How to Refinish Decks

Refinish your deck to bring it back to life.

Every five years or so a wooden deck will start to show signs of weathering, which is also a sign that it's time to refinish. Refinishing is an investment in the life of the deck; it may seem like a lot of work at the time, but it's a far cry from the time and expense of replacing a deck that's fallen into disrepair. While professional refinishing services are available, doing it yourself is a much cheaper option and you can achieve the same results.

Things You'll Need

• Power washer
• Paint stripper
• Paintbrush or rollers with long handle extension
• Metal paint scraper
• Hose
• Hammer or screwdriver
• Belt sander
• Broom or vacuum
• Paint, stain or tung oil
• Old rags (optional)

Instructions

1. Power-wash the deck to remove all loose paint or finish residue. Use a power washer with 2,000 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure or above and start from the edge of the deck working across. Let the deck air-dry overnight.

2. Spread paint stripper onto the deck with a long-handled roller or paintbrush with all-natural fibers. Follow the paint stripper manufacturer's recommended waiting time (typically 10 to 30 minutes) or wait for the remaining paint or finish on the deck to bubble, indicating the bond of the finish on the deck is broken.

3. Scrape off the bubbled finish with a paint scraper, then use a hose to wash off the scraps.

4. Run the scraper over the length of the deck to snag any protruding nails or screws, then use a hammer or screwdriver to level them off. This will ensure that the screws or nails don't tear the sheets of sandpaper in the sander.

5. Allow the deck to air dry again, then sand it with a belt sander. Go with the grain of the decking in straight lines. Avoid radial sanders; they can leave scratches or marks that show up when the deck is stained.

6. Vacuum or sweep up the dust from sanding, then apply your chosen finish to the deck with a long-handled paintbrush or roller. Follow the finish manufacturer's recommended coats and drying times.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've never used a power washer before, practice on a scrap piece of wood before using it on the deck as the pressure delivered from the power washer can dent or warp wood if used improperly.

References

• American Decks: Stripping Decks
• Service Magic: The Importance Of Paint Removal