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How to refinish decks and patios

From the Resene Paint Experts Q&A

Do you have a question about refinishing decks and patios, including verandas, balconies and handrails? Browse through this Q&A for help with your own projects.

Always make sure you read the product label and data sheet prior to application. If in doubt about any aspect of your project, please ask our Paint Expert for help or come in and see our staff at your local Resene ColorShop or Reseller.

 
 
 
 

Q&A


Q. We have a concrete slab (entrance porch) that I want to do something with. One option would be to paint it. Is this actually a good idea? If so, what steps would I need to undertake to prep the slab and what product would you recommend I use to paint it?

A. Any paint system will eventually develop wear and tear while adding a level of maintenance.

Our recommendation is to treat the moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Once thoroughly dry (not just surface dry) apply one coat of Resene Solventborne Sureseal then follow with two coats of Resene Walk-on, which is a tough acrylic low sheen (a grit can be added for more non-slip, though that will sacrifice some cleanability).

October 2024


Q. We are keen to stain our deck before new furniture arrives. How do we even out the colour before staining? You can see it is darker where the old furniture was. I think it is Kwila.

A. If the deck is Kwila the tannins (colour) in the timber is water soluble. A good wash and scrub using Resene Timber and Deck Wash will help colour uniformity and prep the timber for staining. Please treat any Resene Moss & Mould Killer present at this time too.

October 2024


Q. I have used a film forming deck stain. On some parts of the deck there are black marks under the stain though they no longer seem to get any bigger. I am trying to think of a plan to hide the black marks without having to strip the whole thing back again. Do you have anything I could apply over the top without stripping it all back? I am thinking of a very dark stain, even black, or a deck paint. any suggestions please?

A. Our best recommendation would be to strip back to bare. Putting a penetrating stain like Resene Woodsman over the surface would not work as it wouldn’t be able to penetrate the coating and would dry on the surface and fail.

Technically paint would likely adhere, but we would not be able to offer any guarantees or any assurances due to the longevity of the system and how it would behave, as it would be relying on the film forming stain to act as the adhesion coat to the timber.

Since this is surface forming, there is a chance that the discolouration you are seeing underneath is mould.

October 2024


Q. I am rejuvenating several decks, pine, flat side up. This has involved removing the remnants of another product that has not weathered well, and which is a long job. Resene offer two products for use on decks. These are Woodsman Wood Oil Stain (solventborne) and Woodsman Decking Oil Stain (waterborne).

I would like to better understand the functional difference between these two Resene products in order to select the best one for durability and future maintenance.

Which one would Resene recommend and why?

A. The best one for your deck is Resene Woodsman Wood Oil, as it is solvent-based it penetrates the timber further than a water-based does and is better with ponding, the downside is the smell and a longer dry time. It does look stunning though and brings out the grain of the timber. Any leftovers can also be used on vertical surfaces, furniture, house, fence etc.

Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain is easier to apply regarding clean up, dry time and smell. But it is easy to apply too much and have surface residue, which we do not want. Any leftovers can only be used on horizonal areas like decking.

Maintenance coats are required at about the same time – one coat every 2-3 summers.

I am glad you have stripped the deck back to bare. This will give you the better surface than applying over old product.

October 2024


Q. I have a large deck that is made from 20mm plywood that has been coated in an epoxy and then painted with a marine paint. This has lasted ok although is now past it. The deck is developing small hairline cracks due to the location and direct sun that beats down on it. What I am I best to paint this deck with?

A. Plywood checks when weathered and is a natural occurrence. This is almost impossible to recoat to a uniform finish. There will be areas that the splits will show relatively faster than others. If you were to repaint, I suggest using the same paint for compatibility.

October 2024


Q. I have a deck with the boards upside down and going mouldy (black). What are my options in treatment? Can I use a water blaster? What coating would last?

A. We recommend treating the moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. You can water blast on low pressure, but this will not kill the invisible mould spores so treating with moss and mould killer is a must. Do not use high pressure water blasting as it will damage the timber.

A penetrating oil stain such as Resene Woodsman Wood Oil, is the best coating for this, but requires maintenance as it is designed to erode (apply one coat every two summers). Paint would pond in the grooves and lift frequently.

Resene Deep Clean cleaner is a good cleaner to use once a year for maintenance, you spray it on and leave it to work. It is a slow-action cleaner and will help to maintain a clean surface.

September 2024


Q. We are looking to refresh our deck. It’s both coloured concrete which is 22 years old, and a wooden hardwood deck.

What do you recommend for refreshing the concrete? I guess it needs painting and was wondering what paint products would be good.

I'm sure the deck has had more than one coloured wood stains over the years.

In the spring issue of habitat on the back page you have some woodsman oil stains – I quite like the Resene Crowshead colour. Can you change between the stains which have been on the deck?

A. If the stain is a penetrating stain you should be able to give it a wash down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash and restain easily. The wash will help to remove some stain and open the grain to help the stain penetrate further. Treat any moss and mould present at this time too. I recommend using Resene Woodsman Wood Oil (this is solvent based). The colour Resene Crowshead would be a good option for coverage.

Painting the concrete tiles will not be a good long-term option. Water will always seep into the grout and the edges will lift and peel. Maintenance will be frequent.

We have Resene Concrete Stain that can be tinted to a range of colours, but will need more regular maintenance than a wood stain. You would also need to check the tiles don’t have membrane of some sort on the surface.

Otherwise, a cleaner such as Resene Deep Clean will help to maintenance a mould free surface long term. Spray on and leave it. It is a long-acting mould treatment. Applying this once a year will help keep the surface clean.

We also have a water repellent clear finish, called Resene Solventborne Aquapel that fully penetrates the surface and helps to prevent mould growth without affecting slip resistance.

September 2024


Q. I have a prepainted but water blasted deck that I want to paint with Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. Will I need to prime or undercoat the deck beside applying the paint?

A. Yes a primer/sealer is recommended for any areas that are back to bare timber. For Pine or totara apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. For Cedar, Kwila, Rimu or kauri apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer.

September 2024


Q. I have concrete decks at our house that have been painted with concrete paint. I want to put a few clear coats over it to protect it and to help stop the paint wearing etc and looking dirty from footprints from shoes etc. Should I used Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear?

A. Yes this would be suitable provided the painted concrete is thoroughly dry and clean before application and that there are no moisture issues present. I imagine there is not if the existing paint is in good condition and not lifting.

September 2024


Q. I have a 3 year old Kwila deck that has now silvered. We want to try and retain the silvered look but protect it at the same time. What product would you recommend that won’t return the red colour of the Kwila?

A. We recommend Resene Furniture and Decking Oil. This is an oil-based clear that is fully penetrating and provides UV protection.

September 2024


Q. Is it possible to paint Kwila porch boards if we use Resene Wood Primer general first?

A. Yes, you can and Resene Wood Primer is the correct primer.

I would wash first with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. Once dry apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two topcoats. We have a few available to choose from such as Resene Walk-on, Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path and Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

September 2024


Q. Can I get some advice on your Resene Moss & Mould Killer product please? I have a large pine timber deck and the previous owner of my home appears to have stained it over black mould. I want to strip back the stain and kill the mould. Will this product work? My deck is next to a lawn, will it kill my lawn and any plants surrounding also?

A. Resene Moss & Mould Killer will kill the mould if it has direct access (after removal of stain). Resene Moss & Mould Killer will also help bleach out the stains. Some stains may be tougher to remove and multiple applications may be required to move the stain.

Yes, it will harm plants etc surrounding so best to lay a plastic cover to catch any liquid that may fall. Once heavily diluted with water during the scrubbing/cleaning stage the risk of harm is lessened. If any stronger liquid went into the garden, use a hose to apply copious amounts of water to dilute thoroughly.

I suggest attempting a test area first to gauge how much work is involved in this project.

September 2024


Q. Our house has two timber decks made of 90x20 treated pine. The deck that is open underneath has now been painted with Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain. The other deck is over Butynol waterproof roofing membrane. My concern is that some wood stain could drip through the gaps between the planks onto the Butynol. Would the wood stain harm the Butynol? Can I safely paint that deck, to match the other deck?

A. Solventborne products like Woodsman Wood oil do have the potential to harm Butynol surfaces, especially if drops cannot be wiped off at the time.

Is there any way to protect the butynol while staining or consider a painted finish?

September 2024


Q. We are painting an older pine deck with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. The old finish has been water blasted and pretty much gone. Should I prime/undercoat and what with?

A. The best of the best system would be one coat of Resene TimberLock, followed by one coat of Resene Wood Primer (oil-based also) then two topcoats of Resene Walk-on (this is a toughened acrylic finish).

Resene TimberLock is fantastic at penetrating into very brittle weathered fibres of a timber. Your deck will benefit from this system but I’m not sure if it will benefit it enough to make it worthwhile.

Another system that is a good choice, popular and user-friendly, but not as superior as the above:

Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat, followed by two coats of Lumbersider Low Sheen.

Both systems need to allow for general maintenance over time if there are areas prone to wear and tear, like under the chair legs.

September 2024


Q. I need to paint a new balustrade around my deck. It's made out of pine and I'd like to paint it white. Do I need to let it weather before painting? Do I need to seal/treat it before priming? What products do you suggest?

A. The pine balustrade does not need to weather before painting. It does need to be primed prior to topcoating. We recommend one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat.

September 2024


Q. I have a flat ledge on the top of the edge of my deck that can you lean on and look out from. It seems to degrade faster than the paint on the lower half.

A. If the top ledge is very flat this can lead to water ponding, which can cause it to degrade faster. Water ponding can lead to the paint prematurely breaking down and can cause lifting, peeling and bubbling. This area will need more maintenance than the rest.

August 2024


Q. I want to paint my deck in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen – just love it!!!

The deck is four years old and when built I was having chemo and thought I had given him info about the finish – Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen Napa – of course but it was done in a timber oil in a red/brown colour – hate it. I have had the deck water blasted about a year ago but am now ready to redo it in paint. I am having it water blasted and a bit warmer before redoing it. My question is it ok to paint with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen after water blasting?

A. Yes you can apply Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen as the topcoat, We recommend one coat of Resene Wood Primer over the existing stain. This is an oil-based product, once dried (allow 24 hours), apply two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen on top of the Resene Wood Primer.

August 2024


Q. I am building a 4m x 8m balcony attached to the house. The builder is using LVL (Laminated Beams). My main concern is absorption of moisture. I am considering an oil, stain or paint. Any options would be appreciated.

A. Paint is the best option against moisture.

We recommend one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat followed by two topcoats. We have many options to choose from, your local Resene ColorShop can show you through our topcoat range and help you compare the options.

August 2024


Q. I have a deck that needs restaining with Resene Kwila Timber Stain. Is there an easier way to reapply than using a paintbrush? Due to the size of deck this will take a long time. Is there a foam applicator that can be used as well? I know rollers don’t work.

A. We have two popular options for stain application.

The first is a lambskin mop head approx 20mm nap. This fits a universal extension pole to save your back. I've used this before and this is my preferred option.

The second is our deckmaster brush. It’s a large 150mm wide brush that can also fit to an extension pole, purpose build for staining decks.

Both can be purchased via our Resene ColorShops.

August 2024


Q. What paint should be used to paint the ceiling on an exterior deck? It has a standard acrylic paint finish.

A. We recommend the following: treat any moss and mould present with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Wash with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. This can be done by hand and a rag/mop. Be sure to remove thoroughly with clean water.

Once the surface is clean apply two coats of any Resene exterior topcoat, depending on how shiny/cleanable you'd like the ceiling to be. Our most popular options would be Resene SpaceCote Flat or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

A primer/sealer is only required if there are any bare patches, filled areas or the existing paint is flaking or in bad condition.

August 2024


Q. I am about to build a new deck using CCA treated Pine. I will be using your Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain to protect it. The timber suppliers say cut timber should be stained as soon as possible to assist protection.

The info I have received on your product recommends 2-3 months to weather. The deck is about 50 metres from the coast and is north facing.

Please advise what would be the minimum safe time you would recommend prior to staining?

A. We recommend a minimum of three months weathering to allow the grain of the timber to open up which allows the stain to penetrate the timber rather than it just sitting on the surface where it will degrade prematurely.

In situations where the timber cannot be left to weather we recommend washing thoroughly with Resene Timber and Deck Wash which will assist in helping to open the grain and allowing the stain to sink in.

August 2024


Q. I have unglazed terracotta tiles on my front veranda that I wish to paint. Do you have any products that will achieve this?

A. Ensure the tiles are clean and apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and then finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on in your chosen colour.

August 2024


Q. We have algae stains on a Kwila deck, which of your products can be used? It had an oil based stain applied around 6 years ago.

A. There are some hydrophobic algae that will not become wetted out so to overcome this a squirt of dishwashing detergent into the diluted Resene Moss & Mould Killer can help along with scrubbing.

August 2024


Q. I have a new timber deck made from vitex hardwood. I want to preserve the look and colour of the timber, but I don't want a coloured stain. What would you recommend? I live near the beach if that is a consideration.

A. There are no water white clear stains for exterior timber decking, Vitex will change colour upon exposure to UV. Our suggestion is to prepare the decking timber by washing with Resene Timber and Deck Wash then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil in a colour that meets your requirements. Resene Decking and Furniture Oil is considered a clear but contains a yellow transparent UV additive, which is fine for dark coloured timbers but will result in a significant yellow colour to paler coloured timbers.

July 2024


Q. Long problem here. When we moved into our new house the builders had stained the front deck. I sanded the whole deck back to bare wood, cleaned and dried and stained using a film forming deck stain. A wee while later I noticed there are black marks under the stain, they don’t look like mould. They actually look as if someone has done a light wash on some of the wood. The knots are showing black too. I’m trying to work out what to do and sanding the whole lot back again and starting again is a definite option.

I have thought of just leaving it and living with the black but will it get worse and rot? Restaining or repainting the whole lot in a colour dark enough but will the deck slowly be rotting under me? Sanding and reprepping just the black bits but will I end up with a patchy look? Sanding the whole thing back to bare wood again and starting from scratch using a penetrating stain? Rip the bad boards up and put in new but could still end up with a patchy finish.

Do you have any other ideas or suggestions on how to sort this out?

A. The black marks are likely to be water staining. If the side is butted up to a garden bed it will be in contact with constant moisture so that would be the most likely cause.

Water staining cannot be removed easily and in most cases at all. To hide, you would need to stain darker. When using darker colours, the timber gets hot and can be hard to walk over in bare feet and hard for pets/kids.

You can try removing by thoroughly sanding removing the stain and sanding the timber. Usually water staining is deeply ingrained.

To refinish it, the existing needs to be fully sanded back. For a more natural timber finish, Resene Woodman Oil Stain is a good choice. It is thinner and fully penetrating.

Usually, Resene Woodsman Oil doesn’t need wiping as it is thinner and is harder to over apply. The thinner you apply the product the better for each coat.

To cover dark stains, a darker stain may be the only option. Consider using Resene CoolColour technology to reduce heat absorption.

July 2024


Q. Which paint/epoxy is best suited for an outdoor barbeque area? The area is covered and has a concrete floor. What is the floor preparation like? Please recommend some solutions.

A. If the area is not fully enclosed somewhere like a garage then an epoxy cannot be used as a topcoat.

I recommend getting the concrete diamond ground to have a profile feel similar to a piece of 180grit sandpaper. Wash and remove all surface dust when dry. For paint you have a couple of options:

  • Apply three coats of Resene Walk-on in your chosen colour.

  • Or for a two-pack option (used commonly in factory spaces) apply one coat of Resene Armourcote 510 followed by two topcoats of Resene Uracryl 400 series in your chosen colour.

Once you paint the area, maintenance will be needed from time to time from furniture scratching the paintwork etc.

July 2024


Q. In regards to painting an old deck with flaky paint. What paint from your range would you recommend for the topcoat?

A. Any existing coatings need to be removed unless they are sound. Feather back any sharp edges. Thoroughly scrub the deck using Resene Timber and Deck Wash to remove surface contaminants and open the grain. If an oil or stain was used previously to the paint, you may find new paint films flaking after some time also. The use of an oil based primer will assist with adhesion.

Apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two topcoats of Resene Walk-on or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. If a dark colour is being used, consider using Resene CoolColour technology.

July 2024


Q. We are currently building a deck, with the deck surface finished in kwila, and a battened-style balustrade finished with treated Pine H3.2 KD SG8 45x90mm. We want to stain the balustrade. Can you recommend a process to do so? We are considering either Resene Woodsman Natural or a darker colour like Resene Canopy. Do you recommend building the balustrade first and then allowing the pine to weather for 4-6 months before staining? Or can we stain the timber before building? Are there any concerns with warping when using darker colours? Any advice on the best process for the finest finish would be appreciated.

A. It is best to leave the timber to weather for a minimum three months to allow the cells/grain to open for further penetration of the stain. However, if you need to stain sooner, it will penetrate but I would imagine your first maintenance would be at one year instead of two.

The best finish is to not over saturate the timber. If there is stain residue after 5-10mins that hasn’t penetrated, wipe this away to avoid a film forming. Do not apply when too hot in direct sunlight or if moisture will sit on surface i.e. After 2pm is risky in colder seasons because of the dew point.

Choosing a darker colour will heighten the risk of natural timber movement. Consider using a Resene Cool Colour in your chosen colour to help reduce the heat intake. It will not render the surface cool to touch.

May 2024


Q. What is the best way to paint or apply stain between the deck timbers? Is there a special brush or technique to get between the boards? The gap is very small.

A. Using an applicator like the Swish Mop or PAL Deckmaster brush can assist as they hold a lot of stain and can be pushed down between the gaps while gliding along the grain of the boards.

I prefer the Deckmaster for staining the decks at home for this reason.

It is not a good idea to do these separately as it will cause slight build up and give an overall stripey look.

May 2024


Q. I am looking to paint my existing deck with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen but it has an existing grey film forming stain from the previous owner. Would I need some sort of primer to go on first or would the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen be okay to go directly on to the existing stain?

A. To paint, my recommendation is to remove the existing coating back to bare timber. Treat using Resene Moss & Mould Killer followed by a thorough scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash.

Then apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Walk-on in your chosen colour.

You could try a small area with a test patch of primer and topcoat to check for adhesion but this would only show one area and delamination in other areas over time may occur if not prepared.

May 2024


Q. I am detailing a replacement handrail balustrade for walkways and have called for the use of redwood on vertical 50x50 battens, I would like your recommendation on which product to use to get a good long term dark stained finish. It’s along several exterior walkways.

A. Resene Woodsman Oil Stain would be the only option for this purpose in your chosen colour. As for length of time, that would depend on how often it is touched and the environment. It is best to state that maintenance is expected every two years.

May 2024


Q. I'd like to paint a recently stained deck. What primer/sealer do you recommend before applying the topcoat?

A. If the stain is over three years since last application, thoroughly scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. You may need to do this multiple times. The idea of this is to try and remove as much of the stain as possible.

Once dry, apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer. (I suggest trying a small trial area to ensure it hardens). Follow by applying two topcoats of Resene Walk-on (has slight grit for slip resistance) or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your chosen colour.

I recommend choosing a colour that is similar or lighter to the existing stain colour to minimise the heat stress on the timber. Consider using CoolColours for mid to darker colours.

If the stain is newer, it will be more difficult to remove. I would wait a minimum of one summer before attempting a paint project as stains have waxes and resins that paint cannot adhere to very well. The fresher the stain, the less likely good adhesion will happen.

April 2024


Q. We have used Resene Walk-on on a very low guardant deck to which small areas are holding water. In these areas the paint is cracking. what can be done about this?

It’s a rubber membrane, called Tritoflex, and we used Resene Membrane Primer first. We have applied these paints over other Tritoflex Membrane decks without any issues. The cracking is occurring only in the pooling areas, which suggests that the paint cannot handle pooling water. These areas are not extensive. Despite the cracking, the paint remains well adhered to the membrane, as we attempted to remove it without success.

This leads me to believe that applying another coat of the Resene Walk-on with the membrane primer would be effective.

A. The cracking is most likely due to the ponding of the water – no Resene paint (other than Resene Swimming Pool Paint) will remain sound under water ponding. You could try using a thicker product first to try and fill voids such as Resene X-400 followed by two coats of Resene Walk-on.

This system is not tested. We recommend you trial it on one area first to check it provides the solution you need.

April 2024


Q. How do I apply Resene Walk-on Canterbury Clay paint to a wooden deck? It has a previous coat of the paint which is 4.5 years old which I have pressure washed.

A. If the previous coat is sound, you can directly apply two coats of Resene Walk-on. Any bare areas should be primed using Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat.

April 2024


Q. We have part of an outdoor deck (pine) that has been enclosed. We are preparing to apply Resene Furniture and Decking Oil. Is the vapour/chemicals in the oil harmful if applied to both the indoor and outdoor area. I would like to use the same product across the entire deck to achieve a uniform look that flows across the entire space from inside to the outside.

Is it safe to proceed with the Resene Furniture and Decking Oil throughout?

A. Unfortunately, Resene Furniture and Decking Oil needs to be fully exposed as it requires UV to cure. If it were enclosed, the oil would not cure well and would potentially keep a strong smell.

Resene do not have a transparent or semi-transparent coating for this purpose.

If the enclosed part is now more like an interior room space you could use interior flooring products, like Resene Qristal ClearFloor, which come in a clear finish.

April 2024


Q. I recently had our house painted. I’m very happy with it, except for the deck, which my husband and contractor decided needed to be a dark stain colour. It needs more coats, as the contractor agreed. I am desperate to have a lighter colour as this burns feet. Am I too late or would light be a better option?

A. Unfortunately, staining to a lighter shade is not an option now, but you could go a shade lighter when it needs re-doing in 2-3 years once it has naturally eroded away. Dark colours on decks do get hot underfoot!

If you are going dark we recommend using the Resene CoolColour version of the colour.

April 2024


Q. I have painted a small wooden back door deck and steps with proper paving paint. However, I want to do some artistic black and white strips as highlights. Can I get paving white and black in a small size? Even the round testpot size is all I need. If not, what might be an alternative?

