Summer is here; it’s time to give your home exterior a new look. Perhaps, you’ve done with fence, driveway, garage, and all. So, what about the deck? You painted it years ago, and it looked great.
Now it has begun to look faded and worn. If you’re thinking of replacing the old deck, clear away this thought. Rather you can remove old deck paint and stain it again. We’ll tell you how to remove paint from deck before staining.
Instead of calling a professional, you can do it yourself. A faded, old deck will likely have cracked spots, stubborn stains, and accumulated water. You’ll have to scrape all the peeled and cracked paints and prepare a clean canvas for staining.
In fact, there are specific ways to remove paint from the deck. Here we come with a guide on how to paint a deck with peeling paint. Follow the steps to get the best result possible.
How to Remove Paint from Deck before Staining?
A beautiful deck can change the appearance of your outdoor living space. Painting or staining is what makes a deck look beautiful. And, your leisure time can turn into luxury if you have a topnotch deck.
These days, decorating or staining a deck has become a popular DIY construction project. A report by CNN states that the majority of Americans build their own deck instead of hiring a professional.
However, you can remove paint from the deck either chemically or mechanically. The chemical method involves corrosive chemicals, and the mechanical process involves power washing.
Expert says, combining both methods can yield you the best result. Here we’ll explain the best way to remove paint from the deck before staining. Let’s get started.
Understand the Type of Paint on Your Deck
Before we start with the process, first you have to understand the nature of the paint. You may forget what you had applied before, or maybe you were not present while applying the paint. It is essential to the current state of your deck paint. So, you can decide what you have to do next.
- Check if there is an oil-based paint or a latex?
Between the two of them, latex is relatively easy to remove than the oil-based paint. Latex usually sets on top of the wooden deck. If you are not sure about the paint on it, you can do a test.
Take a little amount of alcohol on a cotton swab or a rag and rub it over the paint. Check if the paint comes off easily or not. If it comes off easily, then your deck currently has latex. Elsewise, it is oil-based paint.
Things You’ll Need
- Power washer
- A gel-based stripper or the best paint remover for wood deck
- Scraper or iron-bristled brush
- Tarps
- Broom
- Paintbrush
- Belt Sander
Step 1: Prepare the Deck
At first, you have to remove all the furniture and object from the deck. Now cover the surroundings of the deck, including flowers and plants with traps. It is essential to protect the flowers and plants from the debris and power washer. Then, sweep the deck with a broom to clear all the dirt and leaves.
Step 2: Scrap the Deck
So you have removed all the dry dirt and leaves. At this point, you have to remove all the peeling paint on the deck. Before using stripper or paint remover, you can scrape away a fair amount of paint.
Use a scraper or iron-bristled brush to scrape over the deck. You may not remove all the paint, but it could minimize your hassle. Even after scraping correctly, the paint will not go away at all.
Step 3: Apply Paint Stripper
The old, peeled paints are stubborn. It doesn’t come off with just scraping. So, you have to apply paint stripper for further paint removal. Paint stripper softens the remaining paint and makes it easy to remove.
Now take a paintbrush and dip it into a stripper. Apply the stripper to a 10-by-10 foot unit of the deck. It is better to start from one end of the deck. And, gradually move toward the stairs and rails.
Make sure you have covered each section of the deck, including the edges, stairs, and rails. After applying the stripper, leave it for 15-30 minutes. In between, the paint stripper will start to bubble up. If you can see the bubbles, you can move on to the next step.
Step 4: Power Wash the Deck
Now, it’s time to wash the deck with a power wash for a quick result. Get the power washer from any reputed brand. Fix the psi setting to the low pressure of 800-1200lbs per sq. Inch. Then, adjust the power washer by turning the nozzle.
Do not use hot water as it may spoil the wood. Make sure to spray with cold water as it is useful. However, you should hold the power washer at least 20” away from the deck.
Spray over the areas that are covered with paint stripper in a sweeping motion. You have to spray until all the paint is gone from the deck.
Warning: Do not use the paint stripper that contains methylene chloride. Also, make sure to wear protective gear such as rubber gloves, goggles, and a dust mask.
Step 5: Sanding the Deck (Additional)
You may or may not need to follow this step. It depends on the nature of the paint. Even after following the steps 1-4, check if any spots remain on the deck. If you find any remaining paint, removing deck paint with a sander is essential.
Use a belt sander to sand over the remaining paint. Sanding also makes the wooden surface even. After all these jobs, wait for at least 48 hours before staining. Finally, your deck is ready to stain all over again.
Final Verdict
And voila! This is how to remove paint from deck before staining. As you can see, getting rid of those old paint is too easy. Follow the mentioned steps carefully with the best tools and materials. Giving your deck a fresh look is just a matter of time. So, what are you waiting for? Get started NOW!
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