Ipe Deck Wash, Sand & Oil with Rymar Exotic Forest Oil in Wilmette, IL
Ipe Deck Cleaning & Oiling in Wilmette on Greenwood Avenue. 200 sq ft oiled. Completed by our Northbrook team.
Completed by our Northbrook crew
What We Did
Ipe that's been left to weather goes a particular shade of silver-gray, and the front deck on this Wilmette home had reached that point. The 200-square-foot surface — deck floor and stair treads — had oxidized evenly, the dense grain still sound but the wood well past needing attention. Ipe holds up longer than most species, but that same density means preparation has to be deliberate; cut corners on the cleaning or sanding and the oil won't penetrate the way it should.
We started with a targeted wood cleaner applied across the full surface, followed by controlled power washing calibrated for the hardwood's density. A wood brightener went down after to pull the tone back toward the wood's natural character and even out the surface before we moved to sanding. Machine sanding covered all accessible horizontal surfaces — the deck floor and each stair tread — removing the oxidation layer and opening the grain for absorption. Once the surface was clean, dry, and ready, we applied Rymar Exotic Forest Oil in Teak, working it into the floor boards and treads by hand to ensure even penetration. The trans-oxide formula is built to hold back UV graying and nourish the wood from within rather than sitting on top of it, which is the right approach for a hardwood this dense and this valuable.
Scope of Work
In Wilmette, our Northbrook crew carried out a complete Ipe Deck Cleaning & Oiling across 200 of decking — from thorough surface prep and any needed repairs through to a durable, color-matched finish built to hold up to Chicago weather. Here's everything the job included:
Work performed
The Results
Showing the deck's condition before our team arrived, and the result after the ipe deck cleaning & oiling was complete.
More From This Job
Served by Our Northbrook Office
Deck Doc — Northbrook
Northbrook, IL 60062
Proudly serving Wilmette and the surrounding suburbs.
Ipe Deck Cleaning & Oiling in Nearby Cities
Our Northbrook crew also serves these areas.
Related Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Wilmette homeowners researching Ipe Deck Cleaning & Oiling.
How much does ipe deck cleaning and oiling cost in Wilmette, IL?
This 200 sq ft ipe deck in Wilmette, including stairs, wood brightener prep, and Rymar Exotic Forest Oil, came to $2,750. Pricing depends on the square footage, condition of the wood, whether stairs or railings are involved, and the oil product specified.
How long does it take to clean and oil an ipe deck?
A project this size — around 200 sq ft with stairs — typically runs one to two days, accounting for the cleaning and brightening phase, dry time, and the oil application. Weather and the current condition of the wood can affect the schedule.
What's included in an ipe deck oiling service?
On this Wilmette project we cleaned the deck surface, applied a wood brightener to open the grain and neutralize the wood, then finished with Rymar Exotic Forest Oil across the decking and stairs. The brightener step is critical for hardwoods because it allows the oil to penetrate evenly rather than sitting on the surface.
How often does an ipe deck need to be oiled?
Ipe is an extremely dense hardwood, so it absorbs oil more slowly than cedar or pine, but it still needs attention — typically every one to two years depending on sun exposure, foot traffic, and how well the previous oil held up. Skipping maintenance is what causes ipe to go gray and develop surface checks over time. For a quote, call our Northbrook team at (847) 979-9299.
Ready to Schedule Your Ipe Deck Cleaning & Oiling?
Served by our Northbrook office — free estimates, fully insured.