Household detergents can strip protective oils from timber, leave residues and degrade existing coatings over time. Equisol Retane uses neutral-pH cationic cleaning technology to remove dirt and grime without harsh chemicals that can compromise your timber’s finish.

Dishwashing liquid isn’t specifically formulated for timber maintenance and may leave residues on the surface. For regular cleaning of coated timber, choose a purpose-made maintenance wash, like Equisol Retane, to clean without unnecessarily compromising the existing finish.

Harsh acidic or alkaline cleaners can degrade timber coatings and strip protective oils, shortening the life of your finish. Equisol Retane’s neutral pH formula uses cationic cleaning technology to remove dirt and grime while helping preserve existing oil-based and water-based coatings.

Yes. Retane is designed for maintaining coated timber, including surfaces treated with oil-based and water-based timber coatings. Its neutral pH, cationic cleaning technology helps clean the surface without unnecessarily degrading the existing finish.

Retane is a maintenance cleaner, not a paint or coating stripper. However, it may remove some old or weathered coatings. If you need to remove an existing coating before refinishing your deck, use a suitable stripping product, like Equisol Strip.

No. Retane is not suitable for bare timber and should not be used within three weeks of applying a timber coating. Allow sufficient time for the coating to establish before using Retane.

Yes, but pressure washers may damage coatings and timber surfaces with excessive force, including damaging the grain. A suitable timber maintenance wash, such as Equisol Retane, can help remove surface dirt and grime without relying on high-pressure cleaning.

A deck wash (or maintenance wash) is intended for routine cleaning between coating treatments. Deck cleaners are usually formulated for more intensive cleaning, preparation or removing oils before coating or recoating. Equisol Retane is a maintenance wash designed to remove dirt and grime from coated timber while helping preserve existing oil-based and water-based finishes.

Oxalic acid is commonly used to remove discolourations and lighten timber as part of a coating or recoating process. Its acidic formulation may not be suitable for routine cleaning of coated or oiled decks and can affect coatings. Equisol Retane uses neutral pH cationic cleaning technology to remove dirt and grime while helping preserve existing oil-based and water-based coatings.

Oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) can help remove stains and organic matter, but it may affect some timber coatings or finishes. For routine maintenance of oiled or coated timber, Equisol Retane uses neutral pH cationic cleaning technology to remove dirt and grime while helping preserve the existing finish.

Not all deck washes are suitable for water-based coatings. Always check product compatibility before use. Equisol Retane is designed for maintaining both oil-based and water-based timber coatings, helping remove dirt and grime without the harshness of conventional acidic or alkaline cleaners.

Cationic cleaning technology uses positively charged cleaning agents to help lift and remove surface dirt and grime. Equisol Retane combines this technology with a neutral pH formula, making it suitable for maintaining coated timber without the harsh acidic or alkaline cleaners found in some conventional deck washes.

We don’t recommend using bleach or chlorine on timber decks. They can break down timber’s natural oils and fibres, while their strong oxidising action can degrade film-forming coatings, causing colour, flexibility and adhesion to deteriorate. Equisol Retane uses neutral-pH cationic cleaning technology to remove dirt and grime while helping preserve existing coatings.