Get matched with top deck staining pros in Mason, WV

You should wait three to six months after you buy it to paint pressure-treated wood. It needs time to dry from the chemicals applied to it. The paint will not adhere to the treated wood as well if it’s still wet from chemicals. To test the wooden boards, drip water onto them. If the wood absorbs the water, it’s ready for painting. If the water beads up, it’s not dry enough to paint yet. You can build your deck or fence while the treated wood is still wet, but you’ll need to paint it later.

It’s best to use an exterior latex acrylic paint to promote maximum adhesion to composite decking. This flexible paint type can better cope with the natural expansion and contraction that can occur with composite deck boards. Oil-based paints won’t adhere as effectively and are more likely to crack and peel as the boards flex. Testing whether your chosen paint will stick on an inconspicuous section or a spare board is a good idea.

The best temperature to paint a pool deck is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, because many paints and sealers require temperatures warm enough for the chemical reaction to take place for proper curing. The paint should not be allowed to freeze, and temperatures above 90 degrees can cause the paint to dry too quickly, also preventing the chemical reaction from following through to completion.

There are deck restoration products and oil-based wood stains that can help bring back some of the color and shine to your faded Trex decking. However, if your boards are suffering from serious fading due to UV rays or chemical cleaning products, don’t expect miracles. Also, these products are only suitable for use on the older Trex boards, not the capped, second-generation Trex products.