Garden furniture oiling in Exeter
Professional garden furniture oiling services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-160
Typical Duration
1.5-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Wooden garden furniture cleaned and oiled properly - grey weathered wood restored to its natural color, protected against Devon weather, looking good again.
Why Garden Furniture Goes Grey
Because untreated wood weathered by rain and sun loses its natural oils and surface color. The UV breaks down the lignin, moisture raises the grain, and you're left with that grey, rough finish.
💡 Pro tip: That grey color isn't damage - it's just surface weathering. Clean it off and oil the fresh wood underneath, it'll look new again.
What Proper Oiling Does
| ✅ Properly Oiled | ❌ Left Untreated |
|---|---|
| Rich natural wood color | Grey and weathered |
| Smooth finish | Rough, raised grain |
| Water beads off | Water soaks in (accelerates rot) |
| Lasts 15-20+ years | Deteriorates in 5-10 years |
The Process
🔧 Full Treatment
| Stage | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | Brush/scrub off dirt and algae | Oil won't penetrate dirty wood |
| Prep | Light sand if needed, remove grey layer | Gets back to fresh wood |
| First coat | Apply oil, let it soak in | Feeds the wood |
| Second coat | Another application once first is absorbed | Proper protection needs 2 coats |
📦 You're Left With
- Restored natural wood color
- Protected against weather
- Smooth finish (not rough/splintery)
- Furniture that'll last
Pricing
| Furniture Set | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small set (table + 2 chairs) | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-110 |
| Standard patio set (table + 4-6 chairs) | 2-3 hrs | £110-160 |
| Large set or benches | 3+ hrs | £160+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Oil/cleaner materials extra - typically £20-40 depending on set size.
Perfect For...
✅ Weathered furniture - gone grey and rough, needs restoring
✅ New furniture - treat it before it weathers (much easier)
✅ Annual maintenance - keeping furniture in good condition
✅ Pre-sale smartening - selling your house, furniture looking tatty
Why Choose Us for Garden furniture oiling in Exeter?
Restores natural wood color
Protects against weather
Professional finish
Extends furniture life
What to Expect
Step 1: Clean & Assess
Everything gets cleaned properly - brush off dirt, scrub if needed. I'll check for any damage that needs mentioning while it's being done.
Step 2: Prep Surface
If the wood's gone really grey or rough, light prep work removes the weathered layer and gets back to fresh wood that'll absorb oil properly.
Step 3: Apply Oil
First coat applied evenly, allowed to soak in (15-30 mins usually), then second coat. Different woods absorb different amounts - I'll apply what it needs.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to oil your own garden furniture? Here's how to do it right:
🔧 Materials you'll need
- Furniture cleaner (or mild detergent)
- Stiff brush
- Fine sandpaper (120 grit) or sanding sponge
- Clean cloths
- Appropriate wood oil (teak oil for teak, general hardwood oil for others)
- Gloves
- Dust sheets
📐 The method
- Clean thoroughly - dirty wood won't absorb oil properly
- Let it dry completely - takes 24-48 hours usually
- Light sand if needed - just to remove grey and rough grain
- Dust off - brush or wipe away sanding dust
- Apply first coat - generous application, let it soak in
- Apply second coat - 30 mins to few hours after first (when absorbed)
- Wipe excess - after 10 mins, wipe any pooling oil
- Let it cure - 24 hours before using furniture
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Oiling dirty/damp wood (oil won't penetrate)
- Too much oil in one go (pools on surface, goes sticky)
- Not enough coats (one coat doesn't protect properly)
- Oiling in damp weather (won't cure properly)
- Using wrong oil type (too thin/thick for the wood)
💡 Pro trick: Before oiling weathered furniture, wipe it down with white spirit on a cloth. This removes the grey surface and shows you what the wood will look like oiled - helps you decide if it needs sanding first or if cleaning is enough.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Multiple furniture sets? If you've got furniture in front garden as well as back, or separate sets, book them together - more efficient than separate visits and I'm already set up.
Weather dependency - this needs dry weather. Not just for the work day, but ideally 24 hours either side for the oil to cure properly. Spring and summer are best.
Different woods - teak, oak, eucalyptus, acacia all behave slightly differently. I'll use appropriate products for what you've got.
Metal furniture - if you've got metal furniture that needs repainting or rust treatment, that's a separate job, but can be done same time if you want to sort all your furniture at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
My garden furniture has gone grey - is it too late to restore it?
Not at all - that's just surface weathering. Proper cleaning and oiling brings it right back. Even furniture that's been neglected for years can be restored. The grey layer cleans off to reveal fresh wood underneath.
How often should garden furniture be oiled?
Depends on exposure and wood type. Teak once a year is usually fine. Softer woods or very exposed furniture might need twice a year. I'll advise based on what you've got and where it lives.
Do I need to supply the oil?
Either way. If you've got specific oil you want used, fine. Otherwise I'll bring appropriate oil for your furniture type - different woods need different treatments.
Can you do this in winter?
Not ideally - oil needs dry weather to soak in properly and cure. Spring through autumn is best. If it's urgent in winter, we'd need a dry spell and mild temperatures.
What if my furniture has cushions/metal parts?
Cushions need removing before work starts. Metal parts get protected/masked so they don't get oiled. I can check and tighten any loose bolts while I'm at it too.
Garden furniture oiling Also Available In:
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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