Cabot Australian Timber Oil, Applied by Southern Home, Richmond, VA 804-585-8016, What you need to know if you do it yourself!

Hello, my name is Joseph Sowell. I have been cleaning and sealing wood decks in Richmond, VA for thirty years. I know about nearly every product available to the American consumer. I have recognized some very significant traits about the product called, Cabot brand, Australian Timber Oil. Pay very close attention as I know more about this product than most anyone. I have used it extensively and can tell you a few things before you get involved with this water-sealant. 

Firstly, the product does look absolutely beautiful when it is applied correctly. Secondly, it is very hard to apply and a good amount of time will go into the final product. Even the smallest deck will require more sealant than you are anticipating. The can says something about using only one coat, but there is no way in the world that you are going to get the finish that you are supposed to get using only one coat. A 10' x 15' deck with several steps will probably require two gallons to get the desired results. New wood will swallow the sealant as if you were applying the product to parched earth. 

The project at hand was one where a customer had a kind friend apply the product to her wood deck. He had done a fine job, however, this product is apt to show roller marks and imperfections if only one coat is applied. You will use less product if the deck was sealed in the past. New wood, however, absorbs more product into the pores of the wood. If a stain was on the deck in the past, a stain-stripper must be used to remove all old stain. That task alone can cause the previous product to come out of the pores, necessitating more product. 

The product will go onto the surface best with an applicator pad. I have been taught to use this pad for this product, so I cannot tell you whether a roller can be used, but I suspect it would not produce the same, smooth results that I get when using the soft applicator pad.

This project took two vigilant days of attention and two men about 22 hours labor. Material can be applied with a brush. Overlap is one of the hardest parts of this beautiful finish. See pics below.  

About 22 man hours to complete

Respond to this site with any questions and I will respond. Or, if you decide to have somebody else do the work, find my information on this post heading or visit: www.southernhomedeck.com in Richmond, VA.