Timber Decking Revamp
“Looking for a cheaper alternative to keep my timber deck looking nice - other than having to spend $250 on decking oil from a paint sho?”
Keeping your deck in tip-top order…there are many clever tricks to save. Check out some of the ideas below for some much cheaper options!
Revamp deck with Condy’s Crystals
You can give your deck a cheap revamp using a product called Condy’s Crystals, available from chemists. These dissolved in a bucket of water will colour the wood if it is still in its raw state. Much cheaper than buying decking oil!
Mix your own decking oil for less than half price
Instead of buying expensive decking oil, you can mix mineral turpentine and linseed oil to make your own cheap version but beware when stocking up on these at hardware stores! Some large hardware stores try to sell a pre-mixed version of linseed oil and turps, at about $60 for three litres. In comparison, three litres of turps only costs around $15 and the linseed oil can be bought separately for $10 and you only need a small amount, so don’t fall into the trap of buying the pre-mixed version!
The colour of this mixture can turn out quite dark, depending on how much linseed you put into the mix and of course your original wood, so it is a good idea to test a little bit first. If you have an old baking tray or kitty litter sized tray, make the mixture in there, then just use an old broom to sweep the oil on. The average sized deck takes around just half an hour to give a new lease of life!