A. Resene Non Skid Deck & Path comes in a 60ml testpot size which could suit this project. There isn’t black or white but there is a small range of colours available.

April 2024


Q. What do you recommend to keep a deck area and timber features well maintained?

A. Cleaning painted timber surfaces annually, lengthens the time the coating with last before first maintenance using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. It will also keep the colour vibrant and free from chalking. Giving your stained surfaces like decking or cladding a clean using Resene Timber and Deck Wash can slow the natural weathering as it will be clean from surface contamination which can speed it up.

Resene Deep Clean is a simple and safe method for keeping outdoor areas free from moss, mould, algae and lichen. Simply spray or brush on and leave nature to do the rest. No scrubbing needed. Ideal for use on paths, patios, decks and other exterior concrete, timber and painted surfaces.

Have in mind that stained surfaces should be maintained with another coat every 2 years to ensure the coating and colour are providing protection. Painted surfaces should be maintained with coatings around 10 years.

A home is a big investment, so it pays off to look after it the best we know how!

April 2024


Q. Can you stain or paint exterior decks and timber over autumn or winter?

A. On warmer days, autumn and winter are still good to tackle these areas. Think about the minimum temperature (no less than 10 degrees) and dew point on the day of your project undertaking to ensure the coating does not get affected later in the day and overnight. The first 24 hours after a coating has been applied is critical for overall performance. While not every day is suitable for exterior painting, interior painting is generally always ready to go! A feature wall using a new colour or wallpaper is a fun way to add your touch on the space

April 2024


Q. We want an oil to treat our new pine timber decking. We would rather have a penetrating oil that we redo once a year with no prior prep work. Do you think Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain would be the best option to suit our needs?

A. Resene Woodsman Oil Stain is the best for this purpose. I suggest you leave the timber uncoated for a minimum of three months to allow the grain to open so the stain can penetrate further in once applied. Before coating, I recommend you treat it using Resene Moss & Mould Killer followed by a thorough wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash.

April 2024


Q. Please advise which of your paint systems should be used to repaint an acrylic membrane deck.

A. If the deck is sound, treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed. Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in chosen colour.

March 2024


Q. I painted an old deck. A year later and it started to peel. I am now paying a professional painter to redo this at a huge cost. My question to you is will at last more than two years. What could be causing this?

A. This could be due to the condition of the timber. Paint will not cover cracks for long and timber is always moving (when wet it swells and when hot and dry it shrinks) causing the cracks to appear again and get worse with natural weathering.

You may find it better to remove the current paint and apply a stain as this does not flake away but will naturally erode.

March 2024


Q. When applying Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen to a deck, is there a recommended time to wait before using again/putting back furniture etc?

A. It’s a case of the longer the better. Around three days the paint will have hardened enough to be handled and assembled if needed. Paint takes around 28 days to reach full cure.

March 2024


Q. What product is suitable to paint weathered kwila decking? What is prep required?

A. Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer then follow with a thorough scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. Resene Timber and Deck Wash will not kill mould/mould spores hence the first treatment with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. You may need to sand the deck using 180 grit sandpaper to remove any timber protrusions. Then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on in your chosen colour.

I suggest choosing a lighter colour to keep heat absorption to a minimum. If choosing a dark colour, consider using Resene CoolColour technology.

March 2024


Q. I am installing a new exterior deck with a tropical hardwood (Garapa) which I will allow to go grey with weathering. My question is about the butt ends of the timber and if you would recommend treating them to minimise rot. I already have surplus Resene TimberLock preservative and am wondering if this product would be of any help.

A. You could apply Resene TimberLock. This product should be overcoated with a paint product to see its full benefit so may not be beneficial for this purpose.

Annual applications of Resene Deep Clean or treatments using Resene Moss and Mould Killer will be beneficial.

March 2024


Q. We have a kwila deck that was stained before we moved in so I don't know exactly what product was used. They didn't do a great job and it could do with being redone. Can any of your products go on top of existing stains? It appears that they put a second coat on which didn't soak in properly and therefore left the mottled look.

A. It is likely it has been applied too thick/too much product and it hasn’t penetrated correctly. The existing stain needs to be very weathered, colour pretty much gone for any of the Resene Woodsman range to be applied due to compatibility issues.

You can assist in the weathering by thoroughly washing using Resene Timber and Deck Wash according to the data sheet.

Best option once the existing stain is gone is to use Resene Woodsman Oil Stain.

March 2024


Q. What would be the best option for a non-skid finish over kwila deck steps?

A. You will need to wash the Kwila thoroughly using Resene Timber and Deck Wash to remove as much of the tannins as possible. Once dry, apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer. Allow 24 hours to dry. Apply two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. If choosing a dark colour, consider using CoolColour technology.

February 2024


Q. Can I paint unanodised aluminium with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen? I have enclosed our deck at two ends and am doing infills up to the roof, with polycarbonate, and the aluminium will be the clamp strip holding the poly to the beams. Only one face and the edges of the aluminium will be painted the side in contact with the poly will remain unpainted to avoid a bond so the poly can expand/contract etc.

A. Prime clean the bare aluminium using Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer. You can overcoat using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

February 2024


Q. My deck was stained.(not by me) and the stain was applied too thick. It's still sticky after a week. How do I remove the coating?

A. Yes, it does sound like is has been applied too thick.

I would try washing with a hard bristle broom first using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. If that doesn’t do the trick, you may need to either try and sand it or use a paint remover such as Sea to Sky 203.

February 2024


Q. Two years ago I painted our decking with two coats of Resene Walk-on. Beforehand, I tried to remove existing paint, but it didn’t budge (and being grooved kwila I couldn’t sand it). It’s now wearing on the most walked areas. What could I have done better to make it last longer? What can I do now? Could I strip off all the paint and stain it?

A. The textured nature of the boards means that coatings will always wear more quickly than less textured surfaces. Using Resene Quick Dry to prime the surfaces first should help with durability in these areas however they will likely start to wear again over time.

It would be very difficult now to strip the coatings off back to bare timber due to the textured surface.

Stains generally wear faster than paint coatings and require maintenance every year or two in higher foot traffic areas.

February 2024


Q. I've got a new deck and handrail and I've been told to leave the treated timber handrail before painting for a while. Is this something you recommend? I've been using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen for other work and looking to use the same on the handrail.

A. It can be beneficial for the timber to acclimatise to the new environment (rather than a factory). I do recommend to paint sooner rather than later – before winter or too much rain. You can apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your chosen colour.

February 2024


Q. How do I apply Resene Canterbury Clay Walk-on paint to a wooden deck. It has a previous coat of the paint which is 4.5 years old which I have pressure washed.

A. If the previous coat is sound, you can directly apply two coats of Resene Walk-on. Any bare areas should be primed using Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat first.

February 2024


Q. What is the best paint for my deck. I think it is a cement board which has been painted many times. The joints have been covered in fibreglass to seal. What us the best undercoat and topcoat to use for over fibreglass?

A. Once the deck is clean and dry, you can apply one full coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat (as long as the existing paint is sound). Allow 48 hours to dry. You can apply two topcoats of Resene Walk-on some slip resistance or two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen for a smooth finish.

February 2024


Q. Is Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path suitable to repaint a previously painted butynol deck?

A. As long as the previous coating is sound, Resene Non-Skid Deck & Deck is an ideal product. Alternatively, you can use Resene Walk-on which has a small amount of grit.

Pop into your local Resene ColorShop to view the samples of both products to compare the grit size to what you would prefer.

January 2024


Q. Would you have a product that would be suitable for sealing my patio concrete? I am just wanting to make it easier to keep clean. It was not laid as exposed concrete 20+ years ago but the surface in all areas except around the edge against the house has worn off.

A. You have 2 options.

Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear is a waterborne clear finish designed to coat the concrete and be a true clear leaving the colour as it is currently.

Resene Walk On Concrete Clear Wet Look is a solventborne clear finish designed to coat the concrete and giving it a wet look finish (it darkens the concrete).

For both options, treat using Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Wash thoroughly and allow to completely dry out.

Any larger divots or holes will not be filled by either product and could be concerning if water was to get underneath and lift the coating off.

January 2024


Q. I planned to stain my (new) deck last week but after applying Resene Moss & Mould Killer, cleaning with Resene Timber and Deck Wash, and sanding away fibres and dog scratch marks I ran out of time to stain before the rain arrived!

Once the weather is good again, will I need to clean the deck again using the Resene Timber and Deck Wash? Or can I go ahead with the stain provided the deck is still clean?

A. As long as the deck is dry, clean (from the original time), dust and debris free, the new stain will be able to penetrate well.

January 2024


Q. What Resene Woodsman product should I use for a new Garapa deck. The deck timbers were not coated before laying.

A. I recommend leaving the deck to weather for a minimum of three months prior to staining to allow the stain to penetrate. If you stained now, some of the stain would not penetrate and wash away. After three months, use Resene Woodsman Wood Oil penetrating stain.

January 2024


Q. I’m painting a pine deck with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. The handrails are white. I've undercoated with Resene Quick Dry and bought Resene Lumbersider to paint them with but I'm wondering if Resene Sonyx 101 would last longer and be easier to keep clean? Could I do one coat of the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and then a final coat of Resene Sonyx 101?

A. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is more suitable on a deck than Resene Sonyx 101 although Resene Sonyx 101 will be easier to keep clean. The shinier the paint finish, the less slip resistance you will have when it’s wet.

January 2024


Q. How do I apply decking stain to the edges of each board on my deck?

A. That is the tricky part of staining or painting a deck. Use the Deck Master brush which helps apply it onto the sides. Alternatively, use a small brush and apply just before staining the entire board making sure it does not dry out or overlap (not easy with just one person).

January 2024


Q. I want to paint my deck as the existing paint has faded and is coming off. It is an external open slatted timber Deck, non-skid, maybe Kwila, approx. 30 years old. What is the most suitable option?

A. As the current paint is not sound on the timber deck, you need to fully remove the existing back to bare timber. Treat using Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Wash thoroughly using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. Once clean and dry, Apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two coats of either Resene Walk-on or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Resene Walk-on has small amount of grit inside to help with slip resistance.

December 2023


Q. I have a deck that has been installed with the rough side up. Is there a specific roller I can use that will ensure the grooves all get painted?

A. Using a thicker nap sleeve such as a No.2 or No.3 roller is good for this application. Brushing is best as you have more control but takes a lot longer.

December 2023


Q. I recently painted my deck with Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path paint. What is the recommended way to clean the deck?

A. Resene Non-Skid Deck and Path has a larger grit texture. This does make it harder to keep clean than a smooth finish as dirt and debris likes to sit in these spots. Giving a quick hose down every few weeks and a proper wash using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash will help keep the surface clean.

It is to be expected that any paint with grit will hold more dirt and debris than a paint with no grit.

December 2023


Q. We used Resene Woodman Decking Oil Stain a few years ago on our outside timber deck but it now needs refreshing. We were wondering if it is okay to apply a paint product rather than restraining it?

A. A removal of the existing stain is necessary to then apply a paint product. You can remove by vigorous scrubbing using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. It may need more than one wash. Once removed, apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer. Allow 24 hours to dry hard. Apply two coats of Resene Walk-on in your chosen colour.

November 2023


Q. We have recently replaced our deck with new timber. Part of the deck is built over a butynol roof and the runoff rainwater is piped to a large water tank, used for household drinking etc. What, if any, deck stain would be safe to use?

A. We have no testing available but by following normal guidelines you shouldn’t run into worse contamination issues than normal run off debris.

Disconnect all water catchment. Apply two coats of Resene Waterborne Decking Oil Stain. Allow 2-3 days to dry with sunny days. If it is overcast/drizzling, allow a week or so. Give a thorough wash down using copious amounts of water then wait until after the first good rainfall before connecting water catchments.

If you see discoloration or foaming in the retained water - do not drink as per normal protocol.

November 2023


Q. I am putting in a spa pool on our deck and prior to delivery I am going to re-stain the deck. Is there a product that I can use on the deck where the pool will sit, to protect the wood or will just staining it be sufficient?

A. As long as there is good air flow between the boards, underneath the deck and the water doesn’t puddle for too long, you could re-stain it using Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain or Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain. There is no testing done about prolonged exposure of spa chemicals on stained timber to see the effects.

November 2023


Q. If I want to paint a timber deck with your Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path paint. Which primer shall I use - Resene TimberLock or Resene Wood Primer? Some areas of deck have old paint which will be stripped off.

A. Once the paint is removed, if the timber is greyed and older, use one coat of Resene Timberlock followed by one coat of Resene Wood Primer. Then apply two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

Resene TimberLock and Resene Wood Primer work hand in hand to create a well adhered sound surface for the topcoat to be applied to.

November 2023


Q. I am looking to do some further staining of decks and fences over the summer.

I recall Resene's used to offer two different types of stain products for each purpose.

I purchased a product called Resene Woodsman penetrating oil stain in Resene Tiri, and I was just looking to clarify that this was ok for decks and fences?

My other question was, as some of these decks are in a high sun area, what would the process be if I wanted to use a 'CoolColour stain' to make them a little easier to walk on and prolong paint longevity?

A. The solventborne Resene Woodsman oil stain is an ideal choice for both decks and fences. You can select to use CoolColour in this product also.

Resene has two Woodsman products used on decks – Resene Woodsman penetrating oil stain (solventborne) and Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain (hybrid waterborne). The first one cannot be used on decks and the second is best only on decks. Both of these come in the CoolColour version. CoolColour helps reflect near infrared light and slows down the heat stress on the timber but does not eliminate it. It works best for dark colours and those in exposed areas.

November 2023


Q. We have some semi-glossy terracotta tiles at the front of our house that we wanted to paint. We cleaned them, applied a coat of the Resene Terracotta Sealer (left for 24 hours) and then painted on a coat of the Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The paint went on easily and appeared to be fine, however after checking the following day (and each day since then), the paint scratches off if you apply any sort of hard pressure (lightly walking on it is okay). We’re wondering if you can provide any guidance on where we may have gone wrong, and what the next best step is – should we do a second coat, or does it need to be washed and started again?

A. It sounds like the tiles already had a glaze or coating applied so when the Resene Terracotta Sealer was applied it couldn’t penetrate into the tile which is its design. As it sat and dried on the surface it was not adhering well for any new layers to go over the top hence the scratching off of all the paint. It does say under limitations on the data sheet to only use on bare terracotta tiles.

You will need to remove all coatings. Scrape as much as possible and try using Methylated Spirits to remove the Resene Terracotta Sealer. If the tile still remains glazed after that, test apply Resene Waterborne Sureseal (wait 24 hours) followed by two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck and Path. If the tiles loses its glaze in the removal process, you can try the Resene Terracotta Sealer again.

Note that painting the tiles will not reproduce the original features of low maintenance and scratch resistance.

October 2023


Q. We have a large deck on the back and a small one at the front door. They are very old. We want to apply something that protects them. But we want a clean product. We like the look of the wood even though it's very old and weathered.

It shouldn't be slippery. Especially because the front door has three stairs.

A. For a painted finish you can use a product called Resene Walk-on that has a small amount of grit that assist with non-slip. When it is a non-slip finish, the painted surface becomes harder to keep clean, I suggest choosing a lighter colour.

Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions then follow with a thorough scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash following label instructions, The Timber and Deck Wash will not kill mould/mould spores hence the first treatment with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. You may need to sand the deck using 180 grit sandpaper to remove any timber protrusions. Then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

Alternatively, for a stain finish, use the same preparation followed by two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in your chosen colour. Maintenance is recommended on a stained surface every 2 years.

October 2023


Q. I am laying a new kwila deck which I am advised to pre-oil all four sides before installation. With your Resene Furniture and Decking Oil do I need to do any surface prep other than brushing off loose dirt etc before application. However I see on the can that is says I need to wash first. Especially for the underside where I am just after protection rather than any particular surface finish, can the washing be avoided? Will existing water marks in the new timber be locked in with the oiling or does the oil allow these marks to wash-out in time?

A. I recommend leaving the deck to weather for a minimum of three months to allow the timber to open for stain/oil to penetrate further. Also, Kwila has tannins usually on the faces and needs to be washed off using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. The tannins will stain concrete or painted surfaces with rain washing and oiling will not trap this in.

October 2023


Q. We have just moved into a new home which has been painted with Resene products inside and out. We have built a deck out of Kwila which I now need to coat. The deck has been down for about two months so has seasoned well and I would like to coat it to retain the colour it is now.

A. Kwila should weather for a minimum of three months for the cells to open so stain can penetrate.

Wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted. Apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in chosen colour. I do not advise applying a clear coating as this offers no UV protection and the timber will continue to weather/silver underneath regardless.

October 2023


Q. We stained our Kwila deck with Resene Kwila Timber Stain. Unfortunately not long after applying it we saw that it was tracking from outside to inside. What causes this?

A. Typically where stains are tracking it relates to the stain not being able to penetrate and dry fully at time of application. This could be the result of a number of reasons including preparation of the existing area, the state of the timber including moisture levels, state of the existing stain, environmental conditions at time of application and drying (low temps and/or hit by moisture too soon after application) and amount of stain applied (too thick and stain will struggle to dry etc). It can be a combination of issues.

Changing out to another stain option shouldn't be necessary however if you did decide you wanted to use something else then Resene Woodsman Wood Oil would be the alternative. This will also give you a wide colour range to choose from.

October 2023


Q. Approximately 10 years ago I painted my butynol deck with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen using the recommended primer and covered it with timber tiles. I now need to replace the tiles and will repaint before laying the new tiles. Is Resene Lumbersider the best choice for this application?

A. Yes, use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen again. Wash thoroughly using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash prior.

October 2023


Q. I want to paint a new pine deck of about 20 square metres. I am planning on using Resene Wanaka. Is this suitable paint? Does it need an undercoat or primer?

A. Thoroughly scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on in the CoolColour version of the colour selected. CoolColours do not make the surface cool to touch but do reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool technology.

Keep in mind that using mid – darker colours does make a deck hotter under foot, especially for kids and pets.

October 2023


Q. I have an approx 15-year-old treated pine deck that I have removed years of accumulated deck and timber stain from, mostly because it is too dark and thus hot to walk on. The deck is now bare timber. I don't want to reapply this former stain. The deck is in full sun and also surrounds a pool including inbuilt pine seating and fences. Hence looking at nonslip properties, endurance, mould resistance, wood preservative etc. I prefer a slight oak tint finish.

A. Resene Woodsman Oil Stain has powerful fungicides included and has a natural appearance when applied.

As the deck is in a harsh environment, I expect the deck will need maintenance every year with a full wash. Treat any areas of moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer if there is growth. After the first year, apply one further coat of Resene Woodsman Oil Stain and every two years after that.

This product does not have any non-slip properties and is dependent on substrate.

The deck will still be warm on a sunny day. Colour choice does impact the heat. Consider using Resene CoolColour technology if you do select a darker colour. The CoolColour stain versions are not cool to touch but reflect more heat than the same colour made using non cool pigmentation. Wiping stain off the nail heads will be a time-consuming practice but can be done if you wipe the stain immediately after application.

September 2023


Q. I want to paint a vinyl handrail capping with Resene Uracryl, what primer should I use?

A. Assuming the handrail is PVC vinyl, sand and clean, apply one thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer. Leave for at least 48 hours. Apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. Leave for at least 48 hours. Apply two coats of Resene Uracryl as per data sheet. Using a Resene waterborne enamel in lieu of Resene Uracryl will enable easier maintenance.

PVC vinyl is designed not to be painted so a test area is recommended to ensure paint system will adhere. Painting will not render the surface as tough as original.

September 2023


Q. I have stained my pine decking using Resene Woodsman wood oil stain. However, the finish has come out too reddish after applying two coats and allowing to dry. I was after a more brownish colour with red under tones.

What would be the best way to alter the colour to something browner or to mute the red? Or should I leave it for a few years once the stain has faded, then recoat using Resene Woodsman wood oil stain in a different colour like brownish Resene Nutmeg? Would this leave a blotchy finish due to uneven fading?

Or am I able to strip the stain using something like Resene Timber and Deck Wash?

A. You're onto it with your ideas.

You can wash using Resene Timber and Deck Wash to assist in weathering, getting ready to recoat. You can do this multiple times, each time it will weather more.

You can apply Resene Woodsman Oil Stain in a brown colour like Resene Nutmeg over the top to slightly deepen and brown off the colour. Try a 1L colour first in an area to see if you like the dried result. You may get an uneven finish as that’s the nature of weathering, stain and timber.

September 2023


Q. I am painting a new wooden balustrade on our deck. It is currently unpainted treated pine. I would like a tough finish as it will be exposed to the elements and it is difficult to paint.

A. Ensure the timber is clean and mould free, it may require a light sand if there is any loose splinters or fluffy areas. Spot prime fixings with Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer. Apply one full coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. Apply two full coats of Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss in your desired colour.

It’s best to choose a light colour as this will cause less timber stress. If using dark colours then use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour, as this will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non CoolColour technology.

September 2023


Q. We have a new Kwila deck which has had black house paint dropped on it, several droplets in different places! It is not yet stained, do you have any idea how we get the black paint out, without ruining our unstained, Kwila?

A. A sharp blade can help to lift dried paint droplets, use the sharpest point and try to lift a corner of the drop and hopefully, it will lift away, Other than that some methylated spirits on a cotton tip will slowly soften the paint, if the paint was waterbased.

August 2023


Q. We have a kwila deck now 15 years old starting to splinter. It’s never been painted/stained. I was thinking Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen would be better than deck stain to prevent splinters?

A. Paint would be better to lessen splinters as it is surface forming, it will likely require more maintenance as once the timber starts splitting it will continue to do so, and eventually that movement will split the paint and allow moisture to get in. The best paint system we can offer is apply one coat of Resene TimberLock to re-join fibres followed by one coat of Resene Wood Primer then two topcoats of Resene Walk-on or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

August 2023


Q. I would like to repaint our deck which is butynol. Would Resene Walk-on be the best option? Should I stain the balustrade or leave it natural?

