Cabot's Natural Decking Oil Questions & Answers
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Hi I have had a new decking floor replaced ,we cleaned i9t ,let to dry few days as its under cover.Did 2 coats of cabots oil. It looked really good,now we are seeing grey coming out in areas can this be fixed or have we done anything wrong ,thanks in advance. Laurence williams
Hello Laurence, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s via Product Review. We are sorry to hear that you are unhappy with the results of our Cabot’s Natural Decking Oil. It is a little tricky to assess the issue on this platform. To understand the specifics of your project, we would like to ask you a few questions—that way, we can find the potential reasons and, more importantly, a solution. If you wish, feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006 and quote your ticket number 1270004 to our Cabot’s technical consultant who takes your call. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm AEST. Kindest regards, Kaaren - Team Cabot's
I have jetty wood decking that get covered with salt water several times per month... which product would you recommend .. Natural decking oil or the Aquadeck Decking oil both in Merbau?
Thanks Suzanne
Hello Suzanne,
Thank you so much for reaching out!
This is a complex project, and we would need a little more information in order to make a recommendation. You can reach the team on 1800 011 006
Sarah at Cabot's
High there, Steve here from Victoria. Quick question, 12 months ago I built a deck in Melbourne with merbeau. 6 weeks later cleaned it and applied Cabot’s merbeau tinted decking oil. Came up a treat! Just before Xmas 2024 applied another coat but looking at the can later it was Cabot’s natural decking oil with no stain. Is this why the finish has come up very patchy? What would be the best way to strip the previous two coats off with, chemicals or sanding? Kind regards Steve
Hello Steve, Great question! Thanks for reaching out with your enquiry. We would love to help! Please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006 and we can discuss all your project’s ins and outs, please quote your unique reference number 968972. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST. Kind Regards, Kaaren - Team Cabot's
Is it ok to use Cabot's natural decking oil for a sauna exterior
What a good idea. Timber now comes with a price that does not allow us to take it for granted. Do show your wealth and happy place and show off your stained real timber finishes around your house. Do not make the mistake of filling in nail heads, there is nothing worse than the filler as it ages and changes colour. There used to be a couple of old men with a timber yard in the south east of Melbourne that mostly sold to real furniture makers. They even bought and sold used rare timber. I was in the yard very early and it was busy. I walked around touching the timber and feeling the grain in a temporary shed that was there forever. Finally this guy who could not speak English well saw me and waved his hand to follow him. He took me before shelf after shelf of select grade Vic Ash. Pulled two 140 X 42 X 3.6 long planks of select grade Vic Ash to join him in adoring such splendour. I just needed timber for an external balustrade; and, I started to choose the less interesting pieces to leave the best for someone who needed them for furniture. The all most silent yard man would not let me take what I wanted. He put the planks back in the shelves and selected the best for me to take home. I could not make him understand why I should not take the Vic Ash home. The best and the worse were priced almost the same. Reluctantly I put them up around the 14 metres long Balcony of the upper bed room level. I used a semitransparent oil stain, a brand that was very cheap but when new showed the grain really well. The finish did look nice but was not very good at protecting the Vic Ash. The black ants loved the Vic Ash, they waited for it to rain for a few days and then would all invade the balcony carrying a fungus spores that made the timber into putty. The timber decking with Cabot’s Natural Decking Oil they left untouched. I should have used the Cabot’s on the balustrade as well. It was very sad a few years later to pull it down and deilver to the tip.
I would not use this product. It is more of a plastic skin product than an oil. It does not penetrate the wood. It dries like a skin of plastic around the wood. So the wood dries out and cracks. And you can not later use an oil penetrant. Use anything that is a n oil penetrate not this crap.
Hi Ken, Our Natural Decking Oil is a penetrative oil-based product that protects your timber without film building. This is quite different from water-based decking oils, which create a protective barrier on the surface without penetrating the timber. You will find Natural Decking Oil to be a great option for exterior sauna walls as it won't peel or flake, and will protect the timber from contaminates. If you have any more questions about this or any other timber projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
Kind Regards, Team Cabot's
Hi I’ve finished applying Deck and Exterior Stain to my deck. How long do I need to wait before applying the protective layer of Natural Decking Oil?
