Heavy stripping, rejuvenation, Spotted Gum board replacement, framing repairs, sanding, and three-coat finishing.
This large Narrabeen deck formed the heart of the owners’ rear entertaining area, with a spa and open outlook. After 12–15 years of careful maintenance, repeated coating applications had gradually built up into a heavy, paint-like surface that hid the natural Spotted Gum beneath. The owners wanted to bring the deck back to the look and feel it had when first built, while repairing deteriorated boards and isolated framing issues rather than considering an unnecessary full rebuild.
The biggest challenge was removing years of accumulated Intergrain UltraDeck coating without damaging the surrounding spa, garden, or existing timber. Once stripping began, we also uncovered numerous concealed rotten boards and heavily corroded galvanised screws, making removal and replacement considerably more difficult. The existing decking had also been sanded down over the years to approximately 17 mm, so every new 19 mm Spotted Gum board had to be thickness-matched before installation to keep the finished surface level, neat, and consistent.
Restoring an established deck like this requires more than simply sanding and recoating. We combined heavy chemical stripping, careful carpentry, timber preparation, and precise board matching to preserve as much of the original Spotted Gum as possible while returning the entire entertaining area to a clean, natural appearance.
We chemically stripped the old coating and rejuvenated the existing Spotted Gum before carrying out the carpentry repairs. Around 30 boards were replaced, including the full planter-box perimeter, spa surrounds, and mitred corner details. New boards were passed through a thickness planer to match the worn 17 mm decking, while H3 treated-pine support joists were added where extra framing was required.
After the repairs, the deck received another rejuvenating wash, with tannin activation and removal on the new Spotted Gum. The entire surface was then carefully sanded to create an even transition between old and new boards. Around the spa, vulnerable edges were sealed beneath the decking to reduce future water ingress before three coats of Haymes Dexpress Natural were applied across the full deck.
The transformation was substantial. The heavy painted appearance disappeared, revealing the natural grain and character of the Spotted Gum again. Old and new boards now sit level and read as one cohesive deck, while the repaired spa, planter-box, and framing areas feel neat and solid. The owners effectively regained the look of a newly built deck without the cost and disruption of a complete rebuild.
This is the second deck we have had renovated and rejuvenated by Saba and his Deck Care team. Once again they have impressed with their quality of work , professional attention to detail and communication. The photos are a testimony to the their high level of workmanship. The result is outstanding. Thank you Saba and your team for bringing our deck back to life. It is a joy to look at and everyone who has seen it comments on how beautiful the timber looks.
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