Professional Deck Oiling Services in Melbourne

Expert deck oiling across Melbourne’s North. We use custom-formulated Australian-made water-based oils with no fumes, fast drying times, and same-day access. Custom tints to bring out the best in your timber. 17+ years experience, 183 five-star reviews. Call 1300 363 478 for a FREE quote.

What Is Professional Deck Oiling?

Deck oil is only as good as the preparation underneath it. That’s the truth most deck companies won’t tell you.

You can use the most expensive oil on the market, but if you’re applying it to cupped boards, grey weathered timber, tannin-stained surfaces, or poorly sanded wood—it won’t penetrate properly. It’ll sit on the surface as a film, break down quickly, and you’ll be back to square one.

Professional deck oiling means applying premium oils to timber that’s been properly prepared through our 9-step process. It means choosing the right oil formulation and custom tint for your specific timber type. And it means applying coats that soak into the wood and dry fast enough for same-day access—not products that take days to cure and fill your house with fumes.

Why Proper Preparation Matters More Than Oil Brand

Here’s what separates us from every other deck company:

They skip the hard work. Most companies run a light surface sand, skip the degreasing and brightening, then apply whatever oil they picked up from Bunnings. The oil never penetrates properly because the timber isn’t ready for it.

We do the opposite. We spend 90% of our time on preparation using our proprietary timber preparation process, then apply custom-formulated water-based oils that are made specifically for Melbourne conditions.

The difference?

• Our preparation process allows oil to penetrate 3-5mm deep into the timber
• Their shortcuts mean oil sits on the surface because timber pores are blocked by tannins and dirt
• Our custom chemicals are safe for rendered walls, pavers, and plants
• Their harsh retail products can bleach render, kill plants, and corrode stainless steel

Our 9-Step Deck Oiling & Restoration Process

Oiling is the final step, but it only works if the preparation is done right. Here’s our complete process:

Step 1: Countersinking & Prep

We countersink any raised fixtures so the deck can be sanded safely and evenly. We also move furniture, pots, and BBQs off the deck.

Step 2: Decupping & Levelling Sand

We fix cupped, warped boards with aggressive belt sanding using 5 waves of sanding with various methods and grits. This creates a flat surface that drains water properly.

Step 3: Full Deck Sanding

We remove all old coatings, grey weathered timber, and rough grain through our complete deck sanding process. For new decks, we use a light sand to open the grain and remove mill glaze. This creates fresh, clean timber ready for treatment.

Step 4: Deep Degrease

Our proprietary degreasing treatment (made in-house at safe ratios) draws out oils, tannins, and contaminants from deep in the timber pores. This is critical for oil penetration. Unlike retail products from hardware stores, our formulation won’t bleach render, damage pavers, or harm plants.

Step 5: Orbital Scrub Treatment

Power scrubbing agitates the degreaser throughout the grain, lifting embedded dirt that basic washes can’t touch. This opens the timber pores completely.

Step 6: Fine Sand Finish

A second, softer sand removes raised grain from the wet treatment and creates the smooth, open-grain surface that maximises oil absorption.

Step 7: Low-Pressure Clean

We rinse with max 1000 PSI to flush out the final impurities without damaging timber fibres.

Step 8: Timber Brightening

A brightening treatment restores natural colour and primes the timber for maximum oil penetration. This step increases oil absorption significantly compared to unbrightened timber.

Step 9: Return Visit for Coating (Weather Dependent)

Once the deck is completely dry and weather conditions are right, we return to apply our custom water-based oil. Thanks to our fast-drying formulation, you can access your deck the same day we complete the work.

First coat: Applied with professional applicator, custom-tinted to bring out the best in your timber. Dry time: Hours, not days.

Second coat: If after the first coat you’re happy with the colour depth, we can apply a clear coat. If you want it darker, we continue with the same tint. This flexibility lets you control the final look.

Our Custom Water-Based Oil System

We use a water-based oil with a custom formulation supplied direct from the manufacturer—not available in retail outlets. Here’s why it’s superior:

No Fumes

Unlike solvent-based oils that stink up your house for days, our water-based formula has zero fumes. Safe for families, pets, and anyone with respiratory sensitivities.

