Painting or Staining a Porch or Deck
How to Choose and Apply Paint and Stain to your Porch and Deck
Mar 17, 2009
Painting or staining a porch or deck may seem like a daunting task, but almost anyone can be successful if they plan, evaluate and prepare before painting or staining. By properly protecting your deck you can extend it's life and increase its use in the years to come.
Evaluate the Deck
The first step is to evaluate the porch or deck. Is there a paint, stain or sealer already on there? If so, is it still working? If water beads up on the current coating, the new stain won’t absorb and the new paint won’t adhere. Plan to remove any coating by stripping or power washing the deck. Are there any structural repairs that should be completed prior to coating? Is there mold or fungus that needs to be killed and removed before the new coating can be applied? New coatings will not adhere properly over fungus, dirt and mold. Inspect the deck and make notes about what needs to be done prior to beginning your project.
Plan the Project
- Check the weather. The deck must be completely dry in order for the new coating to adhere, and after the paint or stain is applied, the coating must have time to dry thoroughly before the next rainfall. Plan to paint or stain your deck during a week without precipitation. Ideally, the deck should dry for three days before coating it, and remain dry for two days after coating.
- Estimate the amount of time the project will require. If the deck is new and just needs coating, the project could be completed in a weekend. If the deck requires repairs, stripping of old paint, sanding, or cleaning, then plan to complete the project over the course of several days, allowing at least a half day for each procedure. Now is the time to enlist help. If you have a large deck or a deck that needs stripping, repairs, or extensive cleaning, consider asking others for help. Co-ordinate schedules and plan a manpower day by assigning specific tasks to each volunteer.
- Consider your budget. A quality exterior paint or stain costs upwards of $30USD per 400 square feet of coverage. Brushes, rollers, sprayers and other tools vary widely in price, so consider how much you have to spend before you begin, and borrow tools to reduce your overall cost.
Prepare the Surface
Using a chemical stripper or a manual scraper, remove the old paint or stain. Wash the deck thoroughly with a no-residue cleaning solution like TSP (tri-sodium phosphate). Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose or a pressure washer set to a low setting. Allow the deck to dry completely for at least 36 hours.
Paint or Stain
Choose an exterior paint or stain that is specifically formulated for decks; it will be more rigid and durable for foot traffic. For best results, apply an exterior primer before applying solid stain or paint. Semi-transparent stains do not require a primer, but they do require extra care: be sure to back brush (use a dry stain brush to distribute wet stain) where you have applied new stain in order to prevent pooling or overlapping marks. Coat a small area (approximately a three-foot square) before moving on to the next area. Be careful to avoid pooling (allowing too much paint or stain to accumulate in one place); it is better to apply several thin coats rather than one thick one.
By first evaluating your project and then creating a plan before you begin, you can avoid time-consuming mistakes and make the chore of staining your deck a satisfying and enjoyable experience.
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