Hello Lynton Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. Our Deck and Exterior Stain is a finishing product, designed to not need any further coating. Products such as Natural Decking Oil would not be compatible with your fresh coat of Deck and Exterior Stain.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
Cheers thanks. But maybe I could use it once this new coat wears off a bit?
Can you paint MDF with Cabot's natural decking oil?
Hello Karen Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. We would recommend Aquadeck instead of Natural Decking Oil when working with MDF as it is a highly compressed wood fiber board that has very little porosity to it's surface and would not be ideal for an exterior penetrating oil like Natural Decking Oil. We also cannot anticipate how the glue in the MDF will react to the oil-based products.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Hi there, I used natural deck oil and 24 hours later the smell is still very strong. Is there any way to reduce the smell? The oil seems to be dry, I wondering if some excess went through the deck. Should I clean the deck?
Thank you
1 Was the tin a new purchase?. Older oil reduces and does not dry well and stinks to high hell. Old tins need extensive and constant stirring and mixing. 2 Did you apply a second coat before the 1st coat was dry? (Lighter coasts and adequate drying is better) . 3 Did you put any terps or other reducing/ thinner agent into the oil. (That is a no no) I would never recommend Cabot's decking oil. It is very expensive and a poor product that needs constant re-coating and it is a STINKER of a product. They used to make good products but that stopped 2 decades ago. Give it 3 days and it will calm down. If you put it on real thick expect up to 5 days of stink. It is a terrible product that goes real patchy on recoats as well. Some parts will shine other parts will be dull.
Do not clean the deck, do nothing. It will eventually air out. Water should bead on it anyway for the next few weeks.
DONT USE IT IF YOU CAN AVOID IT. I am always worried about just how toxic Cabots deck oil really is.
STIR then STIR and after ten minutes of application ...you guessed it STIR again and again and again. If you applied this crap without stirring then next time you use that same tin for a recoat it will be thick and take forever to dry and stink your house out. STIR ann STIR and STIR again. Never stop stirring while applying.
Hello Sarah, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. Our Natural Decking Oil takes 3 hours to be touch dry, 6 hours for recoat and up to 72 hours to cure completely. This is in ideal conditions, which are 50% humidity and 25 degrees. If you are still experiencing a sticky/tacky issue after 5-7 days of coating, or there is still an odour, this can be rectified by cleaning the deck with Deck Clean and giving 1 final coat.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
can I use cabot australian timber oil on new interior wood doors
Hi Miguel, You’ve come through to the Australian Cabot’s Product Review. We are not affiliated with the U.S. Cabot Stain, who are the makers of Australian Timber Oil. We don’t stock or make the same products as our products and colours are formulated to suit Australian climates and conditions and cannot be shipped internationally. For further assistance, please contact your local paint company.
Kind regards Stevie - Team Cabot's
is Cabot's 4L Merbau Natural Decking Oil the same shade as Cabots Auquadeck Merbau decking oil?
Hello Wrightys.way Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. While our Natural Decking Oil and Aquadeck both come in 'Merbau' they are not the same colour. Aquadeck has more depth and pigment.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Hi can you apply the second coat of cabots natural oil 5 days later?
Hello Jamie, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. While you can apply your second coat of Natural Decking Oil after 5 days, we would recommend applying it sooner. The longer you wait in between coats, the higher the risk of contamination. You also risk the deck getting generally dirty, which would require cleaning with Deck Clean again. This would also affect your first coat of Natural Decking Oil.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
I am using the Cabot’s decking natural oil and the timber is coming up with a yellow stain rather than a natural look. Why is this and how can I fix it?
1 Have you put water on the wood first just to check if the wood goes naturally Yellow when wet. 2 Stir your paint thoroughly., A lot of people just give it a quick swish and that will not work. 3 How old is your product. If it has been stored in your dads shed for years then forget about it.
Usually the more coats the darker the colour.
