Merbau Care & Oiling Guide: Keep Your Deck Looking Its Best

Merbau Care & Oiling Guide: Keep Your Deck Looking Its Best

Merbau is one of the toughest and longest-lasting decking timbers you can buy — but like any natural hardwood, a little regular care goes a long way toward keeping that rich, warm colour year after year. Here's everything you need to know, from the day your deck is installed onward.

Before You Even Walk On It: Tannin Bleed

Merbau's natural tannins can leach out when the fresh timber gets wet, sometimes leaving reddish-brown staining on nearby surfaces like concrete, pavers or render. This is completely normal and not a fault in the timber. Two ways to manage it:

• Before installation: lay the boards out and hose them down over a few days until the run-off water comes away clear.
• After installation: if staining does appear on surrounding surfaces, a dedicated tannin remover product will lift it — always test on a small, inconspicuous area first.

Regular Cleaning

Keeping your deck clean is simple:

• Sweep away leaves and debris regularly so moisture doesn't sit on the boards.
• Wash with a mild detergent, water, and a stiff-bristle brush, working along the grain.
• Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose. A pressure washer can be used on a low setting with a fan nozzle, but go carefully — too much pressure can damage the timber surface.
• Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, which can strip away the timber's natural protective oils.

Oiling: How Often and How to Tell

How often your deck needs oiling depends mostly on sun exposure:

• Full sun: every 6 months
• Shaded areas: once a year is usually enough

The easiest way to know it's time is to look at the timber — when it starts to look dry, faded, or the rich colour has dulled, it's ready for a fresh coat. Browse our range of decking oils and stains to keep your Merbau looking its best.

Raw, Reeded, or Pre-Oiled — Which Do You Have?

If you chose our pre-oiled Merbau, your boards arrived with an initial coat already applied, giving you a head start — you'll still want to follow the oiling schedule above going forward. If you went with raw (DAR) or reeded boards, plan on your first oil application shortly after the tannins have settled and the timber has had a chance to dry out post-installation.

If You Skip Oiling Altogether

Some customers actually like the alternative: left unfinished, Merbau will naturally weather to a soft, silvery-grey patina over time. It's a completely valid look if you're after a relaxed, coastal aesthetic and don't mind letting the timber age naturally — the timber's natural durability and termite resistance remain regardless of whether it's oiled.

Questions about the right oil for your deck, or want to talk through your specific installation? Get in touch with our team — we're happy to help.