Merbau Decking Tips: use of Putty?
Question:I had a new merbau deck put in 6 months ago. Finally got around to sanding and oiling.
The deck is looking rather "grey" and has a combination of some nail heads sticking out, and some recessed into the wood.
a) Should I be using a nail punch to put down all the nails level to the wood?
b) Should I be using putty to fill in the gaps left by the nails? (I've tried using Intergrain's Merbau putty, and it comes up horible once oiled with Intergrain's Natural Oil ~ the colour of the wood once oiled is different from the putty and it really stands out!)
Sanding the deck as is, appears to polish the nails that are protruding.
Using putty does not appear to blend well colour-wise one the timber is oiled
Holes left by recessed nails (nail gun was used) are black looking tannin stains?
Help!! What should I do??
Answers:
use a nail set to sink all protruding nails then shop for a putty
that matches the color of the deck after you oiled it. it doesn't have to be the merbau product. if you can not find a putty to match try "water putty" mixed with stain or pigment..mix a small amt & let dry to be sure of the color...keep track of the formula
unfortunately you will have to dig out the unmatched putty and redo
a?
The nails should not have been unplated they can and will rust stain Who did the job if not yourself you should have a claim it does not appear to have been done right ~~
You should have used deck screws instead of nails, it would have been easier to countersink them. anyway, I would suggest using the oil FIRST, then filling in the holes with putty. the putty is absorbing more of the stain than the wood.
the nails sound like a ringshank type. The hold rail good but are commonly used on siding. they can be painted or stained. Its not recommended for decks because there not galvanized and the water will surround them no matter the stain process and they will fail. did he use a nail gun or hand drives. Did his estimate specify the fasteners. I always use exterior deck screws, not the gold cheap ones. in any project hired out, check for specs. if there isnt any make sure you do it for them. if there was no written contract, hard lesson learned.
Most deck nails should be alumin nails not plated. Plated nail are only good in weather for say couple years at most, then they show rust.
Best thing for you to do is like you ask. Set nails down with nail set first then do the rest.
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