Mould and algea tend to penetrate into the surface, they don’t just sit on top of the wood. It might be tempting to just paint decking oil over the top and hope it disappears, but it won’t work. If your garden deck has been treated with a product that forms a protective film on the surface, sometimes characterised by cracking, peeling of flaking, it will have to be fully removed before adding a decking oil. If that’s what you’re thinking about doing, stop right now – it simply won’t work! Decking oils will only work on bare wood or on decking that has been previously oiled. Some people try to take short-cuts, or don’t fully understand how various decking products work, for example, trying to add an oil over the top of a non-compatible decking stain, a varnish or even a paint. All you need to do is stop trying to apply more and wipe off any excess with a lint-free cloth. If your deck has been happily absorbing plenty of oil then suddenly stops, it’s probably because the timber is already ‘full’ and can’t absorb any more.

Some new hardwoods, especially exotic ones, are naturally very oily indeed, and you might find they absorb very little oil if any at all, at least until they’ve aged a bit and seen at least 3 months of our famously awful British weather! Which means there’s probably nothing wrong at all – the wood might be oily enough in the first place or even pre-treated with an oil. If it’s a brand new deck, is it made from hardwood? If so, it might already be naturally oily. If the decking oil you’re applying has gone sticky and isn’t being absorbed properly, your number one reason – assuming it’s new decking – might be the type of wood the decking is made of.

Problems with new hardwood decking, which is already naturally oily.

Not enough preparation – for example trying to use a decking oil over mould or algae.

Issues around using an oil over a non-compatible product like a decking stain, varnish or paint.

Over-application – where the oil isn’t penetrating the surface properly.

So what’s all this horrid stickiness about, and how do you fix it? 4 reasons why decking oil goes sticky It’s sitting on the surface instead of being absorbed, and you’re getting into a right pickle. But when it comes down to actually applying the decking oil, or re-applying more coats, everything seems to be going pear-shaped.

You’re doing the decent thing, keeping your garden deck in apple pie order. Wooden Decking Sticky garden decking – What to do about it

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