Faster Drying Times

Our oils dry faster than any other product on the market. This means you can have access to the deck the same day we complete the work—not waiting 2-3 days like with traditional oils.

The Melbourne Rain Dance

Solvent-based oils have no margin for error with rain. If it rains before they’re fully cured (48-72 hours), the finish is ruined. Our water-based formula is far more forgiving—we can work with Melbourne’s unpredictable weather.

Strong UV Protection Without Dark Pigments

Most manufacturers rely on dark pigments to provide UV protection. Our formulation gives strong UV protection and mould resistance even with light pigments—meaning we can showcase your timber’s natural beauty while still protecting it from Australia’s harsh sun.

Custom Tints for Every Timber Type

We don’t use one-size-fits-all colours. We make up custom tints to bring out the best from your specific timber:

• Merbau (red hardwood): We use a very light pigment to enhance the natural rich browns without over-darkening
• Spotted Gum (blonde hardwood): Light honey tones to bring out the distinctive grain
• Treated Pine (blonde softwood): We generally use a stronger pigment to mimic nicer-looking timber tones
• Jarrah (red hardwood): Light to medium pigment to maintain the natural red colour

If after the first coat you’re happy with the darkness, we apply a coat of clear for the second coat. You control the final result.

Safe for Your Property

Our in-house formulated chemicals run at ratios that won’t damage rendered walls, expensive pavers, or harm plants. We don’t use “brain damage strength chemicals” like many contractors who grab harsh retail products from hardware stores.

Word of caution: If you’re considering hiring a handyman or painter who intends to pick up materials from the local hardware shop, nearly all deck cleaning agents sold there have the potential to bleach your render, damage pavers, kill your plants, or be corrosive against stainless steel.

Water-Based vs Traditional Oil: The Truth

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer might surprise you.

Traditional Oils (Turps Washup) – Why We Don’t Use Them

Traditional solvent-based oils typically start to fail around the 3-4 month mark. They have long dry times with no margin for error with rain or overnight dew. This makes recoating a varied or fully exposed area very tricky.

The problem with Melbourne’s weather: You really only have optimal weather for traditional oils about 6 months of the year. This means you won’t be able to safely recoat in the wetter months when your deck needs it most.

The risk: Most turps-based products leave you subject to high risk of failure if the weather turns 24-48 hours after application. One unexpected rain shower and you’re back to square one.

Water-Based Oils – Why We Switched

Water-based oils have come a long way from when they first hit the market. Initially, they offered very little transparency, resulting in loss of grain features. You’ll still find that cheap water-based sealers (like many at hardware stores) typically result in a paint-like appearance with the first application.

Modern water-based oils (like ours) are different:

• They showcase the timber – Our formulation maintains grain transparency and natural beauty
• They’re permeable – The timber can self-dry between rains, preventing moisture buildup
• They’re fast drying – Safe zone 1 hour after application (vs 24-48 hours for traditional oils)
• Weather flexibility – We can coat a deck knowing we have rain on the way. The permeable finish lets rain flash out of the timbers as ambient temps lift
• Temperature tolerance – As long as we coat above 10 degrees, we can safely apply
• Year-round service – We can recoat decks even in the wetter months when traditional oils are too risky

Why We Use Australian-Made Products

We’ve banned the use of most products on the shelf at Bunnings. The company that owns 90% of those brands sold out to overseas interests a couple years back, and quality has declined.

Instead, we opt for Australian-made and owned products:

• Our primary formulation: Custom water-based sealer manufactured here in Victoria by an Australian company. We’ve been working closely with the manufacturer since the product’s inception.
• Haymes Dexpress: Made by Haymes, an old business that started in Ballarat. They have a large array of pigments to choose from.
• Aqualis H2Oil: Great product from Aqualis Coatings in Campbellfield (https://www.aqualis.com.au/contact-aqualis). We’ve been using it for many years with much success.

All Australian-made. All proven. All superior to retail hardware store products.

Recoat Intervals: How Often Should You Oil Your Deck?

