I recently bought a house that has a pretty weathered deck that suffers from full southern sun exposure all day long. It's coated with dark green paint that's now peeling off badly all over. I can't share a picture, but it's definitely seen better days. I've planted some trees for shade in the long run, but right now, I really need to give the deck some TLC. It seems like the previous owners may have slapped on some indoor latex paint. I'm considering giving it a thorough clean, some light sanding, and then applying an opaque stain. Do you think that would cover the old, dark paint? Also, if anyone knows of a good, budget-friendly stain option, I'd love to hear it! I know some parts may need replacement down the line since it's in pretty bad shape, but I'm hoping to extend its life without it looking totally wrecked.
3 Answers
I’d suggest starting with a good power wash! There are tons of helpful YouTube videos out there to guide you through that process. Personally, I prefer using a semi-transparent stain for decks since it allows some wood grain to show through but still gives good color coverage. Good luck!
From my experience, I had a 500sqft deck that I pressure washed and then sanded down with a drum sander. Took me a while, but it was worth it! I ended up using Ready Seal semi-transparent stain that was easy to apply and looks great. Just remember to pick a stain that suits the look you want—there are plenty of options available at your local home improvement store!
Before you dive into staining, how old is the wood? If it's around 20 years or older and in rough shape, sometimes it's better to replace it. But if you're looking to save some time and money, just focus on cleaning it up first. If the paint doesn’t come off easily, you might need to sand it down too!
Yeah, I’m sure it’s over 20 years old. Definitely will have to replace it in a few years, but for now, just trying to make it last.