How to Paint a Deck

From baking in the hot sun to freezing come winter, decks take a beating all year long, which is why they often require refinishing long before your home’s exterior needs painting. Luckily, painting or staining a deck is far less labor-intensive than painting a house, and it can usually be finished in just one weekend.

Below, we’ve explained how to paint a deck, plus how to stain a deck and what you should do to prepare your deck before refinishing it.

Before You Begin

The most important part about painting a deck is the prep work. Taking ample time to clean and dry the deck will ensure the finish adheres properly and lasts as long as possible. Plus, you’ll want to make any necessary repairs before you apply the new coat of paint.

Depending on the current state of your existing paint, you may need to remove it before painting over it. If painting a new deck, you must wait for the lumber to fully dry and use special primers and deck paints for proper adhesion. Typically, pressure-treated deck lumber takes three to six months to fully dry.

Pro Tip: Use the water-drop test to check if your pressure-treated deck is ready to accept paint. If the water beads on the surface, wait longer. If it absorbs quickly, it's likely ready.

Preparation steps vary depending on your deck’s current finish and the product you plan to apply, which we'll cover in the sections below.

The Best Time to Paint a Deck

Another crucial factor you should consider before painting your deck is the weather. Too hot, and the paint will dry too fast; too cold, and it will dry too slowly. Additionally, extreme humidity can affect paint dry times, and it goes without saying that rain or strong winds must be avoided altogether.

While you should consult your specific product's label for ideal conditions, here are some general guidelines:

• Temperature: 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 70 percent
• No direct sun
• Minimal wind
• No rain in the forecast for at least 48 hours

The best chance of finding ideal conditions for exterior painting is late spring or early fall, when temperatures and humidity are mild, and the weather is generally more predictable.

How to Paint a Deck

Painting new deck boards is one of the most effective things you can do to protect your deck and improve its appearance. Because they haven't been painted or stained before, they require less prep work, as there are no existing finishes to remove. However, proper drying and cleaning are still crucial for achieving a good finish.

1. Remove all furniture. Before getting to work, fully remove all furniture rather than moving it to the side as you work.
2. Clean the deck. Clean the deck boards by blowing off any debris, then spray them down with a deck cleaner and degreaser to remove any grease, mildew and other buildup. Rinse the deck and let it dry thoroughly.
3. Make any repairs. If you notice damaged boards, now is the time to repair or replace them.
4. Fill the holes (optional). If desired, fill the nail or screw holes with exterior-grade, paintable wood filler, then wipe it smooth.
5. Sand the boards. Once the filler has dried, sand the boards using 80-grit sandpaper to remove any splintering, smooth the surface and promote better adhesion. Optionally, you can progress to 120-grit for a smoother finish. Additionally, sanding new boards also helps remove mill glaze, a slick surface left from the manufacturing process that can interfere with paint adhesion.
6. Remove the sawdust. Blow off all the sawdust using a leaf blower.
7. Prime the deck. Prime the deck boards with a primer specifically formulated for deck boards, following the manufacturer’s instructions for application methods and dry times.
8. Paint the deck. Once the primer has fully dried, paint the deck with your preferred deck paint. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application technique and dry times.
9. Add additional coats. Once the initial coat of paint has fully dried, apply at least one additional coat.
10. Let the paint fully cure. After the paint has dried, it will still need to fully cure before you can return to normal use of your deck. While it's best to avoid foot traffic altogether for several days to a week, light foot traffic is permissible, though shoes aren't recommended. Furniture shouldn't be returned until the paint has reached its full cure time, as indicated on the paint's label.

Pro Tip: A pressure washer may be necessary for cleaning tougher deck grime.

How to Repaint a Deck

The process of repainting a deck can be nearly as simple as painting a new deck, unless the existing paint is in poor condition. If this is the case, you must remove any chipping, peeling, bubbling or otherwise compromised paint before adding new paint, or the new paint will not adhere.

While this process will differ depending on the condition and type of your existing paint, it will likely involve scraping, sanding and stripping. Once you have removed the damaged paint and created a solid surface for painting, you can then prime and paint the deck.

How to Stain a Deck

The steps for staining a deck are very similar to the steps for painting a deck, with a few notable differences. The main difference is the use of stain instead of primer and paint, and the resulting differences in the application techniques.

Additionally, we don’t recommend filling nail and screw holes before staining a deck, as it’s nearly impossible to match the wood, and the stain will only highlight the filler.

Note: While you can sometimes paint over a previously stained deck, you can't stain over a previously painted deck without first removing all of the existing paint. Otherwise, the stain will not penetrate the wood.

How to Care for a Newly Painted Deck

Now that your deck is looking better than ever, it's time to maintain its gorgeous look so it lasts for years to come. To care for your painted deck, regularly sweep or blow it off to remove debris. Once or twice a year, as needed, clean the deck with a mild deck cleaner to thwart mildew growth and maintain a clean surface.