How to repaint outdoor stairs?

Jarrod1

Hey all, wondering what the steps are to fix these weathered stairs?

I'm guessing sand it all back, prime it, and then outdoor paint? I think the paint matches the walls of the house so I can colour match to that.

Anything I'm missing? Some of the wood looks like it has fairly deep grooves, so wanted to check if this is the right approach, do I just make sure to get a lot of primer into the gaps?

Not sure what type of wood it is, maybe it'd look better with a different finish 🙃

MitchellMc

Hi @Jarrod1,

The timber on your stairs is heavily weathered, which is why you’re seeing those deep grooves and cracks on the surface. From what you’ve shown, it doesn’t appear to be structurally compromised, so there’s no urgent concern. That said, the grooves are unlikely to be fully removed by sanding. You’ll mostly be removing loose paint and smoothing rough areas.

You’re on the right track with your approach: sand the timber to remove any loose paint, clean off dust, then repaint. For a durable finish, you can use something like Cabot's 4L White Timbercolour Deck & Exterior Paint, making sure to work the paint into the cracks and grooves as best you can. This will protect the stairs and give them a refreshed, long-lasting look.

If you wanted a smoother finish, this timber would also take Builder’s Bog or a similar wood filler nicely. You could fill the cracks, sand them flush once dry, and then paint over. This would give a cleaner, more even surface while still protecting the stairs from the elements.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell