03 Nov How Do You Restore Your Garapa Decking?
How to restore Garapa Decking?
For a product that lasts over time, it has to be cleaned and oiled, or even sanded if too much time has passed between oiling. Garapa is naturally rich in tannins and essential oils that prevent the formation of mold and fungi and the attack of insects. No special treatment is needed to preserve the integrity of the wood, although it is highly recommended to oil the boards to prevent the alteration of color due to constant sun exposure.
Generally, this type of flooring can be cleaned with a simple brush or with high-pressure water, and it is not recommended to place objects that are too hot such as barbecues, boiling pots, torches, or the like directly on the flooring without the use of protection.
Let’s explore some useful tips for the maintenance of outdoor wood, to always keep it looking beautiful!
The techniques for treating wood are numerous: today we give you some advice for ordinary maintenance, to be carried out with some precautions depending on the level of degradation of the material. First, here are the tools you may need:
- Specific cleaning products
- Rag for cleaning off excess oil
- Hardwood oil, which protects
- Sandpaper or Sanding machine
- Soft brush or roller
- A bucket of water
Here are 6 easy steps for how to restore Garapa Decking!
Step 1.
Check the weather – you want to be sure that the garapa deck is dry and will have a chance to dry once you’ve applied the hardwood decking oil. Also, you should not apply oil to your garapa deck if the temperature will be below 40°F or above 90°F
Step 2.
Clean off your deck. Depending on how dirty it is, you may just need to sweep it, or pressure washing may be required. If you are washing it down with a cleaner and brightener or pressure washing the garapa, be sure you give it enough time to properly dry before applying the oil.
Step 3.
Pick the right type of oil for garapa. As an exotic hardwood, you should pick an oil specifically formulated for garapa. Chose an oil-based product that gives you a natural wood finish. Look for oil with trans-oxide pigments, which will protect and preserve the natural beauty garapa.
Step 4
Shake the can of hardwood oil to ensure the product mixes evenly. Apply the oil with either a roller or a brush. Coat all boards evenly.
Step 5.
Wipe off any excess oil with a rag. How long you wait before wiping off the excess oil will depend on your climate. The hotter and sunnier, the faster you will need to dab the surplus off.
Step 6.
Dispose of the rag, the oil canister, and the roller properly. You do not want to leave the product out in the sun as it is flammable and could spark a fire. The best thing to do is to place the rag inside a water bucket and call your local solid waste authority for instructions on proper paint disposal.
Once the oil has dried, which should be after about 48 hours, you can go back to enjoying your outdoor garapa space: evenings in the garden, apéritifs on the terrace, afternoons in the shade with a good book in hand, dinners with friends under the garapa pergola. These same steps can be used to oil garapa pergolas, and also on garapa shutters, outdoor garapa furniture, garapa sheds, or even garapa cladding and siding.
If you like this tip on how to restore Garapa Decking, visit our blog and read all about hardwood maintenance, and more!