January in Texas is really the best time to start any project outdoors. The weather is just cool enough to make working pleasant. For those planning on having a place to sit guests outside in the spring, here are some tips on painting and staining your outdoor deck:
-Initially, you should check the forecast for the next 24-48 hours to make sure there is no predicted rain.
-Wrap any bushes, trees, or grass with plastic or tarp to ensure that any sealer or stain won’t kill the vegetation.
-Make sure the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, leaves, etc.) and is free of dew or mildew. Try leaf blowing, sweeping, and wiping off the surface with a damp towel to clean any layers of dirt off of the wood.
-If you are building a deck with no stain applied to the wood, skip this step! If you are prepping a previously stained deck, you can remove old stain with a stain & sealer remover. Basically, this is a liquid formula that will remove stain and sealer with pressured water. You can also invest in an electric sander which will also strip the stain and sealer the old fashioned way!
-Make sure to sand down any rough spots on the wood and sweep off the surface. Any rough patches in the wood will soak up the stain more so than the clean surfaces, resulting in a patchy, messy look.
-Try the water drop test once you feel the deck has been cleaned and prepared appropriately. If the water droplet soaks in, the wood is ready to be stained.
-Apply your choice color to the wood with a roller. Make sure to go with the grain of the wood. For any areas that might have been missed or hard to reach, use a 4″ brush. Refer to the directions for recoating. Recoating times are dependent on how long it takes for the first coat to dry. Make sure that all coats are completely dry before recoating or placing furniture on.
For more information about what we can do for your next project, call us at 713-664-5150.