A Master Guide: How To Restore A Pine Deck In NZ

Effortlessly restore your pine deck from washed-out and weathered to fresh and almost new! Radiata pine is an affordable softwood that is a classic timber decking material in New Zealand due to its aesthetic, durability and natural resistance to decay, fungi and boring insects.
But these qualities don’t make pine immune to NZ’s challenging weather. If not regularly maintained, your pine deck will eventually show signs of wear and tear and growth of contaminants.

Dryden timber maintenance products make pine deck maintenance and restoration effortless. Follow our instructions and tips to restore a pine deck and have your investment last for years.

Here are the four common issues we’ve covered:

1. Cupping, warping and splitting
2. Weathering
3. Silvering
4. Mould and lichen development

Final Thoughts On Pine Decking Restoration

5 Common Issues With Pine And How To Restore Them

Restoring your deck from the four most common issues doesn’t have to be complicated; just follow our tips and guides.

1. Cupping, warping, splitting and wood fuzzies

How to identify:

You’ll see noticeable deformations, like:

  • Cupping – when the edges of timber boards are higher than the centre and form a concave shape
  • Warping – twisting of the pine boards
  • Clear surface splits
  • Wood fuzzies – raised timber fibres

What it looks like:
Here’s an example of a deck with raised timber fibres.

What are the causes?

  • High moisture content
  • Exposure to extreme temperature changes
  • Improper coating/sealing of the timber

How to prevent pine cupping, warping, splitting and raised fibres with Dryden:

The key to avoiding or minimising this damage is to regulate the deck’s moisture absorption and release rate. Dryden OilStain is a fantastic solution because it deeply penetrates the timber and delivers exceptional water resistance and moisture management.

How to restore pine from cupping, warping, splitting and raised fibres:

If the timber is already cupped, split, warped, and shows raised timber fibres, you’ll need to repair the damage and ensure it doesn’t happen again. To do this, first, find out what the existing finish is and reapply it.

If the pine decking is uncoated, clean your pine deck with Dryden LiquidTimberClean and apply Dryden OilStain on its own for a clear finish. Or, combine OilStain with Dryden Colourtone+ for a stained finish.

Does Pine warp easily?

Yes, while pine is an excellent quality, durable timber, it’s still vulnerable to warping, which happens when the pine wood isn’t properly dried or treated. This is something you have to watch out for when buying pine decking.

2. Weathering

How to identify:

Your pine deck will gradually lose its natural colour and fade due to longtime exposure to UV rays, rain, and wind.

What causes the weathering of pine?

The sun, rain, and wind will slowly wear down the soft timber fibres of a pine deck, making it lose colour and texture over time. This process happens faster for New Zealand decks because UV levels here are particularly intense.

How to restore Pine from weathering with Dryden:

Prepare the deck for recoating by first cleaning it with LiquidTimberClean. Next, add Dryden Colourtone+ to Dryden OilStain and apply to your weathered pine deck to bring it back to life! Dryden Colourtone+ provides enhanced UV protection and adds more colour to your deck.

3. Silvering

How to identify:

Your pine deck will lose its distinctive warm, yellow colour and take on a silvery-grey hue caused by the sun’s UV rays.

What are the causes?  

Coloured timber extractives are washed out (leaching), and the pine structures get damaged by sunlight (photodegradation).

How to restore pine from silvering with Dryden: 

Once pine has turned grey, there’s no natural way to reverse it. Silvering is not necessarily negative; some prefer the beautiful, silvery grey. But if you don’t like this effect, you can give your deck a fresh, new tone by staining it with Dryden Colourtone+.

There are 37 colours to choose from, so you can find a shade similar to the original yellow tone or go for something completely new!

Deep clean with Dryden LiquidTimberClean, and gently wash off with a garden hose. Dry and recoat with two coats of Dryden OilStain or OilStain and Colourtone+ combined.

How long does Pine take to silver?

It typically takes six to 12 months for pine to silver or develop a silvery-grey hue. However, the exact timeline can vary based on several factors, like the level of sun exposure, humidity, and the type of pine used for decking.

For example, coastal areas with higher humidity and intense sun exposure would experience faster silvering, while decks in areas with milder weather will silver more gradually.

4. Mould and lichen development

How to identify:

Dark spots or green patches on your pine deck will indicate mould or lichen growth.

What are the causes?

Damp and humid conditions create the perfect breeding ground for mould, lichen, and moss, as these contaminants thrive in moisture and warmth.

How do you remove lichen from Pine decking?

Use Dryden LiquidTimberClean to clean the lichen off the pine decking. Dilute the product with equal parts of water, then saturate the surface starting from the bottom and working upward. Let it sit for 15 minutes, keeping the surface wet with a spray mist.
Scrub and gently wash off using a garden hose. Dry and recoat with two coats of Dryden OilStain or OilStain and Colourtone+ combined.

How to restore pine from mould and lichen development with Dryden:

Dryden OilStain is fortified with a potent fungicide that helps prevent mould and lichen growth. So, once you’ve deep cleaned with Dryden LiquidTimberClean, apply Dryden OilStain for a clear finish or with Dryden Colourtone+ for a stained effect and prevent your beautiful pine from contaminants.

Please be aware that Liquid TimberClean may be insufficient for deck preparation in certain cases. In such instances, sanding may be required, which presents a bit of a challenge for decks installed with the reed side up.

What is the life expectancy of a pine deck?

A Radiata pine deck typically has a minimum lifespan of 15 years. However, proper maintenance and environmental factors can influence its longevity and lower this.

Ongoing pine deck maintenance involves continuous inspecting, cleaning, and reapplying a premium deck oil like Dryden OilStain, with or without a colour stain, every two to three years or as needed, based on the appearance and condition of your pine deck.

 

Final Thoughts On Pine Decking Restoration

 

Pine is a softwood popular for its affordability, warm yellow colour, dimensional stability and durability, but it’s not completely immune to wear and tear. If not taken care of properly, your pine deck will suffer from:

  • Cupping, warping, and splitting: Caused by moisture and temperature changes. Prevent with Dryden OilStain to manage moisture and reapply it when needed.
  • Weathering: Gradual loss of colour due to sun, rain, and wind exposure. Restore with Dryden Colourtone+ added to Dryden OilStain for enhanced UV protection.
  • Silvering: Silvery-grey hue from UV rays. It cannot be reversed naturally, but Dryden Colourtone+ can provide a fresh, new stain.
  • Mould and lichen development: Caused by damp and humid conditions. Remove with Dryden LiquidTimberCleaner and protect with Dryden OilStain, which contains a powerful fungicide.

In summary, by applying Dryden OilStain and Dryden Colourtone+ and following proper maintenance practices, your pine decking will stay beautiful and resilient for years. So, visit your local Dryden reseller and start your pine restoration journey today.

Clear

*Will silver as product weathers overtime

Clear

*Will silver as product weathers overtime

Dune

Lite Oak

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