protection than Decking Oil. For a deck and exterior stain that will not hide the natural character of the timber (knots and timber grain), try the semi-transparent Feast Watson Decking Stain.

The decision of oil-based or water-based comes down to a number of factors. A few you should consider before making your decision are; access to ventilation, size of project, colour and desired finish. If you are working inside and cannot ventilate well (if you do not have windows to open, for example), then water based has the advantage as it is low odour. When you are working on large surfaces, and need a long working time, oil based stains are ideal. They tend to dry slower than water based and therefore provide a longer working time. Colour range and depth of colour should be taken into consideration. Oil based or dye based stains used undiluted tend to provide a deeper, richer colour than water based alternatives. Let your project and circumstances help you determine whether or not you're going to use water-based or oil-based stain. And to help ensure colour satisfaction, always try your selected colour and stain on an off cut or spare piece of wood to see what it will look like on your unique project and timber species.

For exterior timber, No. Feast Watson Decking Stain does not require a top coat. Note: Weatherproof Varnish is NOT suitable for coating areas subject to foot traffic. For interior timber: Yes. . Two to three coats of Feast Watson Clear Varnish clear are required for durable protection on oil based stains that do not have a varnish or clear within the product.