Deck Care · Timber Finishes

Aussie Clear Light

The blond-timber Aussie Clear. Same penetrating oil, a lighter transparent pigment — for Blackbutt, Silvertop Ash, Yellow Stringybark and White Cypress.

Blond hardwoods
Penetrating oil
Non-film-forming
Brush, roller, spray or dip
Not for treated pine

Where to get it

Find a stockist

Australian made in Cheltenham, Victoria — since 1988

Need advice?
03 9532 0679

Start here

Which one do I need?

Match the timber's tone for a natural look, or pick a colour. Same penetrating oil underneath; only the pigment changes.

Mid to dark, natural Merbau · Spotted Gum · Jarrah · Ironbark · Redgum · Western Red Cedar Aussie Clear →

Blond to mid, natural Blackbutt · Silvertop Ash · Yellow Stringybark · White Cypress Aussie Clear Light — this page

Treated pine, natural Radiata & Slash Pine — softwoods need a different oil Exterior Pine Clear → Walnut brown Any exterior timber — one designer tone across blond, dark, pine and cedar Walnut Timber Finish → Charcoal, near-black Any exterior timber — cladding, screens, fences Charcoal Black Stain → Weathered silver-grey Any exterior timber — the aged look on day one Rustic Grey Stain → Let it grey naturally Hardwood you want to silver — clear, unpigmented sealer Radial Timber Sealer →

Directions for use

Preparing the timber, then applying

Before you brush

WAIT New hardwood — wait first New decking needs 4–6 weeks of weathering before oiling. Mill glaze and surface oils stop the finish penetrating.
CLEAN Start dry and clean Surface must be dry and free of dirt, grease and wax. Previously varnished or painted surfaces must be thoroughly stripped.
GREY Deal with weathering Badly weathered, silvered timber should be sanded back or cleaned with Grey Deck Cleaner. Never oil over old weathered timber without cleaning it first.

Applying the oil

Do not apply when dew or rain is expected.

COAT One generous coat Brush, roller, spray, dip — or a lambswool applicator on decks. Make sure all end grain is well coated.
WIPE Wipe the excess at 2 hours Timber varies in porosity. Any oil still sitting on the surface after 2 hours should be wiped off — excess doesn't absorb, it goes tacky and traps dirt.
DRY Give decks 48 hours Allow a minimum of 48 hours before foot traffic. If the timber still looks dry or patchy, apply another coat.

Where it goes

Blond to mid exterior hardwood

Weatherboards, window frames, cladding, fascia, exposed beams, decking, fencing, trellis and pergolas — anywhere a clear protective exterior finish is wanted on a pale hardwood such as Blackbutt, Silvertop Ash, Yellow Stringybark or White Cypress.

Not for treated pine Hardwood oils sit on the surface of softwoods. Treated pine needs Exterior Pine Clear, which is formulated for CCA, LOSP, ACQ and Tanalised pine.

Aussie Clear, tuned for pale timber

Why it works

On a blond timber the original Aussie Clear pigment reads amber. Aussie Clear Light carries a lighter transparent pigment, so the timber keeps its own colour — with the same oil doing the same work underneath.

Non-film-forming

The oil migrates into the wood fibres and dries slowly in service. No film forms on the surface, so there is nothing to peel or crack.

Pigmented for blond timber

A transparent pigment that blocks UV without hiding the grain. On pale timber it slightly warms the colour rather than turning it amber.

Repels water, stabilises the timber

Water repellents in the oil reduce checking and splitting, and keep the surface from blackening between coats.

Specifications

Timber tone: Blond to mid hardwood
Finish: Natural oiled, non-film-forming
Coverage: Up to 12 m²/L on dressed timber, 8 m²/L on sawn
Dry time: Wipe excess at 2 hours · 48 hours before foot traffic
Recoat: A second coat after the first 6–12 months of weathering, then as the colour fades
Clean-up: Mineral turpentine
Pack sizes: 1 L, 4 L, 10 L, 20 L and 200 L
Made in: Australia

Common questions

Does Aussie Clear Light change the colour of the timber?

Slightly. It carries a transparent pigment to block UV, and on blond timber that pigment warms the colour a little rather than turning it amber the way the original Aussie Clear would.

Can I use it on dark timber like Merbau?

You can, but the original Aussie Clear carries more pigment and will hold a dark timber's colour for longer.

Will it peel?

No. It dries slowly in service and no film forms on the surface, so there is nothing to crack or peel. Wipe off any excess at 2 hours so a film doesn't build up.

Can I use it on treated pine?

No — use Exterior Pine Clear, which is formulated to penetrate treated softwood.

Before you start