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Everybody on Deck:
Great Summertime projects for the whole family
 My sister called the other day exasperated by the condition of her backyard deck. The structure itself seemed to be in good shape, but the wood had become dry over the years and was splintering everywhere. Cuts and slivers were taking their toll on her kids’ busy little feet, and the events lined up for this designated family gathering spot seemed doomed unless she completely replaced the deck. The cost and timing of a project like that was beyond her reach. So, she asked me if painting could at least extend the life of her deck through the summer.
I explained to her that if the structure is in tact, a good paint job can add years to a deck! Now, paint doesn’t repair major issues like rot or structural damage, but to freshen up the look and add durability and longevity to your deck, a little paint can work wonders. And with the right tools and materials this project is easier than you might think. I told my sister to get ready because I was coming to her rescue and I was bringing my painting tools!
The Process:
Step 1. Make any repairs necessary to the deck including replacing boards, nails, screws, and other elements that are no longer stable or useful. Many boards come loose simply because nails and screws loosen over time. These can be tightened (this is called counter sinking) with a hand drill for screws and a hammer for nails. Make sure they are tightened to just below the wooden surface. Fill knotholes, uneven joints or corners, and nail holes with a waterproof sealant.
Step 2. To prepare for painting, scrape away any peeling paint and sand the surface thoroughly. For larger decks, I recommend renting an industrial floor sander. Tell the rental agent about the size and roughness of your surface so he can provide the proper grit of sand paper for the machine. This equipment is heavy and comes with instructions and safety guidelines that need to be followed. But the day rate with supplies is only about $75.00; a small price to pay for cutting the job down from days to hours - or even less. Any nails or screws that are sticking up can tear the sandpaper and damage the surface, so make sure you’ve completed Step 1 thoroughly. When you’re done, sweep, hose, or blow the deck to remove the sawdust making sure the surface is clean and dry before painting.
Step 3. Ask your paint retailer for an outdoor latex paint that’s suitable for wooden decks. Use the best possible deck paint you can find and afford, and allow plenty of drying time between layers and before use. If you’d like to get optimum wear out of this surface, I always recommend priming first. Here’s a great tip; select your primer and paint color, then ask the retailer to tint the primer to your formula. Primer can generally be tinted 30-40 percent of the formula and retain its stability, and it’s usually free. Use SHUR-LINE 3” Brushes with Teflon Surface Protector to apply primer and paint in all of the areas that won’t be covered with a roller, such as the spaces between railings and overhanging edges on stairs. This is called cutting in and is a “must” for a proper finish.
Step 4. Using a SHUR-LINE Easy Reach Pole loaded with a 1” nap Teflon coated roller cover, fill in the rest of the surface. Using extension poles for floors can really save your back by keeping you in a standing position instead of crouching over or kneeling for long periods of time. Cure time is important to the success of this project so allow plenty of time to dry thoroughly (cure) before throwing your patio furniture back on that surface. I like to allow at least 48 hours depending on the weather and daylight.
Choosing a Color
 So, let’s talk about color. Think about the activities you’ll be doing and the kind of natural light that hits your deck. Dark colors attract light. They can feel warm on a breezy day or hot when the sun hits the surface directly. Light colors reflect light, which keeps things cooler, but can also create glare and show dirt. For my sister, I started with a dark brown exterior paint to help hide all those little footprints. But she also wanted something festive, so when the dark brown paint was dry we used simple chalk to outline a wavy sunburst design that we painted in bright orange and yellow. We didn’t measure anything. We simply started drawing and a spontaneous and cheerful design emerged. With chalk you can create playful and charming schemes. Give it a try or opt for using tape to mask off large geometric shapes for a more organized approach. To paint our sun, we used SHUR-LINE paint trays with Teflon coating, 1-inch angle brushes and 4-inch mini-rollers. As I traced the sunshine and rays with bright yellow and orange, my sister filled in our design. It took 2-3 coats to cover the brown paint below.
The week after my sister and I finished our project, the family came over for our first party of the summer. Everyone loved the “new” deck and my sister was so proud to share our work with loved ones. This summer we’re all enjoying her backyard- barefoot!
 
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