A. Resene Walk-on is great option as the topcoat for the deck, alternatively Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path is a good choice too if you need added slip resistance (please note the rougher surface means it is harder to clean).

We would recommend to first clean the surface, and treat moss and mould present with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Spot prime any bare areas of butynol with Resene Membrane Primer, followed by two topcoats in your desired colour.

August 2023


Q. The last few years I have stained my deck with Resene Woodsman oil stain in Resene English Walnut, but I want to lighten it up a bit. Is it ok to use a lighter shade over the darker one?

A. Woodsman stains are semi-transparent, so the previous colour will impact the appearance of the lighter colour.

We recommend washing and scrubbing the deck with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This opens the grain of the timber and can remove some stain. Treat any moss and mould present at this time too with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. This may help lighten the current deck colour.

Next, I'd recommend trialling a small area in an out of sight area (if possible) with a testpot of the lighter colour you hope to use to check you are happy with the colour achieved.

August 2023


Q. We have some fibreglass decking planks that we want to coat. Would Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint be suitable for this?

A. We have a general specification for fibreglass but we recommend you do a trial on a small area or offcut to check for adhesion. If you have a sample we would be more than happy to do some testing for you on this substrate. We recommend:

  • Thoroughly clean and lightly sand the surface if possible.
  • Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat (to trial, please leave this to start curing for 2-3 days and then check for adhesion) before moving on with the project.
  • Follow with two topcoats of Resene Walk-on in your desired colour

August 2023


Q. What would you recommend as the best most durable paint for a deck that gets a lot of sun?

A. We recommend one coat of primer specific to the type of timber the deck is made from (for pine, use Resene Quick Dry or for Kwila use Resene Wood Primer). Then apply two topcoats of Resene Walk-on in your desired colour. If slip resistance is necessary, Resene SRG Grit can be added to the final coat or can be spread in individual sections if required.

Consider using Resene CoolColour technology if opting for a dark colour to help reduce the risk of heat related issues.

July 2023


Q. I have a smooth aggregate concrete patio. When water-blasted, a surprising amount of dirt is removed and the concrete looks new again. What clear sealer in the Resene range is best to apply after cleaning?

A. We recommend Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear Wet Look (solvent-based) as the best penetrating clear finish for aggregate concrete.

June 2023


Q. I need to reseal an exposed aggregate concrete patio and I'm trying to find out the best way to remove the previous waterborne sealer. Would it be possible to get some advice on which of your products would be best to assist with removal?

A. The method to remove would be a paint stripper. We sell a water-based gel version called Sea to Sky.

June 2023


Q. I have a first-floor veranda that has a waterproof sealant. Due to the sun the surface is getting dry and causes black powder to get stuck to shoes and feet. I would like to know if there is any Resene product that I can use as an undercoat or some sort of treatment I can use before applying an outdoor paint on top?

A. This can be painted, provided that water does not pond on the surface for a long period of time, as this will cause the paint to lift and peel. If the water drains away effectively, we recommend treating any moss and mould present with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Once mould is removed, wash the surface and allow to dry. Apply one coat of Resene Membrane Primer, followed by two topcoats of either Resene Walk-on or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your desired colour.

June 2023


Q. I am repainting the wood floorboards of a veranda. The ends of the boards are exposed to rain. The boards are rimu and old. Most are sound.

I propose to follow these steps:

Replace rotted wood, apply Resene Moss & Mould Killer to treat mould. Wash with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash, sand to bare wood, apply Resene TimberLock, then Resene Quick Dry primer and then two coats of Resene Walk-on.

Some of the boards have surface cracks a couple of millimetres deep. I will scrape these clean, apply Resene TimberLock, then fill. What filler do you recommend for these cracks?

A. The system you have outlined is perfect. Please leave the Resene TimberLock to dry and start curing for 48 hours before applying Resene Quick Dry. Resene TimberLock will help to seal up the splits.

We don't have a recommendation to fill the splits, as anything you use will not prevent the splits from reopening. Popular fillers we sell are PAL Contract Filler or Repaircare fine finish filler. Replacing those boards would be the best practice.

June 2023


Q. I stained my newly built deck six weeks ago and I didn't stir the stain well enough so it has turned out blotchy (with some parts very browny red and others beige). Silly, I know! I am wondering what you recommend to minimise the original blotchiness coming through when I stain it a second time to try and get rid of the blotchiness. I realise I will need to go for a darker stain, but presumably it will show up different on the red patches vs the beige patches. Do you have any recommendations?

A. I would wash the deck before applying more stain. Resene Timber and Deck Wash helps to open the grain and will help to release some of the freshly applied stain. This may help to even out the colour and you may be able to continue with the same colour.

Otherwise, if the patches are still of concern, two coats of a darker stain colour will help to even out.

May 2023


Q. Four years ago we painted our aged wooden deck at our bach in the Coromandel with Resene Woodsman Decking Stain. This worked well. We have now come to the point where we need to repaint the deck and wonder whether if there is a way to add a little non-slip texture to it?

A. Unfortunately, with our stains being fully penetrating, we cannot add any additional slip resistance, such as a grit.

We can offer paint systems such as Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path if you are interested in a painted finish (these options also require a primer).

May 2023


Q. I am staining my outside deck. It's been up for a long time. I have sanded it back to bare wood. I would like to use an oil stain. Thoughts please.

A. Once the timber is back to bare and any moss and mould have been treated you can proceed with two coats of Resene Woodsman wood oil solventborne.

May 2023


Q. I have a south facing deck that tends to get quite mouldy. The base material is H3 treated pine grip tread. It has had no prior coatings. I intend to spray the deck to kill the mould clean. Can you recommend a stain coating to follow?

A. We recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain (solvent based). Or Resene Furniture and Decking Oil if you don't want to add colour but still want to add some mould resistance - it won't stop mould completely - and provide U.V protection.

April 2023


Q. I have a large Redwood deck which is half outdoors and half under cover. The outdoor part has silvered off but the other half is just as was laid with water staining patches where rain gets. I want to lightly sand the covered deck to a straight line of deck edge and seal it to stop the water marks. What product should I use to achieve this?

A. Unfortunately, a sealer will not ever stop the watermarks. Washing with Resene Timber and Deck Wash will help lighten the colour and treating with Resene Moss & Mould Killer will help with those darker/greyer edges.

A coat of Resene Furniture and Decking Oil, will slightly change the colour, but will also help with mould growth and UV protection, but will not stop watermarking. A stain like Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain will help to even the colour difference out, but the two areas will weather differently because of their different exposure to the weather.

April 2023


Q. Is Resene Waterborne Woodsman suitable for a deck? I prefer it to the oil base as it seems to be better for covering up marks on the old timber.

A. Unfortunately, no, Resene Waterborne Woodsman is not formulated for high-traffic areas such as a deck. However, we do have Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain which is a hybrid waterborne system, which gives you the ease of application of a water-based stain.

April 2023


Q. How can I best restore this deck? I'm thinking of Sea and Sky 202 paint stripper? I would like to be able to then repaint or stain the deck. It’s a very big deck-3m x 11m. Can you recommend appropriate stripper and paint or stain.

A. I recommend using ' Sea to Sky’. It is a water-based stripper that is applied like a gel and left to react and then scrapped and hosed off.

To stain, I recommend washing the deck with Resene Timber and Deck Wash (this helps to open the grain) followed by two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil (solventborne).

To paint, if the deck is Pine then apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat followed by two coats of Resene Walk-on.

Paint is more work up front, but stain requires more maintenance.

April 2023


Q. How do I restore a greyed Merbau deck?

A. Treat any moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Wash with Resene Timber and Deck Wash to help open the grain of the timber.

Sanding is not necessary.

If it’s just greyed-off timber, then Resene Kwila Timber Stain is the most popular option as it will colour the timber back to its original colour. This timber leeches its tannins at a fast rate, once silvered or greyed off you cannot regain the original colour with sanding. Pigment will need to be applied and maintained in the form of a stain.

If it’s grey mould, a stain like Resene Kwila Timber Stain is still the most popular option, as it can be very difficult to remove all the discolouration from the mould spores. Sanding is a good option if you have some small areas to remove but not as practical if it’s a large area.

April 2023


Q. We'd like to tidy up the slate tiles on our patio (front door and at back of house). Please can you tell us which products would be our best options for either clear coating or stain/coloured coating.

A. Tiles like these are not intended to be coating. We do have 2 options, but both require regular maintenance and will not reproduce the hardness properties of the original tiles.

The first option is a penetrating clear coat that will help to freshen up the tiles and act as a water repellent - Resene Solventborne Aquapel.

The second option will require more maintenance than the first and it likely to gather more scratches during use and if ponding and moisture occurs in the grout areas may lift and peel. Apply one coat of Resene Solventborne Sureseal followed by two coats of Resene Walk-on. Try and avoid too dark or too light as they will show up marks more.

April 2023


Q. I applied the first coat of my Resene Woodsman Decking Oil stain early this morning but it is still tacky later in the day. Is the tackiness ‘normal’ and expected to fully dry by tomorrow? It is very hot here today (27 degrees C) so that is probably not helping.

A. The deck stain does have a more solid look than our solventbased stains. If it looks like paint, there may be too much sitting on the surface that hasn't penetrated. A sand of the surface would help in future or the use of our Resene Timber and Deck Wash as this is designed to help remove existing stain and open the grain before re-application.

March 2023


Q. Our deck needs an update. My partner painted it a dark stain that I don't like and am wanting to bring it back to a brighter Kwila type colour. Would you be able to recommend a product to remove the existing stain that is on the deck or would we be better to sand off? It's quite big.

A. If the existing coating is a Resene stain you can try Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This helps to open the grain and will sometimes help remove a layer of the coating that is sitting near the surface. I'm not sure how much it will help to lighten but could be worth a shot. Otherwise, sanding is the best option and gives you the most control over evenness.

March 2023


Q. I have a concrete patio at the front of my property. What colour would be best to match my brick house? Would you recommend Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path?

A. Either Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path or Resene Walk-on can be used here, provided that the edges near the garden are also sealed and that water does not pool in this area for extended periods of time. Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path is a good option if you need a more non-slip paint, keep in mind because of the texture if it is harder to clean.

Resene Walk-on is a satin finish and easier to clean. An added benefit is grit can be added to this coating separately or simply added to the areas that need it.

Resene ColorShop staff will be able to show you some samples of both products instore.

March 2023


Q. I have just cleaned up an east facing deck. The decking timber is Garapa. I would like to be able to see the grain of the timber but want to stop black mould growth and make it easy to wash rather than water blast. Water blasting tends to damage the timber surface. What Resene product do you recommend?

A. Resene Woodsman Wood Oil is a great option if you are wanting to change the colour and still see the grain, whereas Resene Furniture and Decking Oil is a clear option. Both provide UV and fungi protection.

Both of these products are fully penetrating and are designed to sit inside the timber rather than on the surface. The cleanability won’t be at the same level a surface-forming coating like a paint can provide.

March 2023


Q. Should we stain/paint the underside of a kwila deck? Under the deck we have created a spa pool area and the underside of the deck doesn't look that nice while sitting in the spa. Is it ok to paint or stain the underside? Or will it trap in moisture and make the timber rot quicker?

A. Absolutely you can paint or stain the underside of your deck, we refer to this as 'envelope sealing’. The paint option only works if the top side of your deck is also painted. Stain can work for either. As long as you paint/stain when the deck is completely dried out you will not trap moisture inside the coating.

March 2023


Q. I use Resene Kwila Timber Stain to maintain our weather exposed deck. After two years from first application (two coats) have cleaned with Resene Timber and Deck Wash and allow to dry. I commenced the first coat on part of the deck which was rained on by unforecast shower within 20 minutes. It has dries and appears unmarked by the rain. Should I just keep to plan and apply a second coat once the weather is fully dry or should I give the rain affected area a third coat to be sure.

A. I'm glad to hear that the rain shower did not cause any discolouration. At some point, the grain in time will have absorbed as much stain as possible and any additional coats will mostly sit on the surface, this is something we don’t want to happen. If one more coat looks good and even, I would stop with that, especially if the timber is slow to absorb into the grain

March 2023


Q. I have a concrete path - maybe 3-4 years old – between my garage and wooden fence. Is there some way to seal it so that when sweeping leaves etc off it grey powdery dust doesn't come off as well. I'm assuming it's a concrete dust. Also it's not a very sunny area so gets green mould which I treat yearly. Will it affect a sealer at all and is the sealer slippery?

A. I recommend three coats of Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear. Please note under the application heading it states that the first coat should be thinned by 10% water to allow the first coat to penetrate the concrete well to form the best adhesion, followed 24 hours later by an additional two coats (not thinned at all).

This coating will help to reduce mould growth on the surface, please be sure to treat for moss and mould prior, and thoroughly wash down and let dry before applying Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear.

It will make the concrete initially slightly more slippery than if it was let exposed but only marginally, and with the reduction on mould growth may end up being less slippery.

March 2023


Q. We bought 10L of Resene Kwila Decking Stain and am just wondering if it keeps. We still have about 3-4 litres left and wondering do we keep it or pass it on to someone who would use it now.

A. Your stain can be stored anywhere from 2-4 years. If possible store in a dry, cool area and place a piece of cardboard between the bottom and any cold concrete surface.

February 2023


Q. I have a timber deck which has already been painted (I mistakenly put paint on top of the stain) and I would like to sand the current paint and stain it again. My question is which product should I choose? I would like a durable and also good-looking stain.

A. To stain, the entire paint coating needs to be removed back to bare timber. Wash with Resene Timber and Deck Wash (this will help open up the grain). Then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil (solventborne) in your desired colour.

February 2023


Q. We were only able to clean and get one coat of Resene Kwila Timber Stain on our deck this weekend. Will it be ok if we delay the second coat until Friday?

A. Yes, as long as the first coat of stain is clean.

February 2023


Q. I have just redone our deck with Resene Woodsman Decking Stain. Several days later, it still feels tacky if I walk on it in socks. Will this dry off?

A. This can be caused by too much stain being applied so it is sitting on the surface and has not penetrated in. Exposure to the sun will help to settle this down.

February 2023


Q. I am screwing plywood onto the face of my deck as the existing rough sawn timber is very hard to clean (with three dogs and rural).

Can I use that concrete paint (I have used on s garage floor) that has a thick rubbery feel after several coats? Or is there another product that I can use that is non slip, thick and easy clean please? The deck is mostly covered. Will Resene Lumbersider be sufficient?

A. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen will be sufficient. Any paint coating that is non-slip will be much harder to clean than a coating with no grit added. I'm unsure which garage paint you may have used. None of Resene's are significantly thicker than product like Resene Lumbersider.

A good option to have the best of both worlds is to add grit. We sell SRG grit, this can be sprinkled into the wet first coat in places where it is needed and overcoated with the second coat.

Alternatively, Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path is a dense thick coating but doesn't have the cleanability factor.

February 2023


Q. I want to paint the new wooden balustrades on a new kwila deck. The balustrades wood is pine and kwila. Do I have to wait for the kwila to stop bleeding before I paint it? I would prefer to paint it immediately while the scaffolding is up. What paint system do you recommend?

A. We do recommend weathering Kwila for 4-5 weeks before coating, this process can be sped up a small amount by washing it with Resene Timber and Deck Wash.

We recommend priming with one coat of Resene Wood Primer (oil based) followed by two topcoats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss (waterborne enamel). This can be applied over the top of the wood primer.

February 2023


Q. We have had to replace some decking timber boards on mostly covered front entrance way deck. Old boards were previously stained with a waterbased stain and are all scratched and faded and the deck tread side is up, not a flat surface. The area has high foot traffic (people and dogs) and looking for solution to prep and recoat whole area, including the old and new timber that is going to be hard wearing and scratch resistant.

A. Dog scratches over time will wear even the toughest paint system but will look good for quite a while.

Painting over a previously stained surface can cause issues with compatibility so we do suggest to try and remove as much as possible. As sanding isn’t an option for you with tread face up, a very good scrub using Resene Timber and Deck Wash will assist in removing leftover residue stain. If the colour is still strong you may need to consider using a paint stripper such as Sea to Sky – waterbased environmentally friendly stripper to remove the stain.

Once the deck is prepped and dry, apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer. Leave for 24-48 hours without any foot traffic. Apply two coats of Resene Walk-on. Leave for as long as possible for the paint to harden. Five days would be good. Try to avoid using very dark colours as this will highlight muddy prints.

January 2023


Q. I have a 10 year old upstairs deck. It hangs over an outdoor space below. The deck is solid wood maybe ply and already painted. Do I need to use a special hard wearing paint that can sustain foot wear and tear albeit minimum or can I just use weatherboard paint? I’ve sanded it and primed bare wood.

A. Based on the assumption that the deck is prepared and bare timber primed, apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

January 2023


Q. Please recommend a stain for Accoya softwood decking. I want to avoid leaching as deck is at first floor level, above concrete below.

A. Accoya is chemically modified pine and unlike Kwila does not contain soluble tannins. Apply two full envelope coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain tinted to a Kwila colour.

January 2023


Q. Could you please tell me how I can find out whether my deck is oil based stain or water based. I rubbed it with rubbing alcohol using a tissue and some colour definitely came out. Does this mean it is water based stain?

A. Unfortunately, there is no test to tell, all our stains are designed to erode. Some colour on the rag is likely caused by this factor.

January 2023


Q. I want to paint old Kwila decking, part of it is surrounding a pool. What paint is best for the main deck but also for the same colour around the pool with a non-slip surface?

A. For Kwila decking we recommend the following - thoroughly clean with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. Once dry, apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer hollowed by two coats of Resene Walk-on, this is a slip-resistant low sheen. For the pool surround area you could use Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The colours for Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path can be tinted into Resene Walk-on. Please note that due to water ponding near the pool this area will likely need increased maintenance.

December 2022


Q. I have heard that I should wait a while before staining my new treated pine deck, maybe 4-6 weeks. Is that correct?

A. We recommend longer, ideally over three months to help the grain open and allow the stain to sink it.

If you are unable to wait this long, a good wash with Resene Timber and Deck Wash will help the grain open but be careful not to allow too much stain to sit on the surface.

December 2022


Q. I have some new 9mm 316 grade stainless steel deck brackets that I want to paint to match the deck colours. The topcoat will be Resene X-200 but what primer should be used underneath. I do have some Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer. Would this do or is there a more suitable type?

A. Stainless steel is best left unpainted as the protective oxide layer on the steel is what gives this metal such a long corrosion protection time.

If you do decide to paint a coat of Resene Vinyl Etch, followed by the topcoats of Resene X-200 is best.

December 2022


Q. I need to clean an old Kwila deck before staining. It has a butanol layer underneath. Is your deck cleaning product suitable to use?

A. Resene Timber and Deck Wash is fine to use. Please follow label instructions If there is moss and mould present as this will need to be treated. Resene Moss & Mould Killer or Resene Deep Clean is safe to use also.

December 2022


Q. I have a concrete patio area that had a colour dye added in. This was done around twenty years ago. Over the years along the cut lines in the concrete it doesn't look the best. We feel that the only thing to do is paint it. Could you please advise which of your paints would be the best for this job?

A. Painting is an option, provided that moisture does not get into the concrete via a garden or something of the like butting up next to the patio. We recommend one coat of Resene Sureseal followed by two coats of Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

Resene does sell a tinted Resene Concrete Stain that you may be interested in, though like any stain product will require maintenance and refreshing.

December 2022


Q. I have applied two coats of stain to my deck but it is not beading up. Do I need to apply more?

A. Resene wood stains are designed to fully penetrate so less moisture will be absorbed into the timber, but it won’t bead off like it would with paint. This is what we are aiming for: if the water was beading off it would indicate that the product is surface forming and too much has been applied.

December 2022


Q. My problem is that I have an 20 year old deck and I want to try to make it look as good as possible and prevent any (further) decay. What if I put clear oil over the stain to stop water penetration? Does Resene have such a product that I can put over the stain I have already applied?

A. We do not have an oil that is suitable, all our stain/oil products are designed to penetrate. Any product that doesn’t penetrate will wear prematurely on the surface, especially on a walking area.

Painting over your stain is an option. We recommend treating the moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, washing and scrubbing using Resene Timber and Deck Wash and then prime with Resene Wood Primer followed by two coats of Resene Walk-on.

December 2022


Q. I have terracotta brick pavers at the house entrance (outside). What paint would you recommend and what preparation?

A. Ensure the glazed tiles are thoroughly cleaned. Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Sureseal and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before overcoating.

Apply two coats of Resene Walk-on. Resene Walk On contains small grit to assist with slip resistance. This also means that darker colours will show dirt more so due to the grit holding the dirt dust slightly more than a smooth paint.

The new paint system will take five days to develop good initial adhesion and continue to cure for an additional three weeks until full cure occurs. In the early stages the paint surface will not have good resistance to cleaners or abrasion as these features develop as the film undergoes curing.

Note that painting will not reproduce the original features of the tiles.

November 2022


Q. I would like to know what product to use on my Kwila deck. It is only 3-4 years old and I want to retain the Kwila look. I was also advised some products end up looking like they have tracking and heavy use areas. I would appreciate your expertise before I make the wrong decision.

A. Treat for any moss and mould using Resene Moss & Mould Killer according to the label, thoroughly wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash then apply Resene Woodsman Oil Stain. Resene Woodsman Oil Stain comes in a large selection of colours as the Kwila will be at varying stages of weathering. This product does not ‘track’ when applied correctly and is used commonly on decks, furniture, cladding and fences.

Two coats is required at first application and then one coat every two years for maintenance.

November 2022


Q. I've painted my deck before with your paint but can't remember what I used. Wondering if you could let me know what product and primer to use for a deck. The colour is Resene Regent Grey and last time one of your biggest buckets did the trick.

A. Did the paint have a grit in it for on slip or was it smooth?

Non slip – Resene Non Skid Deck & Path

Smooth – Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen

Both come in 10L pails.

If the current paintwork is sound, you can apply either topcoat over the top after a thorough wash and moss and mould treatment using Resene Moss & Mould Killer if needed.

