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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. Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Ironbark and Jarrah are a popular choice for Australian conditions. Merbau (Kwila) is also favoured for its dense consistent grain and resistance to surface checking and warping. Other options with distinctive characteristics include Tallowwood, Silvertop Stringy, Turpentine and Cypress Pine.
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.
Compatibility with other products
Is Equisol compatible with other penetrating oils?
Yes. Equisol penetrating oils can be applied over and under a range of other penetrating oils (not including Intergrain Univeral Oil). It is recommended to test in a small area first to ensure full compatibility.
Can I apply Equisol over water-based oils and coatings?
No. Equisol penetrating oils cannot be applied over existing water-based oils or water-based coatings. These will need to be removed first using Equisol Strip or Equisol Xcoat, sanding and cleaning.
Can I apply water-based oils and coatings over Equisol?
Yes. Equisol penetrating oils are excellent undercoats for a wide range of final coatings. It is recommended to test in a small area first to ensure full compatibility.
Is Equisol compatible with Intergrain Universal Oil?
No. Equisol penetrating oils are not compatible with Intergrain Universal oil or timber pre-oiled with Intergrain Universal Oil. Universal oil creates a coating that restricts Equisol Pro E365’s ability to penetrate the timber, resulting in a sticky, shiny surface that will not dry.
Is Equisol compatible with Cutek?
Yes. Equisol penetrating oils can be applied over Cutek Extreme CD50. It is recommended to test in a small area first to ensure full compatibility.
Can I apply Equisol over film coatings?
No. Film coatings, such as water-based or poly-urethane create a water-proof coating that does not allow Equisol oils to penetrate and be absorbed by the timber. The Equisol oil will sit on top and become shiny and sticky over time. To remove film coatings, use Equisol Strip or Equisol Xcoat followed by sanding and cleaning with Equisol Prime and Equisol Vitalise.
Can I apply Equisol under film coatings?
Yes, Equisol is a good primer for poly-urethane varnishes. It will minimise the water intake in the timber and increase its longevity. It is important to only apply the varnish after Equisol Pro E365 is totally dry.
Pre-oiled timber
Is pre-oiled timber good enough for a final coat?
No. Pre-oiling protects timber before and during exterior installation, and protects timber surfaces that are hard to reach after installation, such as underneath. It is not a final protective coat. Pre-oiled timber will be subject to weather and construction traffic, including dirt, metal filings, chemicals, construction adhesives and other contaminants, such as bird droppings and plant matter.
A full clean of the top timber surfaces is recommended after construction, even if the timber has been pre-oiled. Equisol Pro E365 is a penetrating oil, and any contaminants present on the timber will restrict the oil’s ability to penetrate in and protect your timber. Clean timber top surfaces with Equisol Prime to remove organic-based contaminants, followed by Equisol Vitalise to remove mineral-based contaminants and allow to dry before applying Equisol Pro E365. Timber pre-oiled with Intergrain Universal Oil must be stripped first before cleaning and oiling.
Important: Equisol Pro E365 is not compatible with all pre-oil coatings.
It is highly recommended to test an offcut by cleaning with Equisol Prime and Equisol Vitalise before applying Equisol Pro E365. If the coating remains sticky and does not absorb after 24 hours, your timber will need to be stripped first before it can accept a penetrating oil.
Should I coat pre-oiled timber ends sawn on site?
Yes. During construction, timber ends sawn on-site should be oiled with Equisol Pro E365 before installation. Moisture enters through unprotected sawn ends, establishing fungal decay and attracting insects.
Can I use Equisol over pre-oiled timber?
Equisol Pro E365 is compatible with a range of pre-oiling formulations, including Cutek, Intergrain and other penetrating oils. Note: Equisol penetrating oils are not compatible with timber pre-oiled with Intergrain Univeral Oil. Universal Oil coatings must be completely removed using Equisol Xcoat or Equisol Strip, sanding and cleaning before applying Equisol penetrating oils.
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 is present inside the timber and can wash out with water and rain. 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 washing out of the timber. Cleaning your timber throughly with Equisol Prime prior to oiling will remove much of the tannins, but tannins situated deep in the mid-section of your timber will still be present and eventually leach out. Equisol Pro E365 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.