After a few years of wear and tear you may find your deck’s finish looking lackluster, ready for resurfacing. Not to worry, with the right method you can rejuvenate your wood deck this weekend.

Two things to consider before beginning - are there any rotten boards and, if so, has the underlying support structure rotted too?  Don’t waste your time treating bad wood. Replace the decayed wood with new boards.

Next, prepare the wood to accept its new stain/sealant. This is the most time-consuming task, and it requires a healthy dose of elbow grease. Here, your goal is to remove old stain/sealant from the surface of the wood.

The innovative team of Restore-A-Deck.com says stay away from bleach-based products- they needlessly whiten while detrimentally drying out your wood. Instead, they suggest using sodium-pre-carbonate based products; they’re environmentally friendly and clean deeper, but they are a tad more expensive. After a healthy scrub you’re ready for the next step.

Associatedcontent.com contributer Chris Matier says you should adequately cover anything around your home that you don’t want to get stain on before you begin staining. This step will save you a lot of headache down the road.

Which type or color stain you choose is up to you, though the color you choose should look good with your home’s exterior. To ensure that you get a consistent color, alsnetbiz.com recommends mixing your stains together in a 5 gallon pail because “even factory mixed colors can vary from batch to batch.”

To apply the stain, select a quality brush for best application. A great example is Purdy’s Professional Swan 4-inch Paint Brush. A steal at $25, this Nylox brush will work inside and out, providing the tensile strength for an even distribution of pigment for less effort. 

Two coats of generously applied stain should suffice. If necessary, work in sections to allow yourself access to parts of your deck for moving around. Most stains should be allowed at least 24 hours to cure into the wood and dry completely. After you’re done staining, don’t forget to clean out your brush.

From preparation to completion, follow the directions found on the products you choose to use for your wood deck- they’ll be more specific to what you’re using. Experts at hardware or paint stores can handle any more questions you may have.  Get out there, have fun, and enjoy the sweet smell of your refinished deck.  For more information, visit www.restore-a-deck.com.