Leo Martínez
A painted deck can be a beautiful addition to your home, but it can also be a lot of work to maintain. If your deck has been painted and is now peeling, flaking, or chipping, there are several ways to fix it. The best method for you will depend on the extent of the damage and the amount of time and money you want to spend on the repair. This guide will take you through the different options for fixing a deck that has been painted, from simple cleaning and refinishing to complete repainting.
How to fix a painted deck
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to fix | When the paint is peeling, flaking, or chipped |
| Preparation | Clear the deck of furniture, toys, and plants. Sweep to remove dust, dirt, and debris. |
| Cleaning | Apply a cleaner and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush. Wash with a hose and sprayer or a pressure washer. |
| Drying | Allow the deck to dry for a couple of days after cleaning. |
| Sanding | Sand the deck to smooth out the surface and remove old paint. Use a power sander for larger areas or a hand sander for detailed work. Sweep or vacuum the deck to remove dust after sanding. |
| Painting | Choose a suitable paint or stain. Apply with a roller and brush, ensuring full coverage. Allow at least 24 hours for the paint to dry, and avoid rain during this period. |
| Maintenance | Regularly sweep and clean the deck to remove dirt and debris. Address any loose nails or damaged boards promptly. |
Clean the deck
Before you begin cleaning, it is important to clear the deck of all furniture, toys, potted plants, grills, and other objects. If there are plants nearby, cover the ones that are sensitive to soap.
Next, you will need to select a cleaning agent that suits your needs. If there is no mould, you do not need to use a mould-killing cleaner. Avoid using vinegar, as this can eat away at and deteriorate the paint. If you want to use bleach, opt for oxygen bleach instead of chlorine bleach, as it is gentler and less harmful to the environment. You can also use a biodegradable deck cleaner or liquid dish soap, which is effective at cleaning painted decks without damaging them.
To use liquid dish soap, mix a gallon of warm water with about two ounces of liquid soap. You can also add eight ounces of oxygen bleach to the mixture. Pour the solution onto the deck's surface, ensuring it is spread evenly. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Now, it's time to scrub. Use a long-handled, soft-bristled brush to improve control and precision when scrubbing and protect your back. Start by lightly working away at the dirt, mould, mildew, and surface stains, focusing on one deck board at a time. Load up on soapy water frequently to keep the area wet while you scrub. The time it takes to scrub away grime depends on how dirty the deck is, so prepare for this step to take some time.
After scrubbing, rinse the deck with a garden hose and sprayer attachment or a pressure washer. If using a pressure washer, start slow and at low pressure with a wide fan nozzle, as pressure washers can damage wood. If your deck is very dirty, you may need to repeat the cycle of washing and rinsing. After rinsing, let the deck air-dry completely.
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Remove old paint
Removing old paint from a deck can be done in several ways, each requiring different tools and methods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove old paint from a deck:
Preparation
First, clear the deck of all furniture, toys, potted plants, grills, and other objects. Inspect the deck, handrails, and steps for any damage. Replace rotten or damaged boards, and ensure all nails or screws are not standing out above the surface. If nails or screws have been lifted, pull or unscrew them and replace them with longer ones.
Cleaning
Select a cleaning agent that suits your needs. If there is no mould, a simple biodegradable deck cleaner will do. Use a stiff-bristled brush with an extension handle if necessary, but avoid metal bristles. Wash the deck with a hose and sprayer or a pressure washer. If old paint is flaking away, a pressure washer will help remove it. However, be cautious as pressure washers can damage wood, especially at high pressure. Start slowly and use a wide fan nozzle.
Stripping Paint
To completely remove old paint, you will need to strip the deck. You can use a grinding tool, a chemical stripper, or a dry ice blaster. Keep in mind that chemical strippers can be dangerous to you and your plants. Alternatively, you can rent a deck sander for the floorboards and a palm sander for the railings. Start with a lower grit like 40/60 to remove the top layer of paint and dry rot, then progress to a higher grit like 120 to smooth out any markings.
Scraping
After using a paint stripper, scrape off the softened paint. If you used a pressure washer or sander, you may still need to scrape off any remaining paint. Be careful not to scrape around fasteners (nails/screws) or damage the wood.
Neutralizing and Brightening
Follow the instructions on the paint stripper to neutralize it after scraping. If you plan to stain the deck, consider applying a wood or deck brightener to improve its appearance.
Remember to always wear protective gear, such as eye protection, latex gloves, and a dust mask when working with chemicals or power tools.
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Sand the deck
Sanding is an important step in refinishing a painted wooden deck. Before you begin, check the weather—your deck will need a couple of days to dry after being washed. If there is old paint on the deck, you can use a pressure washer to help remove it, but be careful as it can damage wood that has been exposed to the elements. Start at a low pressure with a wide fan nozzle and work slowly.