If the deck is timber and there are bare areas, prime with Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat first.

November 2022


Q. I restained our upper deck recently with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil. We have lived in the house for 8-years in a coastal location. Most years since applying the initial two coats of stain I have applied another coat annually/bi-annually to keep it refreshed.

Before re-staining I clean the deck with a brush and warm soapy water and let dry before re-staining.

I have found there is a difference in stain levels. Some to it could be due to the difficulty of completing full runs due to the shape of the deck, but are the other areas more due to the way the wood ages/what might have been sitting these spaces? Is there anything I could do in prep or the way I stain to get a more consistent look?

A. Sheen level differences occur usually from oil build up (glossier).

If you wanted to have an immediate fix, you need to wash down the glossier areas to remove the build-up.

To reduce this for the next maintenance coat, once applied, clean rag the oil that has not penetrated after 10 minutes.

Another cause of the colour differences is the timber colour changing as it ages. This won’t be able to be changed to be uniform unless a complete removal of existing oil is done and the timber is sanded back. Timber is sheltered areas will usually look glossier with more coating as these areas are protected from the weather.

November 2022


Q. Can I use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen for a deck?

The area is light traffic - usually bare feet - but I'm worried the surface will scratch when furniture is moved on it.

A. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is one of our most popular decking paints. Any topcoat can scratch under pressure from the furniture but the beauty of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is that it is so easy to touch up if needed.

November 2022


Q. I have a new kwila deck that I used your Resene Timber and Deck Wash on with great results. Two days later I applied your decking oil with a roller but even though the deck feels dry there are some shiny patches. The deck is under an open verandah so not exposed to direct sun. Do I have to be patient and hope it comes right or give it a wash with the cleaner or with turps rather than a recoat with oil? Maybe I used too much oil and the new wood is not absorbing the oil?

A. If the oil is still tacky, I would recommend a light wipe down with mineral turps, then I’d leave it to weather off. This will happen fairly fast since it is sitting on the surface.

Once the surface has weathered the grain in the Kwila will be more open and the oil will be able to penetrate as it should. Resene Timber and Deck Wash will help with this and also help wash the tannin bleed (colour) out of the Kwila faster. This may take a few attempts to get the timber an even colour.

Kwila is going to bleed tannins of colour out no matter what coating you use. Waiting for the timber to silver off or staining with a wood stain such as Resene Woodsman Wood Oil can reinstate the colour and help even it out if you want to do this quicker.

November 2022


Q. I would like to repaint my home’s deck. It was painted by previous owner poorly and the surface is already (4 years old) begun peeling. I’m removing the old paint with a wire brush and also replacing damaged sections while I go. It was a dark brown colour however we would like to paint it in a dark grey.

What type of paint would you recommend? What other preparations would you recommend?

A. Once the loose flaking paint is removed, a light sand to feather any edges of the existing coating may be needed. Then, depending on the ratio of coating to bare surface either spot prime base patches or do a full coat over the entire deck of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat followed by two coats of Resene Walk-on.

The prep you are doing looks good, I'm glad the wire brush is effective for you. I would only add that to treat any moss and mould, use Resene Moss & Mould Killer.

You may wish to consider using a CoolColour version of your colour to help reflect more heat.

November 2022


Q. Our deck needs a re-stain as it’s been a few years but the heavy traffic areas look dirty. Thing is I don’t actually think it’s dirt because if I give a section of it a light scrub, it doesn’t seem to make any difference - apart from removing the remaining stain.

A. This could be mould or a sort of burn from where the sun is eroding the timber fibres.

I would treat first with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Wait for 12 hours and rinse off. Then apply Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This is likely to remove the stain but also float out any dirt/mould etc trapped in the grain. Once dry, recoat with Resene Woodsman Wood Oil.

October 2022


Q. Could you advise which of your products would be best to treat our concrete front steps to make them look attractive/new looking?

A. Resene have a product Resene Walk-on Wet Look which will darken the concrete to make it have a wet look or Resene Concrete Clear (gloss, satin and flat) which is a clear coat. Or you can use Resene Walk-on paving which comes in a selection of colours and can be applied direct.

All options are recommended under the assumption that the steps currently have no coating applied. If you pour water on the steps does it absorb, sink in and darken the concrete, which would indicate no coating, or does it bead and sit on the surface, which would indicate there is a coating present.

October 2022


Q. I need to paint over worn film-forming deck and exterior stain (water based) on pinus radiata balustrades. Sanding it off would be very difficult and time consuming so isn’t really an option. What can I use to prepare and overcoat without wholesale removal of the film-forming stain?

I understand you wouldn't guarantee it, but what would be the system that would be compatible and most likely to stick to the stain?

A. The adhesion will be reliant on how well the existing coating is adhering. Would you consider removing with a waterbased paint stripper, it could be faster than sanding?

While we cannot confirm compatibility as it is not our product, I would recommend the following system as our best option to overcoat.

Lightly sand to degloss. Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. Leave this for two days to cure before applying two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel. Alternative sheen levels are available. We cannot guarantee the long-term performance of this system.

Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is also a topcoat option. I suggest Resene Lustacryl as it would be slightly easier to clean, takes more knocks than Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen while still being flexible.

October 2022


Q. I’m having great difficulty in finding a product that is compatible with my current deck coating Sonoguard which has successfully been in place for 15 years.

A. The closest product match I can find is the above Resene product, classed as aliphatic urethane.

The Sonoguard topcoat is an aliphatic polyurethane. Sonoguard is a single pack moisture cured polyurethane, cures by a reaction with atmospheric moisture to give a highly cross-linked film that is resistant to liquid water.

Resene Uracryl is a two-pack acrylic polyurethane that cures by reaction of the base with the hardener. The degree of cross linking is not as high as that achieved with a moisture cured polyurethane. If the existing coating is cleaned down, thoroughly sanded and then dusted off there is no technical reason why you can't use Resene Uracryl to recoat the prepared Sonoguard coating, if Sonoguard base system if it is sound.

We cannot give any guarantees that recoating with Resene Uracryl will reinstate any loss of water proofing to the surface.

August 2022


Q. I have unglazed clay pavers installed around my swimming pool. During the winter, pavers in the shadow line of the fence crack due to water penetration and freezing. I just have managed to secure the last remaining available pavers in order to replace the damaged ones. As this is the last opportunity to replace these I want to prevent the cracking problem from reoccurring. Do you have a product that that I can apply to the existing, and new, pavers that will help?

A. Water ingress can possibly occur from the from the top/bottom and sides of the terracotta. The only system that may reduce water uptake is to apply an envelope saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel. This is only a water repellent treatment. With the existing tiles you may only be able to coat the exposed top of the tile, if I am correct this may not achieve the benefit of a saturation envelope coat.

To improve the seal apply three coats of Resene Concrete Clear to all sides. The first coat of Resene Concrete Clear needs to be gloss, and the finish with the other coats of Satin. Do not use the Flat version.

June 2022


Q. I have a deck and fence and want to paint/stain. I am looking for a black or really dark colour. The deck is a bit worn so I’m not sure if I should sand and stain or whether I should just paint. The fence is pretty good but a little green in some places.

A. The ‘green’ is slime mould, treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Often green slime mould can become water resistant so add a squirt of dish washing detergent to the diluted moss and mould cleaner.

Leave to react for 24 hours then wash down with scrubbing and copious amounts of water, alternatively carefully power wash to remove. Do not high-pressure water blast as this can damage the timber surface face and compromise paint adhesion. Removal of all detritus from the valleys of the decking profile is essential.

Allow the timber to dry out then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your topcoat colour.

For a dark topcoat colour use the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. A Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

June 2022


Q. I need a non-slip finish for an existing timber deck.

A. Sand back to completely remove the existing paint system and to restore the original timber colour. Then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer, followed by two coats of Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The latter will give the best wet slip resistance but due to the surface texture/profile will be harder to clean down.

June 2022


Q. We are building a new deck with Purple Heart decking and capping. What product would you recommend. I think we want to maintain the natural colours. But may let it brown off a bit from the fresh cut deep purple. Timber suppliers recommend UV protecting clear coat and penetrating oils.

A. We do not recommend clear coating exterior timbers, even if the clear has a UV protection package. Purple Heart loses its purple colour very quickly upon exposure to UV and water.

The choice is yours; we only recommended pigmented stains for exterior decking not clears. Given that the decking timber is a hardwood we recommend leaving the deck to weather for three months before staining. For a hardwood deck we would recommend using Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain.

June 2022


Q. We have concrete verandas and would love to lift them rather than retain plain concrete. It’s an area that has high foot traffic from guests. If we use Resene Walk-on paving paint will it look ok and wear well, so I do not have to maintain it except for the odd wash down?

A. Splash water onto the concrete and if the water is immediately absorbed and the wet area darkens then you can paint, if not you will need to diamond grind to achieve an even surface profile similar to 180 grit sandpaper.

Scrub down using Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

To improve wear you can change to Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path as the topcoat but the increased surface profile of the Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path does make it more difficult to clean.

June 2022


Q. I need nonslip paint for an existing timber deck. It is treated pine decking but will be sanded back before coating.

A. Sand back to completely remove the existing paint system and to restore the original timber colour. Then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer, followed by two coats of Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The latter will give the best wet slip resistance but due to the surface texture/profile will be harder to clean down.

June 2022


Q. Can Resene Woodsman clear be used on kwila decking?

A. We do not recommend clear finishes for exterior timber as this does not provide enough protection. Resene Waterborne Woodsman cannot be used for decking as the dry film is relatively soft and will not sustain foot traffic. You can use Woodsman Wood Oil Stain for decking.

June 2022


Q. Can I spray Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen onto a deck?

A. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is often used as a deck paint, the advantage is that it is easily touched up and can be applied to a textured decking profile, however best applied by rolling due to the surface profile. Spray application may not ensure that the valleys of the profile are adequately coated.

May 2022


Q. I have been looking at Resene Sonyx 101. Can I paint on butynol outside on a balcony deck?

A. We recommend Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen as the topcoat for a butynol decking. The lower gloss level is the main reason. If the butynol is new, then apply a coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider in your topcoat colour.

If weathered but bare, scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

April 2022


Q. We purchased a house six months ago and want to fix up the deck. I'm guessing it's hardwood (Kwila). The previous owners did not look after it very well, it was greyed but they slapped on some deck finish in between photos taken and the open-homes. It's very patchy as no maintenance was undertaken with signs of pot-plants visible and made worse when the stain was applied without adequate prep work.

I've had several goes using Resene Timber and Deck Wash as well as run the sander over it but hasn't come up the way I hoped (i.e. a surface with even colour).

My assumption is that I'll need to use a dark stain/oil and hope to achieve even coverage but wanting to validate that with you – i.e. oil or stain and what colours are likely to achieve an even/uniform finish as far as colour goes.

A. Unfortunately, the staining is too recent to now be overcoated with another stain. If you can I suggest that you wait until later in the year before trying to rectify the situation.

April 2022


Q. I’m looking for a super hard wearing paint for my timber steps at home. They are previously painted with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and they get a lot of foot traffic. Would the Resene Walk-On be a more durable finish?

A. Resene Walk-on will give a degree of wet slip resistance and possibly better wear.

April 2022


Q. My inherited deck is stained a dark brown which is not pleasant to look at. How can I go about getting it back to a lighter, rimu-type colour?

A. Changing a stain from darker to lighter is only possible by complete removal of existing stain. This can usually be done by either sanding or using a stripper. Alternatively, leave without staining maintenance for a couple of years and thoroughly wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This will not remove heavy build ups.

April 2022


Q. I stained our new kwila deck with Resene Kwila Timber Stain. The stain seems to have faded now, and I think it might be time to reapply. When I do, do I need to go through the same process of using the Resene Timber and Deck Wash and applying two coats? Or can I simply wash the deck with water, soap and a stiff bristled broom and then apply one coat? The decks currently look clean, but just a bit faded so thinking a reapplication is probably a good idea to protect the wood.

A. One coat is all that would be required going forward regarding maintenance, We recommend the use of Resene Timber and Deck Wash to help open the grain on the timber and allow the stain to sink in, though the use of soap and a good scrub is also fine if it's new and you are sure to thoroughly remove any contaminants and wash clean. The use of Resene Moss & Mould Killer may also be required if moss and mould is present in any areas of the deck, any mould does need to be treated before application.

April 2022


Q. Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain – I have applied 2 coats of this product to an old but completely sanded back to clean wood (pine) deck. The product is not beading up. What can you suggest?

A. A third coat may be necessary if the timber was really weathered and porous, keeping in mind that Resene Woodsman is designed to be fully penetrating and have no product sitting on the surface.

April 2022


Q. I have a weathered Kwila deck that I would like to oil, but not stain at all. What product is best for this? No colouration of the timber.

A. We don’t have an oil for this application – we would recommend staining.

March 2022


Q. My veranda is closed off with rough sawn panels capped by lengths of 4x2. I have tried all sorts of paint both as primers and undercoat for the finish on the caps. Looks good for a while and then starts to peel . Seems to be caused where there are cracks in the wood maybe because the caps may not have been dried and seasoned before they were used. I have tried filling the cracks but this did not help as the cracks close and then expand depending on the weather. I do not want to have to replace the caps so should I just resort to staining them or can you suggest a solution please?

A. Unfortunately with the cracking in the timber any paint coating is going to split and need regular maintenance. Acrylic primers and topcoats are best to help fill the cracks, but will not prevent this happening.

Sanding back and adding a stain is a good option as these penetrate and won't 'flake off'. Apply a maintenance coat once every two summers if needed. If you choose stain I would recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain (solvent based). Once the paint has been removed, thoroughly treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer before painting.

February 2022


Q. I am looking at building a porch area with rosewood decking timber. Can you advise how I should prepare it before painting?

A. New Guinean Rosewood bleeds plenty of tannin. Allow it to weather (minimum of 6 months) and wash with Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions then apply a coat of Resene Aluminium Wood Primer and then you can finish with an exterior Resene waterborne paint system such as Resene Quick Dry and two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

Resene Aluminium Wood Primer is slow to reach hard dry, so do not overcoat until the primer has achieved hard dry. Hard dry can be tested by placing the thumb on the coating and twisting through 90 degrees, if there is no thumbprint or damage then hard dry has been achieved.

February 2022


Q. How do I repaint a badly weathered and cracked pine handrail?

A. You need to do a total strip of all existing paintwork and a thorough sand to restore the original timber colour. Fill cracks using a RepairCare filling system (available from all Resene ColorShops) then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Enamacryl.

If selecting a dark topcoat colour we recommend application of the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

October 2021


Q. We have a kwila pool deck that is three years old and has had nothing done to it so it is well weathered. It has some black mould in places and gets slippery. We are wanting to clean/restore it and apply a penetrating oil/product that will not leach into our pool or be slippery. Can you recommend any products for this job?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface residues are removed. Hopefully you can avoid wash water ending up in the pool water. Then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain. Stains cannot be made to be slip resistant.

October 2021


Q. How do I paint over an already stained but weathered timber deck?

A. Scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash to label instructions. Apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and then finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

October 2021


Q. What paint you would recommend to go over a plastic type of banister handle? I will sand it back first but am not sure what primer and paint would be best

A. The only plastic that we can paint is PVC, plastic is not easy to sand and sanding does not automatically mean that a paint will adhere. If you get a Resene testpot and apply a test area this will be the only way to assess of the plastic is PVC. Ensure the test area is degreased, apply the paint, and leave for 3-4 days before checking adhesion. You should not be able to scratch the paint off. If this is successful then you can paint it with Resene waterborne paint.

October 2021


Q. I have a Vitex deck which just cleaned and water blasted. I like the colour when it's wet, it’s a kind of red, but it turn to be yellowish or creamy when dry. What can I use to achieve the colour when it is wet?

A. Use Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain or Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain – choose from one of the colours in the Resene Exterior Woodcare range.

October 2021


Q. How are we best to prepare and paint a small exterior concrete pad for a painted finish we can walk on? We are going to waterblast it first. It’s about 12 years old. Good condition. Just did the water test and there’s no membrane.

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal before applying Resene Walk-on.

October 2021


Q. I want to paint a butynol deck that is about 25 years. It doesn’t leak and the seams are still sound. What do I use to prepare it for painting, primer and topcoat that is not slippery? Would Resene Walk-on suit?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed. Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

Resene Walk-on paint does contain an aggregate and this can have the potential to puncture the butynol. So, for this reason we do not recommend use of Resene Walk-on on a waterproof membrane such as butynol. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen has been used as a deck paint for many years.

You could possibly use Resene Walk-on but apply 2 coats of X-400 before the Resene Walk-on topcoat, this will build in a layer between the substrate and top coat.

Resene Membrane Primer is not designed to achieve a significant dry film build.

October 2021


Q. We want to paint our new deck Grey Friars. It’s a new deck so raw timber pine decking.

A. We can tint Grey Friars in Resene Walk-on. Apply a prime coat of Resene Wood Primer and then two coats of Resene Walk-on topcoat colour. If possible, ensure end cuts are primed and painted.

September 2021


Q. How do we prepare and paint a concrete patio/car park? Are there any resurfacing products or is it cheaper/easier to use a cement filler for cracks then prime and paint?

A. The concrete will need to be diamond ground to achieve a smooth finish like 180 grit sandpaper texture for painting, then cracks filled with a sandable epoxy-based filler. The paint system would then be a coat of Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1 and two coats of Resene Uracryl 404 colour. The prep is not a DIY option.

September 2021


Q. We currently have a pine deck which is still in good condition over the years it has been painted brown. But now looks tired and would like to paint it black. Is there a paint suitable for deck that doesn’t get hot?

A. The increased heat stress of applying a darker colour over the existing paint system will more than likely see failure occur unless the existing paint system is fully stripped. Resene does have CoolColour systems available but a cool colour system does not render the surface cool to touch. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. A CoolColour system will not necessarily stop resin migration from resin rich timber such as pine.

September 2021


Q. Can you use a non-slip paint over old existing deck that has a water based stain on it. The stain is deteriorating badly and needs updating. It was done two years ago and condition is average with a lot peeling off.

A. Sorry, but to apply the paint system over the stain the existing stain will have to be stripped, as it is failing and while spot prep can be done it is almost certain that painting over any remaining stain will see the stain fail adhesively.

Once stripped, scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out of the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path in your topcoat colour.

Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path is a relatively high texture profile and cleaning can be difficult, as an alternative you can use Resene Walk-on as the finish but the wet slip resistance will be reduced as the surface texture is less.

August 2021


Q. I have old concrete flagstones that have faded and I need to clean then first and would like to stain them with a terracotta colour. What do I need to do in preparation and what type of stain do I need please?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Water blast and allow to dry out then apply two coats of Resene Concrete Stain.

August 2021


Q. We have a 10 or 11 year old concrete deck. The concrete was coloured as it was laid. We now want to paint it using Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. What preparation should we use please?

A. Ensure the deck is clean and dry, apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then the two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The paint system will not change the existing watertightness status of the decking.

August 2021


Q. We have a front veranda that is only concrete, and is about 30 years old. I want to paint it. It is quite clean and rough. I have been advised against this, as I will apparently be repainting it forever. What is your advice?

A. There is no reason why you cannot paint the concrete with a pigmented paint system, the only question relates to a water tight seal bring in place before the concrete was poured. Is there any sign of efflorescence on the surface? Efflorescence is a crystalline or white powdery deposit of salts often visible on the surface of concrete, brick, stucco, or natural stone surfaces. It occurs when water leaves behind salt deposits on the masonry surface.

June 2021


Q. I have a new deck with a structural steel portal in a high wind area in Wellington. Can you advise the best paint protection to use?

A. The wind zone issue is addressed by the portal thickness and design, not a Resene area of expertise.

Given that the steel will be in a high corrosivity zone, C4, the best system to use is PUR5 in the AS/NZS 2312.1 Specification. An additional top coat of Resene Uracryl 403 Clear applied to the pigmented Resene Uracryl colour will give a clear sacrificial layer in the event of wind induced erosion.

Note that where there is contact of the painted steel with the concrete footing dey tails that the Resene Uracryl topcoat is not required but the Resene Armourcote 510 thickness needs to be increased to 300 microns DFT.

This is to isolate the painted foot from direct contact with bare concrete, this contact can result in corrosion occurring as the pH of fresh concrete can see reaction with the galvanising layer.

June 2021


Q. We have a wooden deck in the central North Island which is exposed to frost, i.e. ice. Do you have a product that can be painted on?

A. We can possibly make a recommendation for a non-slip paint system for wet slip resistance if we can find out more about your deck and view photos. The problem with frost is that it is preceded by condensation and if the water present fills the non-slip surface profile and then freezes there is no surface profile present until the frost melts.

May 2021


Q. I have recently put down a Garapa Timber deck. I want to know the best stain to use.

A. Garapa is a hard wood timber and needs to be left for a few months to weather prior to staining. The weathering time causes the timber surface to open up and be more receptive to staining. During this time the timber surface will change colour to a greyer appearance. Once the weathering has happened you can then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain in a colour of your choice.

May 2021


Q. I have an outdoor deck which has been finished with a gloss varnish. I want this made matt. What can I use?

A. The only exterior timber varnish we sell is Altex Timbercote, which is also a gloss finish. The existing clear gloss cannot be overcoated to reduce gloss. The gloss will reduce with weathering but this will not be to a low gloss and may be patchy.

May 2021


Q. Can Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain be applied using a spray gun?

A. We don't recommend spray application of the stain as this will inevitably end up with application at a higher wet film thickness than is desirable and this will impact upon stain curing.

April 2021


Q. I am repainting a deck with Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint. With the changeable weather it looks like next weekend before I will get the final coat of paint on. Do I need to sand the deck again before doing the topcoat as five days will have passed since the first coat?

A. There should be no need to sand between coats of Resene Walk-on, just make sure it is clean.

April 2021


Q. We have just had our concrete deck repainted with Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path in the colour Resene Footloose.

I absolutely love the colour however the surface seems hard to clean. Is there a protective product I can add on top to make washing easier?

