Case Study: wooden boat finished with Deks Olje D1 & D2

We have received some beautiful before and after pictures of a wooden boat that has been finished with Owatrol Deks Olje D1 and D2.

These images are courtesy of Igoe International in Ireland. They used the famous pairing of D1 and D2 to create a beautiful finish that will last. D1 and D2 are a very popular due and today we are going to explain why.

First of all, what is Deks Olje D1 and D2?

Deks Olje D1 and D2 are both high end wood finishes that can be used on exterior and exterior wood.

D1 has been optimized for dense, oily and difficult to impregnate woods and can be used on horizontal and vertical surfaces and leaves a matte finish.

It provides protection against humidity and its effects as well as against damage from UV rays.

While D2 is a high gloss, varnish-like, tough, flexible and durable finish that enhances the natural beauty of the wood.

It forms a highly flexible film which moves with the wood to prevent peeling and flaking.

What makes them different to some other products on the market?

D1 has been designed to penetrate into the wood to protect it from within. It feeds the wood to replace lost oils and drives out any moisture and air present in the wood.

Deks Olje D2, however, forms a highly flexible film which moves with the wood to prevent it from peeling and flaking. It is easy to apply and to maintain and the more coats you apply the more high gloss the finish will be.

You can only apply D2 on top of a previous coating of D1. Unlike traditional varnishes, Deks Olje D2 will not craze or blister and because of D1’s penetrating qualities, D2 will not peel or flake. This is because water is unable to get into the wood.

How easy is it to apply D1?

Both D1 and D2 are very easy to apply.

First, the surface must be ready for application. Please see the product pages under the directions for use tabs to find out how to prepare your wood. D1 can be found here and D2 can be found here.

Once the surface is ready for D1, you simply apply it using a brush or roller. D1 must be applied ‘wet-on-wet’. This means that the surface must not become dry between applications.

We recommend you work in areas that you can complete in no more than 15 minutes. Once the oil has penetrated (usually between 15 – 30 mins) you can then apply a second coat.

Simply keep applying the oil in this fashion until you have a uniform saturation on the wood. The number of coats you will need depends on the wood.

Once you have got to your finial application, leave the coating for 30 mins. Then, wipe over the surface to remove excess and puddled material with a rag soaked in D1 and rung out so that it is damp to the touch.

Remember, D1’s place is in the wood, not on it.

You can leave the project here if you would like a rich matte finish. However, if you would like to have some gloss on your trims and handrails etc or a gloss finish all over, then you can apply D2.

How do I now apply D2?

To get the best finish possible, we recommend you apply 6 coats of D2, allowing a minimum of 12 hours between coats. All coats should be applied within 1 month.

Sanding between coats is not required. However, if you are after an extra high gloss finish, sand between the last 2 coats with 600 grit paper.

If using in the marine environment, allow 3 days for D2 to set-up and dry before putting the boat in service.

D2 is not recommended for use in areas where you walk. This is because the glossy nature of the product will make it become very slippery, especially when wet.

If you would like to learn more about Deks Olje D1 and D2, we have several previous blog posts which can be found here:

• Deks Olje D1 used on bulwarks and trim
• How to protect deck rails using Deks Olje
• Finish river boat finished with Deks Olje D1 and D2

For more information on Deks Olje D1 and Deks Olje D2, visit the product pages:

• Deks Olje D1
• Deks Olje D2

Images credit to Igoe International in Ireland