Are you planning on staining your deck this summer?
If so, you will need the right tools and processes to ensure this project goes well and offers the long-term, lasting results you want.
One of the best options you have for this is to use an airless sprayer, which can make the task of transforming your deck into a beautiful space simple and hassle-free.
Using an Airless Sprayer to Stain Your Deck
An airless sprayer is one of the fastest and easiest ways to stain a deck. It beats using a brush to put on the stain by hand, and reduces not only the amount of time and hard work this process takes, but also the frustration of this job.
The sprayer itself offers a method for applying deck stain, but it is not the only step in the process. You will still need to brush the stain on after it is applied to ensure it gets into all of the wood pores and spindle details.
Cleaning & Repair Before Spraying
Before you can actually spray the deck, it is best to clean it. The best option is to carefully power wash it to get the dirt and grime off of it. This will remove all of the mildew and moss damage on the deck. When you do this, using a deck wash and brightener may also help. This will work to brighten up the colour and bring it back to a more natural state.
If there is any stain or peeling paint present, you will need to remove this thoroughly. That often takes power washing and sanding. This will remove most of the dirt and damaged paint material, allowing for an even coat.
It is also a good idea to mask the deck to protect areas that should not have staining on them, which is especially important when it comes to cleanup.
Choosing the Right Type of Sprayer
Once your deck is ready to go, it is important to find the right sprayer for the job. Many options exist, but for a smaller project, an HVLP sprayer tends to be the best option overall.
If you have a large deck, especially one that will take a lot of time to detail, HVLP will not work well because it will empty too quickly. Buying a more expensive sprayer can be worthwhile if you have a lot of work to do or plan to stain the deck often.
Airless paint sprayers are the best overall option because they tend to do well when it comes to deck staining. Conventional sprayers, by contrast, will be slower. What's most important is to choose a high-quality product, as this has a significant impact on the value of your home.
Choosing a Deck Stain Colour
Colour can often be a personal preference, and there are a lot of options to consider. You may want to get a few samples and apply them to a portion of your deck to get a better idea of what the product will look like on the actual surface. Testing out a few of them could also help you to ensure you get a product that works well on the surface of your deck specifically.
Spraying Lattice, Railings, & Spindles
Once you know how to use your paint sprayer and have selected the best tip for it, it’s time to get to work. Start with the detailed work, including the lattice, railings, and spindles. These will take most of your time, and will require some careful attention. Once you spray the stain on, you will need to use a brush to ensure it gets into every crevice and area.
If you haven’t used the paint sprayer before, practice on a hidden area or a few pieces of wood to get an idea of the way the spray comes out, as well as how to properly manage the movement of the paint sprayer back and forth.
After this work is done, you can then work on the actual deck portion. Aim for a back and forth motion with the grain of the wood and boards. Be sure that you are only doing one or two boards at a time.
Enjoy Your New Deck
Once you have all of the deck staining work done, the next step is to let it dry. Do not place anything on it for some time, allowing the surface texture to settle.
When it comes to spraying your new deck, our team of experts at Bolair is here to help you with all the questions you may have. Reach out to a member of our team today to get started on the deck of your dreams.