This depends entirely on your deck’s exposure to weather:

Full Exposure or Varied Exposure Areas

We strongly encourage recoats to occur every 6 months (optimal) to a maximum of 9 months to ensure you retain continuity between exposed and undercover areas.

Why 6 months? Our water-based oils use lighter pigments to showcase your timber’s natural beauty. The trade-off for this beautiful, transparent finish is more frequent maintenance. We’d rather recoat your deck twice a year and keep it looking stunning than use heavy dark pigments that hide the timber and only need annual maintenance.

Fully Undercover Areas

A deck that remains under fully protected cover can safely run 12 to 18 month cycles.

High-Impact Areas (Stairs, Walkways)

When it comes to high-impact/full-weather areas such as stair treads, we’re firm on 6-monthly service intervals. These areas get the most foot traffic and weather exposure—they need more frequent attention.

Why More Frequent Than Other Companies?

Other companies recommend annual or even 2-3 year recoat intervals because they use heavy pigments and thick coatings that hide the timber. We do the opposite—we showcase your timber’s natural grain and colour, which requires more regular maintenance but delivers a far more beautiful result.

Think of it like car detailing vs car painting. We detail your deck every 6-9 months to keep it looking showroom-fresh. They paint over it once and hope it lasts.

Why Choose Deck Rejuvenation for Oiling?

We Prepare First, Oil Second

95% of the recovery of your timbers takes place with our unique proprietary timber preparation process. That’s why we don’t need harsh retail chemicals—we’ve developed our own safe, effective formulations.

We Work With Leading Manufacturers

We work very closely with a variety of manufacturers to ensure we’re always using the leading products on the market. We also have several custom formulations that are not available from retail outlets.

We Check Weather Conditions

We don’t oil unless conditions are right. Our water-based formulation gives us flexibility with Melbourne’s weather that solvent-based oils can’t match.

80% of Jobs Completed Over 2 Days

1 day is dedicated to the initial prep work with another full day for the application of our high-performance water-based oil. Fast, efficient, professional.

17+ Years, 183 Five-Star Reviews

We’ve been oiling Melbourne decks since the early 2000s. We know which formulations work for Merbau, which work for spotted gum, which handle pool surrounds, and which stand up to full northern sun exposure.

Service Areas

Based in Carlton, we service Melbourne’s North within a 30km radius of Eltham. We regularly provide deck oiling in Eltham and surrounding suburbs including:

Diamond Creek, Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Gisborne, Ivanhoe, Northcote, Thornbury, Blackburn, Montmorency, Rosanna, Research, Greensborough, Bundoora, Macleod, Heidelberg.

Not sure if we service your area? Call 1300 363 478 and ask.

Transparent Pricing

Deck oiling costs depend on whether you need full restoration or just maintenance:

Full Restoration + Oiling (Most Common)

$3,000-$8,000 for complete 9-step process including sanding, our proprietary prep treatments, and custom-tinted oil application. Based on deck size and timber condition. 80% of jobs completed over 2 days.

Maintenance Re-Coat

If your deck was properly restored by us, we recommend re-coating:

• Fully or partially exposed areas: Every 6-9 months
• Undercover areas: Every 12-18 months
• High-impact areas (stairs, walkways): Every 6 months

Maintenance re-coats are significantly cheaper than full restoration.

We provide exact quotes over the phone once we know your deck size and current condition. No hidden costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a brand new deck – How soon should I have it oiled?

Old school of thought: Wait 2 months before oiling to let natural oils (tannins) leech out. You can speed this up by hosing down your timbers once a week.

New school of thought (our recommendation): Chemically induce the tannin removal process, give the new deck a light sand to open up the grain, remove any mill glaze and marks from the initial build, then apply oil. This gets your deck protected faster.

With fresh timber just being laid, it’s critical that the natural oils (tannins) leech out before putting down any protective coatings. We can accelerate this process safely with our proprietary chemical treatment.

My deck is surrounded by rendered walls & expensive pavers, will they be safe?

Yes, they will. 90% of the recovery of your timbers takes place with our unique proprietary timber preparation process. We make all our chemicals in-house and run at ratios that will not have any adverse effects on your property or your family’s health.