No the wood doesn’t naturally go yellow when wet!! It was stirred thorough, very recently bought, and not stored in my dads shed thanks for that insulting comment.
Hello Angela, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. Our Natural Decking Oil is not a completely clear product. It has a small amount of pigment in it to give the deck protection against harmful UV rays. This pigment acts like sunscreen. Without it, your deck would need maintenance every couple of months, especially if completely exposed to the sun.
We always recommend conducting a small test of the product on a clean hidden area or offcut to be sure you are happy with the colour before committing to the whole expanse.
If you are unhappy with the yellow tone, it may be worth trying one of our other colours (Merbau or Jarrah). Jarrah is known as a very deep warm red and the Merbau is a deeper reddish-brown as a guide. These can also be applied over the top of your current coating.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Me too, not happy
can you add a tint to cabots natural decking oil
Hello Thelma, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. Our Natural Decking Oil comes in 3 pre-tinted colours, Natural, Merbau, and Jarrah. It cannot be tinted beyond these colours.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
They always blame humidity...Never batch quality. They virtually never ask you for a batch numbe and check it out.
Hi I have placed two coats of cabbots oil based decking oil over existing cabbots oil coated cypress pine deck. It was sanded prior to applying the two coats. Some areas are staying tacky after a week. What is the solution to this issue? Thank you
Hello Richard, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. It is a little tricky to assess over this platform, but there are a few things that could cause this. The most common reason for sticky/tacky decks is humidity. We do not recommend applying decking oil outside of the ideal conditions specified on the can, 25 degrees Celsius and 50% humidity. If you have applied the product outside of these conditions, do not worry. The coating may just need another week to dry. If after 2 weeks you still have a tacky deck, wash the deck down with Cabot's Deck Clean, and apply 1 more coat of Cabot's Natural Decking Oil once the deck is dry. Be sure to check the weather first!
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
After a few years of neglect I have reoiled our 20 year old treated pine deck using Cabots Natural Deck Oil. The same product was last used on the deck but I think earlier oils were a darker stained oil. Preparation was a good washdown then scrub with Cabots Deck Clean and a good rinse down. There were quite a few paler wear marks evident and I wasn't sure how noticeable they would be after oiling. One coat has not covered them and I wondered if anyone had a solution to the problem. The deck is grooved side up. (I know, wrong way but I don't like the look of right-side-up pine which I found develops fine splits.)
Hello there Ian M, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review. Great to know you’ve applied the correct wash/scrub down process via the Cabot’s Deck Clean dilution process. If you find you have a few patchy lighter sections after the initial rinse down ,it’s a good idea to apply the Deck Clean process once again ,for any stubborn sections which should even it out a touch more. If still patchy after that second wash down,you can apply a quality timber stripping gel like our sister brand Intergrain’s Timber Stripper which is particularly handy for grooved decking boards or hard to get to sections over a deck. You will achieve slightly more colour uniformity with depth if you apply another coat of the Natural Decking Oil but will find that due to the grooved decking profile, that the oil will of course pool in between each grooved section and dry with slightly deeper colour finish, which is unavoidable to some extent depending on how heavy the application.
If you need any further assistance with this or any other future woodcare projects, please give our Help & Advice team a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot's
HI i normally use Watty decking oil for my Deck but this is the first time i used Cabot Natural Decking oil. I am currently having 2 issue, first and major one is My Decking after second coat is now having highlighted Yellow marks that are very visible and looking very odd. My second concern is few areas of my decking has gone black rather than highlighing the grain color.
Can you please advise on how do i get rid of this yellow highlighted stains. i am happy to share the picture if its possible here but not sure how do we do that.