If the deck is in good shape, you can use sandpaper or a sanding block to manually smooth rough edges. If the deck is older and has splinters, rent a power sander to sand the entire deck surface. This will remove rough edges and old paint or stain, ensuring that the new paint bonds to the deck. Start with a low grit like 60-80 on rough areas, then progress to higher grits like 120-150. How smooth to sand is a personal preference once splinters and roughness have been removed. Handrails may require extra attention and finer sandpaper grits.
Always wear a dust mask and safety goggles to protect yourself from dust when sanding. After sanding, sweep, blow, or vacuum the deck thoroughly to remove the dust. Leaving dust on the surface will prevent the new finish from adhering completely.
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Choose paint or stain
When deciding whether to paint or stain your deck, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, assess the condition of your deck. If the damage is confined to a small area, you can determine and address the underlying issue (e.g., a leaking gutter, high foot traffic, or excessive sun exposure) and then proceed with repainting. However, if the damage is consistent over the entire deck surface, you might want to consider staining as a long-term solution.
Staining offers several unique benefits that make it a practical and visually appealing choice. Firstly, it enhances the natural beauty of the wood, allowing the grain and texture to show through. If you prefer the natural wood look, staining is ideal. Stains come in a wide range of finishes, from clear coats that showcase the wood to semi-transparent options that add a hint of colour. This allows you to customise the look of your deck without covering the wood's natural beauty.
Another advantage of staining is its longevity. Stains bond with wood at a deeper level, often lasting longer than paint. Stains tend to penetrate the wood rather than sit on top like paint, making maintenance easier. However, it's important to note that stains may not offer the same level of protection against harmful UV radiation as paint. Paint can provide better protection against sunlight, which can damage wood fibres and make the deck more prone to cracking and warping.
The colour you choose for your deck is also an important consideration. Darker colours, such as black, will hide dirt better, but scratches will be more visible, and the surface will absorb more heat during the summer. Lighter colours may require more frequent cleaning but can help keep the deck cooler in warmer months. It's also essential to test shades once the deck has been sanded to ensure you get an accurate idea of the different paints. Using your home's exterior colours as a guide can help keep the overall look visually connected.
Finally, consider the weather conditions when deciding between paint and stain. Paint jobs can be affected by rain and humidity, resulting in running paint, streaks, slow drying times, partial coverage, and an uneven finish. Staining may be more flexible in terms of weather conditions, but it is still important to allow adequate drying time for both paint and stain.
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Apply the finish
After sanding, cleaning, and preparing your deck, it's time to apply the finish. This could be paint or stain. Paint is more effective than stain at protecting your deck from harmful UV radiation, which can damage wood fibres and make the deck more prone to cracking and warping. However, stain is a great option for sealing the deck against moisture and enhancing the natural beauty of the wood. Stains come in a wide range of finishes, from clear coats that let the natural wood shine through to semi-transparent options that add a hint of colour.
If you choose to paint your deck, use a roller screen made to hang onto the side of a bucket to limit unwanted drips as you roll the coating onto the deck boards. Roll the entire length of the deck boards, a few rows at a time. You will need to reload the roller every few feet to get the proper coating thickness. Then, switch to a six-inch staining brush and glide it over each of the coated boards in one stroke.
If you choose to stain your deck, you can apply the stain with a paintbrush, starting at the top and working down to the deck surface, or with a paint sprayer.
Regardless of whether you choose to paint or stain your deck, it's important to check the weather and plan to complete the job on a sunny day with at least 24 hours without rain, giving the paint or stain enough time to dry.
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Frequently asked questions
First, identify the cause of the peeling. Next, clean the deck with a biodegradable cleaner and a stiff-bristle brush. If old paint is flaking, use a pressure washer. Then, sand the deck with 80-grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface and remove any remaining paint. Finally, apply a new coat of paint or stain.
Both options have advantages. Painting offers better protection against harmful UV radiation, while staining allows you to showcase the natural beauty of the wood. Staining also tends to last longer as it penetrates the wood, and it is easier to maintain.
You can use a roller and a roller screen to apply the coating, switching to a staining brush for the corners. Alternatively, you can use a paint sprayer.
Clear the deck of all furniture and objects. Then, wash the deck with a hose and sprayer or a pressure washer to remove any dust, dirt, and debris. Use a paint scraper to remove any flaking or peeling paint. Finally, sand the deck to smooth out the surface and improve paint adhesion.
Late spring or early fall is ideal, as the nights are cooler, and there is less rain and humidity. Choose a sunny day with at least 24 hours without rain to ensure proper drying.