A. This is an issue with textured surfaces as they tend to trap dirt. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on any surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water. Then apply a full coat of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen tinted to the same colour. This will fill in some of the surface texture which should make cleaning easier.

Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen will take 5-7 days to achieve final film properties and in this time the paint n may be subject to both damage.

April 2021


Q. I currently have Fijian rosewood decking in need of a stain. I’m not sure which product from Resene would work best. Are you able to advise?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed. Then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain.

March 2021


Q. I am enclosing and fully weatherproofing the portico of my house with aluminium and glass and it will become an additional lounge for our house. The floor is concrete and two years old in good condition. The concrete is trowel finished with a slightly rough texture. I wish to paint the concrete floor (36 square metres) white to achieve a smooth and very durable finish. I.e. resistant to scratching, chipping or paint flaking. Can you advise which paint product would be the best to use? Is it best to use oil or a water-based product. Can you also please advise what preparation I would need to do prior to application (e.g etching)? What would be the best method to use to apply the paint (roller?). How many coats of paint etc?

A. If the concrete is sound, cured and has a profile there should be no need to acid etch, the main function of etching is to profile the concrete. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal followed by an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry. Leave the Resene Quick Dry to cure for at least 48 hours (good ventilation required) then apply two coats of Resene Uracryl 802.

February 2021


Q. I have a coloured concrete deck, north facing, the colour is grey. It was concrete sprinkled with a colour and then sealed. The colour has faded but looks fine when wet. Should I use a concrete sealer to refresh?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations, more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed. Then apply one or two coats of Resene Walk-on Clear Wet Look, apply one coat then allow to dry, if the look is consistent then no real need to apply a second coat.

February 2021


Q. What would happen if I use Resene X-200 on a wooden porch floor and steps?

A. Resene X-200 is not designed to withstand foot traffic. It will wear off relatively quickly as the coating is soft compared to coatings designed for foot traffic.

June 2021


Q. I need to waterproof an existing concrete deck around the outlet. The floor will be covered by a vinyl flooring, so there will be no wear on the product. At the scupper outlet, water ponds before flowing away and soaks through to a shop below. Will Resene Aquapoxy successfully seal the floor and up to a steel beam?

A. A high build epoxy such as Resene Armourcote 510 applied to a dry film thickness of 300 microns would be the best chance of sealing the concrete. However this would not guarantee a seal where the concrete meets steel.

February 2021


Q. How much is gained by applying three coats of Resene Kwila Timber Stain to a new Kwila deck instead of the recommended two coats, particularly in terms of duration to next maintenance recoating?

A. The stain is eroded by weathering, while a third coat would seem to be a logical way to extend the time to maintenance experience has shown this may not be the case. It’s best to apply two coats initially then a maintenance coat when required.

February 2021


Q. I had my deck I waterproofed with Butynol a few years ago. It is still in good condition, no leaks etc. I was wondering if I can paint over it with paint and what do you recommend? It is black and gets extremely hot in summer. You can’t walk on it barefoot.

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed. Apply a coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider. The darker the colour, the hotter the painted surface will be in full sun. Resene Lumbersider CoolColour can be used as the topcoat. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

February 2021


Q. I have an outdoor concrete surface, currently painted in green. There are a few areas that may need to be patched first, and then I would like to repaint it. It’s the outdoor floor space at our golf academy. Concrete with some type of green paint on it. What process should I follow to clean and patch, and what paint should I choose?

A. Sand the existing green paint to profile for repainting. Use Resene Construction Systems Multi Stop to fill holes, this is available from a Resene ColorShop. Prime the repairs with Resene Limelock and apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path will give a higher wet slip resistance as this is a higher profile coating.

January 2021


Q. About five years ago we stained a deck with Resene Woodsman oil based stain - the colour is orangey/tan. We want to change it to a silvery/washed lime colour. What preparation is needed?

A. Stains are semi-transparent so overcoating with a different colour will always reflect the base colour. To avoid this, the existing stain must be removed back to bare timber. Given that the deck was stained five years ago there may be only a small residual amount of stain colour remaining, hopefully all the deck is subject to direct weathering.

Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Thoroughly scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all loose material is removed.

If the decking timber is tread side up then ensure that the valleys of the tread are thoroughly cleaned.

January 2021


Q. I have successfully sanded back a painted a kwila deck and primed it with Resene Quick Dry primer. I will now apply Resene StainLock to prevent any kwila stain coming through to the topcoat. Can I then apply Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path directly over Resene StainLock?

A. I recommend using Resene Sureseal not Resene StainLock.

December 2020


Q. We have just finished applying Resene Kwila Timber stain to our deck. My partner suggested applying linseed oil on top. Is this recommended?

A. Resene Kwila Timber Stain cannot be overcoated with an oil such as linseed. The application of boiled linseed oil may see a slow drying of the oil to a foot trafficable surface and will interfere with the erosion of the stain layer. Oils are a source of feedstock for mould and this is commonly seen where linseed oil has been applied to exterior timber substrates.

December 2020


Q. Could you provide advice of how to remove fat stains from cooking on a BBQ from our painted concrete patio? We have been unable to wash the splatter of oil stains that have landed on the patio.

A. The only product we have that you could try is Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label instructions.

December 2020


Q. We have a Vitex deck that's now 9 months old - weathering nicely, no stain or oil yet. I'd like to get the darker look of Kwila or Cedar but don't want to get the one-dimensional look I see on many stained decks and fences. Is there a particular product we could achieve this with (and is it even recommended for a hardwood like Vitex, or do we need to just accept the lighter colour?)

A. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue, and any other contaminants, then rinse with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all loose paint and salts are also removed. Then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in your chosen colour.

November 2020


Q. I intend to use Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain on an aged kwila deck. Some boards need to be replaced prior to staining. Do I need to let the new boards weather for a period prior to staining?

A. Pre-installation of the new Kwila boards thoroughly scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue, and any other contaminants, then rinse with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all and salts and released tannins are also removed. You can leave to weather for at least three months but the wash down allows quicker application of the stain.

The stain is semi-transparent so there may be a difference in colour of new vs older decking. Recommend applying two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain tinted to a colour similar to new Kwila.

November 2020


Q. We need to repaint a small deck. It’s already painted but the paint job only lasted about 3 years - it’s flaking off now. The timber used in the deck is the ridged type used for decking.

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. Leave for up to 48 hours to achieve full kill. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Given the current failure you will need to remove the existing paint system back to bare wood. Sorry but given that you have tread up this is not that easy to achieve. It important to remove the paint that is in the valleys of the profile. As a start scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Hopefully this will see removal of most of the paint. We do not recommend water blasting decking as this can damage the timber. Remove remaining paint using a tungsten blade scraper. This is labour intensive. Allow the decking timber to dry out then then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your topcoat colour.

November 2020


Q. What primer, undercoat and finish coat (matt rather than gloss) system would you recommend for exterior hardwood (Garapa), to achieve longest durability? Aesthetics is irrelevant for the situation, instead longevity.

A. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff Nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue, and any other contaminants, then rinse with copious amounts of fresh water or high pressure water blast ensuring all loose paint and salts are also removed.

Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry. If a deck then finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

November 2020


Q. Can you paint (off white) vitex or kwila posts on a veranda without the colour seeping through?

A. Kwila contains a water soluble coloured metrical called tannin which will leach out and discolour a paint finish. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue, and any other contaminants, then rinse with copious amounts of fresh water or high pressure water blast ensuring all loose paint and salts are also removed.

When washing down scrub to remove the released tannins and do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the timber. Then apply a prime coat of Resene Wood Primer before topcoating with a waterborne topcoat colour.

November 2020


Q. We have applied Resene Kwila Deck Stain - the second coat has patches that look shiny. Would it have been that maybe brush still had some turps in it from cleaning?

A. The shiny areas are possibly where the second coat of stain has not penetrated into the timber. The product is turps thinned so I don’t think that this is a cause. If the deck requires full weathering the glossy areas should dull off after a couple of months of weathering.

September 2020


Q. Can you please recommend a coating system to apply the grip tread of a deck, I need something non-slip?

A. I’m assuming this is pine decking with tread up. Apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

August 2020


Q. I am extending my deck. The wood base is Vitex timber, already painted. We would like to repaint it.

A. Wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Sand the existing pint finish to profile for recoating. Prime bare timber with Resene Wood Primer then a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on CoolColour.

August 2020


Q. I want to finish an Accoya treated pine deck with a clear finish that has a definite sheen. Not a full gloss but a decent sheen. What products would you suggest?

A. We do not offer clear systems for any exterior timber substrate due to the issues of UV being able to pass through the clear finish and break the clear/timber boundary due to UV induced break down of the coated timber.

I recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain for your project.

August 2020


Q. I’ve painted my veranda floor with a Matt finish black decking paint. It looks great but it shows every shoe mark and footprint. Is there a clear sealer I could apply to protect the paint surface and not show every mark? This is a problem with a matte paint subjected to foot traffic.

A. I suggest a coat of Resene Concrete Clear Satin, however only if the existing paint is waterborne. Clean down then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

August 2020


Q. We have a large shed/garage (16m x 9m) that was once a workshop and we now hire out for parties. We want to paint the concrete floor - what is the best process and product to use for this?

A. Diamond grind to remove existing coating and to achieve a uniform surface profile similar to 180 grit sand paper. Ensure all grinding dust is removed, this may require wet mopping.

There is no scratch proof flooring system to withstand chairs/tables being dragged across the painted surface.

Our best system would be to apply a seal coat of Resene Armourcote 510 thinned 15% with Resene Thinner No.6 and then a full coat of unthinned Resene Armourcote 510 to achieve a dry film thickness of 125 microns and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 404 to achieve a dry film thickness of 100 microns. The paint system is best applied by an experienced applicator.

August 2020


Q. My late 1920s/early 1930s home has previously had painted floorboards in the enclosed porch and back toilet areas. The painting is probably original to the house. I would like to repaint them. Is there a type of paint best suited to this type of application? Would an enamel be best? Adults (2-3) currently reside in the house, no children or pets.

A. If the paint is original then the existing paint will contain lead, the existing paint will need sanding but any sanding must be wet sanding. Wipe down after wet sanding and bag the cloth for disposal. Then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lusta-Glo.

August 2020


Q. We have a fibre cement deck which needs painting. What paint would you recommend from your range that is durable in weather and has a medium amount of foot traffic. The deck is above a garage. It’s at least 10 years old but may be older. The condition when we bought it was good but over the last year, two dogs have taken the surface off it in a lot of places.

A. Ensure the surface is clean with no mould/algae growth (if there is treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer) then apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

June 2020


Q. I need a paint that I can use to repaint an outdoor concrete step at our front entrance. I would like a very hard wearing paint due to high foot traffic.

A. If the step is not painted, apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The paint does have a texture which is required to give wear resistance but the texture makes cleaning more difficult.

May 2020


Q. What is the best product to seal a butynol deck which is in good condition?

A. The following is a paint system for a butynol deck but will not change the water tightness of the butynol. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Apply a prime coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

May 2020


Q. I have some concrete porch steps that have been previously painted but I've removed the flaking paint back to bare concrete in some places.

A. If you splash water onto a bare area, is the water absorbed and the wet area darkens? If yes to both then you can proceed with painting. Apply a coat of Resene Sureseal to the bare concrete and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path has a higher wet slip factor but is more difficult to clean due to the higher surface texture.

May 2020


Q. My builder is looking to apply two clear coats to my Merbau deck. Is that recommended?

A. Resene does not recommend clear coating exterior timbers as the clear coat option does not give any UV protection and the clear/timber interface is broken down and the clear peels.

May 2020


Q. I have a Kwila deck that the previous owner has not stained but is painted an ugly brown. The deck is very sound and the paint is in good condition. I would, of course, sand this down before overcoating. My only real choice is to paint it, preferably with a lighter greyish colour. I would prefer to paint it with a textured paint to have a more attractive finish than the appearance of a smooth painted wooden deck. Would Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path be suitable? The deck is laid smooth side up.

A. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry to the sanded existing paint before applying two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

May 2020


Q. Our home has a front veranda which I want to improve the look of. Tiling is not an option as the level will be too high for waterproof compliance. The veranda is made of moulded fibrous cement panels that interlock. 30 years or so ago the lower story of the house was built out to the end of the deck so it became a sort of roof - unfortunately not completely waterproof.

The silicone seals between the units have been replaced and a few years back a clear acrylic finish was put on (crystal glaze I think) but in areas next to the joins it hasn’t really worked.

I don’t want to do anything with the fibrous plaster as it undoubtedly will contain asbestos - so I was thinking of a paint putting flashing tape over the joins then painting. My question is - what Resene products would be suitable? Since the joints were redone its totally waterproof. So I’m after a cosmetic fix.

A. That does makes things a little easier.

Based on the fibre cement never being painted, treat areas of moss/mould/algae with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal followed by an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

May 2020


Q. We have a concrete deck which is also the roof of a rumpus room. We would like to seal and paint it. We have used a waterproofing product on a small section. That was 'Gripset Betta, weather seal', which does say it is compatible with acrylic paints and texture coatings. Not sure whether to use that or go will a complete system of other brands. What would you recommend for this situation? The texture of the concrete is quite 'sandy' with some loose grit that gets walked into the house. I just want to stop the grit coming up, stop any potential moisture penetrating into downstairs and have a nicer surface to walk on. Most of it is bare concrete.

A. A simple system would be:

Clean down with Resene Moss & Mould Killer (follow pack instructions). Remove all loose grit etc.

Then apply:

May 2020


Q. What is the best oil/stain for a deck of Vitex?

One has already been coated 6 years ago with a plant based water type oil, the other is a newly laid Vitex deck. It is in pretty good condition, though the oil has dried out considerably its looking quite silver.

A. Treat areas of mould/algae with Resene Moss & Mould Killer then scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash both diluted and used to label instructions. Then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain.

April 2020


Q. I have large decks that have been tiled in light coloured porcelain tiles and grouting of the same colour. I want to coat the tiles/grout in a protective coating (one pot) that will not discolour the tiles/grout - but provide a high degree of protection. What product would I look at?

A. Our only suggestion would be Resene Concrete Clear, apply a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS then finish with at least one coat of Resene Concrete Clear in whatever gloss level you want. We do not recommend using the Resene Concrete Clear Flat for this purpose. Note that the clear system will not have wet slip resistance.

April 2020


Q. We had a Kwila deck completed. We were told we would need to look at staining or oiling the deck in 6 weeks or so after to keep the colour locked in. I have never done this before, so am wanting to know what the difference is between an oil or a stain and what products would be required to keep the deck looking good?

A. Resene defines a stain as a semi-transparent coating, the resin used to formulate the stain can be oil or waterborne or a combination of both. There are pros and cons of using one or the other as the stain binder system.

My recommendation would be to stain with two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain. The stain can be brushed or rolled.

April 2020


Q. I have concrete steps and patio which I have previously in past years painted with Resene Sonyx 101. Last week I painted it with this product, but they proved be very slippery in the rain, so I have stopped. What do you suggest?

A. You could change to Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Walk-on as the topcoat and add Resene SRG Grit at a rate of 500g/L to the first coat and then apply a seal coat of unmodified Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

April 2020


Q. We are considering painting a smooth concrete slab which has a few paint/stains showing and a previously touched up crack. Can you please advise what Resene product would be suitable?

A. Ensure the concrete is clean, treat areas of mould/algae growth with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. For a smooth concrete slab the following is recommended: apply a coat of Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1 then finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on. You can add Resene SRG Grit to the Resene Walk-on paint for a non-slip finish.

April 2020


Q. What type of paint is best for repainting a painted deck? It’s for a bar.

A. Use Resene Walk-on.

April 2020


Q. We wish to paint a deck that was originally stained with an oil-based product. It has marks and stains from the past, so a paint might be the answer to rejuvenate.

A. Scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash to label instructions. Apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and then finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

April 2020


Q. I purchased Lawson Cypress to put down as decking and wanted to finish my deck with Resene Driftwood stain. I've just done a few boards and they look more like Resene Heartwood than Resene Driftwood. Why is that happening?

A. The full stain colour does not develop until two coats are applied. Stains are semi-transparent and the final colour is determined by the timber colour. Either of these two factors may be the reason the colour seems different.

April 2020


Q. I'm making a whole lot of hardwood trellis with 140 wide boards to go around a deck area. I'm going to prime them with Resene Aluminium Wood Primer. Will I need to give this a sand before putting the topcoat on? What would give me the best finish? I want to paint them black in a semi-gloss finish using Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lustacryl.

A. Resene Aluminium Wood Primer is slower drying than Resene Wood Primer so you will have to allow a longer dry time before the primer achieves hard dry. There is usually no need to sand the primer before topcoating. Sanding can also remove primer thickness which may then require a second coat of primer to be applied.

I'd recommend Resene Lumbersider CoolColour Black for the topcoat. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. This will reduce but not eliminate the potential for dimensional changes when painted black.

April 2020


Q. I have a small new aluminium deck .8 x 2.4 m surface area. This is an aluminium treadplate. We want to paint it. Which system is best for this it is a lightly used pedestrian walkway, residential use?

A. Wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash to label instructions then apply a coat of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

February 2020


Q. I have just had an outside deck sanded and two coats of stain applied over consecutive evenings approx 6pm at night Black is showing through in patches presumably it is mould. What would the best fix be for absolute best result not just an ok result?

A. You could try treating areas showing blackness with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. If it is mould on the surface this should bleach out the black colour.

February 2020


Q. We have a Kwila deck 25+ years old, which has probably never been treated but is in surprisingly good condition. It is in desperate need of some TLC. The question – which of your products would you recommend – paint, oil or stain? We don't want to have to ‘refresh’ it every year. We are thinking a cream colour to match the aluminium joinery.

A. Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions then follow with a thorough scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash following label instructions, The Timber and Deck Wash will not kill mould/mould spores hence the first treatment with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. You may need to sand the deck using 180 grit sandpaper to remove any timber protrusions. Then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

February 2020


Q. We need to repaint a covered timber deck at our playcentre. It was previously painted but is now bare. We need it to be as non-slip as possible. What would you recommend?

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, diluted and used to label directions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed.

Apply a primer coat of Resene Wood Primer then finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path will give the best wet slip resistance but will be more difficult to clean.

February 2020


Q. We stained our deck with a waterbased timber dark brown, but muddy footprints are very obvious. If we can clean it up and then apply an acrylic varnish I am sure it would look fresh and clean. Can you advise me on a product please?

A. If it is a stained finish then we do not recommend an exterior clear over it. Usually stains are not overcoated with a clear finish outside.

If it is a paint, the only way to usually make something mark less is to apply a clear but the clear finish will be smoother and make the surface less slip resistant… which might be an issue if the deck gets water on it.

Generally for trafficable areas we recommend going for a mid-range colour – not too white or not too dark – to reduce the risk of marks. The higher the sheen level, the easier to clean but also the less slip resistant.

The other potential alternative, which may work is to have a door mat before you reach the deck so people can wipe their feet before they go across the deck. This can be useful to reduce dirt being tracked across.

Generally muddy marks can be removed with a product like diluted Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. We don’t recommend just water as it tends to move the dirt around rather than fully shift it.

February 2020


Q. We have a small butynol-covered balcony off our living room. The butynol is still in good condition but the grey is just pretty ugly. If I wanted to stencil a pattern on the butynol to make it look nicer would I still need to use Resene Membrane Primer before painting in Resene Lumbersider?

A. Yes, you would need to use Resene Membrane Primer to ensure you have best chance of adhesion to the butynol, then overcoat with Resene Lumbersider.

January 2020


Q. I have a deck surrounding my house which we have stained over the years but it always needs redoing due to high traffic and we have very hot summer weather and cold, sometimes snow in winter. I was wanting to paint the deck for a longer finish but have been told by friends that it will be slippery in winter. I thought about sprinkling sand into the paint mix but worry this will have a sandpaper effect if one of the kids fall over. Is there a product that is best suited or am I best to keep staining?

A. Any paint that contains an aggregate to give wet slip resistance will always have a potential to be abrasive. From what you say I would stay with staining.

December 2019


Q. I have an old villa and the paint is wearing off the front wooden veranda. Please advise the best way to undercoat and paint.

A. If mould/algae is present then treat these areas with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions, then follow with a scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash again diluted and used to label instructions.

Sand areas of failing/worn paint back to a sound featured edge and spot prime bare timber with Resene Wood Primer and then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

December 2019


Q. I am planning to stain my deck and haven’t done it before. Do you have some quick tips of things I should/shouldn’t do to prep it ready for staining?

A. Do

  • Do wait three months to stain a new deck. This gives the timber time to weather and it will accept the stain better.
  • Do sweep off all old leaves and other contaminants before washing your deck.
  • Do wash your deck using a suitable detergent, such as Resene Timber and Deck Wash.
  • Where possible, do wash your deck out of the hottest part of the day. The detergent needs to stay moist on the surface – this is easiest to do early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
  • Do treat and fix any rotten timber before you stain.

Don’t

  • Don’t water blast your deck – it can damage the timber fibres and shorten the life of the timber, plus lead to more splinters.
  • Don’t stain over moss and mould – otherwise it will just grow through the new stain.
  • Don’t just wash down with water. Water won’t be enough to treat moss, mould and lichen.
  • Don’t forget to wear plenty of sun protection – working on a deck you’ll tend to be leaning down so the back of your neck is likely to be exposed.
  • Don’t stain your deck as soon as you have finished washing it. Give it time to dry out first.

December 2019


Q. I have had a confusing situation with your Resene Lumbersider paint. I went into buy this paint to recoat an existing deck and was told that I need to first apply an undercoat. Another store said it could be applied direct. Which is correct?

A. Resene Quick Dry is often recommended if there is an unknown waterborne paint to which Resene Lumbersider will be applied. If there is bare timber then Resene Quick Dry is recommended to prime these areas. While Resene Lumbersider can be applied direct to sound timber, application of a dedicated wood primer will give the most robust finish.

