| Due to the growing popularity of decks, there are | | | | Spraying is another way to apply deck coatings. It's |
| now a wide variety of Deck coatings ranging from | | | | faster than using a brush or roller, but you must be |
| conventional penetrating sealers and stains to new | | | | sure to protect scrubs etc. from overspray. Spray |
| water based latex products. In the alkyd category, | | | | equipment has become reasonably priced in recent |
| there are clears, semi transparent and opaque | | | | years or can be rented at many rental centers. |
| finishes. In latex, semi transparent and opaque. | | | | Check with a paint professional for tip size and |
| Many homeowners are starting to use the semi | | | | pressure setting - which will depend on the type of |
| transparent or opaque to maximize the protection | | | | deck coatings you use. |
| and duration of their deck coating. | | | | Spray railings first, unless the railings are to be a |
| Begin by cleaning and power washing to remove dirt, | | | | different color than the deck. Then the deck should |
| mildew and old deck coatings. If you are using a clear | | | | be coated first. One tip for protecting plants or other |
| deck coating, deck brightening products help restore | | | | objects from overspray is to tape plastic or paper to |
| a "new wood" look to the wood.. Both sides of the | | | | the outside of the railing so it can catch the |
| railings should also be power washed. | | | | overspray. When spraying the deck itself, spray |
| Brushes and Rollers - Once the deck is clean and | | | | evenly over a five to six foot square area, then go |
| thoroughly dry, start with a brush on the outside of | | | | back over that area with a 1/2 inch nap roller to |
| the deck, on tops of the railing and work your way | | | | spread coating evenly into deck. Continue this |
| down to the deck, then in toward the house. Then | | | | procedure in sections until done. Be sure to use a |
| switch to a roller for the deck, starting at an outside | | | | large shield (such as 4 ft square piece of cardboard |
| edge and working toward the house. Use even | | | | or light plywood) when painting alongside the house |
| pressure on the roller on each board to give uniform | | | | to protect it from overspray. |
| coverage and sheen. | | | | |