I've been using Aquadeck (Aquadeck New Natural and Merbau) on our Merbau deck for five years and this product has been great. However, it's now becoming quite dark and I'm not sure which colour to use this year. The original reddish-brown of the Merbau has now darkened to something closer to the old style "mission brown". The beautiful red tinge of the original Merbau has gone. What colour Aquadeck would you recommend to stop the darkening process?

I applied Aquadeck 12 months ago. With the first hot day in months decided it was tome to clean the deck. Came up like new, water still beading so no need reapply Aquadeck at this stage. Very pleased with the product and yes it was a little tacky for a couple of days when first applied but once dry no problems. Very happy with the product

Not happy with Aquadeck as it is sticky for months after application and scratches very easily.
The product needs to be tougher as it fades reasonably quickly and scratches easily.
My deck after 12 months is faded and badly scratched.
Very very disappointed in this product after using Cabots stains many times.
It is reasonably easy to apply.

I can see other reviews with same issue, deck not drying - my assumption was they didnt follow instruction. My mistake - should have trusted what I read. I have a new hardwood deck approx 80m2 all up, 4 weeks after construction and a couple good high pressure cleans between rain events, I scrubbed deck down with Cabot's Deck Clean, hosing off and letting to dry 24hrs, applied 1st coat as per instructions and then reapplied 24 hrs later- all using the Cabots applicators. So no expense was spared on my deck but now I feel like a total idiot with an over priced deck and finish that is to sticky to use. totally guttered. Did any other reviewers fix a sticky deck? and how was it done?

Have built a Merbau deck. Used Cabots Aquadeck "Merbau". Followed the instructions to a tee by washing with Cabots first then oiling. Only two coats in warm sunny weather. About 3 hours between coats. Did not use too much - tried to be very precise in coating using suggested applicator. After four days extremely happy with colour and look - looks awesome "BUT" it's still sticky. Not pleasant to walk or sit on. Very disappointed. Dog hair sticking to it and unfortunately thinking of removing and going with another product. Shame a 6 K deck is ruined by a $70 can of oil.

Thought it was very easy to use, it mixed well, and the finish is amazing. Looks like newly built deck. Very happy with product and results. Was unaware there had been any negativity around this product which is lucky because might not have purchased. Would definitely use again. Thank you.

I saw the negative reviews and was anxious about trying it, even though it had been suggested to me by a landscaper. The product works exactly as it should; it goes on easily and leaves a good finish. The decks look like newly laid and professionally oiled. I could not be happier and will continue to use this product.

Bought Aquadeck Merbau from Bunnings, color is TERRIBLE, its more Orange than Merbau, now will have to spend more money to get a darker color to cover this terrrrribly terrible color, emmm, big fail

It dries quickly which is a bonus and its very easy to apply,

I've been a builder for 35 years and have used this product since it first came out . I always tell my clients to give their decks 4 to 5 coats over the first month or 2 and you won't have to touch it again for ten or so years. I've used it on all sorts of timber and never had a problem. I've even used it on 40 year old timber after cleaning it. I do believe it's the best product on the market I'd say thank you.

Do not rely on Cabot's colour chart for this product, try it on an offcut first. My brand new treated pine deck is a truly awful bright orange after using Merbau Aquadeck. Cabots Helpline has advised me to strip it back and start all over again or wait 12 months for it to weather. I'm extremely disappointed and I wish I had looked at the reviews on this site (which show other similar problems), before purchasing this product.

I wish I had not used this product - the write up looked good and promised much. The deck was beautiful spotted gum but it is now scuffed. Three days after applying the product is still sticky with all sorts of stuff sticking to it. Thinking of sanding it all off and using a different product.

I have just completed my brand new spotted gum deck with Aquadeck (natural). The result is amazing, it has enhanced the wonderful colours of the timber. I had no issues with drying and the project was completed in 15 degrees/shaded area. Also, first time I have ever stained a deck, followed the how to clip from Cabot's website, which was easy to understand.

We have over 100sqm of decks around our home and I found this product easy to apply and it looks great. Now the real test of how it will weather in Northern Queensland and the traffic from my kids playing on it. More to follow inn a few months I suppose!

We just paid 5.5k to have a new pine deck built. On advice from our builder I bought Cabot's Aquadeck - we chose the merbau tint. While it was still wet it looked terrific. The next morning I was horrified see our new deck had turned a bright orange! I checked the "colour chart" on the Cabot's website to ensure I was using the right colour but the result looks nothing like it. It honestly looks like our deck has gone a couple rounds in a fake tanning salon.
Complete and utter waste of a lot of good money. Very unhappy.

Not sure why the negative reviews, must be an application problem.

I waited 5 weeks, washed with 2 coats of napisan then left it 2 days. Stirred the tin about 8 mins prior to a coat Friday arvo then 2 coats 2.5 hrs apart on Saturday.
That Saturday it was a 25 degree day and drying before my eyes! I used a Wagner Deckmate to apply the coats which used very little product (~9L for 3 coats on almost 90sqm) so maybe that was the secret to my success as my result was even coverage that isn't at all tacky.

I used Cabots Aquadeck end 2010 on a hardwood timber deck with full roof cover over. It still looks reasonable, however I've now decided to re-coat as it's a little worn and tired looking. that's not bad for over 5 years. We didn't have any of the 'tacky' issues noted by others. The lamb wool applicator wasn't much help for us as we have dome head nails, not a flush surface, so it kept snagging. A Simple roller was better. it been great for at least 3 years, after the it started to wear/ fade just slightly, but nothing anybody has really noticed.

Easy to apply, quick and easy clean up compared to oil based products. Colour is good and it completely brought my deck back to life. 2 weeks post application and it's still looking good - hope it lasts.

Only downside so far is that it does takes a while to dry, but again, probably quicker that oil based products.

I cleaned the deck as per the instructions, I applied as per the instructions. No excess oil was seen, but its tacky still, five weeks after.
I have tried to clean it with hot water and mild soap, still tacky. I have two tins of this stuff for future applications, but I won't dare use it again.

We had our merbau deck done first time with aqua deck merbau colour. After one year it began to peel and degrade, pooling stopped and the deck held water. Upon advice from elsewhere we have used a water-based neutral Watyl brand (and $1.70 cheaper) It looks patchy due to the original aquadeck still on in places. If I were doing this again i would choose oil based products. it has been disappointing. Bunnings is the only store that sells aquadeck now there is a surprise.

I agree preparation is key and cabots deck clean is unnecessary = Nappy San and a good brush plus effort did the job, but a karcher etc. truly helps too.