Cabot Australian Timber Oil Review 2023 3.6/5 (136)

This post was updated on January 30, 2023

Cabot Australian Timber Oil Review 2023

Here at DeckStainHelp.com, we take pride in the fact that we have become the Internet’s number one reference for your deck stain opinions and reviews. Our customers who have used Cabot Australian Timber Oil continue to give mixed reviews about the appearance and longevity of their deck stain projects. If you have used Cabot Australian Timber Oil, we would like to hear what you think, so feel free to leave a comment below and pictures of your completed projects if you have them.


Cabout Australian Timber Oil Stain Review

Containing a precise blend of superb-grade linseed oil for maximum penetration, long-oil alkyds for durability, and pure South American tung oil for color depth and water repellency, Cabot Australian Timber Oil delivers three-way oil protection and a beautiful hardwood stain. In addition, complex translucent iron oxide pigments are added to ensure a lasting U.V.-absorbing surface rich with color and dimension. The result after years of development is an advanced-technology treatment of unrivaled performance designed to protect your wood surfaces like never before.

Cabot Australian Timber Oil Wood Deck Stain Ratings (1-10)

Appearance After Initial Stain Application: 8

– The Mahogany Flame looks very red but overall very rich and nice looking on the PTP test deck. All grain was visible and not “covered” by the semi-transparent pigment.

Preventing UV Graying at 2 Year Mark: 6

-The Australian Timber Oil performed decently at the 2-year mark. It had retained about 60% of the original color.

Wear/Tear and Peeling: 8

-Some wearing but no peeling. Wear was visible on the exposed areas and under the furniture

Cost Per Square Foot: 8

– We used 2 gallons to cover our 300 sq. foot deck.

Preventing Mold/Mildew/Algae: 5

– After 2 years we found evidence of mold on half of the deck. Mostly in the exposed areas. The mold was imbedded in the Cabot and could not be removed with a light wash. To remove you would need to strip the deck.

Ease of Application: 7

– The Australian Timber Oil is thicker in consistency than is used to be. It is not the easiest oil-based stain to apply, but still easier than applying most water-based stains. We back wiped the deck after 20 minutes to remove any excess stain that did not penetrate into the wood grain.

Color Shifting (darkening) after 2 Years: 7

– Darkening of the stain had occurred where the stain was still attached to the wood. Mostly due to dirt and mold.

The Difficulty of Reapplication: 7

– We would suggest a deck stain stripper with pressure washing to remove the Cabot ATO. A Wood Brightener would be needed after to neutralize the stain stripper. This would be the best way to prep for another coat of stain and will remove the mold as well.

Overall Score Cabot Wood Deck Stain at 2 Year Period: 7

– Cabot Australian Timber Oil is not the same as it used to be. Formula changes due to VOC laws have made this stain average based on what is available. We like it but would not choose this product if a better stain brand can be found.

Product Information:

Where To Buy: Select Hardware Stores or Online
Cost: $49.99 per Gallon, $245.99 per 5 Gallon Pail
Stain Type: Semi-Transparent
Available Colors: Amberwood, Honey Teak, Mahogany Flame, Natural
Application Temperature: 45-90 F
Coats Required: 1-2 Coats
Coverage Per Gallon: 200-300 sq. ft
Application Tools: Sprayer, Pad, Brush, Roller
Dry Time: 24 Hours
Cleanup: Mineral Spirits
VOC Compliant: 250 Compliant in All 50 States
More Info: Product Data
Manufacturer: Cabot

Test Deck Stats:

Deck Wood Type: Pressure Treated Pine
Deck Square Footage: 300
UV Exposure: Mostly Sun, half of the deck had a covered roof.
How Many Years Tested: 2 Years
Stain Color Used: 
Mahogany Flame

*All products tested and results are from our experience. We offer no guarantee of similar results. Take into consideration that results may differ due to different wood types, exposure to UV radiation, and natural weathering.

