Peeling stain or varnish on your deck
Film finishes peel in tropical sun. The fix is to strip them and switch to penetrating oil.
Why it happens
Varnish and some solid stains form a skin on top of the wood. Timber moves with heat and humidity, the skin cracks, water gets under it and it lifts in patches. Recoating over peeling varnish only traps more water.
How we fix it
- Sand off all of the old film down to bare timber
- Clean out the grooves and board edges
- Apply a penetrating deck oil, which wears away evenly instead of peeling
Get it quoted
Send us photos of the affected area on WhatsApp and we will reply with a quote. More on our deck stripping and refinishing service.
Questions about this problem
Can I paint over peeling deck stain?
No. New coats will not bond to a failing film and will peel again within months.
Why does oil not peel?
Oil soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top, so there is no skin to lift. It fades gradually and is topped up.
Other deck problems
Not sure if your deck needs a repair or a full replacement?
Send us photos on WhatsApp. We will tell you honestly whether a sand-and-oil, a few new boards, or a full re-lay makes sense, and send you a quote.