Garapa Decking – The Golden Alternative

What is the best oil to use for Garapa Hardwood?

What Is The Best Oil To Use For Garapa Hardwood

What is the best oil to use for Garapa Hardwood?

 

What is the best oil to use for Garapa Hardwood?

If you are thinking: What is the best oil to use for Garapa? Here are 2 great options for your decking.

If you have a Garapa hardwood deck, you probably want to keep its rich golden color.  Since your deck is most likely outdoors, it is exposed to the sun.  With its UV rays, the sun will discolor your deck and your Garapa will fade to a silver patina.  In order to prevent this, your deck will have to be sealed.

How often do you have to seal a Garapa deck?  This will depend on how much it is exposed to the sun.  The more sunlight it receives, the more maintenance it will require.  A good rule of thumb is to oil your wood once a year. You should use a product that is specifically formulated for exterior hardwoods. 

So, what is the best oil to use for Garapa Hardwood? There are two options: water-based deck stains and oil-based deck stains.  Water-based deck stains are not commonly used for Garapa decks because a water-based product does not penetrate it as well, which means the product will not last as long on the wood.

On the other hand, oil-based stains have solvents in them which penetrate the wood.  However, how much solvent is in the product will significantly impact how well the product performs.  If you live in California, you must make sure you look at your local VOC requirements.

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, and it indicates the amount of carbon-based solvent in a product. The amount of solvent released into the atmosphere impacts both the direct consumer and the ozone layer.  In certain areas of California, there must be less than 100g/l VOC.  If you use a water-based product, it is almost certainly going to be less than 100 g/l VOC.  Why is a low VOC product a good idea for your Garapa deck?  When the solvent is exposed to the sun, it creates a chemical reaction that increases the smog in our atmosphere. 

A commonly used oil for hardwood is a product made by DeckWise called Ipe Oil® It is an oil-based hardwood deck finish that can be used on Garapa.   It is a great option because it maintains the natural color of the wood.  How much hardwood oil will you need for your Garapa deck?  This will depend on the deck’s size. You will need a gallon for every 250-300 square feet (23-28 m2).

Another trusted brand in exterior oils and sealers is PPG (formerly known as Sikkens).  Their star product is PROLUXE® SRD Semi-Transparent Wood Finish.  Professionals in the industry chose this wood stain for decks in order to extend the life of the deck.  It is a translucent satin wood finish that will help your Garapa resist cracking and peeling. SRD Semi-Transparent Wood Finish can be used by consumers as well as professionals. One gallon of Proluxe will cover about 300-400 square feet (7-10 m2 /L).  

Another option for oiling a Garapa deck is Penofin oil.  Penofin is also an exterior wood finish that will help protect the durability of your deck.  Penofin comes both in a satin and matte finish and is available both in natural or in colored tones. Penofin penetrates the wood while still allowing it to breathe. 

No matter which type of oil or sealer you use on your deck, make sure you keep certain safety measures in mind.  For example, it is important to wear protective eyewear as well as gloves.

Oils and sealers are flammable, so it is important to keep them away from the heat (keep them out of the sun and don’t store them in a space where temperatures get high), sparks, flames, etc.

When you are finished using it, make use you properly dispose of all your tools and the oil canister, rising everything out with water. 

Price Comparison Between Ipe. Cumaru, and Garapa

Now that you know what is the best oil to use for Garapa, which one are you going to choose?