Pine Maintenance Around Your Home

New Zealand’s Radiata Pine is a beautiful, medium-density softwood that’s grown in sustainable forests across the country. Treated Radiata Pine is popular for decking in New Zealand because of its durability, resistance to decay, fungi and wood-boring insects, and also for its warm, yellow tone.

But just like any other timber, pine needs regular care and maintenance to keep it looking its best. Dryden Woodcare products are made especially for NZ conditions and make pine maintenance easy and stress-free.

So, if you’re the proud owner of a home with a pine deck, bookmark this page to keep using it as your go-to guide for pine deck maintenance. You’ll discover everything from the best pine maintenance products in NZ to tips on cleaning and oiling your pine deck.

 

Pine Decking

Radiata Pine is widely used for decking in New Zealand for its versatility, durability, dimensional stability and appearance. It has a creamy yellow tone with distinct growth rings that are enhanced when oiled with a clear coating.

New Zealand’s hot summers and wet, humid winters can be quite harsh on pine decks. So, if they aren’t properly sealed, coated and regularly maintained, pine decks will eventually show signs of;

  • Cupping
  • Weathering
  • Splitting
  • Discolouration
  • Silvering
  • Moisture retention

Dryden OilStain is a deeply penetrating oil that nourishes most exterior timber species, including Radiata Pine. It helps prevent all of the above issues and extends the lifespan of your deck.

Use Dryden Colourtone+ together with Dryden OilStain if you want to add more colour to your pine deck and an extra layer of UV protection.

Best Pine Maintenance Products for NZ Conditions

Dryden Colourtone+, when added to Dryden OilStain, provides UV protection to timber, helping prevent silvering when maintained correctly. Plus, it comes in 37 colours, so you can find the perfect shade to match the aesthetic of your outdoor living area!

What’s Your Current Coating?

If your pine deck is brand new or already coated with a deeply penetrating oil, Dryden OilStain will be a premium choice for maintenance.

If it’s got a traditional oil-based stain, use Cabot’s Natural Decking Oil
If it’s a water-based stain, then use Cabot’s Water-Based Deck & Exterior Stain or Intergrain Ultradeck Timber Stain.

Dryden’s timber care products make pine deck maintenance much easier – You can apply it with any fine bristled speed brush (just not lambskin ones!). Professionals can also use a roller or spray gun, but everyone gets a great-looking and long-lasting result.

 

How To Identify The Coating On Your Decking

  1. Do a solvent resistance test The most common way to identify the type of coating on a deck is through solvent resistance tests. For example, if a water-based stain is treated with methylated spirits, it will quickly become gummy and sticky.
  2. Check appearance – To check if the coating is a film-forming stain, look at its appearance – if it looks shiny or plastic, or if it’s flaking, then it’s likely a film-forming stain.
  3. Do a burnish/dry rub test – For migrating oil stains, you can do a simple burnish/dry rub test with a clean rag to see how easily the pigment is removed. If the pigment comes off easily, this suggests a migrating stain was used.

However, please note that all these methods are indicative only and not foolproof. To accurately identify the coating on your decking, it’s best to consult a professional.

Pick The Best Colour For Your Pine Decking Stain

Dryden Colourtone+ is the highest-calibre stain for treated pine decking on the market because it adds colour while providing UV protection from silvering when maintained correctly.

Our deck stain makes it easy and straightforward to add colour to your pine deck – there are over 37 shades to choose from! So, you can easily find a colour that enhances the natural beauty of your deck without hiding its distinctive grain pattern.

Clear

*Will silver as product weathers overtime

Clear

*Will silver as product weathers overtime

Dune

Lite Oak

Dusk

Cypress

Beech

Elm

Birch

Copper

Oropo

Walnut

Autumn

Weathered Cedar

Driftwood

Platinum

Silver Grey

Slate

Stone

Storm

Ironsand

Teak

Black-X

Black Teak

Midnight

Dark

Barque

Charcoal

Cumulus

Darkoak

Dryhills

Goldleaf

Karaka

Larch

Lignum

Redwood

Soft Grey

Cedar

How To Choose A Pine Stain Product And Apply It

A semi-transparent wood stain is recommended for pine decking as it brings out pine’s creamy yellow tone and distinct growth rings with your preferred colour. This is exactly what Dryden OilStain and ColourTone+ are designed for!

Remember to use the same colour throughout the application so your pine deck maintains a consistent look.

Plan to use multiple cans? Mix all the cans together to keep the same tone throughout. One method to do this is ‘boxing’ – mixing half of bucket one and half of bucket two in a separate bucket.

Bear in mind that the final colour of the stain or clear finish might change depending on the quality of application, the type of pine (dressed or band-sawn), natural colour, texture, grain, and porosity.

OilStain

How To Apply Dryden Oilstain To Your Pine Deck

Dryden OilStain is the highest-calibre product for pine decking oil in New Zealand, as it’s incredibly easy to use. Here are three important tips to know before applying Dryden OilStain to your pine deck.

  • Apply with a wide bristle brush or a speed pad: For dressed pine, use a wide bristle brush or a speed pad – just avoid the lambswool types. A medium-nap roller or airless spray system can also be used to apply the oil to your decking.
  • Keep stirring the oil: Remember to regularly stir the oil throughout the application process to maintain consistency, especially when using Colourtone+. You don’t need to apply fresh oil to every part of the deck unless it needs it. But if you do start on any face, finish it off! This ensures a nice colour consistency across the deck
  • Don’t thin or dilute: Dryden OilStain should not be thinned or altered in any way – you simply apply it to the wood surface and wipe off any excess solution. After the initial 30-60 minute waiting period, allow the deck to dry before applying another coat – it’s as easy as that!

Common Questions About Pine Deck Maintenance

Do Pine Decks Need Re-Coating Or Ongoing Maintenance?

Yes, treated pine decking needs regular re-coating to stay strong and remain decay, fungi-free.

Start your pine maintenance journey with a coating of Dryden OilStain or a combination of OilStain and Colourtone+.

Give your pine deck a wash every six months. Clean off dirt and grime using a garden hose or soft brush (such as a car washing brush). A mild detergent solution can be used to remove stubborn contaminants.

Reapply the coating when the timber has lost its water resistance and water is soaking in. Conduct routine maintenance inspections every six months to ensure the timber is still protected from water or as frequently as necessary to retain the preferred appearance.

How Often Do I Need To Apply An Oil Or Stain To My Pine Deck?

New Zealand’s harsh sun and wet and humid climate means that your pine decking should be re-coated with 1-2 coats of Dryden OilStain or OilStain and Colourtone+ every few years. Your pine deck also needs an annual soft wash on top of this to keep it looking its best.

bear in mind that the above depends on the timber’s condition. If you see any signs of the common issues that pine suffers from – you should treat your deck sooner.

How Often Does New Pine Decking Need Oiling?

If you’re building with fresh pine and started with Dryden OilStain, it’s recommended to apply two coats of OilStain (maybe combined with Colourtone+) at the very beginning. Follow up with an annual wash and inspection every 12-36 months.

Can You Stop Pine From Going Grey?

Pine can silver or turn grey naturally. Some people don’t mind this, as it gives the pine a weathered look. But, if you want to maintain the warm yellow tones of pine, use Dryden OilStain mixed with Colourtone+ – this will slow the pine from turning grey with its UV-blocking properties.

The closest shades you can find to pine’s natural colour are Dryden’s Autumn, Cypress, Elm, Lite Oak and Oropo colours. Order a free sample here to see which one suits your pine deck the best.