How to Paint Decks and Patios

If you have a deck and patio, painting them protects the wood from rain and other weather problems that damage the wood. Deck stain is most commonly used to paint patios and decks, but you can also paint them with other paints made for wood. You can learn how to paint decks and patios in a few short steps.

Supplies needed:

• Broom


• Sander or sandpaper


• Power washer


• Paint


• Bucket


• Deck stain brush


• Trim brush

1. Sweep the deck and patio to remove all debris and dirt with your broom. Remove any peeling paint, and sand away any rough spots, if any. You can sand by hand if there are only a few rough spots. If there are a lot of rough spots, however, you can use an electric hand sander to smooth them away.


2. Use a power washer to wash the deck completely. Allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. If you don’t have a power washer, you can usually rent one from most hardware stores, and it doesn’t cost very much.


3. Pour your paint into the bucket and start to paint the deck boards using a desk stain brush. Paint from left to right and only paint one board at a time.


4. Use a trim brush to paint the rails and railings on the deck. These types of brushes are smaller and easier to use for smaller areas.


5. Let the paint completely dry and then apply another coat of paint, if desired.  Let the deck and patio completely dry before you allow anyone to walk on it. This can take several hours, especially if you put on more than one coat of paint.