How to paint a deck

Decks encounter a lot of foot traffic and for this reason; you need to paint them to keep them looking good and also to keep them strong. It is always a great way of bringing vibrant color in your outer side of your house. However, it is very easy to forget to paint decks. In most of the cases, most of the home owners paint railings, stairs and posts but usually forget painting their decks. If you are thinking of painting your decks, this brief will be helpful to you.

What is the best paint for painting desks?

When you are painting your decks, there are several things that you have to follow up with and the top most is what kind of paint to use on wood deck. In most of the situations, you are supposed to use stain rather than paint. You are supposed to look for a stain that comes with transparent, semitransparent or solid finish depending on your taste and preference. Before you apply, you are supposed to clean your deck because the dirt may end up spoiling the whole experience.

If you are going for paints, then pick paints that provide a natural finish. A good option is a thick coating of oil based paint. It helps you to fill in cracks and those sensitive gaps on your deck surface. One major drawback of using this type of coat is that it will absorb UV rays from the sun. This means that you have to put up with applying this paint time to time especially twice a year.

If you are looking for a paint that will not require regular servicing, then you can go for Acrylic paint because it has a protective film that protects the paint from absorbing UV rays from the sun. The main advantage of this is that it requires less maintenance than oil paint. It also works well in almost all types of wood decks.

When you are applying this paint, you have to allow few days for it to dry before applying a second coat. This makes it simply for the paint to hold on very well and also make it look good.

Applying the paint

There are several things that you need to do when you are applying the paint in your deck. I bet you want to apply it in a way that it will look beautiful and well cared for. For this reason, follow the below steps.

Wash the deck

The first thing that you are required to do before you apply the paint is to wash the deck. You should start by clearing and sweeping the deck. The first step is to remove any outdoor furniture, planters or any tool that would obstruct the whole process. You may put these items and equipment in a garage temporarily or in a garden shed. Use a broom to sweep the surface of the deck to remove all the dirt and debris.

Power wash the deck afterwards-If you don’t have a power washer, you may have to rent it at your local hardware. If you are renting it, ensure you get all the instructions on how to use it. If you have just bought it, you may read the user manual for guidance. Just ensure that the deck is clean from top to bottom. If for any case you cannot get a good power washer or if your house only had some mild dirt or debris, then you can hand wash. Use dish soap, water and a wire scrub to make sure everything is done the right way.

Apply a mold deterrent

The next thing that you should do is to apply a mold deterrent if you have an issue with mildew and mold. You may also be required to apply it if your house is very close to the ground. Later you are supposed to use a wire brush or a bloom to scrub the deterrent into the deck.

After that, leave the deck for the entire night to dry. This means that you have to let the deck dry for a good time before you apply it. In other words you need to leave it overnight but if it is quiet sunny, it may dry before the end of the day.

Sanding and scraping the deck

Before applying the paint, you need to make sure that you have removed any paint that is still in the deck. To do this, you may need to use a paint scrapper over the areas with paint scraper. Scrap until you reveal the wood underneath. After that, apply 80-100 grit sand paper to smooth out the wood. You are supposed to run the sand paper over all the rough edges or spots on the wood after the paint is removed. Just take causing and ensure that you are not pressing too hard to the wood.

Applying the paint

The main task is now here. After you have cleaned the deck, removed the paint and scraped the wood, then next thing is to paint the decks. Mask off the walls, railings and windows near the deck to make sure that the paint doesn’t touch them. Do not use masking tape or other types of tape because they may not offer the much needed protection. The wisest idea is to use painter’s tape.

After that, wait for that specific time of the day when the deck is in a shade. This means that you need at all costs to avoid painting in direct sunlight. This is to ensure that the paint doesn’t dry so fast. You can either paint it early in the day or later in the day.
Apply two layers of exterior stain and let it dry overnight. The stain should be high quality and mildew resistant. Early the next day, paint the deck from top to the bottom. You have to paint one section at a time.

Use a paint brush to paint sharp corners and edges of the deck. You can use it to line the edges or corners. Later on, leave the paint to dry for about one or two days before getting the equipment back.