Cabot Deck Stain Photos


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C Hops
C Hops
2 years ago

Stained our deck back in mid-March with Cabot Jarrah Brown after replacing a few boards as previous owners neglected the maintenance. A couple of days later it started to look cloudy and muddy. We had scrubbed the deck and cleaned prior to staining. It looks terrible and we can’t figure out how to clean off the cloudiness. I really am hoping not to strip/sand and start over. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

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C Hops
C Hops
2 years ago

Can you elaborate on how/why this happens so I don’t get into the same issue again? Was there too much product used? or is it that the cleaning process prior to staining didn’t work? I am at a loss for how to prevent this from happening.
Thank you for your feedback

Laura H Bezdan
Laura H Bezdan
1 year ago
Reply to  C Hops

Hi – I too am interested in the “why”s of things… I am trying to learn myself – but I do have some thoughts as to what may cause your clouding – 1) moisture, 2) over-working the product 3) maybe residue from the cleaner was still on and reacted with the product, 4) and “too much product” – too thick – could be something, 5) can the product go bad on the shelf? – maybe call the company and ask them. I received great customer service from Behr when I stained my concrete patio (and may not have done it right), they sent me another 10 gallons of the stain (my deck is 45′ x 25′) as well as a case of the sealer – no charge – and answered my questions and advised. Most of these companies want you to be happy and are there to help.

Kyle
Kyle
1 year ago

So we can use solid stain over a newly stain ATO deck? We had similar issue and do not like the results with just ATO.

John Vasi
John Vasi
2 years ago

I bought this product because I assumed something named Australian Timber Oil was an oil-based stain. It’s not. I realized that after applying it to new wood—a bench seat that I had built and sanded down. This water-containing formula absolutely raised the grain on the wood that I had sanded to a smooth finish. I called Cabot’s help line and was told that, yes, the product sold in my state is the water-added version. I told him it was stupid to call something “Oil” when it’s a water based product. He said he’s heard that before. No kidding. I’d never buy it again—just based on the intentionally deceptive label on the can.

John Vasi
John Vasi
2 years ago

Now I understand that in my state, California, the low VOC formula is what is sold by Cabot. What’s unacceptable is that the can I buy here doesn’t tell you that. When I talked to the Cabot customer help guy to complain about raising the grain, he asked me what product I was using. I said Australian Timber Oil”. He said that I needed to find the product number on the can. When I found it, he said I had the water-added formula. Otherwise, the can and name are exactly the same for the oil-based or water-based formula. That’s just deceptive. The only reason I bought it is that I assumed it was an oil stain.

I wasn’t very happy with the result—and I don’t mean the part about raising the grain. The stain doesn’t have great depth of color, and of course, you can’t really intensify the color with a second coat. Disappointing waste of fifty bucks.

Shannon
Shannon
13 days ago

I have just finished sanding all the peeling stain (1year old) off my deck. I am looking for the best option to finish the wood. I would prefer a transparent gloss or high gloss finish (I like the wet wood look). Is Australian Oil a stain and sealer in one?

Carol
Carol
25 days ago

What is the best and longest lasting deck protector? I want a clear natural, no stain color. KS heat and some snow. I heard Penafin?

Judy
Judy
26 days ago

I live in Vancouver, BC Canada and your top rated stains: Armstrong Clark, Defy and TWP do not appear to be available from any local retailers. I would rather not purchase online. Do you have a recommended oil based product for a brand new cedar deck that I can purchase in Canada? We get a lot of rain and the deck is completely exposed to the elements. Thanks!

Shelly Cash
Shelly Cash
26 days ago

Can you paint over wood that has been stained with Australian Timber oil ?

carolyn shannon
carolyn shannon
1 month ago

Can the natural timber oil be stained

Mike stripling
Mike stripling
2 months ago

What is the best product to use to thin down cabots Australian timber oil to apply with an electric spray gun….and what’s the best product to use to clean my spray gun after each use?

François Viens
François Viens
8 months ago

Hy i have a question
I have 2 gallons of australian timber oil amberwood
How can i do for darkness this teint like mahogany flame or nearest
What product can we put for this
Thank you

Ron
Ron
8 months ago

After 1 year the “Natural” ATO has turned light grey in places. Any clues why? It was professionally done. Thanks

Frederick Eilenberger
Frederick Eilenberger
9 months ago

Australian Timber oil is so amazing
On wood. Could I use it on a concrete back porch?

