These simple and straightforward steps will help you learn how to paint your deck, avoid deck problems, and get professional results you’ll be proud of. Follow these cleaning and sanding instructions for the flooring to prepare for stains and paints. If you intend to coat your flooring with an oil-based stain resistant finish, apply according to the guidelines suggested by your particular brand. If you’re just selling your home and just need to get your deck dirty quickly or don’t mind cleaning it every year, then a cheaper oil-based stain may be your best bet.
If your deck is made of beautiful wood, the right colour and finish will enhance it. This type of Ultradeck Timber Stain is best for beautiful wood flooring such as rich cedar and mahogany where you want to preserve the natural colour of the wood and show its beauty. Just like Ultradeck Timber oil, wood stains also protect the wood from the elements, UV rays, and other forms of deterioration.
The stain also requires re-sealing but does not require the same maintenance as flooring oil. On old decks, dirt, greying, mildew and old stains must be removed before painting. This includes pressure painting wood, cedar painting and deck painting when re-painting old decks.
Treating the deck with oil or wood stain is an important step in ensuring that the deck will last for many years. Regular application of oil or stain will help protect your flooring from major causes of degradation.
Oil-based deck colourant is generally easier to use and repair coatings are easy to apply. As with flooring oil, it is best to apply a couple of coats to cutouts or excess wood to test the finish.
For your outdoor decking project, you may have decided to use an oil-based decking dye instead of water-based decking dyes. An oil stain is a strong and deep stain that provides a certain level of lubrication to the grain of the wood, so water-based stains do not show up to that extent. The stain will improve the appearance of the deck, but the oil will help preserve the condition better.
As a bonus, if the stain is oiled, it will also effectively protect the wood (although if it is a water-based stain, it will only provide UV protection). Floor stains not only serve their intended purpose well, they also provide a high level of UV protection. If this is your first time to refresh the deck, oily stains will also be the key to enriching the colour of the original wood.
You should always use the same type of wood stain as you already have on the timber deck. High-quality stains will cover the structure of the wood, preventing moisture from entering the deck and causing it to rot. Before applying stains, make sure that the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, wood fibres or grease), dry and free of mildew.
Apply the stain by dipping the applicator pad into the paint tray, then wipe the floorboards with strokes parallel to the length of the boards. It is important to clean the deck immediately after staining to prevent a sticky stain.
A second coat may be required, especially if you are painting an old deck. If you have a team of volunteers, it is easy to apply the stain even to a large deck. After sanding the wood, it is best to start painting from the handrail or top of the deck.
An old painted deck will eventually require a new paint job, or you might consider removing and staining it. You will need to reapply the oil annually, and again, you will need to rebuild the deck every few years if you want it to look new.
If you’re still unsure whether to use flooring oil or wood stain, your lumber supplier or equipment technician can recommend it. Whether you want to apply a deck colouring to a new deck or want to improve on an old one to keep the results consistent, you’ve come to the right place.
