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FAQs
Preparation
What is the best timber to use for decks?
We recommend you use a seasoned hardwood from sustainable forestry sources for decking projects. Currently Spotted Ash is a popular choice for Australian conditions.
Do I need to use two cleaners to prepare my timber?
Equisol’s two main timber cleaners do different things. Our sodium percarbonate based Prime and our oxalic acid based Vitalse both clean timber very effectively, but for different contaminants, a combination of the two is recommended, because its almost impossible to see what is on your deck surface, or even sub-surface, that cannot be seen.
Grease, BBQ fats, old oil and residue tannins all require Prime. Water and calcium stains, rust stains, and brightening your timber requires Vitalise. There’s half a hundred other contaminants we haven’t mentioned, such as roof water runoff, salt air, garden chemical sprays, organic spores, etc.
The best chance for timber longevity is all in the preparation, and a combination of the two cleaners is optimum to remove as much as possible.
Do I need to remove the tannins from my timber before oiling?
Yes. Tannins are water-soluble polyphenols that help protect the tree from insects, fungi and UV radiation, but in your deck they can be a dark tea-coloured solution that leaches out and can stain surfaces, including concrete. They can be deep inside the timber and come to the surface over many months, leaching out and making a general mess. Usually water / rain brings them out. Even light coloured timbers like blackbutt can have significant dark tannins. Our Equisol Pro E365 is a timber stabilising oil and won’t lock the tannins in.
We highly recommend using Prime to extract as much tannin as possible before you oil. Especially dark timbers like Merbau, which are infamous for dark tannin leaching.
Usage and Application
Will untinted Equisol darken the timber?
All oil-based products will slightly darken natural timber. The oil penetrates the timber fibres, providing nourishment and protection. Soaking the timber with water will have a similar look to coating it with clear Equisol Pro E365.
Can I apply more than two coats?
No. Two coats is enough. If you apply too many coats the timber reaches saturation point and the oil will sit on the surface. This will make your timber look blotchy or patchy.
Can I use Equisol on outdoor timber furniture? (eg Kwila)
Yes, but please make sure any previous coatings have been removed.
Can you coat an Equisol treated deck with Polyurethane Varnish?
Yes, Equisol is a good primer for Polyurethane Varnish. It will minimise the water intake in the timber and increase its longevity. It is important to only apply the varnish after Equisol E365 is totally dry.
Maintenance
Will I have to recoat?
Yes – all timber deck coatings need maintenance. Equisol is no exception. However re-coating with Equisol is easy. You simply need to give the deck a wash to remove any debris, and re-coat with two coats.
How do I know when to recoat?
A recoat is recommended around the 12 month mark, depending on the environmental conditions. Harsher environments will need recoating sooner.
Do I need to use two cleaners to re-oil my timber?
Although it is possible to just use Vitalise to clean your deck before a re-oil, we always recommend using our Prime cleaner for two main reasons.
Firstly, Prime is sodium percarbonate-based and will clean off different things, such as grease and BBQ fats.
Secondly, Prime will prime the timber (see what we did there!) to be as receptive as possible for the re-oil coat by removing some of the old oil and opening up the timber pores. That maximises your protection.
Troubleshooting
My timber is leaching colour. Why?
Some timber is rich in tannin (eg. Garrapa, Australian hardwoods, Merbau). This is a naturally occurring water soluble polyphenol which can wash out of the timber. It generally occurs when the cut ends of timber get wet. The water mobilises the tannins and they flow out of the ends of the timber. The colour you see is NOT the Equisol oil sliding out of the timber. Some products are available to remove tannins but they only can remove what they can reach. In other words, tannins situated in the mid-section of your timber will still be present and eventually leach out. A penetrating oil will help seal the timber, but if you are using a timber highly saturated with tannin which is then exposed to water, it’s expected the tannins will leach.
Timbers may also be discoloured with black stains when it comes into contact with iron compounds. (iron filings, ferrous nails and screws etc). Cement dust and soil high in iron can leave black spots if they rest on wet timber. This is chemical reaction between the iron and the tannin. Remove the source of the reaction and a light acid wash should remove the marks from your timber.
My deck has gone grey. Is it still protected?
Yes, if it has been oiled in the last 12 months. It’s important to remember that colour and protection are two different things. Deck colour fading is a normal result of weathering in Australia when exposed to the harsh effects of UV rays, water and dirt. Even though your deck will start to lose the richness of its stain colour, it is still being protected by the penetrating oil you applied to the decking timber. We do recommend a re-oil every 12 months to maintain that protection, and restore your deck colour.
For more information, check out our blog post here.
The Xcoat stripper didn’t work
There are many reasons why Equisol Xcoat did not remove your previous coating fully. The below is a quick troubleshoot on the most common:
- Xcoat cannot remove some coatings, such as 2Pac or epoxy finishes
- A large build up of multiple coats makes it harder for the stripping action to get through all coats. It may need a second application of Xcoat to remove all previous finishes
- Timber to be stripped must be dry when you apply Xcoat. Wet timber will significantly reduce Xcoat’s ability.
- Keep Xcoat damp with continuous water misting. Do not let dry out. The chemical reaction that strips the old coating will stop if it dries.
- Leave Xcoat on long enough for the old coating to lift. Test it with a soft scraper. If it does not come away from the timber yet, it’s not ready.
- Remember the second application of Xcoat over the first one after 30 minutes.
Shipping
Are sample pots available?
Yes. Please contact us with your requirements.
Where is Equisol made?
Equisol Stabilising Oil is Australian made. Our pigments for the colour tones are sourced internationally.
Do you ship Australia wide?
Yes. Please contact us for freight charges.
Do you ship internationally?
Please contact sales@equisol.pro for more information.