How to clean, paint or stain a deck

Achieve great deck-spectations this summer by giving your deck a refresh with Resene products, whether it’s a simple wash or a full stain or paint job. Timber decks are popular features of our homes and can be instantly transformed over a weekend – ready for outdoor entertaining or relaxing in the sun.

Once you’ve decided which of the three tasks you’ll undertake, read on about how to best attack your project and which Resene products you’ll need to grab from your local Resene ColorShop.

Clean up

If you’ve kept up with regular staining or painting, all your deck might need is a thorough clean to get it shipshape for hosting summer soirees. A good wash is also an essential first step before painting or staining your deck, so it’s a no-brainer to do this.

Decks are constantly exposed to the elements, so they can begin to look worse for wear if they’re not looked after. You have a few options for cleaning, depending on what your deck is already coated with.

For stained timber – and if the deck has lots of grime, debris or sea salts from a coastal location – treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and give it a good scrub when washing it off. If the deck just gets a lot of mould, then Resene Deep Clean is a great option – it works as a long-term mould killer that doesn’t need to be removed. Resene Deep Clean is available in a concentrate and in a convenient and quick-to-apply pack that attaches to your garden hose.

If your deck is painted, clean it with Resene Deep Clean or Resene Paint Prep and Housewash, rather than Resene Timber and Deck Wash. Make sure to follow the application instructions on the pack.

For bare timber, use Resene Timber and Deck Wash for grime and debris build-up, as well as Resene Deep Clean if it gets a lot of mould. A combination of both is a good long-term option – wash/scrub with Resene Timber and Deck Wash and leave to dry, then apply Resene Deep Clean, allowing it to do its thing over time (no need to rinse).

If this is all your deck requires, you can now get out and enjoy your refreshed outdoor living area.

Resene Timber and Deck Wash prepares the surface for paint or stain to be applied afterwards.

The power of paint

Treat mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer (if required) and then apply Resene Timber and Deck Wash – avoid direct sunlight and ensure the surface remains damp for about 10 to 12 minutes. Thoroughly scrub the surface, working in smaller, more manageable areas to ensure the Resene Timber and Deck Wash does not dry out, as it can be difficult to remove once it has. Alternatively, water blasting is an option provided it is undertaken with care and at a pressure that will not damage the timber. Rinse with fresh water and allow to dry.

Once you have cleaned your deck, now it’s time to paint. As well as cleverly hiding imperfections in the timber, a deck painted using Resene products should not need to be repainted for at least seven years, but in many cases it will last much longer.

In terms of finish, you have options like Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint. When painting most types of flooring in your home, you’ll want to use Resene Walk-on for a subtle yet tough and durable finish. Resene Walk-on is a general purpose flooring paint with an attractive satin finish based on tough acrylic resins for durability and abrasion resistance. You can use it to create solid or patterned designs on floors, steps, decking, concrete, porches, primed timber and composite boards. In terms of colour, if you opt for a darker hue, be sure to choose a Resene CoolColour formula that doesn’t get as hot as a standard formula would.

Give the timber a thorough sand with a pole sander for speed and ease, then dust and wipe away and sanding dust. If your deck is natural timber, prime it with Resene Quick Dry and if your deck has been previously stained, use Resene Wood Primer before applying paint. Fill any holes, then spot prime the filled areas with Resene Quick Dry. Once dry, lightly sand and give everything a good dust down.

Apply two coats of Resene Walk-on. Cut in around the edges with a brush then use a roller to paint the rest of the deck. Allow to dry between coats. If your deck is used a lot or gets slippery when wet, add Resene Anti-Slip Grip Additive to the first coat of Resene Walk-on to help protect against slips. Alternatively use Resene Non-Skid Deck and Path.

Advice note: Decks on the shady side of your home are more prone to moss and mould. Ask your Resene ColorShop team to add extra MoulDefender to your topcoat paint if you need extra mould protection. If mould does appear, treat it with Resene Moss & Mould Killer.

Resene Walk-On is the perfect paint choice for decks as it has a subtle very durable and tough finish.

After cuttin gin around the edges with a brush, use a roller to apply Resene Walk-on to the larger surfaces of your deck.

Super stains

Staining is your alternative option for refreshing your deck. Resene wood stains will generally require reapplication after a few years, but in saying that, well applied, dark stains weather extremely well and generally won’t require re-staining as often. Just how long they will last is colour and exposure dependent, however. Also, the staining process is much quicker than painting, so it’s an easier job in the first place.

Treat mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer (if required) and then apply Resene Timber and Deck Wash – avoid direct sunlight and ensure the surface remains damp for about 10 to 12 minutes. Thoroughly scrub the surface, working in smaller, more manageable areas to ensure the Resene Timber and Deck Wash does not dry out, as it can be difficult to remove once it has. Alternatively, water blasting is an option provided it is undertaken with care and at a pressure that will not damage the timber. Rinse with fresh water and allow to dry.

Two coats of Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain is the recommended system for both hardwood and pine decks. The surface of new hardwood in particular can be so dense that stain penetration is significantly impacted. It’s recommended that hardwood decks be left for 8 to 12 weeks to naturally weather for the grain to start to open up. While for pine decking it is best to apply the stain as soon as possible.

Stir Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain to ensure even consistency and colour – the stain has a thin consistency and will require regular stirring as you progress. Working in a planned sequence, apply the stain to the tops of the decking timber before applying to the edges and ends (a cutting-in brush may be required for the edges, ends and to cut in around any balustrades or rails). Lay off in a uniform direction down the length of the boards. Apply along the entire length of the timber to a natural break.

Allow to dry for two hours (dry times will vary with environmental conditions). If needed, apply a second thinner coat, following the same sequence as the first coat. A second coat may not be required if you’ve used a dark colour and if the initial coat dries to an even, satisfactory finish. Under normal drying conditions, the deck can be walked on after the two-hour curing period. However, it is advisable to avoid heavy work boots or sharp heels and wear socks or bare feet for the first 24 hours when walking on the stained surface.

Check the Resene website for more detailed instructions and a video.

Top tip: Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain is available in a wide range of Resene colours as well as Resene CoolColour variations, which are recommended if dark shades are selected. Resene also has traditional solventborne wood stains which can be used. Resene Kwila Timber Stain and Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain can both be used on decking, although (as the name suggests) Kwila Timber Stain has been developed for kwila and similar hardwoods.

Staining your deck not only provides a great finish, but protects the timber from long term UV damage.

A note on brushes

New or uncoated decking is best stained using the PAL Deck Master Deck Brush, as it enables you to apply stain to the sides or edges as well as the top of the decking timber. A good-quality brush such as the 63mm PAL Legend is ideal for edges and step risers. It’s also good practice to protect plants and adjoining surfaces such as paving with a drop sheet if there is a risk of dripping or splashing when you’re preparing the surface or applying the stain.