How do you prep a deck for painting?

To prepare a deck for painting first use a deck cleaner, either a store-bought or homemade formula. The purpose of the deck cleaner is to remove accumulated dirt, debris, mildew, or algae that would prevent a smooth, long-lasting bond between the paint and boards. Once you’ve applied the deck cleaner (ideally with a garden sprayer and hose), allow time for the formula to penetrate the surface; the length of time varies by product but is usually 10 to 15 minutes. The next step is to thoroughly rinse the deck. The most common method is to use a pressure washer, but be sure that you don’t use it on high pressure too close to the wood’s surface or else you might risk damaging the boards. Once the deck has been thoroughly rinsed, allow the wood to dry completely. This step takes at least 48 hours in most cases but will vary based on temperature and weather conditions. The final step is to prime the deck. If you skip this step, you hinder the durability and longevity of the deck paint. Use a quality wood primer and a brush to thoroughly coat the sides of each board and the spaces in between. You can then use a roller or sprayer to apply the primer down the length of each deck board. Allow time for the primer to dry—the manufacturer’s instructions will indicate how long of a drying period is required before you can move on to painting the deck.

How long does deck paint last?

Deck paint needs to be periodically reapplied, but how long it lasts depends on several factors—including foot traffic, weather exposure, and the condition of the wood. In addition, proper surface preparation will often determine the success or failure of a deck painting job. Deck paint can last five to 10 years but might need to be repeated as often as every two or three years in harsh conditions.

What tools do you need for painting a deck?

To paint a deck , you should have the following tools and products ready before you start: Deck cleaner formula Garden hose with water supply Pump sprayer Primer Paintbrush, sprayer, or roller with cover for application (will likely need a brush for detail work and between boards) Clean 5-gallon bucket or paint tray Mineral spirits or paint thinner (only necessary for cleanup of oil-based paint) Deck paint

The 7 Best Deck Paints of 2022

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A fresh coat of paint can give your deck a new look while protecting it from weather damage and wear.

We evaluated dozens of deck paints on the market, ranking them on durability, texture and sheen, and ease of application and cleanup. Our best overall pick is the Behr Premium Advanced Deckover Paint, which can be applied to various surfaces, is mold-resistant, and provides a slip-resistant, waterproof finish.

Here are the best deck paints.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Behr Premium Advanced Deckover at Home Depot

Read Review

Best Budget:

Kilz Interior/Exterior Enamel Latex Floor Paint at Amazon

Read Review

Best One-Coat Coverage:

Rust-Oleum Gray Exterior Deck Resurfacer at Home Depot

Read Review

Best for Old Wood:

Sherwin Williams Exterior Deck and Dock Coating at Sherwin-williams.com

Read Review

Best for Pool Deck:

Valspar Interior/Exterior Porch and Floor Paint at Lowe's

Read Review

Best Color Selection:

Benjamin Moore ARBORCOAT Exterior Stain at Benjaminmoore.com

Read Review

Best Stain:

Sikkens Transparent Matte Natural Oil-Based at Ace Hardware

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust The Spruce

4.4

Courtesy of Home Depot

View On Home Depot

Size: 5 gallons | Coverage Area: 375 square feet | Color: Varies | Finish: Smooth | Transparency: Solid

What We Like

Provides protection against splinters
Easy soap-and-water cleanup

What We Don't Like

Four-hour dry time between coats
Very thick paint formula

Who else recommends it? Bob Vila also picked Behr Premium Advanced Deckover Paint.

What do buyers say? 200+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 5 stars.

Our best overall choice for deck paint is Behr Premium Advanced Deckover because it’s easily applied, has lots of color options, and holds up over time against the elements. The price is also slightly less than others on our list, and considering the quality you’re getting for that cost, this is a good value.

Whether you want a more traditional deck color or something a little more modern, Behr has more than 50 color finishes to choose from, giving you plenty of options to customize your deck. For best results, sand and clean the deck before painting. You can apply this paint on wood, composite wood, or concrete and clean it with basic soap and water.

While the formula is thick and requires four-hour downtime between coats, this high-quality paint fills cracks up to a quarter-inch and provides splinter-proofing. This Behr deck paint is also waterproof, slip- and mildew-resistant.

KILZ Interior/Exterior Enamel Porch and Patio Latex Floor Paint

Courtesy of Walmart

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Size: 1 gallon | Coverage Area: 200–400 square feet | Color: Gray | Finish: Smooth | Transparency: Solid

What We Like

Can be applied with brush, roller, or sprayer
Provides mildew-resistant finish
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Requires up to six hours before second coat

This highly rated deck paint isn’t only budget-friendly, it’s user-friendly, too. It claims to go on smoothly, even on previously painted surfaces. Plus, it dries fast and is virtually drip-proof.

