How to Refinish a Deck

Co-authored by Varga Gulshani

Last Updated: January 13, 2022 References

A wooden deck is a beautiful and rustic addition to any yard, and these outdoor areas usually see a lot of traffic, especially during the warmer months. Decks are great for relaxing evenings, summer meals outdoor, and even patio parties with friends and family. But to keep your deck looking impressive and keeping bare feet safe, it’s important to maintain your deck properly, which means refinishing it every couple years. Refinishing a deck will protect it from the elements and bring the wood back to life. It can be done with a few dedicated hours over a couple days, and the right supplies. The refinishing process involves cleaning the deck, preparing it for the new finish, finishing the deck with a new coat of stain, and making sure the finish provides the deck with a waterproof coating.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Gathering Your Supplies

1
Get your equipment. There are a few things you’re going to need for this project, including supplies to clean the deck, fix problems, and refinish the deck.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Varga Gulshani
Residential Painting Specialist
Expert Interview. 12 January 2021.} Many of the tools and supplies you’ll need include:
- A broom and a hose or power washer^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Varga Gulshani
  Residential Painting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 12 January 2021.}
- Cleaning agent, such as trisodium phosphate^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Varga Gulshani
  Residential Painting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 12 January 2021.}
- A bucket and water
- A stiff-bristle brush with synthetic bristles
- Soap and water to remove mildew
- A paint brush, tray, and roller
- Sandpaper
- Painter’s tape
- A waterproof deck finish
- Rubber gloves and protective clothing
2
Choose the right finish. Unless your deck is less than a year old, a clear or fully transparent stain or sealer is not recommended.^{[4]
X
Research source} For a natural wood look that still hides knots and grain pattern, choose a semi-transparent stain. To cover the wood completely and hide its natural color and grain patterns, choose a solid stain instead.^{[5]
X
Research source} An oil-based stain or sealer will penetrate the wood deeper and last longer, but a water-based product will be easier to clean.^{[6]
X
Research source} It’s also best to choose a stain that provides:
- A waterproof finish (not just water-resistant) to protect it from the elements.
- UV-resistance to protect it from the damaging rays of the sun.
- Protection from water damage (it will contain a mildewcide).^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- Insecticide if your home is prone to wood-eating bugs.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Find plastic to cover your plants. Although most deck sealants are safe for plants, it’s better to protect nearby foliage from cleaner and paint run-off.^{[9]
X
Research source} You can either buy large sheets of plastic or cut open plastic garbage bags, but make sure you cover up nearby plants before you move on to the next stages.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cleaning and Repairing Your Deck

1
Remove furniture. Move tables, chairs, umbrellas, carpets, barbecues, and anything else you might have on the deck. Clear the surface of the deck completely, as well as the railings and steps. This may include removing lights, plants, and other items as well.
- Before emptying your deck, you might want to clear a space below, in the garage, or in the basement where you can store your deck furniture for a few days while your refinishing project is underway.
2
Sweep and inspect the deck. Sweep to remove dust, dirt, and other debris completely. As you sweep, do a visual check of the deck, looking for problem areas such as popped nails, loose screws, warped, rotted, or split boards, chips, or areas that require sanding.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Sand down any areas where splintered wood way cause slivers.
- Tighten down loose screws and hammer down popped nails.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
- Replace single boards that have split or broken.
3
Tape areas you want to protect. Apply painter’s tape to any areas of the deck that adjoin the house, concrete, or other non-deck surfaces to protect them from splashing cleaner and paint.
4
Choose your day and time. Spring is a good time for a refinishing project, but if you attempt this in the summer, you are better off applying sealer or stain in the early morning or late afternoon. You don’t want to be refinishing your deck if the temperature is going to drop below 50 F (10 C) or soar above 95 F (35 C).^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Don’t try to refinish the deck on a sunny day, as applying your refinishing product in direct sunlight will make it dry too quickly, which will cause lap marks, and prevent the stain from absorbing into the wood properly.
- You should also have a look at the long-range forecast to help choose a day when it won’t be raining.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Refinishing the Deck

