“Excellent product. I applied it in June 2019 and only redid the horizontal surface after 3 years (2022). The vertical surface is still good for another 2 years. The product is expensive but very durable.”
We oiled a deck with Livos Alis to protect it against the elements and Quebec’s harsh climate. We’re sharing our experience and tips so the oil on your deck lasts over time and doesn’t peel.
*The color applied to the deck in the video is Wood Ash, a custom blend made of equal parts of the following three colors: 002 clear, 922 Silver Gray, 1126 Sienna (e.g., 750 ml of 002 clear, 750 ml of 922 Silver Gray, 750 ml of 1126 Sienna).
Oiling a wood deck is a project divided into three steps: cleaning, sanding, and finally application.
01
Clean the Deck Before Applying Exterior Wood Oil
Cleaning removes contaminants found on your boards. By contaminants, we typically mean grease stains (often under the BBQ), traces of decomposed leaves, mold and fungi that cause wood to gray, algae, dust, or calcium residue.
All these substances can interfere with the oil and prevent it from penetrating your deck boards, or even cause a chemical reaction.
To remove them, you’ll need Glouros deck cleaner.
- You must dilute Glouros to clean your deck. The ratio depends on the condition of your boards. A dilution of 10 parts water to 1 part cleaner works beautifully for most cleaning jobs. However, if the deck is very dirty or has grayed, dilute following a 5:1 ratio.
- Apply the cleaner using a pressure sprayer or nylon brush. Scrubbing allows the product to penetrate well into the wood pores and dislodge contaminants.
- Let the product work for about 15 minutes. Monitor your boards during this time and prevent the solution from drying on the wood. If you see it starting to dry, lightly re-wet the surface.
- Then rinse the wood thoroughly with a garden hose to completely remove cleaner residue and dislodged dirt.
Before moving to sanding, allow the wood enough time to dry completely. The wood must be thoroughly dry before continuing work. Normally a 24 to 48-hour period (depending on weather) is sufficient for the wood to dry.
02
Sand Properly Before Oiling Your Wood Deck
Sanding is probably the most important step if you want to oil a wood deck. Sanding opens the wood pores and ensures the oil penetrates properly. Good sanding guarantees your deck oil won’t peel.
However, the problem is it’s also the most exhausting and discouraging step… But trust us, it’s worth it in the long run.
Here are our tips for successful sandingâand the least painful process possible!
- Use an orbital sander. It’s the sander that best follows the shape of deck boards. This way you won’t have trouble reaching the corners of your boards.
- Choose 80 or 100-grit sandpaper.
- Change sandpaper sheets every 10 to 25 sq ft. Worn paper won’t give uniform sanding and could affect the look and performance of the oil.
- Sand following the wood grain to avoid cross-grain marks.
- Consider using knee pads, especially if you have a large area to sand. It will help you save your knees.
- Once sanding is complete, it’s very important to remove dust either by sweeping or with a shop vac. Otherwise, sanding dust may clog the wood pores and prevent optimal penetration.
IMPORTANT: Once your deck is sanded, it’s important to apply the oil within the following days. The wood pores will close if you wait too long.
03
Oil Your Wood Deck
Weather Conditions
It’s important to consider weather conditions before even thinking about applying the oil. Let’s review the conditions to respect together.
- The wood must dry a minimum of 24 hours (or 48 hours in cooler, more humid weather) after cleaning or a rain shower.
- Ideal ambient temperatures for applying the oil are between 10 and 30°C.
- Don’t apply the oil too early in the morning or too late in the evening. Otherwise, dew could affect your finish oil. The ideal time to oil your deck is between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in summer. In fall, when it’s cooler and more humid, dew takes longer to evaporate. You should therefore start oiling your deck later.
- Make sure no rain is forecast within 24 hours after oiling your deck.
Apply the Oil to Your Deck
Once preparation is complete and weather conditions are favorable for oiling your wood deck, applying the oil is the simplest part!
- A stain brush with removable handle is your best ally for applying the oil. Natural bristles push the oil into the wood fibers and ensure it penetrates well. Don’t use a roller: the oil will stay on the surface and may peel.
- Apply the oil generously, following the direction of the wood grain. Work one or two boards at a time, applying the oil along their entire length to avoid overlaps. If you stop in the middle of a board, it will leave a mark.
- Wait 24 hours before applying a second coat using the same method.
Start your project now!
You’ll find all the products you need directly on our website.
- Start by measuring your deck dimensions to calculate the quantities you need.
- A 2.5 L format of Alis covers between 125 and 250 sq ft (2 coats), depending on your wood’s porosity.
- Choose the Alis oil color you like. Have doubts? Order a sample size and do a test directly on your wood. You’ll know for sure.
- Place your order online and choose between home delivery or in-store pickup.
Want to learn more about natural oil and exterior stain? Check out the section of our blog dedicated to this topic!
Products found in this article.
Alis Exterior Wood Protection Oil by Livos
Glouros Cleaner for Exterior Surfaces
Stain brush with removable handle (4 in)
Q&A
Q. What should I do if ALIS oil remains sticky several hours after application?
An oil that remains sticky may have been applied in too thick a coat. Unlike paint, oil must penetrate the wood rather than form a film on the surface. If excess oil has not been sufficiently wiped away, it can remain sticky and significantly slow drying. In this case, first let the product dry according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If needed, do light sanding and apply a new very thin coat.
Q. Can I apply ALIS oil to a deck that has already been treated with another oil?
We don’t recommend it. If the old finish is still present on the surface, it can prevent Alis oil from penetrating the wood properly. You must therefore first clean and sand the surface to remove residue before applying the new product.
Q. Why are some boards darker than others after application?
Wood doesn’t always absorb oil uniformly. Differences in species, density, aging, or sanding can influence the resulting color. This is particularly visible on an old deck where some boards have been more exposed to the elements. A test on a few boards allows you to verify the result before treating the entire surface.
Q. Can I apply ALIS oil right after cleaning my deck?
You should avoid relying solely on the wood’s appearance. Even if the surface looks dry, the wood may still contain a lot of moisture after cleaning. Wait until it is sufficiently dry before applying the oil. A moisture meter can be very useful to check its moisture content and avoid working too soon. The rate to respect for Alis is a maximum of 18% relative humidity in the wood.
Q. What should I do if my deck gets rained on shortly after applying the oil?
Rain on oil that hasn’t had time to dry can affect the appearance and uniformity of the finish. If this happens, avoid attempting to immediately correct the surface. First let the wood dry completely, then assess the condition of the finish before deciding whether a touch-up is needed. If necessary, do very light sanding (180/220 grit paper), then apply a new thin coat.
Q. How do I know if my deck needs a new coat of oil?
Don’t rely solely on the wood’s color. A finish can start losing its effectiveness even if its appearance still seems acceptable. A good indicator is to check how the wood reacts to water: if it still beads on the surface, the protection is still present. If it’s quickly absorbed, that’s generally the sign it’s time to renew the finish. Normally, during the first years, you want to refresh the deck every 2 years. But keep in mind it’s always better to prevent than cure! If you see the Alis oil is worn after one year, apply a maintenance coat.