Hello there Inder dev S. Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s Australia via Product Review. Very sorry to know of your unhappy and rather an unusual Natural Decking Oil result there. It’s a little tricky via this platform to assess exactly what may have occurred without knowing the specific details about the timber surface condition, preparation, and then application in order to narrow down possible reasons and importantly solutions to the issue. There are certainly a few possible reasons as to why you have the odd yellow marks and then black finish there, but we would need to go through that with you in further detail as outlined if you so wish.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice,please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot's
Can I dilute cabots decking oil to help absorption into dry decking What can I use to dilute it Thanks Bill
Hello Bill, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s Australia via Product Review. You can certainly dilute the Cabot's Natural Decking Oil with no more than 5%% Mineral Turpentine per 1Litre,in a separate clean paint container. The Cabot's Natural Decking Oil does have a slightly higher viscosity which goes a long way to providing very durable, nourishing exterior timber protection, which can be a little compromised if diluted down too far, like most protective oils and paints. Please be sure to apply the diluted coat on the first coat only.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST. For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot's
Thanks Vinnie Chose to do 3 light coats which seems to have worked well Weather has been kind so I allowed a full 24 hrs between coats which has helped the process Thanks again I will put your advice in the memory bank for future reference Cheers Bill Scott
Is this product pet safe after it dries? I don't see anything on the cans.
Hello there Tommy M, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s via Product Review. Generally, most modern protective paint and durable exterior timber oils like Cabot’s Natural Decking Oil, are very safe once completely dry. It does depend on the type of pet and pet-specific applications you might have,as there are some particular applications like inside a timber dog house that I would suggest it best to avoid applying any exterior protective coating over but over exterior timber surfaces, it’s perfectly fine.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice,please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot's
I just applied a coat of Cabot's Australian oil to my deck. The instructions specifically state: "Apply one coat". Because this is an area where my lawn sprinkler sprays every day, I would very much like to apply a second coat to increase durability, can I apply a second coat? Also, next year, can I just reapply the same product without pressure washing and sanding?
Hi Da J, Thank you for reaching out to us at Cabot’s via Product Review. You’ve come through to the Australian Cabot’s Product Review, and we are not affiliated with our Cabot friends in the US. We don’t stock or make the same products, as our products are made for the harsh Australian environment. Because of this, I am unable to give you the correct advice or recommend a product suited for your needs. If you follow this link here; external link It will take you to the website you need. Cheers Stevie- Team Cabot’s
hi, i have applied 2 coats of cabits natural decking oil on my maurbau deck and waited over 4days to try completly. I would like to apply a 3rd coat how long do i need to wait? Also i find the large brush difficult to apply and it leaves a lot of excess oil. Is there another applicator that would be easier so i woud put less oil on the deck.
Many thanks Chrisoula
I don’t know how long to wait to do 3rd coat, I would think if it’s been dry weather then 4+ days would be fine. I used a decking oil applicator - has a pad & long handle, & you can get a tray to go with it (like a painters roller tray) from Bunnings, only about $20. Made application much easier. I then just went over it straight after each section I did (a few boards) with a brush to get any drips in gaps between boards etc. best of luck with it
Hi Chrisoula, Thank you for reaching out to us at Cabot’s via Product Review and thank you JB for your informative response. JB is in fact correct. You can use one of our decking applicators to apply the oil and it will be much easier than using a large brush. As for a third coat of Natural Decking Oil, you are certainly able to apply it after four days if the first two coats are sound and dry. We recommend cleaning the deck with a hose, and giving it ample time to dry before applying this third coat. If you would like to discuss this further or need any advice on an up-coming project, give our Help & Advice team a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm AEST.
Cheers Stevie - Team Cabot's
Can tasmanian oak coated with cabots natural decking oil be over coated with Cabots exterior clear marine grade in exterior verandah railing?
Hello there David, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s Australia via Product Review. It’s not generally recommended to apply the Cabot’s Exterior Clear oil based,over the Cabot’s Natural Decking Oil. It certainly would coat over the dry Cabot's Natural Decking Oil but being a very durable, hydrophobic barrier, you might find that there’s various adhesion inconsistency once the Exterior Clear dries. Hence, the Natural Decking Oil does not require a protective clear coat over it, due to it being a high traffic formulation specifically for dealing with foot traffic and various weather conditions.
If you need any further advice on this or any up-coming woodcare projects, please give our Help & Advice team a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pmAEST
Also, for far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot's
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