Matt M
Matt M
9 months ago

I just applied this to our outdoor benches. They are rough cut fir, and have been fairly neglected the past few years so they are very porous and the grain has opened up. I was not looking for a perfect finish. They were heavily greyed, so I gave them a quick sand to help the stain penetrate. I did not use a brighter or fully strip them (although I think I would next time) so that’s why in the photos you see inconsistency in colour (from the sanding due to the very rough grain).

My question is—I was planning on a 2nd coat, due to how porous the wood is but from what I’ve now read, less is more? But does that still apply in this case with such open porous wood? Or Should I just wait and brush on another coat next summer, if so what do I need to do for prep at that point?

Thanks in advance.

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edbell
edbell
11 months ago

I have used Sikkens previously for decks and wooden frames; a great product. Last year I couldn’t get that product and bought Cabot Australian Oil instead, which has been awful – irregular fading, flaking and looks terrible. I wasted a lot of my time and money so I will not buy this product again, it’s just not suitable for Canadian climate.

edbell
edbell
11 months ago

Thanks for the heads up! I better do some research…

Dale Simoneau
Dale Simoneau
1 year ago

Can I put timber oil over the original timber oil a year later

Jim Edwin
Jim Edwin
1 year ago

Use Cabot ATO Honey Teak, apply it every 2 or 3 years for the last 15. Stuff is great

lee McClaine
lee McClaine
1 year ago

I prepped cedar deck and then used transparent stain three months ago. Every since when we walk on the deck and come into the house with hard wood floors it turns slippery. Seems to be oil coming from the deck.

Chuck Hill
Chuck Hill
1 year ago

I am using australian timber oil – oil based for my front door. I have been using this every 4 years for 15 years. I bought this product 4 years ago. mixed it well lightly sanded and cleaned the door. Its now 48 hours and still tacky. how long will it take to cure? our daily temps are 60-62 degrees.

Laura H Bezdan
Laura H Bezdan
1 year ago

Hi – Is one able to apply a clear poly, lacquer or varnish over top of an oil-based transparent or semi stain/sealer product to add an extra layer of durability and preserving the look and features (nourishing, coloring, UV/mildew/mold remediation and preventative, greying resistance, etc.) provided by the preservative product?

Jerry
Jerry
1 year ago

I have an issue with a few places on my deck where the ATO is not stnding up. The deck was thoroughly cleaned and then cleaned with a cleaner with oxalic acid which I understand opens the pores of the wood. Most of the deck looks good but a few of these patched appear that the stain did not penetrate or I did something wrong??

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Peter mansingh
Peter mansingh
1 year ago

I use Cabot oil stain on a hardwood deck but is scratches very easy with out door furniture, what can I do to resolve this problem

Harry
Harry
1 year ago

After drying, does Cabot Australian Timber Oil leave a slippery finish
(like Thompsons)?

John Bernard
John Bernard
2 years ago

I’m doing a brand new mahogany deck. The Australian timber oil I use is water-based so what should I use water base or oil

Anna
Anna
2 years ago

can cabot australia wood oil be good after can stay over winter

Kristie
Kristie
2 years ago

Hello, we stained our deck with ato honey teak yesterday. There are some overlap marks resulting in darker and lighter areas. What do you suggest. I know it’s supposed to be one coat but not happy with appearance.

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Suzanne Logan
Suzanne Logan
2 years ago

We have a cedar fence we built last July. We had a clear stain that we sprayed on it to begin with hoping that it might retain some of its color but the color faded quickly. So, I went and purchased 5 gallons of Cabot pre-tinted Brickstone Semi-transparent exterior wood stain and sealer. We put a little on the wood we would be using with fingers covering it and it seemed to look fine. Our carpenter sprayed it on though and instead of looking transparent at all, it looks like a solid paint color. We are unhappy with the results. We really wanted to try to add a tone while possibly still seeing a change of tones in the wood. Our cedar had a lot of white and pink to it. I was wondering if there was something like paint thinner that could be used to thin out the stain already painted and dried on the fence. I don’t want to have to sand the entire fence. My husband took such care when he built the fence planing every single board multiple times. I hate that we had such beautiful wood only to cover it up. We’ve done it an injustice.