December 2019


Q. I have a metal balustrade that has peeling paint and a little rust (not been painted in over a decade). It's not in a high corrosion environment, but the bottom of the balustrade can sometimes be submerged slightly when it rains and water ponds on the deck. Considering I don't know what type of metal the balustrade is, what is the best paint system to use? Yes, I can unscrew a section of the balustrade and remove the current paint and rust.

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), chemical stripper or high pressure water-blasting taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Remove all areas of white corrosion material and as much red rust as is practicable and all paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc,  taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Where under-film corrosion is taking place the existing paint must first be removed as above and remove under film corrosion products taking care not to damage sound zinc coated areas. All paint edges must be feathered to a smooth finish.

Note: The performance of the subsequent paint systems will be largely dependent on the thoroughness of this surface preparation stage.

Ensure all edges of damaged paint are sound and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and any other bare metal with a full coat of the specified primer.

Apply Resene ArmourZinc 110 to achieve a dry film thickness of 75 microns followed by a full coat of Resene Galvo One and then finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl topcoat.

November 2019

Q. What is the best Resene paint to both protect and improve the look of a butynol covered, weather exposed deck?

A. Scrub the deck down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Then apply an adhesion coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

A Resene CoolColour™ system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

November 2019

Q. I am to build a privacy screen out of pine decking and want to know how and when to stain it and with what? I have been told it needs to be a recessive colour.

A. For vertical timber you can use Resene Waterborne Woodsman. A recessive colour usually means dark.

November 2019

Q. I was on site today, and I observed some light white rust on an existing balustrade, which is part of a remediation project we are working on. Please can you indicate whether this requires further treatment, and if this is the case, please can you provide us rust treatment methodology?

The balustrade has had a new additional rail welded to the existing, the weld has been cold galvanised and the handrails have been primed with a zinc rich primer (white coloured on the top two rails).

The lower section is existing and is hot dipped galv and has been painted.

A. While the presence of white rust may be age related it is highly likely that there is under film corrosion present. Given this the existing paint system should be stripped, prior to stripping wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions to remove surface contaminants including salt. After stripping remove all areas of white corrosion material and as much red rust as is practicable using mechanical methods e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc, taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas. Then apply the following paint system - Resene Armourzinc 120 (75 microns DFT), Resene Armourcote 221 (100 microns DFT) and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 (100 microns DFT). If the balustrades are not subject to regular rain washing increase the Resene Armourcote (DFT to 150 microns). For new hot dipped galv the same system applies but without the Resene Armourzinc 120.

November 2019

Q. On a new exterior timber (H3.2 or H4 cca treated timber) balustrade: Will a timber stain or a paint require less frequent maintenance? Specifically how often is painting or staining recommended?  Which is the cheaper option paint or stain?

A. Application of a solid paint system will achieve the longest maintenance interval typically 8 years +, staining is high maintenance with maintenance required on average every third summer. Depending upon the exposure conditions this may well be shorter particularly on a northerly elevation.

While the upfront cost of a solid colour system would be higher than a stain system the shorter maintenance time for stains may not give a long term cost saving.

November 2019

Q. My engineer letter states to use an inorganic Zinc Silicate Primer to a dry film thickness of 75 microns as per AS/NZS2312:2002. This is for paint for my steel brackets on my deck. Do you have a paint that conforms?

A. Yes, we recommend Resene Zincilate 11.

Note that the primer must be applied over steel abrasive, blasted to near white metal and before the blast level is lost. It's not recommended for a DIY project.

September 2019

Q. Can you add Resene MoulDefender to decking stains?

A. There should be no need to, as the decking stain formulations contain mould inhibition additives. Resene MoulDefender is primarily focused for interior use.

September 2019

Q. We live on a cliff right above the sea and we have had a new deck built. A steel frame consisting of two pillars and a large cross beam have been installed. This was manufactured in three sections, galvanised and epoxy painted. This was then erected using large bolts that my magnet sticks to very well suggesting that they are not stainless steel.

A couple of small scuffs and scratches were made during installation.

I need an external primer or sealer that will seal this steel to prevent any rust forming. I then need to paint them with a waterborne paint that I have used to paint all the timber pillars around the house.

A. Wash down the areas to be repaired using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions. Sand the existing epoxy coating to profile for recoating and feather off to a sound edge then spot off prime all bare prepared steel areas only, with Resene ArmourZinc 120 to achieve a dry film thickness of 75 microns. Ensure an overlap of 10mm onto sound existing painted surface. Then apply at least two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer over areas primed with Resene ArmourZinc 120.

Epoxy based cession systems are normally overcoated with a two pack polyurethane topcoat to give a weatherable topcoat. Resene exterior waterborne topcoats can be used but these do not achieve the same level of adhesion as a two pack polyurethane.

When applying topcoats to existing epoxy coating, ensure the existing coating is scrubbed down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions to be chalk free then sand to profile for recoating.

September 2019

Q. I have a new treated pine deck being built at present and am looking at your Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain. I want a durable product for an area that will be in the shade and wet for a lot of the year, and since I don't want any tracking inside and the most mould-resistant option thought this might be the best product? Is the CoolColour optional or is it a standard additive? What effect will it have on durability, look etc. of the product? Also, looking at the chart it seems it is not indicated for outdoor furniture and walls. We want to stain (and maybe later paint) a new pine adjoining shiplap wall and we also have a hardwood bench.  I'm concerned the product is not indicated for this use, and want to know why please? Also, with regard to mould resistance, is this your best product (decking or furniture)?

A. A Resene CoolColour™ system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour. The CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate heat related stress on the substrate.

There is no benefit in applying a CoolColour paint to areas that are not subject to full weathering/sun exposure.

Resene stains are designed to erode upon weathering, the erosion may release pigments that can be foot tracked inside but washing during rain usually sees the pigments being washed off the surface. This is the reason why we would not recommend its use for furniture as pigment transfer to clothing is a possibility.

The stains will not kill existing mould/algae but will inhibit growth; if the stain maintenance is not undertaken on a regular basis then mould growth can occur. Once this occurs, treatment with Resene Moss & Mould Killer is required to address future mould growth.

With some products we have a more clearly defined area of use – e.g. Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain. Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain has a wider use and hence there is no specific reference to use. We define our exterior stains as non-film forming, this allows for easy restaining as there will be no peeling/flaking as occurs with film forming stains.

September 2019

Q. I have a previously painted deck which needs repainting. Is Lumbersider the best product for this?

A. We usually recommend Resene Walk-on for decking but we know that Resene Lumbersider is commonly used.

August 2019

Q. Our deck is Fijian mahogany and needs cleaning. Salty air, some sand and pollen have made it look awful. I do have a waterblaster but am reluctant to use it, or any product, that will compromise the oil. What do you suggest? Soap and a broom will test my ability but not impossible. Is there some cleaning product you would recommend?

A. Resene Timber and Deck Wash can be used for general clean-up of exterior decking.

August 2019

Q. I have a ceramic tile porch that gets extremely slippery when wet. What could I apply to it to give it more grip - preferably something almost clear?

A. Sorry but there is no slip resistant clear available, the addition of aggregate to achieve wet slip resistance does not then give an aesthetically acceptable clear finish. We do have fully pigmented systems, such as Resene Walk-on with Resene SRG Grit or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

July 2019

Q. The previous owner of our house installed a butynol waterproof membrane on the balcony, and it's coated with some sort of paint. Would you know what kind of paint this is? Should we repaint over it every few years? If so which product would you recommend?

A. Waterborne paints are applied to butynol to protect the butynol from breakdown due to weathering. The paint does not add to, or diminish the features of the butynol.

If the paint system is sound, it should not need recoating.  If it does need repainting, we usually recommend Resene Lumbersider.

June 2019

Q. I'm staining a kwila deck with the Resene Kwila Timber Stain and wanting to match an adjoining pine timber path in colour. If I can use the Resene Kwila Timber Stain on both then that's cool, but if I can't then I'll go with the Resene Woodsman Cedar on the pine.

A. Suggest the better product for this application Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain tinted to a Kwila colour. Resene Kwila Timber Stain is designed to achieve a kwila look to rejuvenate the kwila colour.  As pine is a very light timber the Resene Kwila Timber Stain will look quite different to how it does on the kwila.

June 2019

Q. I'm staining a kwila deck with the Resene Kwila Timber Stain and wanting to match an adjoining pine timber path in colour. If I can use the Resene Kwila Timber Stain on both then that's cool, but if I can't then I'll go with the Resene Woodsman Cedar on the pine.

A. Suggest the better product for this application Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain tinted to a Kwila colour. Resene Kwila Timber Stain is designed to achieve a kwila look to rejuvenate the kwila colour.  As pine is a very light timber the Resene Kwila Timber Stain will look quite different to how it does on the kwila.

June 2019

Q. I am looking for a safety paint that I can use on a wooden deck to make it less slippery when wet.

A. We recommend Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

June 2019

Q. I have a timber deck that I oil with Resene Timber and Decking oil. I normally just scrub it well before applying oil, but this year some of the timber is quite dark which I thought was due to the exposure to the weather. I've just oiled it, and have been told that maybe it is mildew making it dark, almost black in some spots.

Should I use something to remove the oil and mildew and then re-oil it or leave it until next time it needs oiling, and use some sort of cleaner beforehand?

A. The dark patches are more than likely mould growth and may be present under the oil film layer.

You could treat the deck with Resene Deep Clean diluted and used to label instructions and wait to see if this does result in any colour change, this will require weathering and may take at least four weeks before any change is seen.

If there is no change, you will need to wait till the next application and sand the surface then treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer to kill the mould before re-oiling.

June 2019

Q. I have a Vitex timber deck, overlaying a butynol covered base. I would like to paint or stain the deck but do not want to damage the butynol. The decking is ‘floating' on timber beams which sit on the butynol deck below.

A. I see no reason why a waterborne stain or paint system cannot be used for the timber; butynol will not be affected by a waterborne stain/paint.

June 2019

Q. I'm adding kwila baseboards to an existing deck. The boards will be directly over newly laid concrete paving. Apart from waterblasting the new boards before fixing, what further steps should I take to prevent bleeding? 

A. Resene does not recommend waterblasting timber as this can damage the timber surface for subsequent coating. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions, to accelerate tannin removal.

June 2019

Q. I have chemically stripped a 44 year old hot dipped galvanised handle rail with round balusters. It was previously coated with oil based primer, undercoat and high gloss house paint. The surface is now right back to the aged zinc which is in good condition without rust. This is something I don't want to prep and repaint for a long time! Clearly my preference is not to have to deal with two pack products but will do if I really have to. I have used Resene Enamacryl for topcoats on wooden doors in the same area. These have survived really well. What are my options please?

A. Nice job on stripping back the old coatings. Two pack products are always the most durable, however if your preference is not to use two pack, and you've had good success with Resene Enamacryl, then the system below will give you good durability and be easy to touch up over time also.

May 2019

Q. I am looking at staining my new deck that was added on to an existing deck. The current deck is stained a darker, redder colour - we are looking at staining the entire deck including the already stained deck, a lighter colour. Any ideas on how we may go about this?

A. It's difficult to match old and new timber, particularly when the older area has a much darker/redder stain on it. You won't be able to just stain over to achieve this.

You may want to trial an area to see if you can remove the existing stain by scrubbing with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. It can often remove excess stain from a surface. If successful, you'll get a much more even appearance when you re-stain.

May 2019

Q. We have a new kwila deck, it has not had anything applied to it but I would like to take away the pinky/reddish tones and change more to a gold/brownish. Can the kwila be stained to achieve different colour tones?

A. Wash the deck down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions then apply a Resene Waterborne Woodsman wood oil stain colour.  It is tricky to select a colour for a kwila deck as the timber colour is such that it will influence the stain colour as the stain is semi-transparent.

March 2019

Q. What can I use to cover my deck to avoid primer and paint falling while I'm painting the hand rail and the wooden fence? Can I use newspaper to cover the floor? If it happen to rain will the papers ink damage the new decking?

We are painting the deck with a natural stain and the fence with a solid colour.

A. Standard practice would be to use a heavy duty painter's cloth drop cloth.

February 2019

Q. We have a kwila wooden deck that was stained brown 3 years ago which we now want to be one colour. it butts up to a deck made of fibrolite. 

The house is a light blue grey with white trim. What would you suggest we do and what products should we use? The deck gets sun most of the day.

A. Scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions.  Apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and then two coats of Resene Walk-on (use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour if available).  The Resene CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

February 2019

Q. I have a resin or fibreglass deck on the house that I want to repaint, mainly to change the colour. The existing paint is still in very good condition. I am wondering how to go about this, and what paint to use. 

A. Assuming the existing paint is an acrylic system, you can paint directly over it using Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint. Clean down first using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. If you aren't sure if it's acrylic, you can check by rubbing a small amount of methylated spirits on it with a cloth; if it softens and comes off its acrylic.

It's best to paint it on a cooler and overcast day so that you can paint out of direct sunlight.

February 2019

Q. I spilt some outdoor decking stain on my inside wood flooring. I managed to get the stain off when it dried but it has left a residue (looks like liquid). I don't know what to apply to remove the rest. Can you please help?

A. You could try wiping with mineral turps or using Resene Graffiti Cleaner.

We cannot give any guarantee that neither will affect the substrate however, but expect this may not be an issue.

February 2019

Q. I have a Butanol deck in full sun, covered by an artificial grass mat. It is unusable in high summer because of heat build-up. Do you have a paint product to cool Butanol that will not flake off?

A. Light colours will reflect heat, as the colour shade darkens so does the heat absorbed. Resene CoolColour™ technology can be used but the CoolColour™ topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour™ version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

To paint the bare Butanol, apply an adhesion coat of Resene Membrane Primer then follow with two coats of Resene Lumbersider, tinted to your selected colour. If there is a CoolColour™ version of the colour available then this is the only way to reduce surface temperatures.

February 2019

Q. I have a pine deck that has never been painted or stained. It is grip tread pine on the south side of the house. The older section is about 21 years old and still in good condition. The newer parts are about 10 years old.

I am looking at painting the deck because in winter the timber expands in width and the gaps close up in places, causing puddling. In early spring last year, I ran a circular saw between the boards that were close or touching. The gaps are wider now that the boards have dried out completely. The deck looks like it needs a waterblast to remove dirt in the grooves and any loose wood fibres. Then I would like to apply an acrylic paint to seal the tops of the boards and try to prevent them swelling so much in winter.

Does this sound like a good plan? If not, what should I do differently? What paint should I apply to the deck? I currently use Resene Lumbersider on the fences, or should I apply an oil-based wood primer first and then a suitable topcoat?

A. Unless you can envelope seal/paint all sides of the decking timbers, you will not achieve a reduction in the timber dimensional changes associated with moisture uptake. Removal of ingrained dirt and debris from the deeper sections of the grip tread profile is required for successful painting.

We do not recommend waterblasting timber, as this can damage the timber surface and increase the chance of paint failure. I suggest that you scrub the deck down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions and rinse well with fresh water.

Assuming that this gives you a clean profile, then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and then you can finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider. Use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if electing to use a dark colour. The CoolColour™ topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour™ version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology. Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour™ is selected in place of a standard colour.

Given that you will not be able to seal all faces of each of the decking timber sections, the potential for timber swelling under extended wet conditions will unfortunately remain after painting.

February 2019

Q. Our deck has a dark Resene Woodsman brown stain (due to be done again) a few years old. We have just moved in and want to make this lighter as it gets hot.

A lighter stain is probably not possible as that would require removing the current stain completely. Painting is probably the best and easiest option so I want to understand what that would involve. How much of the stain do we need to remove or is sanding first enough?

A. You are correct you cannot apply a lighter coloured stain to achiever a lighter colour as stains are semi-transparent.

You can possibly change to a solid paint colour but to do this, the existing stain type/brand needs to be determined before we can make any recommendations. Also what is the condition of the existing stain?

The exposure time is good as the time is the usual recoat time for the stain finish.

Thoroughly scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions. Apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and then finish with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne topcoat paint. We recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if choosing a dark topcoat colour.

The CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour.

January 2019

Q. We have an upcycled Aussie hardwood deck. The wood might be fifty years old. So far we haven't coated it because it looks great. But this season we waterblasted it to remove moss. It now looks very dry and the grain is rough on the surface. It isn't just silvery any more - it has some brown patches!

Should we be looking at an oil to condition it and how do we protect it?

A. The outcome of waterblasting a timber deck is what you have encountered. Water blasting can damage the timber surface and make subsequent coating a challenge. If the deck is dressed then you will need to sand smooth the rough areas as best you can and then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain.

Stained decks require regular maintenance to maintain aesthetics; this is determined by the deck aspect and degree of weathering.

December 2018

Q. I painted my wooden deck with three coats of deck and timber paint. After 12 months it is chipping/coming off. The rep came to look at it yesterday and tells me he thinks I have in fact painted over an oil based stain. I am wondering where to go from here. Do I hire a sander and take as much off as I can or could I use something like Resene Strip Off? If I do this how would I then treat it? Repaint or restain? What sort of primer/paint would I then use?

A. Unfortunately there is always a possible issue when painting over a stain with a solid paint. You will need to remove the total coating system from the decking timber back to bare timber. The removal of the original stain hopefully will be back to bare, and then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and two coats of Resene Walk-on.

December 2018

Q. Do you have a paint (light grey) that will adhere to a butynol deck?

A. The system for painting butynol is a primer coat of Resene Membrane Primer and then two coats of Resene Lumbersider (use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour if selecting a dark colour). The CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

If the deck is weathered then wash down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions then prime. Painting is only for colour and to protect the butynol from UV damage.

December 2018

Q. I have an extensive deck area. There is an original painted deck that is weather worn and about 20 years old and a new deck extension about 5 years old. I want to make both decks roughly the same colour. Can I use decking stain to do this or will I need to paint them?

A. You will need to completely strip the paint from the old deck if you want to change to a deck stain.

When staining, the base timber colour will influence the stained colour so if there is a difference in timber colour then the two areas may not appear the same colour even if stained with the same stain colour.

November 2018

Q. I am going to paint my deck with Resene paint. Someone suggested to me using Resene Lumbersider for finish coats, the other one said using premium semi-gloss. Please you could tell me which one is the best for deck painting? My deck is under the sun nearly all day every day.

A. Resene Lumbersider is often used as a deck paint; while not designed for a trafficable area is does perform well and can easily be recoated when required. As you increase the gloss level to a conventional waterborne semi-gloss the coating does become softer and has reduced wear resistance compared to Resene Lumbersider.

We recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour when applying darker colours. The Resene CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology. To get the maximum heat reflections apply the two coats of CoolColour top coat over a white base coat such as Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat.

November 2018

Q. We have a couple of internal decks and an area of roof that are covered in Butynol membrane. This is all structurally sound, however is starting oxidise slightly. Some powder comes off if you walk on these surfaces. Rather than replacing at this stage, is there a Resene product or system that can be used to refresh this material?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions then apply a coat of Resene Membrane Primer and two coats of Resene Lumbersider. If using a dark colour topcoat apply the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour. The CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

November 2018

Q. I'm looking for a finishing product for a 21 m2 Vitex Timber deck which was laid two weeks ago. If possible, I would like to keep the natural look of the timber. Are any of your products suitable for it?

A. There are no water white clear stains for exterior timber decking, Vitex will change colour upon exposure to UV. Our suggestion is to prepare the decking timber by washing with Resene Timber and Deck Wash then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil in a colour that meets your requirements.

November 2018

Q. We are putting down a new macrocarpa deck. What stains or oils do you have that work best with it to prolong the silvering off? The exterior cladding on one wall will also be macrocarpa so will it need a similar treatment?

A. We recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil for both decking and walls.

November 2018

Q. I have a new kwila deck. What should I use to keep the colour natural?

A. Wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in a matching colour.

November 2018

Q. Can you paint a deck that has been previously stained with oil based stain?

A. Yes, but you would have to remove the deck stain back to bare timber.

November 2018

Q. We have kwila decks that have had no stain and we'd like to stain them and wondered what we should do before applying your stain?

A. Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions, and then scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash, again diluted and used to label directions.

October 2018

Q. Is it possible to paint a butanol deck? If so what products would you advise please?

A. Clean down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions then apply a coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour™ version of the colour. The CoolColour top coat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool technology.

October 2018

Q. I have a very old deck and a few boards need replacing. If I replace them with new decking timber then stain the whole deck with your dark (black) penetrating oil stain, will you be able to see the difference between the old and new boards colour wise?

A. More than likely as stains are semi-transparent and the final colour is influenced by the base colour.

September 2018

Q. I have a 6 month old pine deck and am wondering whether to use oil based stains or acrylic. One part of the deck will have a spa pool. What should we use on the deck, and what should we use under the spa pool?

We also need to stain the fences and retaining walls, is it better to use the acrylic or oil, I don't like the stuff that peels off and timber is visible underneath?

A. Resene stains are defined as non-film forming and designed to erode off the surface upon weathering. The rate of erosion is determined by the exposure conditions and there no difference between the solvent and waterborne versions subject to the same exposure conditions.

I personally prefer Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain as this stain gives a more traditional stained appearance compared to the waterborne stains.

September 2018

Q. I have a three year old Vitex hardwood deck which I have sanded previous coatings off, using an electric sander. Is decking and furniture oil a durable product to use as I would like to keep the natural colour of Vitex? I don't want to use anything with pigments in it. I want a product that penetrates into the timber rather than sitting on the surface. I realise oil will need to be reapplied annually; any suggestions will be much appreciated.

A. I suggest you look to apply a Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in a colour to match your decking colour. Resene Decking and Furniture Oil contains a yellow transparent UV additive, which is fine for dark coloured timbers but will result in a significant yellow colour to paler coloured timbers.

September 2018

Q. We have a deck that is part new and part old.

The old part has been finished with Resene Woodsman, the new is unpainted pine.We are looking at using Resene Walk-on. First, is that the right paint to use, if not what do you suggest? Second, what is the best product to prime with?

The old part is probably 15 or so years old and was recoated maybe 5/7 years ago. It is all H3 pine.

