The terrace should be maintained in the spring when the temperature does not fall below +5 °C degrees at night. In early spring, the wood is too moist to be oiled, and the oil does not absorb properly into the wood.
Oiling should be implemented either before or after the birch pollen season, as pollen may dye the oiled surface yellow. When oiling in autumn, the outside temperature and humidity must be monitored. The advantage of handling in the fall is that the wood gets better protection during the winter.
It is recommended to repeat the treatment every 1 to 5 years, but it depends on how much weather affects the terrace. New impregnated wood should not be treated immediately because the wood is moist, so it must be allowed to dry.
A new terrace made of impregnated wood should not be treated until the following spring to ensure that the wood is dry and the oil can be absorbed into the wood and does not form a non-breathable film on the surface of the wood.
The terrace is exposed to a wide range of strain: it is walked on, it gets wet, freezes, melts, and is exposed to the sun's UV radiation. The oil moisturizes the wood and prevents it from cracking and staining.
It is advisable to treat the terrace in cloudy or partly cloudy weather. Wash the terrace with WOODCARE.GUIDE Terrace Wash or, if necessary, WOODCARE.GUIDE Mould & Maintenance Cleaner. Washing with water alone is not enough. When using a pressure washer, use a separate terrace nozzle so that the pressure is not too hard.
If necessary, sand the sticky surface after you let the surface dry throughout. Sanding does good for the terrace but it's usually not needed every year.
The wood must be completely dry before treating with oil. The terrace can be let dry for a couple of dry days. Stir the oil well before use and during the process. Oil one board at a time to achieve a smooth result where the gaps are not visible.
For the best result, use two brushes: a wide brush for efficient oiling of large surfaces and a small brush for oiling narrow gaps between the boards, etc. Allow the oil to dry, and wipe the unabsorbed oil off with a lint-free cloth.
If necessary, treat a second time for a more lasting result. Tinted oil gives the wood better protection against UV radiation. After oiling, the surface does not tolerate immediate use, so let it dry for a couple of days. You can walk on the terrace after some hours of drying but try to avoid placing heavy furniture on it for about a week.
Due to the risk of spontaneous combustion, rags should be either burned or watered and stored in a fireproof container before disposal. Do not use an empty paint can, as paint residues may gasify and create an explosion hazard.
The wood's shade affects the result. First, try the oil in an unnoticeable place.