Tip for Deck Refinishing
Refinishing an existing deck goes a long way to preserving the wood and
avoiding future maintenance problems.
And how do you know it's time to refinish your deck? Well, every two years is
a good rule of thumb, but there's another way to see if your sealer/stain is
standing up.
Sprinkle some water on the deck and watch to see if it is absorbed.
If the water soaks into the wood immediately, it's time to apply a sealing
product.
A typical refinishing schedule for deck
maintenance would be:
- Every year: thorough deck cleaning
- Every two years: apply sealer or stain. Solid stains required
re-application less frequently because they contain more pigment than
semi-transparent stains.
- Every four to six years: thorough sanding of all surfaces before
refinishing
Decks less than five years old:
- Unless the deck has already been treated with a solid stain, use a clear
or semi transparent stain that allows the wood grain to show through.
Decks more than five years old:
- Use a solid stain to hide imperfections, cracks and splinters.
To refinish a deck:
- First sand the area with 80-grit sandpaper.
- Sand in the direction of the grain and wear a mask so you don't inhale
the sawdust.
- Safety first! Wear protective masks, gloves, goggles, long sleeves and
pants when applying paints, stains or sealers.
- Stir, do not shake, the sealer or stain product.
- Follow the instructions on the label for drying times and ideal
application temperatures
- Taking sections of three boards a a time, evenly apply a coat of stain
or sealer. Expect to do at least two coats. If the stain puddles, roll over
it again to spread the stain out evenly.
- Allow to dry completely.
- Follow manufacturers directions for cleanup and disposal of rags,
brushes and rollers.
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