From Dunn-Edwards Paints: www.dunnedwards.... Professional painter Cole Schaefer shows the best way to paint a wood deck. For more how-to paint videos from Dunn-Edwards Paints, visit our RU-vid Channel: / dunnedwards
After staining my SYP deck in the South several times with poor longevity, I tried painting it. Started with a dark paint, but learned the sun was so hot it pulled the sap up though the paint. Then went to a light gray. It lasts longer; but, the wood cracks eventually resulted in water penetration and flaking paint. Started skim coating with Big Stretch caulk a couple of years ago to seal the cracks before repainting and this has worked best.
Painting a deck is the worst thing to do. I do not care what deck over you use to paint it with. A professional doesn't matter either. They say that so you hire a person that is a painter. Power spray is just fine and use a push broom. Then the best thing to do is let it dry and put on a Thompson's water seal I use the one with honey gold, its beautiful and gives a natural look. Our deck on the back side was so weathered from the hot sun , it was literally dry and gray and the Thompsons made it look brand new and and sealed it and it feels smooth. If you paint it I do not care what brand you use it will peel then you are stuck scrapping that paint off before repainting and more then likely will rot your wood from the water getting underneath before your even thinking of re painting. The nails will slowly come up from heat and then that allows water under paint and then starts the peeling effect. Painting a deck is the worst thing you can do.
Deborah Barber - Depends on the decking that you are using, though. If you have cheap decking, your method is fine. High-quality decks can be painted over and over and last a long time.
I think you are voicing an opinion with an attempted air of authority. Sunlight is the major cause of wood damage and your water seal is probably not providing protection like an opaque paint. After switching from water seal to paint myself. The water seal seemed like an ok Idea while the deck was brand new but I noticed it seemed to disappear. Probably from weather erosion. Eventually paint was what was going to keep my deck looking fresh. There's probably a reason why almost all commercial property buildings paint their apartment decks right off the bat. It's probably due to years of experience. Also you can mix in sand to provide grip with paint. Not so with water seal. I've dismissed all of your points besides having to scrape paint when weathered. Which I don't I simply paint over the old paint.
What about using Olympic Maximum exterior paint and sealant in one. I'm asking anyone who knows. I've picked the color Ebony Gray. Could someone please advise? I have a covered front and back Patio I planning on doing, but not until I hear from someone that's been there and done that.
