How To Restore an Old Deck
A wood deck can last decades with the right maintenance and deck restoration. From mildewy surfaces to splinter-laden boards, we'll show you step-by-step how to breathe new life and re-stain severely damaged decks.
Yield: 1 deck
Cost: $250
Equipment
- Painting accessories Rags, cleaning supplies
- Stain Brushes
- Safety Equipment Eye goggles, gloves, etc
Materials
- Deck Brightener For grayed, mildew, or mold decks
- Stain Color
- Stain Cleaner
Instructions
- Inspect and repair, as needed, the structural integrity of the deck. Replace any boards that are showing signs of rot, pest damage, or loss of support. Inspect the entire structure from all angles.
- Clean the deck and remove any peeling or chipping stain. You can use a pressure washer with up to 2000 PSI pressure but be careful not to gouge the wood.
- Remove mildew and grayed wood, if necessary. For decks that have grayed severely or been neglected, deck brightener will remove the top layer of gray wood and kill mildew.
- Sanding. While sanding is optional in some cases, a light sanding will always help the stain penetrate and bond better to the wood surface. If all of the stain must be removed, I recommend renting an orbital deck sander with multiple heads. Sweep and vacuum up dust.
- Apply stain. I always apply stain with a sprayer and then back brush to work the stain into the grain. A sprayer cuts time by 50-80%. I usually do at least two coats of stain, 3 for clear or light transparent stain. Check the product labels for how long to wait between coats.
Notes
Staining a Deck Tips:
- For large projects like decks, I HIGHLY recommend using a quality paint sprayer.
- If desired, cover nearby bushes and windows with plastic to make cleanup easier.
- Stain top to bottom with railings first, followed by the floors and then skirting/sides.
- Even with a sprayer I recommend brushing the stain in. This helps catch any drips and, for transparent or semi-transparent stain, will help the stain bond with the wood.