For best results, use a 0.37- to 0.5-inch nap roller or airless sprayer. Once it’s fully dry (in less than 24 hours), the paint is resistant to scuffing, fading, cracking, and peeling even in high-traffic areas. The skid-resistant paint has a mildew-resistant film and can also be used on trim, siding, and trellises.

The slate gray color is the perfect shade. It’s dark enough to hide dirt (which is easy to clean off with soap and water) but not so dark that it will make your outdoor space look like a battleship.

RustOleum 4 Gal. Gray Exterior 20X Deck Resurfacer

Courtesy of Home Depot

View On Home Depot

Size: 4 gallons | Coverage Area: 160 square feet | Color: Varies | Finish: Textured | Transparency: Solid

What We Like

Saves time with single-coat application
Provides nonslip finish

What We Don't Like

Too thick for sprayer application
Must be applied with RockSolid 20X roller cover

Make even heavily worn, decades-old decks look like new with just one coat of this paint. Twenty times thicker than regular paint, Rust-Oleum's RockSolid paint can cover cracks up to 1/4 inch, nail holes, and other wood defects. It works on composite wood and concrete, too. Just remember to prime prior to painting to ensure smooth application.

Available in 60 different colors, this paint has a waterproof, flat, anti-skid surface that’s also UV resistant. For the best results, paint your deck on a day that’s slightly overcast, not too hot, and not too cold.

The 10 Best Paint Brushes for a Perfectly Smooth Finish

Courtesy of Sherwin Williams

View On Sherwin-williams.com

Size: 1 gallon | Coverage Area: Not listed | Color: Varies | Finish: Textured | Transparency: Solid

What We Like

Elastomeric formula provides excellent weather-resistance
Can be applied over existing paint or stain

What We Don't Like

Must be applied heavily

Even decades-old decks and docks can get a refresh with this Sherwin-Williams paint. Designed to smooth rough and damaged surfaces, it soaks into cracks of all shapes and sizes to make your deck look and feel like new.

The water-repelling paint can be applied directly over any existing stain or paint and works on concrete, too. Because it's a high-build paint, which means you'll need at least two coats to get the job done, we recommend buying more than you think you’ll need for full coverage.

The 9 Best Exterior Paints of 2022 for Your Home

Courtesy of Valspar

View On Lowe's

Size: 1 gallon | Coverage Area: 75–100 square feet | Color: Gray | Finish: Textured | Transparency: Solid

What We Like

Provides excellent nonslip finish
Can be used on wood or concrete

What We Don't Like

Not true to color
High sheen might show shoe prints

When you’re painting a high-traffic area that often gets wet—e.g., your pool deck—you need skid-resistant paint like this one. This Valspar anti-skid paint has a textured coating that increases traction but still feels comfortable on bare feet. The weather-resistant paint can be used on wood or concrete and primed metal, such as stairs or guardrails.

When painting a deck, start with the highest part first, so you don’t drip on your freshly painted floorboards. The 100 percent acrylic formula leaves behind a colorfast sheen that is easy to clean with soap and water.

Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

View On Benjaminmoore.com

Size: 1 gallon | Coverage Area: 300–400 square feet | Color: Varies | Finish: Not listed | Transparency: Solid

What We Like

Dry to the touch in one hour
Can be applied in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Looking to match your deck to your living room? Benjamin Moore's ARBORCOAT Exterior Stain is a great option. This formula can be tinted to any of the thousands of existing Benjamin Moore colors from classic sandalwood to Flamingo Orange or any other color of the rainbow. The finish is resistant to blistering peeling, staining, and scuffing and protects against mildew and UV damage.

For best results, apply a second coat at least four hours after the first. It works on both new and older wood, including decks that have already been painted or stained.

Sikkens ProLuxe Cetol SRD RE Transparent Matte Natural Oil-Based Oil-Based All-in-One Stain

Courtesy of Ace Hardware

View On Ace Hardware

Size: 1 gallon | Coverage Area: 150–400 square feet | Color: Varies | Finish: Smooth | Transparency: Transparent

What We Like

One-coat application
Highlights natural wood grain

What We Don't Like

Requires mineral spirits for cleanup
Expensive

An oil-based stain has the advantage of penetrating deep into the wood to better protect it from the elements. This option from Sikkens has a transparent finish that allows the natural beauty of your wood deck, railings, or furniture to shine through.

You’ll get gorgeous results with a single coat, though it’s important to use a high-quality brush (such as a natural China bristle one) for the best results. Remember to paint with a back-and-forth motion to keep your brush wet.

