How to Paint Decking

Your garden decking goes through a lot of wear and tear, especially in the miserable UK winters. This means it’ll probably need a regular refresh, and a great way to do that is to give it a new coat of paint. Let’s take a look at how to paint decking.

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Painting decking requires cleaning the timber, letting it dry for 2 days, and applying two coats of decking paint.
New decking installed under 6 months ago must weather before painting, while old boards need sanding first.
Paint in dry, but not hot, weather, as this way decking paint absorbs evenly without drying too quickly in direct sun.

Step-by-step guide on how to paint decking

It’s important to note that if your decking has been installed less than 6 months ago, it is too soon to treat and paint your wood. You’ll have to wait for the existing treatment to erode before proceeding.

First, remove any pots or other outdoor furniture from the decking. Then cover the surrounding grass with a dust sheet for protection.

Brush away leaves, loose dirt and any other debris on your decking. Pay extra attention to the gaps in between the boards, removing moss with a small utensil if required.

Using decking cleaner, scrub the decking to remove as much dirt as possible. Leave for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with a pressure washer/hose. Then leave the deck for 2 days so that it can dry fully.

Top tip: If your deck is older and flaking, you should sand it down first with a mechanical sander for a cleaner finish. However, you shouldn’t sand grooved boards.

If you’re going to add a coat or two of preserver, you should do this before the painting stage. Otherwise, give your decking paint a good stir and begin applying with a thick paint brush. Make sure to paint with the grain and cover 2 to 3 planks at a time. It’s helpful to start in the far corner, then work your way back covering the whole deck so you’re able to leave the deck without treading on wet paint.

After 4 hours, your decking should be ready for a 2nd coat of paint. Apply as before.

Leave your freshly painted decking to dry and remember to clean your brushes in warm, soapy water.

Going forward, make sure to regularly clean your decking to remove dirt and prevent mildew build-up. It also helps to move your plant pots around the deck every so often or attach small feet to the bottom of the pots so that air can circulate.

And that’s all it takes to refresh your deck with a lick of paint. However, if your decking is particularly damaged with rot or cracks, it may be worth having a look at our in-depth guide on how to restore your decking.

FAQs

The best time to paint your decking boards is over a stretch of days where the weather is dry, but not too hot, as intense sunlight means the paint won’t absorb properly. It’s also best to paint your decking while it’s in the shade, rather than direct sunlight.

If your decking is brand new, you’ll have to wait a while before treating and painting it. If your decking is old and flaking it’s best to sand it down before painting for a smooth finish.

Generally, people tend to go for natural, earthy shades of brown, green and grey, but don’t be afraid to make a statement with bolder colours like blue or purple.