3 Best Products for Kwila Maintenance in New Zealand

The products you use on your Kwila deck for maintenance can have an impact on the longevity of your outdoor space. That’s why it’s important to ensure you use the right products at the right time of your Kwila deck maintenance journey. Using products that are tried and tested for New Zealand’s unique climate and environment is also of utmost importance.

Dryden Timbercare products proudly carry the ‘New Zealand Made’ label as they are built to withstand the strong sun, humidity and rain experienced here in Aotearoa. This comprehensive guide outlines three different types of products available for Kwila maintenance from Dryden that can be used to clean, oil and stain your Kwila deck.

Understanding Kwila: Why Choose Kwila For Decking?

Kwila is a fantastic choice for decks because it is a premium, high-density hardwood that has a beautiful yellow-brown/ dark-red-brown tone. Also known as Merbau, Kwila is a bit more expensive than other common timber types like Radiata Pine. But it’s well worth the investment and here’s why:

Merbau/Kwila is naturally resistant to termites, fungi and decay.
Requires minimal maintenance and can be cleaned with a soft wash using your garden hose.
Highly durable and can handle NZ’s harsh weather conditions
Great for high-traffic outdoor areas like decks because of its resistance to scratches, dents and wear.
Very dense timber that’s less prone to cracking.

Featured: The Ultimate Guide to Kwila Maintenance

Does Kwila need to be oiled?

Yes, although naturally rich in protective oils, your Kwila deck needs to be oiled and maintained regularly to stay strong and decay-free. If not maintained properly, your Kwila will suffer from;

Fading – NZ’s harsh UV rays can bleach your deck, resulting in a dull grey or silver colouring.
Mould and mildew – The humid climate of New Zealand encourages mould and mildew growth, which can discolour your Kwila decking
Warping, cupping, and splitting

That’s why you need to maintain your Kwila decking with the right products regularly.

What Maintenance Does Kwila Decking Need?

Start with a good coating of OilStain, Dryden’s premium Kwila decking oil and follow up with a wash and visual inspection every twelve months. Moisture is the biggest enemy of a Kwila deck, so you need a water-repellent coating like OilStain to prevent water damage, which comes in the form of warping, splitting and mould growth.

If you need enhanced UV protection, add Colourtone+ to Dryden OilStain – this is a tinted oil with added UV protection that is available in 37 colours.

Is your Kwila deck already showing signs of damage? See what’s causing the issue and find out how to fix it through our Kwila restoration guide here.

The 3 Easy-To-Use Products for Kwila Decking Maintenance

Now that we know more about Kwila and why it’s important to maintain it, let’s take a look at some of the best products for Kwila maintenance available from Dryden.

1. Product For Kwila Deck Preparation: Dryden LiquidTimberClean

What is it: An effective cleaning product you can use to freshen and brighten dulled Kwila decks. Our LiquidTimberClean will help improve any cosmetic staining and blemishes on your precious Kwila.

Why it’s great:

You can use it on new and restored Kwila decking.
It helps remove watermarks, environmental and industrial contamination, chemical marks and mould stains.

Shop LiquidTimberClean from your local Dryden Reseller

LiquidTimberClean

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2. Kwila Decking Oil: Dryden OilStain

What is it: a deeply penetrating oil that nourishes most exterior timbers such as Kwila. Dryden OilStain nourishes and protects from within to help your Kwila deck last longer. It is water resistant to help minimise warping, cupping, and splitting, which occur from water getting into the Kwila.

Why it’s great: Dryden OilStain deeply penetrates the timber to protect it from the inside out while repelling water. It doesn’t form a film, which means your Kwila deck won’t flake or peel.
If used correctly and maintained regularly, Dryden OilStain can greatly extend the life span of your Kwila deck.

Shop Dryden OilStain from your local Dryden Reseller

It’s important to note that if you apply Dryden OilStain on its own as a clear base, your timber will silver naturally. Some people like the silvered, grey look, but others prefer to maintain Kwila’s yellow-brown/ dark-red-brown or change the colour, so they add a stain to it. This brings us to the next product…

OilStain

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3. Kwila Deck Stain: Dryden Colourtone+ with Dryden OilStain

What is it: A wood tint that can be added to the clear-based Dryden OilStain to complement the natural character of your Kwila’s deck, enhance the wood grain and help provide UV protection while giving you the aesthetic colour finish you are after (or similar).

Why it’s great:

Dryden Colourtone+ comes in over 37 colours, so you can find the perfect colour to match.
When added to Dryden OilStain, Colourtone+ adds UV protection, which can help prevent silvering when maintained correctly.

And that’s all the products you need to keep your Kwila deck looking great for many years to come!

ColourTone+

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Wrap-Up: Key Points On Kwila Deck Maintenance Products

In short, Kwila is a premium hardwood that is popular for decking in New Zealand because of its durability, high density and natural resistance to decay, boring insects and fungi.

But, just like other timbers like cedar and pine, it needs regular maintenance to prevent it from being damaged by:

Fading
Warping
Cupping
Splitting
Contaminants like mould or mildew

There are specific products for cleaning, oiling, and staining Kwila decks from Dryden. They are;

By using these recommended products and following proper maintenance practices, you can extend the lifespan of your Kwila deck for up to 25 years! For more information on how to maintain your Kwila decking, contact us, and we would be more than happy to help!

Explore all our timber care products here and find them at your local Dryden reseller.