Colour Guide.
We know how hard it is to purchase a stain or oil without knowing how the colour will look. This guide will help you navigate the nuances of colour charts, ensuring you select the right WOCA oil for your timber.
Choosing the perfect colour for your timber.
Choosing the perfect oil for your wood project can feel daunting as you're facing a vast range of choices. Beyond simply picking a shade you like, understanding how these colours translate onto different wood species and how the product type influences the final look is crucial.
This guide will help you navigate the nuances of colour charts, ensuring you select the right WOCA oil that not only achieves your desired aesthetic but also complements the natural characteristics of your timber, transforming your vision into a beautiful reality.
Several factors will influence the final appearance of WOCA wood oil on your timber. This guide is really just that — a guide to give you a starting point.
When you have selected your type of wood and the colour(s) you like, we highly recommend ordering some samples and applying to a less conspicuous area to see exactly how it will look on your timber. There is really no substitute for this step.
Order test potsWhich type of wood?
Before you even glance at a colour chart, the absolute first step is to identify the type of wood you're working with. Just like different fabrics take dye differently, various wood species react uniquely to stains and oils.
The natural colour, grain pattern, porosity, and even the hardness of the wood will fundamentally influence how a particular stain is absorbed and how the final colour appears.
Accoya
Purchase WOCA OilAccoya is a modified wood, typically made from Radiata Pine. In its natural state, it's a light straw colour.
It generally has a consistent, even grain, especially if sourced from high-quality Radiata Pine.
Accoya's superpower — incredibly stable, with minimal shrinking, swelling, or warping, making finishes last longer without cracking or peeling.
Accoya is highly durable and virtually rot-proof.
Accoya is excellent for WOCA coatings because of its stability and relatively light, consistent natural colour, which allows for a wide range of colour possibilities.
Like any wood, Accoya will naturally weather to a silver-grey if left untreated. If you want to maintain a specific stained colour, a WOCA UV-protective finish is essential.
The colour chart is an approximation of how the WOCA Exterior Wood water-based oil will show on the timber. Remember that several factors can influence the final colour.
Red Cedar
Purchase WOCA OilRed Cedar has a naturally warm, reddish-brown hue, which can vary from light reddish-brown to a darker, richer red. This natural pigment will always influence the final stained colour.
It has a distinct, often straight grain pattern with occasional knots.
It's a relatively soft and lightweight wood.
Red Cedar is naturally resistant to decay and insects, so it doesn't always require a protective finish for durability, but it will weather to a silver-grey if left untreated.
Cedar is known for its excellent finish-retention qualities and readily accepts WOCA oils. It's pitch and resin-free, which helps finishes adhere well.
Because of its inherent red tones, oils on Red Cedar will always have a warmer undertone. A "natural" stain will enhance the existing red, while a grey stain might result in a warmer, browner grey than on a lighter wood.
Red Cedar will silver significantly over time if exposed to the sun. To maintain the colour look you want, the WOCA oil is highly suitable for this soft and beautiful wood.
TMT (Thermally Modified Timber)
Purchase WOCA OilThe thermal modification process uses heat and steam to alter the wood's cell structure, giving the timber a richer, often uniform brown or chocolate tone, similar to tropical hardwoods. The specific starting timber (e.g., Pine, Ash, Spruce) will influence the exact brown shade.
The grain pattern of the original timber will still be visible, but the overall colour will be darker and more consistent.
TMT has significantly enhanced dimensional stability due to the reduction of moisture absorption.
The thermal modification process removes hemicellulose making it highly resistant to decay and insects.
The inherent dark brown colour of TMT means that lighter stains might not show up as vibrantly. Darker stains will blend in well and enhance the existing rich tones. If you're aiming for a lighter colour, you might need a more opaque stain.
While the wood is already darker, TMT will still grey over time when exposed to UV rays. To maintain its rich, dark colour, a UV-protective WOCA exterior oil is necessary.
Frequently asked questions.
It's only natural to have questions about WOCA products. The dedicated FAQ page covers common queries on various topics — whether you're looking for troubleshooting tips or general information, it's a great resource to explore.
Frequently asked questions
WOCA Exterior Wood Oil is available in 14 standard colours, ranging from natural tones that highlight the character of the timber through to deeper architectural finishes. These colours enhance the natural grain of the wood while helping protect it from sun and weather.
The best way to choose a colour is to test it on your timber first. Colours will display differently on different timber species, so testing helps you see exactly how the finish will look on your project. WOCA Exterior Wood Oil test pots are available, making it easy to try colours before committing to the full job. You can order test pots in our online store.