A. If there are signs of mould/algae present, treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions, then scrub down the previously stained decking with  Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions. Apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain. There is a good chance that there will be a colour difference between the new and previously stained areas as the stain is semi-transparent.

August 2018

Q. I’ve just had my building painted and have paint splatter all over the powder coated balustrade railings. Do you have a product to remove the paint splatter without affecting the railings?

A. If it is a waterborne paint and fresh, try a gentle rub with a nonabrasive cloth and meths. Select a non-visible area to try first.

June 2018

Q. We are working on a school renovation and we have a timber deck which forms part of an accessible route. We require a non-slip clear coating for the 32mm pine timber deck, with a sand impregnation for extra slip resistance. Could you assist me in specifying an appropriate product?

A. Sorry, we do not recommend this. Application of clear film forming coatings to exterior timbers, usually sees the clear film peel from the timber as UV penetrates through the clear and the timber is degraded at the timber/clear interface.

May 2018

Q. Our indoor porch has concrete tiles that we are wanting to paint. Is there a special concrete primer we need to use?

A. Check the concrete tiles first. If you splash water onto the tiles is the water immediately absorbed and the wetted area darkened? If the tiles are darkened it suggests they are not sealed. Based on this apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

May 2018

Q. I put down a brand new Purple Heart deck in late October. I was advised to let it weather, to get rid of the purple colour and most importantly the continuous sap. It is now April and there is still some sap coming out in some places.

How can I remove the remaining sap with a product, and then put on deck cleaner before a stain? I would prefer stain as don't want flaking paint later on.

A. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions.

April 2018

Q. We have Nuralite's Nuraply 3P Bitumix membrane on a concrete deck, and we want to put a primer on it and then put a topcoat over it. It needs to be UV paint and someone has said it needs to be greater than LRV- 40.

A. Apply a prime coat of Resene Membrane Primer, then two coats of Resene Walk-on.

March 2018

Q. We have recently waterproofed our balcony using fibreglass but it is slippery. What, if any of your products, would be suitable to put over this surface to provide a non-slip surface? No extra coat of paint was applied to the surface, only the fibreglass, which has a grey colour. There is a slight texture of the fibreglass, but overall the surface remains quite smooth.

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Lightly sand to provide a mechanical profile for the new paint system.

Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

March 2018

Q. I am enquiring whether Resene Lumbersider paint is suitable for wooden decking.

A. Resene Lumbersider has been used as a waterborne decking paint for many years. It is based on a conventional non cross linking resin system, so does not have the wear resistance of products such as Resene Walk-on but for most domestic situations, it does give good wear. Prep and priming requirements will vary with timber type and condition.

March 2018

Q. We want to paint our new deck in non-skid deck paint. It needs to have grip to be code compliant for council to sign off as it leads to our front door. Is this paint code compliant? The wood we will be using for the treads is not kiln dried and therefore will contain moisture. How do we need to treat this i.e. undercoat/topcoat and can we paint before the wood is completely dry? The timber is 150 x 40 pine.

A. Apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer to the clean dry timber deck and then follow with two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

March 2018

Q. I am after technical advice about painting a H3.2 machine gauged, timber deck balustrade. The balustrade is on an old villa and needs to look like an existing one. The construction of the existing rail is in need of painting. The intention is the new rail should match (both will ideally have more gloss on the finish.) The new rail has been built and the timber used isn't great, and I'm not sure any paint system will get it up to standard.

A. If it has been installed pre-primed then it could be left for about a month, then sanded and reprimed prior to topcoating. Pre-primers are not always of the same standard of quality as our primers and this is why we always will recommend repriming.

Use Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat as the primer and then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

February 2018

Q. I need to know the most popular ‘blacks’ that get used, that can cope with sea salt as I am close to the beach. I also need a good matt clear decking oil for an old, reclaimed wharf timber deck around a pool.

A. The colour does not impact upon a paint’s ability to cope with the coastal environment. We recommend using Resene Sonyx 101 as the topcoat paint and if you choose a dark colour, use the Resene CoolColour™  version of the colour. Two topcoats will need to be applied over a correctly prepared and primed substrate.

January 2018

Q. I have recently purchased a house which has an old pine deck that has been painted. The paint is red and old and seems to be deteriorating and ‘chalking’ so comes off on your feet when you walk on it. Can you please recommend prep and what Resene product to use to repaint?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Apply a seal coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

December 2017

Q. I have a new Vitex deck. I want to maintain the natural light colour, or allow to grey but not warp/crack/cup, with minimal ongoing maintenance.

Already after just a few weeks, I see dark mould spots on the untreated deck. The deck gets lots of sun and dries out easily.

A. While mould growth is normally associated with dark damp conditions; there are mould species that can grow on surfaces exposed to full sun.

There is no water, while clear oils/stains that will maintain as new appearance to the timber decking or allow the development of an even silvered look.

There are two ways to control mould growth, one is to treat with a bleach solution such as Resene Moss & Mould Killer, the other is to use Resene Deep Clean which is a slower acting product for mould control.

December 2017

Q. We have a concrete deck with fibreglass topping, with peeling paint. We need a paint that will withstand foot traffic, snow in winter and possibility of minus 16 degrees, with heat up to the 40s in summer.

The paint isn’t sticking to the fibreglass. Prior owners have painted it with house paint and when we get rain, the water gets under the paint and it bubbles then lifts.

A. Strip the existing paint system, degrease with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions, sand to profile, then apply a coat of Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of a Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat. For wet slip resistance add 500g/L Resene Industrial SRG Grit to the first coat and then apply a seal coat of unmodified Resene Uracryl 440 Series topcoat.

November 2017

Q. I have just spent three days scrubbing my extensive, ground level wooden decking, free of black mould and it looks great. Is there a Resene product to back up my hard work and keep it looking that way? I am elderly and would not like to face applications of anything too frequently. Ease of application would be a bonus!

A. Yes, Resene Deep Clean (see attached data sheet), you may have to adopt a biannual application, at the beginning of autumn and again at the beginning of spring.

November 2017

Q. I have to paint a previously painted entry/decking; what paint do you recommend please? It has been painted - not stained – and needs a new colour, something that will take general wear and tear.

A. Resene Walk-on would be our recommendation, if overcoating a sound unknown paint type clean down, sand then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry before application of the Resene Walk-on coats.

November 2017

Q. We have an old pine deck. I have waterblasted preparing to stain (not paint) for the first time. I am wondering what the differences are between a timber stain and decking oil? Which coating will give better protection from black mould? Which is more water resistant?

A. Some timber stains are not suitable for a deck. For your situation I would recommend that you give the deck a good treatment with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions and for an old weathered pine deck I would recommend you use Resene Woodsman Wood Oil.

October 2017

Q. I want to paint my new deck of treated pine timber in black. Can you recommend a paint, non-skid, and very weatherproof please?

A. The colour you have selected may well be a challenge, as the deck surfaces will get hot and this may result in resin being drawn from the decking timber. To reduce the potential for this to occur, the best system would be a coat of Resene Wood Primer and two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour, with added Resene SRG Grit. The paint will not be cool to touch, but will reflect more heat than the same colour made in the non-cool version of the colour.

October 2017

Q. We have built a new deck beside an old stained deck. The old deck is kwila stained and we want to paint both decks to match. How do we choose a colour to achieve this? I don’t know what the old stain is. I am really wondering how we match a new deck with this older, much darker deck. Is it better to paint all the same in a dark paint?

A. Painting both with a solid colour is the only way to achieve a uniform colour.

October 2017

Q. What primer is best for a kauri deck - I have cleaned it back to bare wood, but it’s not good enough for oiling so it will need to be repainted.

A. We recommend Resene Wood Primer.

June 2017

Q. Do you have a product that can be painted onto wood decking to produce a grip surface? I was thinking of something like a bitumen coat, with coarse sand added between the two coats, but wasn’t sure if this would work.

A. We recommend Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

June 2017

Q. I have a small, outdoor first floor balcony about 1m x 2 m and I would like to paint the trafficable ‘floor’ surface. It has been waterproofed using fibreglass over a plywood substrate. The fibreglass is in good condition and I would lightly sand it. There is little traffic, but is out in the Hawkes Bay sun and rain. How about Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer followed by Resene Walk-on paint?

A. I suggest you use Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat as the primer over the sanded clean substrate then apply the Resene Walk-on.

April 2017

Q. I want to repaint my deck floor. The floor is marine plywood and was last painted with Resene Lumbersider (Resene Double Friar Grey) approximately two years ago. The deck is north facing and it gets a lot of sun and can be hot under foot. I have heard that we may have been better to use a paving paint. What is your recommendation? If possible I would like to keep it the same colour. There is no flaking of paint but it is looking dull. There are some surface cracks which we have found is common with plywood.

A. Surface checking of ply is not unexpected. Rub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour™ version of the colour. The painted surface will not be cool to touch but reflect more heat (be cooler) than the same colour made using non CoolColour pigments.

April 2017

Q. We were planning to paint our deck in Resene Double Pravda. It has an LRV of 23. We were wondering if we should use a CoolColour version of that.

A. Resene CoolColour™ version will reflect more heat, so a definite benefit. The surface will not be cold to touch, but will be cooler than if painted with the standard version of the colour.

April 2017

Q. I am painting the timber railing of a large outdoor deck using Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer and Resene Lumbersider. Due to the size of the deck, it is likely that it will rain at some point before I can complete the job. Is there anything I should do before applying each successive coat to ensure that they adhere correctly? Is rinsing with fresh water and a cloth sufficient if the paint is exposed for less than a week?

A. If you are close to the coast then a daily wash down with fresh water, prior to commencing painting on any given day is recommended. However, there will be no issues with overcoating the primed surface, if left for less than a week before topcoating.

April 2017

Q. What are the appropriate products for the treatment of rust on galvanised steel handrail barriers?

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed.

Remove all areas of white corrosion material and as much red rust as is practicable and all paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), chemical stripper or high pressure waterblasting taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Where under-film corrosion is taking place the existing paint must first be removed as above and then remove under film corrosion products taking care not to damage sound zinc coated areas. All paint edges must be feathered to a smooth finish.

Note: The performance of the subsequent paint systems will be largely dependent on the thoroughness of this surface preparation stage.

Ensure all edges of damaged paint are sound and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and any other bare metal with a full coat of the specified primer. Then prime using Resene ArmourZinc 120 to a dry film thickness of 75 microns.

March 2017

Q. I'm after some advice on a hard wearing external textured/grip paint which will be applied to a first floor upstairs balcony - North facing, external, fibreglass covering plywood floor lapped up the face of the external wall cladding. Can you please let me know what you have in the way of external high friction paint of sorts for intense sun exposure all year round? Preferably one that comes with a colour selection - Mist Green or similar.

A. We would recommend Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

January 2017

Q. Can Resene Kwila Timber Stain be used over a previously acrylic coated Kwila deck?

A. Sorry, but overcoating with paint such as Resene Lumbersider would be our only recommendation provided the existing waterborne paint is sound.

December 2016

Q. I want to paint my wooden deck. I can see tiny cracks appearing probably because it was never painted or stained. It doesn't seem to be of treated wood. I need some assistance on the best option I can go for, paint or stain?

A. Stain would be the best option; I suggest you use Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain (2 coats).

December 2016

Q. About 6-months ago we moved into a new house, and I painted one of the line decks with one coat of Resene Woodsman Decking Stain. Because dirt and grime that had built up, I used sugar soap to clean, before mistakenly applying Resene Lumbersider waterborne low sheen which is what our builders painted the boards of our house with. It seems to have bonded ok, but is there anything I should be doing to ensure the finish remains?

A. In this case you are probably lucky that the Resene Lumbersider has remained bonded to the stain. Usually require two coats of Resene Lumbersider for exterior durability. Resene stains (cladding and decking) are designed to erode from the surface upon weathering and a period of direct weathering is required when looking to convert to a solid paint finish. Ensure the cut ends are sealed as water uptake from these areas is usually the common failure mode of film forming paints applied to timber decking.

December 2016

Q. We have a new pine deck that we stained with waterborne decking stain Resene Warm Kwila around five months ago and we want to overpaint it with paving paint because the colour is too dark - it gets VERY hot - and we are unhappy with the finish (our fault not the product’s). Would Resene paving paint be OK and would it be better to use a more highly reflective colour e.g. Resene Half Truffle (64% reflectivity or Resene Truffle 54% reflectivity). Both are available in CoolColour.

A. The stain is designed to erode off the surface upon weathering; given this, painting over the top of the stain can have its own set of issues. Six months exposure is not normally sufficient weathering time for the majority of the applied stain to erode. If you can, I would allow the deck to weather over summer then look to paint over it.

At the end of this time thoroughly scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on in the CoolColour version of the colour selected. CoolColour™s do not make the surface cool to touch but do reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool technology.

November 2016

Q. We have previously done an outside deck with your product Resene Woodsman wood oil stain. It is now well weathered on the outside location not so much under shelter and I am wondering what product I should use to redo the deck. Can I use an unstained oil product on the weathered surfaces or do I need to use a product with stain in it? I don’t want the deck to be too dark or bright in colour, preferring a more natural look.

A. I would recommend using the same stain again. Once a deck has been stained it is difficult to alter the colour especially if the existing stain colour is dark. The lightest Resene Woodsman colour we have is Resene Natural.

November 2016

Q. I am looking for a suitable product to paint the wooden joists underneath a balcony in a light grey colour. Joists are H3.2 treated and new. We have to put the decking on yet but want to paint first.

A. Apply a full prime coat of Resene Wood Primer, a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

November 2016

Q. I need advice on what paint to use on an old wrought iron terrace balustrade that is in good condition (no rust). I have primed it with your Resene GP Metal Primer but am not sure what to use for the topcoat.

A. Traditionally wrought iron has been topcoated with solventborne enamel systems (a coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat and two coats of Resene Super Gloss enamel. However waterborne enamel systems (a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and two coats of Resene Enamacryl) can also be used.

November 2016

Q. We are in the process of replacing a deck on the second floor using kwila. Is there a sealer that you might have to stop the kwila from bleeding onto the concrete driveway below? Could you also recommend any other product you might have to stop this from happening or what we could do prior to installing to help us with this problem?

A. If you scrub the decking timber down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash pre installation then this will wash most of the water soluble tannins from the timber. To address this post installation is difficult.

November 2016

Q. Five years ago we had a new house built which included decks with a Rhino Tuff Stuff decking membrane with paint over finish. This was installed by my builder who was a licenced applicator and who also arranged for the decks to be painted. Unfortunately the paint is lifting in particular where rainwater has been ponding. The builder is no longer around and I am unsure what paint product was used by the painter at the time. I need to repaint the deck which I will do myself.

I have done some research and need to know what I can use to first clean the deck and then see if your Resene Membrane Roofing Primer will be suitable to spot prime the damaged area. I then need to apply a sealer or a topcoat which I presume will need to go over the whole decking area. What Resene product should I use for this please?

A. There are two versions of the Rhino product available, one is a rigid, the other elastomeric. Resene Uracryl 403 was tested and approved by the then licensee for the rigid version only.

November 2016

Q. We have purchased a holiday home with an external balcony. The balcony has butyl flooring with what looks like grey paint on it. The paint is old, but sound, apart from hairline crazing. Would your Resene Membrane Roofing primer be OK on that? Ideally we want a non-slip finish.

A. We would not recommend painting over any paint that shows any hairline crazing.

November 2016

Q. I have a new Kwila deck which is 20 square metres and is 15 weeks old. Do I need oil or stain?

A. If practical allow to weather for 4-5 weeks. Wash using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This is to open the timber fibres. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. Kwila contains a water soluble tannin which rapidly leaches out when wet (rain or hosed). The tannin will stain concrete and tiles. You then have choices of topcoat, all are suitable. For a natural, oiled finish apply two coats of Resene Furniture and Decking Oil. To enhance and retain the natural colour of Kwila use Resene Kwila Timber Stain; allow for a second application after 3-4 months. To colour and protect apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Decking Stain.

October 2016

Q. I have a stained deck and want to overcoat it with non-skid, what is the correct procedure?

A. Scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash, then apply Resene Wood Primer and Resene Walk-on or Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

October 2016

Q. Which can you use for decks - Resene Woodsman or Resene Woodsman Decking Stain?

A. Resene Woodsman Decking Stain is a dedicated foot traffic area product so information is more focused on that. Resene Woodsman is more focused on vertical areas but can be used on horizontal also.

Both products are fine for use on decks. Solventborne tends to penetrate better.

October 2016

Q. What’s a good paint that can be walked on for a timber deck? Apart from stains, oils etc.

A. We recommend Resene Walk-on.

October 2016

Q. Inspired by your Habitat issue 24 I would like to change the colour of the deck I have purchased to one of these darker (Resene Waterborne Woodsman) colours such as Resene Iroko or Resene Crowshead. It has been stained a Kwila colour some time ago and is patchy. What process and stains should I use to get a nice uniform charcoal stained coloured deck and surrounds?

A. Treat the dark areas with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. Then scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash again diluted and used to label directions. Stains are semi-transparent so the base colour will always have an impact on the final stain colour. You may be able to achieve a uniform base timber colour by sanding the decking. Then I would apply two coats of Resene Woodsman wood oil stain.

October 2016

Q. Is it better to use an oil or water based product to stain a deck?

A. My suggestion is to use a solventborne stain such as Resene Woodsman Wood Oil.

October 2016

Q. I have a mahogany deck. It is about 6 years old and I have just waterblasted it. I will also be adding a small amount of new decking. I am looking to put a stain on, neutral colour or no colour if possible. What do you recommend?

A. I would use Resene Woodsman wood oil stain.

September 2016

Q. I am about to sand my bare timber deck and steps. They have been bare for over 12 months. I am then going to use Resene TimberLock. After this do I need to use a primer before applying Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path to the deck and steps?

A. Yes, ensure excess Resene TimberLock is wiped off at application and then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat.

September 2016

Q. We have an old pine deck, very large, that needs cleaning of mould and waterblasting, not a problem. After that what should be used to seal the deck? We want to keep the natural colour.

A. First treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer then wash and scrub using Resene Timber & Deck Wash. Avoid waterblasting as this can drive mould and moisture into the timber. Allow to dry. For a natural oiled finish we recommend two coats of Resene Furniture and Decking Oil. Alternatively to colour and protect you could apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil. There are a range of colours available in Resene Woodsman that may still give you the natural look you desire.

September 2016

Q. We are getting a new timber deck built at the moment. Before it is used we would like to protect it. What is the best product for this job?

A. Apply two coats of Resene Woodsman wood oil stain.

August 2016

Q. We have a new Garapa timber deck. What clear finish do you suggest I use? We have left it to weather for about a month.

A. We do not recommend water white clear finish for any exterior timber substrate. Instead use Resene Woodsman stain in a colour close to the original colour of the deck to retain a natural look.

June 2016

Q. Is there a coloured self priming deck paint in the Resene range of paints?

A. For a new timber deck that will not leach tannins, we recommend Resene Lumbersider.

June 2016

Q. I mistakenly painted a deck that I didn't know was originally stained and now the paint is coming off and ends up in the house. What can I do?

A. We recommend stripping with paint stripper or if the decking timber is smooth then sanding can be undertaken. If not then careful LOW pressure waterblasting can be undertaken but avoid using any waterblasting unit with a rotating head attachment and avoid close encounters with the decking timber. Waterblasting can damage the timber surface which will impact on paint performance.

May 2016

Q. My covered deck has been painted but I'm not happy with the colour. Can this be painted over with a different colour?

A. You can re-apply the same paint if you want to as long as the painted surface is clean and sound.

April 2016

Q. We are renovating our home. We have extended our deck which is now supported on a steel girder and 4 heavy steel (stainless steel) posts. These are new and unpainted. What is the ideal primer?

A. Stainless steel is best left unpainted as the protective oxide layer on the steel is what gives this metal such a long corrosion protection time.

April 2016

Q. I want help on staining our new pine deck to get a natural stained look.

A. We do not offer a water white clear for exterior timber. You could choose from the Resene Exterior Woodcare colour chart and choose a colour close to the timber colour for a natural look. There are sample chips on the Resene Woodcare stand that you can view at any Resene ColorShop.

March 2016

Q. I have previously stained my deck with your Resene Woodsman oil based stain. Can I use your waterbased equivalent stain over the top? I put on two coats last year.

A. Yes, scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash following label instructions then apply the decking stain.

March 2016

Q. I have a deck that has steel framing. I think the framing was previously painted with an oil based paint, although I can't swear to that. I have cleaned up some rust spots on it and applied a rust proof primer to them. What would be the best paint to use for topcoats and do I need to do any more preparation work?

A. Sand the remaining paint and then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 for best long term results.

March 2016

Q. Can we paint our deck on top of the stain as is? We have cleaned it with Resene's product suggested by the shop. We have a large area of deck (about 20 years old) that was stained with Red Cedar stain three years ago. We now want to paint it for the colour to last longer.

A. The change to a solid paint finish does have its challenges. Unless the existing deck stain can be totally removed the adhesion of the existing stain will determine the adhesion of the new paint system. If the stain is not removed then the following is our best option to change to a solid paint finish: scrub the deck down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash following label directions. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour™. Resene CoolColours are not cool to touch but reflect more heat than the same colour made using non CoolColour pigments.

March 2016

Q. I'm about to oil stain a lot of decking at our house. Some of the decking has had a fair bit of exposure to the sun over the years, and some in covered areas is excellent. I want to know if putting a litre of timber preservative into my Resene oil stain will give it more timber preservative properties.

A. Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain already contains a mix of anti-fungal and mould additives. We do not recommend adding additional timber preservatives to the product. Apart from not being required we have not checked the performance of the product with additional additives.

February 2016

Q. My husband wants to use an oil based paint to paint our decking with. What do you think?

A. A full gloss enamel such as Resene Super Gloss, applied over a suitably primed base system. Lower gloss level oil based enamels will chalk very quickly upon exterior exposure. We normally recommend waterborne paints instead.

