How to Paint a Patio

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Anytime of the year is a good time to spend out on the patio. Nothing spoils this sentiment more than chipping or fading paint, which in turns reminds you of all the things that need to be fixed in the house. Break out with the sand paper and painting equipment and reclaim your patio!

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Check weather forecast for at least 3 consecutive days of dry, non windy days. Nothing stinks worse than have to redo a paint job due to weather.

Step2

Dust off those old leaves, cob webs, and other items that have made the patio home.

Step3

Lay a drop cloth or tarp across the floor of the patio and tape down. Don't give yourself another job of cleaning the patio floor.

Step4

Sand the existing paint to a smooth finish. Clean off excess dust with a dry paint bush or run a damp cloth across it.

Step5

Prime the wood with an outdoor primer. If topcoat is a dark color, tint the primer to make coverage easier. Let dry. If the patio has spindles, prime where the spindles connect to the top to prevent wood rot. Let dry completely.

Step6

Apply outdoor, weather proof paint with even strokes. Resist applying a second coat or an overly thick coat before the first coat dries. Let dry, and then apply a second coat if needed.

Step7

Paint on outdoor sealer or a polyurethane coat if not using an outdoor paint. Let dry, clean up and you're done!

Tips & Warnings

Weather proof, outdoor paint is more costly at the register, but you won't have to paint as often and therefor actually save you money and time.
Paint sprayers can be a quick way to paint, beware of winds and be sure to cover everything around and under the patio.