For larger projects we can work with homeowners, builders, architects and designers to create custom colours and get the perfect match for your design intent. This is often done for architectural cladding or projects where the timber needs to complement surrounding materials.
Yes. Cleaning the timber first is an important step. Dirt, grease and weathering can prevent oil from penetrating properly. Using WOCA Exterior Wood Cleaner removes these contaminants and prepares the surface for treatment. A clean surface helps achieve better colour consistency, better oil absorption and longer-lasting protection.
WOCA Exterior Wood Cleaner is designed for thorough cleaning of exterior timber surfaces. It removes dirt, stains and grease, helping restore the natural appearance of the wood while preparing it for treatment with WOCA Exterior Wood Primer or WOCA Exterior Wood Oil. It's ideal for surfaces such as exterior doors and windows, decking and terraces, timber cladding, architectural timber features, garden furniture, and fences and gates.
Remove loose dirt and debris, then wet the timber with water. Mix WOCA Exterior Wood Cleaner with water (1:2 to 1:10) depending on how dirty the surface is. Apply the cleaner using a brush or sprayer, leave it to work for around five minutes, then scrub along the direction of the wood grain. Rinse thoroughly with water and allow the timber to dry for 24–48 hours before applying primer or oil.
WOCA Exterior Wood Primer is recommended for highly absorbent or non-impregnated timber such as Accoya. Using a primer helps improve adhesion, protection and durability of the oil treatment.
WOCA Exterior Wood Primer helps reduce cracking and deterioration of timber, protects wood from moisture, improves adhesion of WOCA Exterior Wood Oil, and extends the lifetime of exterior timber. It is particularly useful for softwoods and vulnerable timber species such as Accoya.
First clean the timber using WOCA Exterior Wood Cleaner and allow it to dry completely. Shake the container well and apply the primer undiluted using a brush or roller, ensuring even coverage. Start with the end grain sections of the wood. The primed surface should then be treated with WOCA Exterior Wood Oil within 14 days.
WOCA Exterior Wood Oil is applied as a two-coat system. As a general guide, coverage is approximately 10–12 m² per litre per coat. The second coat deepens the colour and provides additional protection for your timber. Coverage can vary depending on the timber species and how absorbent the wood is, so testing a small area first can help confirm the amount required.
Start by measuring the length and width of the timber surface. Multiply these numbers to calculate the total square metres (m²). Use the coverage guide of 10–12 m² per litre per coat, remembering that two coats are recommended for the best protection and finish.
Proper preparation helps ensure the oil penetrates evenly and performs well. Before applying WOCA Exterior Wood Oil: clean the timber with WOCA Exterior Wood Cleaner, allow the surface to dry for at least 24 hours, ensure timber moisture is below 17%, lightly sand rough fibres with 120–150 grit sandpaper if needed, and always test the product on a small area first.
Apply WOCA Exterior Wood Oil in dry weather with temperatures above 13°C. Avoid applying the oil in direct sunlight or excessive heat, as this can affect drying and the final finish.
When first applied the oil may appear milky or slightly white. This is normal. As the water evaporates, the timber will show its natural oiled appearance and final colour.
Yes. Treating new timber early helps protect the wood from weathering while enhancing its natural colour and grain. For non-treated and softwoods we recommend applying WOCA Exterior Wood Primer first to improve durability and help the oil perform better.
Yes. Wipe away any excess oil within about five minutes using a clean cloth. Removing excess oil allows the product to penetrate properly and helps prevent sticky or uneven areas. Pay particular attention to joints and grooves where oil can collect.
WOCA Exterior Wood Oil generally takes 24–48 hours to fully harden, depending on weather conditions and temperature. During this time the timber should not be exposed to rain or water.
How long the oil lasts will depend on the timber species and how exposed the surface is to sun and weather. As a general guide, exterior timber should be checked once a year and maintained when needed to keep it protected and looking its best.
Yes. Timber used around swimming pools or areas exposed to chemicals may require more frequent maintenance coats. Regular inspection and maintenance will help ensure the timber remains well protected.
Yes. WOCA Exterior Wood Oil works very well on cedar cladding and other architectural timber applications. The oil enhances the natural colour and grain of cedar while helping protect the timber from moisture, dirt and UV exposure. We hear great feedback from customers, builders and architects using WOCA on cedar cladding across a wide range of projects.
Yes. WOCA Exterior Wood Oil performs very well on Accoya timber, which is commonly used for exterior cladding, joinery and other architectural applications. For best results, Accoya should first be cleaned with WOCA Exterior Wood Cleaner and then treated with WOCA Exterior Wood Primer before applying WOCA Exterior Wood Oil. This helps improve adhesion, durability and overall protection of the timber.