February 2016

Q. I'm painting cedar rails on my deck. The current stain is seven years old and fading. What prep should I do or can I just paint over existing stain?

A. If the existing stain is non film forming and there no signs of flaking or peeling, scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash following label directions then you can re-stain. The exception will be if the existing stain is film forming or based on a mineral oil system. If it is a mineral wood oil you need to reapply the same product. If it is film forming a thorough sand is required to remove the stain film prior to re-staining.

January 2016

Q. I have an old exterior deck with some boards that need replacing. The deck is looking very weather worn and I cannot afford to replace it. I have waterblasted it which brings it up to the bare wood. What do you suggest as a treatment?

A. Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, then scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash following label directions. If you want to stain then I would recommend the application of two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain.

January 2016

Q. I have stained my cedar deck with one of your darker waterborne stains but it hasn't gone the colour I want so would like to paint it black. Can I just paint straight over the stain?

A. You will have to allow the decking to weather over summer before painting will be possible.

January 2016

Q. Is there an option for a decking stain with slip resistance coefficient to meet minimum NZBC requirements?

A. Our decking stains are designed to erode upon weathering and this means that we cannot incorporate additives to give increased wet slip resistance as there is no way to retain these in the stain film.

December 2015

Q. Our deck soffit is H3.1 treated ply sheeting. We have used Resene Woodsman Whitewash over two coats and the colour isn't very even. Some possibly due to our inexperience, but definitely some is due to the ply treatment leaching. Are we best to put on a third coat and hope the colour evens out; or are we able to now paint over the whitewash with a water based acrylic? If we paint it, do we need to prime it first?

A. If the variation is due of leaching of dye from the timber treatment then it is unlikely that application of a third coat of another waterborne paint will resolve the issue. Apply a coat of Resene StainLock then two coats of a Resene waterborne enamel for a solid paint finish.

December 2015

Q. I have a large tongue and groove LOSP treated pine deck around my house. Age about 10 years. On the weather side of the house it is showing cracking and deterioration. Our local timber man recommended that I sand the edge back and treat it with Metalex. I did this and then painted it with Resene Enamel Undercoat in preparation for painting the whole deck with Resene Walk-on Flooring and Paving paint. The undercoat is peeling off the Metalex areas. I am looking to get a hard wearing long lasting finish for this high traffic area. What would be your recommended best approach for preparation and final finishing coat?

A. Decks need constant maintenance and even with the best prep and paint system there is no guarantee of a long term maintenance free system. End sealing and filling of nail holes is required to avoid moisture ingress to the deck timber and this can cause the film to crack/split. I have found that resin pockets within the decking timber are a real problem and this is further compounded by application of dark colours. If you are applying any decking colour then we recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour as this does increase heat reflection compared to the same colour made using non-CoolColour technology. This can help with reducing but not eliminating stress on the paint system and the underlying timber. Our recommendation has been to prime new LOSP treated timbers with Resene Wood Primer (solventborne primer) before applying waterborne topcoats.

December 2015

Q. We want to paint our new pine deck with the Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path range. What undercoats / prep should we use? Can other colours be tinted into the Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path range?

A. Use Resene Wood Primer. Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path can be tinted to a large number of other colours not shown on the chart.

November 2015

Q. I have old painted deck railings. It looks to me as if it will be impossible to get all the old paint off. Can I stain them if some of the old paint still adheres?

A. Stains are semi-transparent and if there are patches of residual paint these will show through the stain. Also stains will not achieve good adhesion to a solid paint.

November 2015

Q. I have an 18 square metre Kwila deck to build under an Archgola and would like to achieve a gloss or high gloss finish to the timber deck. What product/s could you recommend to achieve this desired result? After looking at the Resene product line yesterday I note that you have a Resene Kwila Timber Stain but the gloss level is none. Is there any way to add a ‘gloss’ to the stain to achieve what is desired? Or would the Resene Furniture and Decking Oil be more appropriate and then go over the top of these products with an exterior polyurethane of which there is probably no such product. Am I correct?

A. Gloss finishes are usually not recommended for decks due to wet slip resistance considerations. None of our exterior timber stains can be overcoated with a clear. All are designed to erode off with weathering. This makes recoating easy but does not allow for clear coating. I would recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil tinted to your desired colour but this will not give you the gloss you are seeking.

November 2015

Q. I have a pine deck that I have washed to get the mould off. What product can I use to help the timber? I want a natural colour.

A. Resene Woodsman Decking Stain is the only product we have for this situation. It is available in a number of colours but not as a water white clear.

October 2015

Q. I have a Vitex deck that is quite weathered. I have cleaned and waterblasted it and am ready to re-stain it. I want a natural look, and don't want a film type finish. Is the Resene Woodsman Decking Stain in 'Natural' suitable? Does it penetrate the timber fully or does it sit on top of the timber so that if it is scraped it exposes bare timber again? If so would I be better going for the Resene Furniture and Decking Oil?

A. Vitex is a timber that is difficult to achieve penetration of stain products. Suggest you use Resene Wood Oil Stain for this application. Our exterior stains are designed to erode upon weathering and the degree of erosion is determined by the weathering intensity. I would not use the Resene Furniture and Decking Oil for this application; the main reason is that the product ends up giving a yellow colour to the decking.

September 2015

Q. Do you have an end grain sealer for hardwood decking?

A. We recommend Resene Wood Primer, which is a pigmented sealer.

September 2015

Q. We stained our deck, not very well, with a dark stain and wish we had limewashed it. Is it still possible to do this by cleaning and waterblasting it under low pressure first?

A. To restain with a whitewash effect you would have to remove all of the dark stain as residual dark stain will telegraph through the whitewash stain coat. Care is needed if waterblasting timber to ensure that the timber surface is not damaged.

August 2015

Q. We want to repaint the deck to get 3-5 more years before replacement but the old white shows though the new red. Is there a faster way than stripping the old white first as there is approx 45 square metres of deck?

A. Power sanding would be the quickest way to remove old paint from the smooth boards; you may have to resort to a paint stripper for profiled areas.

July 2015

Q. I have stained my deck over an existing colour but it doesn't really look like the colour I have chosen.

A. Deck stains are semi-transparent so when overcoating the final colour is influenced but the underlying colour. This is most pronounced when applying a paler stain over a darker stain. Additional coats will eventually give better coverage of the old stain but build-up of stain is not a good idea.

April 2015

Q. Could you please let me know what is the best product to protect our pine deck? It has been down for around 8 years without any treatment on it and is weathered silver (even after cleaning). My main focus is on protecting the deck's timber and preserving its life and I don't want to stain it a different colour.

A. We only have pigmented decking stains. My only suggestion would be to apply Resene Deep Clean following the label instructions at the beginning of autumn and spring. This will ensue that there is no mould/algal growth but will not preserve the timber.

April 2015

Q. I have a concrete deck that I wish to paint. It has a few cracks that I've quick patched over and it has some smaller ones that I thought I could just paint over. It's exposed to the weather, foot traffic only.

A. Apply a coat of Resene Sureseal then two coats of Resene Thixalon 5 (Resene X-400 and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on. Like any waterborne paint there is the possibility of scratching if sharp objects are dragged across the painted surface.

March 2015

Q. How should I paint a veranda of a villa that has hardwood as decking timber. Still has some colour.

A. Sand smooth then prime with Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider or Resene Walk-on.

March 2015

Q. I have a cedar balustrade on my balcony and have just waterblasted it clean. Can you recommend a Resene product that would suit to paint it white? Will I need to sand it?

A. Waterblasting can damage timber, so yes to a thorough sand. Was there any mould/algae growth of the timber? If the answer is yes then treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer following label directions before sanding. Prime with Resene Wood Primer, undercoat with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat then apply 2 coats of Resene Lumbersider (low sheen) or Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss). If using dark colours then use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour, as this will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non CoolColour technology.

February 2015

Q. Can I put oil based varnish on top of waterbased decking stain?

A. Sorry but no. The clear will not adhere to the stained finish and has little U.V. absorbing properties.

February 2015

Q. Rust from nails is showing through in lots of places in my decking. The paint is waterborne (tested by wiping off with meths and a cloth). How should I treat the rust spots?

A. Scrub the deck down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label directions. You will need to re-punch the nails and fill, then prime the filled areas with Resene Wood Primer and repaint using 2 coats of Resene Walk-on.

February 2015

Q. We are buying some external railings for our balcony. Two companies state their painting is best: one said powder paint is best, the other high build vinyl paint. Can anyone help me please as I don't know what's the best option? The balcony will be galvanised.

A. While powder coating will give a smooth finish it will break down over time and if the thickness of the coating is not sufficient then there will also be corrosion break through. We would not recommend a vinyl based paint system for galvanising for a balustrade. The best paint system would be to apply two coats of an epoxy primer such as Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of a 2 pack polyurethane finish such as Resene Uracyl 403.

February 2015

Q. Can Resene Waterborne Woodsman now be used on decks and/or outdoor furniture or do we stay with the separate decking stain?

A. Resene Woodsman Decking Stain is specifically made for horizontal areas and Resene Waterborne Woodsman more for vertical areas so they perform best when used in those areas. So we still recommend Resene Woodsman Decking Stain for decks.

February 2015

Q. Rust from nails is showing through in lots of places on my decking. The deck was built before we bought the house, but I presume the nails are galvanised. How should I treat the rust spots on the balustrades and railing? Is it OK to use waterborne semi-gloss when recoating? I have wiped a test area down well first, and then rubbed well with meths and a cloth and some of the paint comes off.

A. Scrub the deck down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to label directions. You will need re-punch the nails and fill, then prime filled areas with Resene Wood Primer and repaint using two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

February 2015

Q. We sanded and primed our wooden deck before painting. We were given 20L of Resene Hi-Glo gloss exterior paint (Permanent Green) so used this. We have only applied one topcoat so far as where the paint is exposed to the hot sun it is sticky. No actual paint comes off when touched or walked on. As soon as the area is out of the sun and cools it isn't sticky. What can we do to fix this please?

A. All acrylic paints are thermoplastic - that is they soften at certain temperatures. Permanent Green is a dark colour and the paint surface will become very hot in direct sunshine and this causes the paint to soften and become tacky/sticky. Resene Hi-Glo is for walls and roofs not for traffic areas such as decks. The stickiness is most noticeable with gloss acrylics and reduces as the gloss level decreases. The paint may harden with rain washing but we cannot guarantee that it will become hard when exposed to direct sun. You really will need to overcoat with a lower gloss acrylic such as Resene Lumbersider and use the Resene Resene CoolColour™ formulation of the colour if available to reduce heat absorption.

January 2015

Q. Is there a deck paint which will go over a deck which has been painted with a linseed and turps mix? This surface has remained sticky and we have scraped a lot of it off but some still remains.

A. To reduce the stickiness you could wipe the surface with a rag and Resene Thinner No.2, with many changes of the rag. Leave the rags in an open space and allow the solvent to evaporate. The rags containing the oil residue can be flammable.

January 2015

Q. Can you recommend a product that will clean a hardwood deck so that it is suitable for sealing? It has been outside for more than 10 years.

A. It's a two stage process, apply Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and following label instructions, then follow with Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions.

January 2015

Q. I have a 15 month old deck and 12 month old fence made of pine timber. I want to oil/stain these and they have a faded a bit. But otherwise clean and in good condition. Do I need to pretreat these before staining/oiling? Would it come out with the timber colours?

A. You can apply Resene Woodsman Wood oil stains direct to the pine decking and fence. If you want a waterborne option then use Resene Waterborne Woodsman for the fence and Resene Woodsman Decking Stain for the deck.

January 2015

Q. We have an exposed aggregate concrete patio which we are having cleaned. Do you have some sort of sealer we can apply to protect the patio and keep it looking good?

A. Suggest you apply 3-4 coats of Resene Concrete Wax to the cleaned surface.

December 2014

Q. Can you coat a deck in Resene Woodsman penetrating oil stain that has previously been coated with Resene Woodsman Decking Stain?

A. Yes as long as the old stain has undergone direct weathering for at least 12 months and is then thoroughly scrubbed using Resene Timber and Deck Wash following the label instructions.

December 2014

Q. I want to paint over my concrete porch but it was coated in an epoxy resin with paint chips. I have seen it in the past on sport club's shower floors. My question is do I need to seal it and with what before I paint over it?

A. Clean the surface using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash then sand with 180 grit sandpaper to provide a mechanical key for the new paint, dust off and prime with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

December 2014

Q. The engineer has specified hot dipped galvanising for steel support posts to deck. What should we finish it in?

A. We recommend Resene Armourcote 221 and Resene Uracryl for brush application.

November 2014

Q. I have three newly built outdoor wooden structures I want to stain/paint. Following a brief conversation I am wondering if I need to leave any of these to weather. The items to be stained/painted are: (1) New deck built with treated premium radiata pine to be stained; (2) new front fence constructed from treated premium radiata pine to be painted; (3) new standard timber fence (wider boards, timber with a roughish surface) to be stained. Would appreciate advice on whether any of these can be tackled straight away or whether I need to wait.

A. The recommendation to leave decking timber to weather really only applies to hardwood timbers such as Kwila as the timber surface needs to open up to get better stain acceptance. You could start to stain or paint now; painting with a solid paint finish should be undertaken as soon as possible to avoid UV damage to the timber surface.

October 2014

Q. Started scraping outdoor painted deck. I have much of it done but ran into autumn. Can I put on a waterproofing coat then clean and paint in spring?

A. Most decking stains are non-film forming and are formatted to erode off the surface. I would recommend that the deck preparation include a treatment for any mould/algae and moss along with removal of flaking paint then apply a primer compatible with the decking timber. Our primers can be left untopcoated for a few months and topcoats can be applied at a later stage.

October 2014

Q. We have outside decks and we normally stain these decks yearly using your Resene Kwila Timber stain. Can we use your Resene Woodsman penetrating oil stain over this Resene Kwila Timber Stain.

A. Scrub down the decks using Resene Timber and Deck Wash following label directions then allow to dry and you can then apply Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain or Resene Woodsman Decking Stain.

October 2014

Q. Is it ok to paint over a deck made out of treated (CCA) pine? The deck is new and I would like to paint it black.

A. Painting timber black always carries the risk of warping or cupping occurring. Resene CoolColour™ technology can reduce but not eliminate the potential for dimensional changes. If the deck is in full sun then you will need to decide if the risk is acceptable.

October 2014

Q. I am proposing to seal and topcoat the top surface only of a cement plastered parapet around a deck. The plaster parapet, which is timber framed, is 1m high x 150mm wide and is coated with acrylic paint. I understand that acrylic paint is not completely waterproof so I need to coat the top (150mm wide and horizontal) surface of the parapet with a product that will make it waterproof.

The plaster surface has a stipple texture and so the horizontal surface tends to hold water. The product would need to bond to the existing acrylic paint (which is in good condition) and have similar flexibility. The product would need to be totally waterproof and have good durability to withstand all the elements.

Could you please advise me as to what product or products to use?

A. The plastered top needs to be re-formed with a 10 degree slope, then Resene Limelock, two coats of Resene Flexicover and finish with one coat of Resene Thixalon.

September 2014

Q. I am using a solid latex stain over an oil primer on my older deck. I have some leftover primer so is there any point in second coating with primer before the solid stain?

A. In general two coats of an appropriate primer will always be beneficial.

September 2014

Q. After staining a wood deck with an oil based stain can the deck be overcoat with any other product to provide longer life?

A. No, a penetrating wood stain is not designed for overcoating with another product.

September 2014

Q. We have a new Radiata Pine deck and balustrade and while we don't particularly want to paint it, the 150mm wide handrail is going silver/black, but the decking is still newish looking. What can I treat the balustrade with to bring the original look back, and then what Resene 'paint' product to prevent that black/silvering effect?

A. The colour change and appearance of black areas is a result of weathering and cannot be reversed. The black is mould growth and needs to be addressed. Application of Resene Moss & Mould Killer will kill the mould and then apply on a 6 monthly basis Resene Deep Clean for ongoing control.

You can stain decks to achieve a natural coloured look, but it won't replicate the original timber colour.

August 2014

Q. What is the best product (preferably oil-based) to use on a new Vitex deck to retain the colour and protect the wood?

A. The only product that we would recommend would be Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain, which will need regular maintenance.

August 2014

Q. Can you add SRG grit to a clear coating for a timber deck instead of using the non-skid deck paint?

A. We don't recommend clear coating for timber decking as it does not provide enough protection to the surface. Also when you add SRG to clears you can see the additive and this detracts from a clear look. Resene decking products are non-film forming and this type of stain cannot bind aggregates.

August 2014

Q. We stained our deck about a year ago with a dark stain and really don't like the colour. Is there any way we can change this to a light colour without masses of work? Wondered about the flooring and paving paint?

A. If you scrub the deck down with a 1:1 dilution of Resene Timber and Deck Wash, then carefully waterblast at low pressures you may well be able to remove the majority of the colour which would then allow you to re-stain in a lighter colour. We only recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain or Resene Woodsman Decking Stain for timber decking.

July 2014

Q. Do you have a product for wooden decking that reduces slipping especially in frosty conditions?

A. Yes, Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

June 2014

Q. I am building a new deck with pine decking and plan to use Resene Woodsman wood oil stain and was going to prestain the timber for assembly. Then second coat about Christmas. Is this ok with this product or do I need to wait until summer for the first coat?

A. You can apply one coat now and the other at a later date, but there will be weathering of the stain and surface loss of the stain. Wash down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash before application of additional stain.

May 2014

Q. Can acrylic water based paint be used over old epoxy oil based paint on a swimming pool deck?

A. Scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Hosusewash, rinse off and allow to dry then thoroughly sand with 120 grit sandpaper, dust off and prime with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. Then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider. If you want to achieve extra slip resistance add Resene SRG Grit (added at 500 grams per litre) to the first coat of Resene Lumbersider.

April 2014

Q. Do you have a marine grade clear coat for use on a galv raiing substrate?

A. The specification of clear coats over exterior galvanising is not recommend as corrosion of the galvanising can still occur and this has can cause the clear film to delaminate and there will be white corrosion salts visible at the clear/galvanising interface. For the protection of exterior galvanising with pigmented coatings, see Resene specification sheet 23.

February 2014

Q. What is the best product for rusty steel deck supports?

A. Maintenance of the integrity of the deck structure is a key safety issue and our first recommendation would be to seek advice from a professional engineer before looking to undertake painting to address corrosion.

February 2014

Q. We have a house that has a big purpose built wooden deck going into the house from a concrete driveway. Because of the gradient the concrete could not be taken to the garage. Over the years the deck has become slippery when driving from the deck to the start of the concrete drive. We spray it on a regular basis so there is no mould. What’s a good product to use? Is there a rubber like paint, or adhesive we can apply?

A. The only option we have to increase wet slip resistance would be to apply Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. We have no non slip clear for exterior application to timber surfaces. Before making any recommendation for painting the deck we would need to establish what the deck timber is and its condition.

February 2014

Q. I've just built a new (H3 treated) pine deck. I want to protect it. What is the difference between using a Deck Oil as opposed to a Deck Stain, is it just the colour, or are there other differences?

A. Clear coats offer significantly reduced UV protection to the underlying timber.

January 2014

Q. I'm after a deck finish for Purple Heart. I believe I need to use a transparent penetrating oil based sealer with UV inhibitors in a trans-oxide pigmented ‘cedar tone’ to keep the colour.

A. The colour of purple heart timber does fade out relatively quickly upon exterior exposure. The timber is also very dense and staining when new is a challenge. We would recommend letting the timber weather for a couple of months then apply two coats of tinted Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in a colour to suit.

December 2013

Q. I'm wanting to know what Resene products are suitable for painting over a butynol deck? The deck is weathered, and there is a slight fall on the deck to drain water, although it pools slightly in places before evaporating.

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash and rinse clean with water then allow to dry. Prime with Resene Membrane Roofing Primer and then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

If you select a dark colour then apply Resene Quick Dry Waterborne Primer Undercoat white over the primed surface as a basecot and use the CoolColour™ version of the Resene Lumbersider colour. This will not make the surface cool to touch but will give a painted surface that reflects more heat than the same colour made using conventional colour pigments.

November 2013

Q. Can you recommend a paint to go on existing and new tiles on an outside deck? A grey colour would be good to get the new glazed tiles to match with existing. There is an outside patio below the deck.

A. We recommend using Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer as the adhesion primer for glazed tiles. The tiled area will need to be clean and free or all contaminates. As a precaution I would advise treating the area with Resene Moss & Mould Killer as a prep step (per label directions), rinse well with fresh water and then leave to dry before applying the Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer. Please be aware that the Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is not designed to achieve any significant film build or opacity, only a thin dry film is required. Leave the Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer to cure for 48 hours before applying two coats of a Resene exterior acrylic such as Resene Lumbersider for colour.

November 2013

Q. I am building a large partly covered external deck. I am considering two treatments for the 'floor' – either treated pine - I'd like to make it look white washed or if I used recycled timbers (like railway sleepers) for a deck - what paint treatment could I use so that it meets building code slip resistance levels?

A. The only stain effect you could achieve would be to use one of the Resene Woodsman Wood Oil colours. We have no trafficable exterior white blond effect for this application. There is also no way to produce a slip resistant finish with semi-transparent stains such as Resene Woodsman.

Railway sleepers are made from very hard dense timbers and are difficult timbers to stain. We would recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil, but this cannot give a slip resistant finish. Slip resistant finishes can only be achieved with film forming solid paint finishes, not stains.

September 2013

Q. Is there a timber decking polyurethane that has anti-slip qualities?

A. We do not recommend using clear polyurethane type coatings for exterior timber. An aggregate additive would need to be added to the clear to achieve slip resistance and this results in an unacceptable finish as the aggregate remains visible in the clear.

September 2013

Q. Is there a product that can be painted onto a Butynol deck surface?

A. We use Resene Membrane Roofing Primer as the tie coat/basecoat when coating Butynol. Then you could topcoat with a product such as Resene Non Skid Deck & Path or Resene Lumbersider.

May 2013

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