Anna
Anna
2 years ago

Hello, yesterday we used Australian Timber Oil in natural on our cedar deck. We prepped the deck by cleaning it then we used a brightener and let it dry for 48 hours. We applied Timber Oil and now our deck is shiny/glossy looking. What do we do? Thank you for any suggestions

Larry Vasko
Larry Vasko
1 year ago

My recently stained deck looks glossy too. Real surprised by this. Will it dull down some? Can I help the process along?

Larry Vasko
Larry Vasko
1 year ago
Reply to  Larry Vasko

Thanks

Brad
Brad
2 years ago

Had new cedar deck last year with ATO Honey Teak. Color is starting to fade. Any suggestions on how to slow the fading process? Would a clear sealant/waterproofing product help?

David Poff
David Poff
2 years ago

We installed a new deck last May and do one light partial coat in September with the Cabot Australia Oil. It didn’t take well so we stopped knowing we would stain it this spring. If we want to go with the Armstrong, what do we need to do to transition? And go with semi-transparent?

David Poff
David Poff
2 years ago

I called the Armstrong dealer and they recommend TWP 1500. Is that good?

David Poff
David Poff
2 years ago

I ordered RAD stripper and brighter but forgot cleaner. I read that I can use a mix of oxi-clean and water. Will that work? I can’t find oxygenated cleaners at the big box stores.

David Poff
David Poff
2 years ago

Look ok? Did the 2 steps. Seems like there is a lot of fuzzies. Can I stain over the fuzzies.

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David Poff
David Poff
2 years ago

Why so many fuzzies? Seems like sanding it might be a lot of work

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Karen
Karen
2 years ago

Used the Cabot Australian Oil in Natural. It was not humid and a bit windy so it was quite dry to touch after 8 hour ……. then it rained .
Is this ok ? The water beaded on it for a ling time , but next day it appeared like there was darker spots on it , is this just wet wood ??

David Graupman
David Graupman
2 years ago

I have a multilevel deck. One section has sunscreen covering it. This section is twenty years old and there are no signs of rot. I live in east Texas. Humid and wet! I recoat every 3-4 years. Other sections are in open and get much more sun. After 12 years did have some rot in these sections. However some of this I attribute to other factors. I have used several other products ( Deckover, Thompson’s, and Superdeck). Cabot ATO is best experience by far. Deckover is horrible BTW.

Shannon Parham
Shannon Parham
2 years ago

Additional pic to post below.

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Shannon Parham
Shannon Parham
2 years ago

We have built a screened porch out of new Eastern red cedar. We live in Mississippi and the porch faces west. Wanting to stain with a dark brown stain. I like the look of jarrah brown from Cabot® Australian Timber Oil #19400 Series on my sample boards. Are you as against ATO on siding/porches as you are decks? If so, what do you recommend that would look similar?
Also, I had planned to stain tomorrow and install the screen and trim (which I will also stain tomorrow) the next day. ATO recommences 48 hour drying time. Since this isn’t decking and we won’t be walking on these boards can we go ahead w install 24 hour later or will our hands disrupt the finish?
Thank you,
Shannon

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Tammi Owens
Tammi Owens
2 years ago

Is it ok if Australian timber oil freezes in pail in winter

Rick
Rick
2 years ago

which is better? Cabot Australian timber oil or PPG paramount satin semi-transparent stains.

Greg
Greg
2 years ago

I just refinished my cedar deck last fall with 2 coats of the mahogany flame and it’s failing miserably with bare wood showing pretty much everywhere. Needs to be done again and if not for matching color, I’d change brands in a heartbeat. Don’t imagine 3 coats would help, maybe a marine varnish over would help???

Adam
Adam
2 years ago

Is Australian Timber Oil only for (or best for) exotic hardwoods? Those are the woods they specifically mention on their site. I am considering this for pressure treated pine.