The Best Wood Stains to Use in Your Next DIY Project

Final Verdict

The best overall deck paint is Behr Premium Advanced Deckover (view at Home Depot). It makes your wood splinter proof, is easy to clean, and comes in 50 colors. If you prefer a budget-friendly option, KILZ Interior/Exterior Patio Latex Floor Paint (view at Amazon) is long-lasting, mildew-resistant, and user friendly.

Type of Wood

Start by considering what type of wood your deck is made from. Hardwood and softwood varieties have different needs when it comes to deck paint. Softwoods, such as pine, will readily absorb deck paint; you can choose either an acrylic or alkyd (oil) deck paint. If you have a hardwood deck made from a tropical wood like ipe, you should choose an oil-based deck stain. The alkyd formula will provide better penetration while the transparent formula will highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

Base

Deck paint is either water-based or oil-based. Water-based formulas are most common and offer the advantage of being easy to clean up with soap and water. Oil-based deck paint is more commonly seen with transparent deck stains and requires mineral spirits or paint thinner for cleaning brushes, sprayers, and tools.

You can use oil-based paint over a surface that has previously been treated with a water-based formula, but you cannot typically use water-based paint over a surface painted with oil-based paint.

Opacity

The opacity of deck paint will determine how much of the wood grain and appearance is visible once treated. Solid deck paint is the most common option because it better hides the effects that weather and aging have had on your deck. However, if you have new deck boards, then a transparent deck stain will allow the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. Semi-transparent deck paint is another option, best suited for decks that are only a few years old and show minimal signs of aging or splintering.

Durability

The durability of deck paint will be put to the test by foot traffic, UV exposure, and weather conditions. Acrylic deck paints are often formulated for horizontal application, with the understanding that this means the surface will be exposed to feet, furniture, and the elements.

One of the biggest factors that will improve a deck paint’s durability is proper surface preparation before the paint is applied. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning and preparation exactly to enjoy the longest-lasting results.

Texture and Sheen

Texture and sheen are two important aspects of deck paint finish. Deck paint can be smooth, textured, or extra textured. Smooth is most similar to paint used for vertical surfaces, while textured and extra textured deck paints have an additive to provide traction for walking. This is important if your deck will be exposed to rain. The painted surface can easily become slippery, and a deck paint with texture can help to avoid accidental falls.

Sheen refers to the appearance of the deck paint’s finish. Some deck paint formulas are matte, while others offer a glossy finish. Some deck paints with a high-sheen formula will show marks easily, including footprints or paw prints. However, not everyone prefers the flat appearance of matte deck paint.

FAQ

How do you prep a deck for painting?

To prepare a deck for painting first use a deck cleaner, either a store-bought or homemade formula. The purpose of the deck cleaner is to remove accumulated dirt, debris, mildew, or algae that would prevent a smooth, long-lasting bond between the paint and boards. Once you’ve applied the deck cleaner (ideally with a garden sprayer and hose), allow time for the formula to penetrate the surface; the length of time varies by product but is usually 10 to 15 minutes.
The next step is to thoroughly rinse the deck. The most common method is to use a pressure washer, but be sure that you don’t use it on high pressure too close to the wood’s surface or else you might risk damaging the boards. Once the deck has been thoroughly rinsed, allow the wood to dry completely. This step takes at least 48 hours in most cases but will vary based on temperature and weather conditions.
The final step is to prime the deck. If you skip this step, you hinder the durability and longevity of the deck paint. Use a quality wood primer and a brush to thoroughly coat the sides of each board and the spaces in between. You can then use a roller or sprayer to apply the primer down the length of each deck board. Allow time for the primer to dry—the manufacturer’s instructions will indicate how long of a drying period is required before you can move on to painting the deck.
How long does deck paint last?

Deck paint needs to be periodically reapplied, but how long it lasts depends on several factors—including foot traffic, weather exposure, and the condition of the wood. In addition, proper surface preparation will often determine the success or failure of a deck painting job. Deck paint can last five to 10 years but might need to be repeated as often as every two or three years in harsh conditions.
What tools do you need for painting a deck?
To paint a deck, you should have the following tools and products ready before you start:
- Deck cleaner formula
- Garden hose with water supply
- Pump sprayer
- Primer
- Paintbrush, sprayer, or roller with cover for application (will likely need a brush for detail work and between boards)
- Clean 5-gallon bucket or paint tray
- Mineral spirits or paint thinner (only necessary for cleanup of oil-based paint)
- Deck paint

This article was written by Anne Fritz, a freelance home writer with over 20 years of experience. Previously, she was an editor and her work has appeared on several top publications. To make this list, she considered the formula, finish, and price point of each option.