1
Clean and scrub the deck. In a large bucket, dilute one cup (8 ounces) of trisodium phosphate in one gallon (3.8 liters) of water. Use the brush to scrub the railings and stairs with the water and trisodium phosphate solution. Attach your stiff-bristle brush to the long handle and continue scrubbing the entire surface of the deck.
- Scrubbing will clean off dirt, mold and mildew, old paint or stain, and grime. It will also help open the pores in the wood so that your finish will penetrate more deeply.
- Be sure to wear rubber gloves and safety equipment when working with heavy-duty cleaners.
- It is generally not necessary to actively strip old stain or sealer from a deck.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
- You can also clean your deck with a two-part cleaner and brightener. This is designed to balance pH, and it also removes mildew, algae, and previous transparent finishes.^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Varga Gulshani
  Residential Painting Specialist
  Expert Interview. 12 January 2021.}
2
Rinse with water. Once you’ve scrubbed the entire deck, use your garden hose to rinse it off well. A power washer isn’t necessary at this stage, but if you do want to use one, avoid areas that have sustained damage from the elements,^{[15]
X
Research source} keep the nozzle 12 inches or farther from the surface, and don’t linger on a single spot for too long.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Concentrate your pressure washer use in the corners and areas where it was difficult to reach when you were scrubbing.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
3
Allow the deck to dry. If you are using a water-based stain or sealer, you can apply the product when the deck is still damp. However, if you chose an oil-based stain, you will have to wait two to three days^{[18]
X
Research source} until the deck has dried completely before you can proceed with the refinishing.^{[19]
X
Research source}
4
Apply the new finish to the railings. Pour your refinishing product into the paint tray. Dip in your paint brush a few times to saturate it, gently brush off the excess, and begin refinishing your deck, starting with the railings.^{[20]
X
Research source} Don’t apply an overly thick coat, and brush away any pools immediately.
5
Refinish the deck surface and stairs. When you’re ready to start painting the deck surface, attach the roller to your roller frame, and attach the roller frame to your long handle. Soak your roller in an even coating of stain and roll off the excess. Dip the roller back in the tray as needed.
- Start in an inside corner closest to the house if possible, and apply the stain parallel to the boards (in the direction of the wood grain).^{[21]
  X
  Research source}
- Work your way toward the stairs, and then refinish the stairs starting at the top and working your way down.
- Use a brush for delicate areas along the house or near other edges where you don’t want to paint the adjoining surface.
6
Avoid lap marks. To prevent some areas from getting more stain and being darker than others, only work on a few boards at a time, and cover the entire length of those boards before moving over.^{[22]
X
Research source} Also make sure that when you stop to get more paint on the roller, you don’t take so long that your edge has time to dry.
7
Apply multiple coats if necessary. Check the can and follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding wait time between applying coats.^{[23]
X
Expert Source

Varga Gulshani
Residential Painting Specialist
Expert Interview. 12 January 2021.} Once you’ve waited the allotted time, apply your next coat according to the same process.
- Note that some products have to be applied while the first coat is still slightly wet in order to absorb into the wood properly.^{[24]
  X
  Research source}
8
Allow the deck to dry fully. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for exact time, but most will recommend waiting two or more days before replacing furniture and walking on the deck again.

Expert Q&A

Question

Do you need to sand a deck before staining?

Varga Gulshani
Residential Painting Specialist
Varga Gulshani is a Residential Painting Specialist and the Owner of Elegant Painting based in Washington. With more than 16 years of experience, Varga and his team specialize in residential interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet painting. Varga and the Elegant Painting team have all received background and verification checks.

Varga Gulshani

Residential Painting Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes! After cleaning it, power sand all surfaces using a power disk sander to restore most of the deck boards to a 90% like-new condition. Hand sand spindles to prevent damage and remove any splinters that may have been raised by the pressure washer.
Question

How do I cover up the cracks between boards?

Community Answer

You shouldn't need to. If a board itself is cracked, you may just want to replace that board.
Question

What is the easiest and most efficient way to get pine needles from between the cracks?

Community Answer

A pressure washer usually works quite well.