Veronica
Veronica
2 years ago

I applied Australian Timber Oil in Natural back in 2013. It is time to re-do. I have cleaned deck boards thoroughly, but have not stripped stain out of the vertical banisters, because I read that you can apply the exact same stain over the previous one. But my question is: since Australian Timber Oil has changed its formula since 2013, if I re-apply it on the verticals over the existing timber oil, is it considered the same stain, or is it so different, that it will not stick.

Rob conroy
Rob conroy
2 years ago

I am looking for a weathered grey is this possible ?

Rob conroy
Rob conroy
2 years ago

Is this product available in Canada ?

Thank you

Rick Carew
Rick Carew
2 years ago

Would you recommend Australian Timber Oil to treat Garapa hardwood deck?

Roger
Roger
2 years ago

Vertical surfaces retain color longer. Have good results re coating. Jarrah brown

Ron Salisbury
Ron Salisbury
2 years ago

Would a second coat of Australian Oil Stain serve in additional purpose? Initial coat covered well. I just wondered if a 2nd coat would add additional protection.

GILLIAN
GILLIAN
2 years ago

Cabot Tiber Oil only lasted 2 years on our deck before we had to reapply.

Tammy Williams
Tammy Williams
2 years ago

Why does my deck now look shiny on parts and dull on others? My deck oil is worn off on several parts and it hasn’t even been a year.

D hastings
D hastings
3 years ago

Can this product be used on a dock?

Jon
Jon
3 years ago
Reply to  D hastings

Worked for me. Water repellency and wood protection are better than others I have used. But it’s pricey.

Brenda Cramer
Brenda Cramer
3 years ago

After applying Cabot oil can you use a deck cleaner and reapply oil in two years or do you have to strip it first?

Brenda Cramer
Brenda Cramer
3 years ago

What is the difference between using Cabot oil and using Cabot stain on a deck?

Chuck Combs
Chuck Combs
3 years ago

How long should you wait before applying second coat of Cabot Australian Timber Oil. Or is a one coat product. Thanks!

jon
jon
3 years ago

My experience is … ONE COAT ONLY! One coat is all you need, if properly applied. If the first coat is properly dried, the second will not penetrate the wood. Then later it blisters.

Walt S
Walt S
3 years ago
Reply to  Chuck Combs

Can says one coat only.

David
David
3 years ago

I put in mahogany deck and waited until spring to put Cabot Australian timber oil neutral a year ago. It turned my brand new deck brown. Did I put the wrong oil stain on my deck. And how long can I stain it again. My deck looks horrible. Thanks David

Liz
Liz
3 years ago

It’s been 2 yrs since I applied the Timber Oil to a cedar deck, used Natural which created a deeper but beautiful tone to the deck. Easy to apply and looked great. However, living in colder northern climate with snow on the deck, after two yrs there are a lot of patches where it has peeled, leaving the lighter natural color cedar showing. I am not sure now how to get the rest off so I can get an even color coat on the entire deck surface. Also, it seems like a lot of work to go through every 2 years. Would have liked to have gotten 3 or 4 yrs wear out of this product.

Elizabeth Dosher
Elizabeth Dosher
3 years ago

Can you use a saelant over the Cabot timber oil? We are having some issue with mold and would like the deck to have more protectant .

Jessica
Jessica
2 years ago

I was told the opposite by Rain Guard. Of course, they have a vested interest, but they said–appropriately, per my understanding–that if you apply their water-based sealant a few months after an oil-based sealant–pretty much, after water no longer beads up, it should be fine. This is in line with what Bob Flexner has said, too. ???

John W
John W
3 years ago

There are now two varieties of this stain and they are actually very different products. The 3400 series is a high VOC/oil product that I found to be very durable. After three years I applied a new coat of what I thought was the same product but was actually the low VOC 19400 product that complies with newer regulations in some states. It was awful – fading and wearing within one summer on two different types of wood. So if you can find the 3400 series, use it. If not…

Tuan Nguyen
Tuan Nguyen
3 years ago

I applied this oil last year, after a harsh winter there are already some peeling… can I lightly sand to remove the peeling and reapply a new coat without completely removing the previous stain?