Word of caution: If you’re considering hiring a handyman or painter who intends to pick up materials from the local hardware shop, nearly all deck cleaning agents sold there have the potential to bleach your render, damage pavers, kill your plants, or be corrosive against stainless steel.

Can I recoat my deck without stripping it back?

Yes, if your deck is in reasonable condition. By recoating the deck in its current state, we’re essentially preserving what you have and buying time until budget permits a full deck restoration.

Important note on pigment choice: If you’re recoating without stripping, you’ll need to run with darker pigments:

• Walnut – The lightest we’d go for a recoat without stripping
• Merbau or Jarrah tones – If you want to go darker to better cover existing wear

By fully restoring the area (stripping back to bare timber), you can opt to run with lighter pigments that showcase your timber’s natural grain and colour.

What about cross-compatibility with existing products?

If your deck has been previously coated with a water-based product (like Cabot’s Aquadeck or Wattyl products), our water-based oils are cross-compatible. We can recoat over them without stripping.

However, we’ve banned most products from Bunnings shelves because the company that owns 90% of those brands sold out to overseas interests and quality has declined. We prefer Australian-made products from Haymes or Aqualis Coatings.

Why do you recommend recoating every 6-9 months when other companies say annual?

When it comes to full or varied exposure areas, we strongly encourage recoats every 6 months (optimal) to a max of 9 months. This ensures you retain continuity between exposed and undercover areas.

Traditional oils start to fail around the 3-4 month mark but can’t be safely recoated in Melbourne’s wetter months (too much rain risk). Water-based oils give us the flexibility to recoat year-round, so we can maintain your deck on an optimal schedule rather than waiting for the “right weather window.”

The result? Your deck always looks fresh. No waiting for the coating to completely fail before you can recoat.

Can you coat in winter or when rain is forecast?

Yes—this is the huge advantage of water-based oils. As long as we coat above 10 degrees, we can safely apply. We can even coat a deck knowing we have rain on the way.

Traditional oils are subject to high risk of failure if the weather turns 24-48 hours after application. With our water-based formula, we’re in the safe zone 1 hour after application. Due to the finish being permeable, rain will flash out of the timbers/coating as the ambient temps lift.

How long until I can use the deck after oiling?

You can access your deck the same day we complete the work thanks to our fast-drying water-based formulation. This is a massive advantage over traditional oils that require 2-3 days before you can walk on them.

Can I choose how dark the finish is?

Absolutely. We make up custom tints to bring out the best from your timber type. If you have a nice red wood like Merbau, we’d opt for a very light pigment. For a cheaper blonde softwood like pine, we’d generally opt for a stronger pigment to mimic a nicer-looking timber tone.

After the first coat, if you say “I’m happy with how dark the deck currently is,” we’ll run with a coat of clear for the second coat. You control the final darkness.

Your Benefits

• Same-day access – No waiting days for the oil to dry
• No fumes – Safe for families, pets, and people with respiratory issues
• Strong UV protection – Without having to use dark pigments that hide your timber’s natural beauty
• Custom colour control – You decide how dark the finish is after seeing the first coat
• Safe for your property – Won’t damage render, pavers, plants, or stainless steel
• Weather flexibility – Our water-based formula works with Melbourne’s unpredictable weather
• Australian-made quality – We support local manufacturers and use superior products
• Year-round service – We can recoat even in wetter months when traditional oils fail

What Our Customers Say

“The team was meticulous in their process and communicated every step. Highly recommend Deck Rejuvenation.”

“Our deck was transformed! Ben’s attention to detail and honest advice made the whole process easy.”

“Punctual, professional, and the result exceeded our expectations. The deck looks amazing.”

Ready To Oil Your Deck?

Call 1300 363 478 now for a FREE same-day quote. We’ll discuss your deck size, timber type, current condition, and recommend the best custom tint to bring out your timber’s natural beauty.

We also offer complete deck restoration, professional deck sanding, and structural deck repairs across Melbourne’s North.

Deck Rejuvenation
Suite 47/139 Cardigan St, Carlton VIC 3053
Phone: 1300 363 478
17+ Years Experience | 183 Five-Star Reviews