Everything you need to know about exterior woodcare

Summer is a great time to stain and refresh your exterior timber. Staining not only keeps it looking its very best and lets the natural beauty of the wood grain shine through, but also protects it from the elements. It’s important to note that different timbers and where timber is used will mean different treatments and types of stain are needed to achieve the best results, so we’ve taken out the guesswork for you and explained exactly which Resene product is required for each of the different surfaces. This way, you’ll be able to easily identify and choose the Resene Woodcare product best suited to your project.

Check out the colour range here. If you still have further questions, ask the friendly staff in your local Resene ColorShop or send your questions through to our team of online paint experts.

All in the preparation

Before you start your project, all surfaces must be clean, dry and free from dirt, dust and loose fibres. Treat any moss and mould using Resene Moss & Mould Killer, following the instructions on the label.

It’s also recommended that exterior timber surfaces, including previously stained timber, are washed and/or scrubbed using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This is a powerful cleaner that removes degraded and weathered timber, as well as weakly adhering stains and coatings.

Additional sanding may also be needed for a smooth surface. You may also carefully water blast (at a pressure setting that will not damage the timber) in some situations, such as staining weathered pine fencing, landscape features and decking, as well as hardwood decking. Note: Do not water blast cedar or similar easily damaged timbers.

Choosing the best stain for your project

This is a list of common timber surfaces you’re likely to find at your place and the recommended system for each, as well as a backup option.

Cedar and redwood weatherboards, cladding and garage doors.

How: Two coats of Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil, or two coats of Resene Waterborne Woodsman.

Why: Resene Woodsman Natural Wood Oil has a wide palette of colours that highlight the natural appearance and hue of cedar. Furthermore, it penetrates deeper into cedar, resulting in a more natural appearance. Both the suggested products are best applied using a good-quality synthetic bristle brush, such as the PAL Legend.

Pine and similar hued weatherboards and cladding.

How: Two coats of Resene Waterborne Woodsman or two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain (solventborne).

Why: Resene Waterborne Woodsman is Resene’s most durable wood stain, however for old and badly weathered timber, Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain will perform better. Both are best applied using a good-quality synthetic bristle brush, such as the PAL Legend.

Cedar weatherboards stained in Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain CoolColour in Resene Dark Oak.

To apply a Resene wood stain, use long brushstrokes following the grain of the timber. Maintain a wet edge by not allowing the timber to dry before applying the next brushstroke. Fence being stained with Resene Waterborne Woodsman in Resene Pitch Black.

Thermally modified timber (cladding)

How: Two coats of Resene Woodsman Natural Wood Oil or two coats of Resene Waterborne Woodsman

Why: Before coating thermally modified timbers, check the labelling and coating instructions before proceeding.

Landscaping features like trellis, pergolas, retaining walls and fencing

How: Two coats of Resene Waterborne Woodsman or two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain (solventborne) or if the colour suits your project you could use the recently released Resene Woodsman Landscape and Fence Stain

Tip: If you’re staining old and weathered timber, solventborne Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain could be used as the first coat before applying a coat of Resene Waterborne Woodsman after 10 days (to allow for solvent evaporation). Both are best applied using a good-quality synthetic bristle brush, such as the PAL Legend.

Hardwood decking

How: Two coats of Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain or two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain or Resene Kwila Timber Stain (both are solventborne)

Tip: Allow 8-12 weeks for hardwood timbers to weather so the stain can penetrate more easily, before scrubbing/washing with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This ensures optimal penetration. Both can be applied using the PAL Deck Master Deck Brush or a lambswool applicator pad. A quality brush for cutting in will also be needed.

Pine decking

How: Two coats of Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain or two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain (solventborne)

Tip: Unlike hardwood decking, it is preferable to apply stains as soon as is practical. Apply as per hardwood decking above.

Deck stained in Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Natural. Using a PAL Deck Master Deck Brush to apply the stain makes the job faster and easier.

You can use a regular paintbrush or a foam speed brush when applying stain. Furniture being stained in Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Natural.

Hardwood furniture

How: 1-2 coats of Resene Furniture and Timber Gel or two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain or Resene Kwila Timber Stain (both are solventborne)

Tip: Resene Timber and Furniture Gel has a gel-like consistency to reduce splashes. Allow time to weather as per hardwood decking above, and be mindful of tannin bleed onto concrete and pavers, etc. Assess the timber condition in spring and re-apply to weathered areas as needed. These products are best applied using a good-quality synthetic bristle brush.

Pine furniture

How: 1-2 coats of Resene Furniture and Timber Gel or two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain (solventborne)

Tip: As above for hardwood furniture, but make sure to test colours on the actual timber before applying – often colours that look great on hardwood don’t look as good on pine and vice versa.

How to apply stain

To apply a Resene wood stain, use long brushstrokes following the grain of the timber. Maintain a wet edge by not allowing the timber to dry before applying the next brushstroke. Work in small sections and stop at a natural end point in the timber to avoid lap marks, using an old rag to wipe away excess stain.

With the first coat, aim to saturate the timber. Older wood may absorb more stain than new wood, but remember that the second coat will be easier and much faster to apply than the first. You could also use the Resene #15 Fence & Deck Kit 150mm for large jobs, in particular fences constructed using 150mm wide palings. If staining a deck, you could use a PAL Deck Master Deck Brush or lambswool applicator to make the job easier.

What about whitewash?

Unlike a penetrating stain, a whitewash or colourwash is a waterborne semi-transparent colour which sits on top of the surface of the timber. Resene Whitewash and Resene Greywash are available in Resene Woodsman.

Note: Resene Woodsman Whitewash and Resene Woodsman Greywash are not advised for use on decks or furniture as the light finish doesn’t perform as well in foot-traffic areas, so are best for new and weathered exterior timber, including most cladding and landscape features.

Going dark?

Resene CoolColour looks like a normal stain or paint colour, but thanks to special pigment technology it reflects more of the sun’s energy, so it doesn’t get as hot as a standard colour would. Resene CoolColour technology is available in a range of Resene premium paints and stains, including the Resene Woodsman range of timber and furniture stains, and is suitable for a wide range of exterior projects, especially where dark colours are planned. Resene CoolColours help reduce heat related stress on timber (including cupping and warping) but will not eliminate it entirely.