Refinishing Your Wooden Deck

You love spending time outside and having a wooden deck makes it even more enjoyable. You have your outdoor furniture there. Maybe you even have a deck that leads to an above ground pool. You love sitting there, watching the kids splash and play. But this year, you are noticing that the deck isn't quite as nice as it used to be. The stain is starting to wear in some places. It just looks...tired. The wood isn't bad, but it just isn't looking fresh like it used to.

You don't have to trash the deck and start anew! You can refinish the wood and refresh the look and your enjoyment.

When refinishing a wood deck, you must determine whether your deck needs to be sealed and the appropriate types of exterior stains and sealers to choose from.

1. Conduct a water drop test on the deck by pouring a few drops of water on a deck board. If the board absorbs the water, the deck definitely needs sealing for protection. If the water beads, the wood is already sealed and may only need cleaning, unless you want to change its appearance.
2. Stains color the wood and give your deck a new look. Most new types of exterior wood stain are formulated with sealants, so you only need to apply one product.
3. Semitransparent stains or sealers let the wood grain show through and can be most effective on pressure treated lumber.
4. Avoid such clear finishes as varnish or polyurethane as they can degrade when exposed to sunlight over time.

Clean and prepare the deck to ensure the best results before deck refinishing.

• Schedule the project carefully. Do not apply a new finish if rain is expected within 24 hours.
• Inspect the deck, handrails and steps. Replace damaged boards and make sure no nails are sticking up.
• Clear the deck.
• Cover nearby plants or shrubs with plastic sheeting to make sure they don’t get spattered with cleaner or stain.
• Apply painter’s tape along where the deck meets the side of the house to avoid getting stain on your home.
• Clean the deck by spraying a biodegradable deck cleaner that removes mildew. Scrub with a stiff bristle brush, using an extension handle, if necessary.
• After cleaning, consider applying a wood brightener to the surface to improve the deck's appearance.
• Then rinse the deck with a garden hose.
• Pressure washing is an option, but follow instructions to avoid damaging the wood. Use the pressure washer at a low setting with a fan spray nozzle.

Sand the surface before applying stain to make the wood better absorb the coating.

• Use an orbital sander to remove any old gloss and smooth out any rough areas on decking boards.
• You may need to use a sanding sponge on the railings or balustrades.
• Use 60- or 80- grit sandpaper on the main deck boards, and use 80- or 100-grit on the handrails.
• After sanding, vacuum the deck thoroughly to ensure that dust does not settle on the new finish.

And remember! Always wear a dust mask and safety goggles to protect your eyes when sanding treated wood.

Make sure the deck has had at least two days to dry before applying stain or sealant.

• Begin by applying stain or sealant to handrails using a paintbrush, starting at the top and working down to the deck surface. You can also apply stain with a paint sprayer.
• Use a natural-bristle paintbrush to apply oil-based products and a synthetic-bristle brush to apply water-based stains.
• Then stain or seal the surface decking boards with a flat paint-pad applicator. Let the stain soak according to instructions and remove excess with a rag.
• Stain needs time to absorb into the wood but dries quickly, so avoid applying the stain in direct sunlight.
• Porous wood may require a second coat of staining sealer for even coverage.
• Most decks do not require sealant on the underside, especially when made of pressure-treated wood.
• Stay off the deck for a full day to ensure it dries completely.
• Remove painter’s tape, return furnishings to their desired place and enjoy the results of your deck restoration.

Another tip: Apply deck stain thinking about how you need to leave. You don't want to stain yourself into a corner!

Jones Rental Inc. is here to help you get the necessary equipment to tackle those projects. Please know that we are taking time for additional cleaning and are taking every precaution for the health and safety of staff and customers.

We are proud to offer curbside services to do our part and encourage social distancing. Payment can be accepted via credit card, PayPal, or cash. Give us a call at (419) 207-8800 to learn more.