Freshly sanded and richly oiled spotted gum timber deck in Shellharbour

Coastal Hardwood & Composite Care • Shellharbour & Kiama

Deck Restoration Shellharbour — Bring Weathered Timber Back to Life

Coastal salt spray and harsh NSW summer sun turn expensive merbau, spotted gum, and blackbutt decks grey, splintered, and peeling. We connect Shellharbour and Kiama homeowners with specialist deck sanders and timber restoration pros.

✓ Full Belt & Edge Dust-Controlled Sanding
✓ Failed Acrylic & Stain Stripping
✓ Nail Punching & Loose Board Re-Screwing
✓ 3-Coat Trade UV Penetrating Oils

Call Now: 0415 770 509 See Our Sanding Process

Get a Deck Restoration Quote

Fast per-square-metre pricing across Shellharbour, Albion Park & Kiama.

Complete Exterior Timber Care

Deck Sanding, Stripping & Oiling Services

Slapping fresh oil over dirty, greyed-out timber traps mould and causes rapid flaking. Proper restoration strips away oxidised wood fibres down to fresh, vibrant Australian hardwood.

Drum sanding weathered merbau deck boards in Shellharbour

Full Timber Sanding

Multi-grit rotary and belt sanding across flat boards, edges, and stairs to remove cupping, splinters, and old failing coatings.

Applying UV-resistant decking oil to spotted gum boards

3-Coat Trade Oiling

Application of deep-penetrating natural or tinted decking oils (for example Cutek, Intergrain or Sikkens) formulated to help resist coastal UV and salt air.

Oxalic acid timber brightening wash on grey coastal decking

Grey Timber Brightening

Controlled low-pressure cleaning and oxalic acid timber brightening to lift tannin stains, mould spores, and black water marks without furring the grain.

Replacing rotted timber deck boards and countersinking stainless steel screws

Board & Step Repairs

Punching proud nails below the sand line, replacing rusted fixings with stainless screws (316 marine grade is common on the coast), and replacing split boards.

Deck Sanding Deck Oiling Grey Timber Cleaning Peeling Stain Removal Board & Step Repairs

01. Punch & Secure

Nails are typically punched about 3mm below the surface and loose boards screwed down so the sanders can cut flat.

02. Coarse-to-Fine Sand

Coarse (often 36/40-grit) sanding removes weathered grey wood and peeling stain, followed by finer (often 80-grit) sanding for a smooth, barefoot-friendly surface.

03. Tannin Wash & Dry

Fine dust is vacuumed from between board gaps, followed by a timber clean and moisture-meter check before coating.

04. Multi-Coat Sealing

Typically three coats of trade decking oil, applied as the maker recommends, help keep moisture out and bring back the rich natural colour of your timber.

See the full 4-stage process with photos →

Deck Sanding & Oiling FAQs

How much does deck sanding and oiling cost per square metre?+

Full mechanical sanding back to bare timber plus 3 coats of trade decking oil typically ranges from $45 to $75 per square metre, depending on existing coating thickness (acrylic paint/stain takes longer to strip than oil), stairs, and handrails.

How often should coastal decks in Shellharbour and Kiama be re-oiled?+

Exposed, north- or west-facing decks near the ocean often benefit from a maintenance wash and top-up coat every 12 to 18 months, depending on exposure and the oil maker’s guidance. A maintenance coat before the oil wears bare can help avoid another full sand for some years.

Can a grey deck be restored without sanding?+

Sometimes. If the timber is sound and the old oil has simply weathered, a timber clean and brightening wash followed by a maintenance coat may be enough. If there’s peeling stain or paint, deep greying or splintering, a full sand is usually needed. Your specialist can tell you on site.

Do you look after composite decks?+

Composite boards generally aren’t sanded or oiled. They usually just need cleaning to the manufacturer’s care guide. Tell us what you have and we’ll match you with someone who can help.

How Shellharbour Deck Care works: we’re a lead-matching service, not a deck restoration company. We pass your enquiry to an independent local deck restoration specialist, who quotes and does the work directly with you. Photos on this site show typical styles and techniques, not specific jobs.