Wood

Deck/Bare Wood/To Be Painted

a. Surface Preparation:

• new wood should be painted promptly (within a few weeks) because weathering of the wood will reduce adhesion of primer and paint
• however, moisture in treated wood left from the treatment process should be allowed to dry prior to painting; once constructed, two weeks’ exposure to the weather should be adequate for up to 2X lumber; thicker timber may take longer
• dull any shiny (mill glazed) areas with medium grit (#120) sandpaper
• treat any mildew with a 3:1 water:household bleach mixture, leaving it on for 20 minutes and adding more as it dries; wear eye and skin protection; rinse thoroughly;

refresh surface of exposed, weathered wood by sanding or by careful power washing with plain water or by application of commercial deck treatment, following manufacturer’s directions; wear eye and skin protection, and a dust mask if sanding; NOTE: woods that tend to be very soft, such as old and weathered cedar and redwood, can easily be damaged by the high pressure jet of power washing

b. Priming:

• apply a quality exterior latex or oil-based stain blocking primer recommended for decks
• do not leave a primer unpainted

c. Painting:

• use top quality exterior latex deck paint; or use quality oil-based deck paint but only if old stain is oil-based