How to prepare Pine deck for repainting?

Lowey15

Hi all,

I am looking at repainting my outdoor area with deck paint as a refresh is needed. I have noticed that the last coating didn't last as long as expected.

We are going to use a standard deck paint (not oil based) on the location. As I am learning new DIY skills, what is the best way to prepare before painting? Will it need a light sanding, or a larger one?

We are using the same colour as pictured. The decking is constructed with pine wood.

Any advice would be amazing! Thanks in advanced!

JacobZ

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Lowey15 and thank you for your question.

While painting over existing paint is certainly possible, it relies on the original paint being solidly adhered, which in your case, doesn't seem to be the case. To achieve the best results possible, I would suggest you remove the existing paint and then sand them back to remove any greying and weathering from the timber and to smooth and prepare the surface for the new paint.

To remove the paint, I'd suggest you start with a paint scraper like this https://www.bunnings.com.au/uni-pro-75mm-real-good-paint-scraper_p1670148 to remove any loose or flaking paint. Some paint stripper can also help, just make sure you follow the instructions carefully and wear the appropriate protective equipment including gloves, a mask, long protective clothing and enclosed shoes while working with the stripper.

Once the majority of the paint has been removed, you can remove any that is leftover during the sanding process. The goal when sanding is to return the surface to a uniform, smooth surface, which your new coats of paint can adhere to well. Check out https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/diy-skills/sanding/how-to-sand-a-deck for some guidance.

Once sanded, I'd suggest flipping those couple of boards with the grooves on top over as the grooves are there to stop water getting trapped between the decking board and the framing beneath. If they are facing up, they might be adding a little bit of grip, but they are also trapping any water that falls on them, which over time, will speed up the deterioration of the timber. If you're concerned about grip, then there are things like grip tape or grip additives that can be used.

Preparation is the most important part of any paint project so if you take the time to do things right before applying your paint, the application process itself is relatively easy. Your paint can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer depending on your preference, just make sure to apply it in thin coats and check for any runs or lines as you go. Most paints will ask for a minimum of two coats, so after applying the first coat, ensure you wait the recommended amount of time before applying your second coat. This is referred to as the recoat time and in many cases it is at least 2 hours, but it can vary depending on the product. Just make sure you have a read of the packaging so you understand what the product you are using requires. Check out https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/building-construction/decking/how-to-paint-a-deck for some further guidance on the process.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob