5 Tips To Prepping Your Deck To Get a Fresh Coat Of Paint

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A wooden deck can be quite delicate. If treated appropriately, they could transform the entire look of your home. However, constant exposure to harsh weather conditions could discolor your deck, making it look worn out. When this happens, it’s crucial to apply a fresh coat of paint. Prepping and painting a deck isn’t as complicated as it sounds. However, you ought to achieve a few nitty-gritty details.

Here are 5 tips to prepping your deck for a fresh coat of paint:

Consider the day’s weather forecast

Before commencing, it’s important to check the weatherman’s prediction concerning the day’s weather. Strive to repaint your deck when it’s neither too sunny nor too humid outside. Applying paint in the presence of direct sunlight could mess with the color consistency and adherence of the paint. Humidity levels should lie between the range of 40% and 70% while the ambient temperature should be anywhere around 700F (210C).

Clean the deck thoroughly

You should first sweep your deck to get rid of loose dirt, leaves and debris. Use a firm-bristled brush for this activity. When you’re done sweeping the deck, wash it immediately with a mixture of water and a deck cleaning agent. This will effectively eliminate deep stains, sprucing up the deck and getting it prepped up for paint application. You could also try using a power washer if it’s accessible – this solution meticulously cleans your wooden deck. Next, give your deck ample time to dry up.

Repair any existing holes and remove loose nails

If there exists cracks or holes within the planks, it’s crucial to repair them or get a qualified professional to handle this. Such holes could ruin the overall aesthetics of your deck, especially after you’ve applied fresh paint. Use professional-grade putty that is locally available to seal these holes and open spaces. Also, ensure that any loose nails are removed and replaced with bigger nails. Loose nails can be quite dangerous if left unattended. They could also damage your deck’s structural integrity with time. If you’re unsure of how to deal with loose nails, get a professional to handle this.

Use the appropriate paintbrushes

Each deck is unique depending on the type of wood used to construct it. The type of brush you use to paint your wooden deck will also be determined by the particular type of paint you’re using. Use a brush with natural bristles when you’re applying oil-based paints. For acrylics, it’s best to use a brush with synthetic fiber for the application. Nylon brushes are the perfect example.

Apply the fresh paint

This final step is naturally the most crucial one. Apply a single coat of paint along each wooden plank without abandoning the edges. Try applying your paint from one adjacent end to the other while avoiding overlap paint marks along the planks. When you’ve painted the entire deck, let it dry up for 48 hours or longer. Within this period, avoid walking along the deck – this could ruin the finish. In addition, you should wait for a month before washing the deck to ensure the fresh coat of paint is entirely cured.