It’s designed to penetrate deep into the wood to replace the natural oils lost over time through weathering, and to offer deep-seated protection against splitting and drying, while the tinted oil brings out the colour in greyed wood for a fresh look. Oils often come in natural colours or clear, and enhance the natural appearance of your wood,' explains Jimmy Englezos, senior product manager at Sherwin-Williams. Start in the furthest corner, brushing along the length of the boards. Work on 3-4 boards at a time so you don’t get any overlap marks. We recommend using the clear version, as it delivers a beautifully natural finish. The same can't quite be said about the teak colour, as it's a little orange. If it doesn't bead, you'll be ready to put on the oil. If it does then you'll have to clean it again until the water stops beading.

If it doesn't bead, you'll be ready to put on the stain. If it does then you'll have to clean it again until the water stops beading. Treat with Clear Ronseal Total Wood Preservative (as this is wax-free) for the best protection. (The coloured versions contain wax which will cause adhesion problems)Oil is also really durable and is easy to maintain – you just need to keep it clean and touch it up every now and then. It’s very resistant to dirt and water so doesn’t require much upkeep at all.'