Simple Wood Deck Refinishing

I have first hand knowledge in refinishing wood decks, and the reason why, I was once the part owner of a painting company (True Colors Custom Painting, Inc.) here in Jacksonville, FL, and I recall a wooden deck that we refinished for a customer of ours 2 years ago. In all honesty, the process was simple, and the real key to a successful refinishing project is preparation. If you prepare correctly, the better your chances are for a beautiful finish. Another very important aspect to consider if you’re planning on doing this project is the weather. Do it on a dry sunny day.

The following breakdown is a brief summary of how to refinish a wood deck and goes as follows:

Step I.
Remove all furniture (deck chairs, flower pots, etc.) from the deck surface. It’s important to have a clear deck, otherwise you have the potential of untreated and unstained areas on your deck, which will make for a very tacky look.

Step II.
Pressure wash your deck, removing all dirt and debris. For this, use at a minimum, Please allow time for wood to dry.

Step III.
For a more dynamic finish, I recommend that you lightly sand the deck of any stains and spills (if necessary). Understand that this takes time to do and is the most time consuming part of the whole process, but it’s well worth it. Deck sanding calls for the use of a power sander. Nothing too big is needed. I will also recommend sanding the deck first, then come through with the pressure washing to clear the pores of the wood from particles allowing for deeper penetration.

Step IV.
Now you want to determine and apply your stain. You can use a brush, roller, or paint pad. I personally recommend using a paint pad, because with using a paint pad, you have much more control over your stain. If you use a roller you have a greater potential of waste, because rollers are more absorbent. Nevertheless, you choose what makes sense for your project.

Step V.
Allow between 12 -24 hours for surface to dry.

Most people will seek professionals to do this job, but this is something you can do yourself. If you plan on hiring someone to do this for you, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 – $10,000. Pricing will depend on where (southern US, etc.) you are located; the condition of the deck; the size of the deck; and what you want done. If you do it yourself, you’re probably looking to spend less than $100 in materials; and you eliminate the labor costs. Keep in mind, if sanding of your deck is required, you’ll have to factor in the cost of a power sander.

In closing, what I have given you is simple layout of a standard wood deck refinishing project. Again, it’s not hard to do if you prepare correctly, and if you follow the simple steps given above you will be fine. Your newly refinished deck will last a lifetime with proper maintenance and care.