deck rescue

Give a tired deck a new look. Brought to you by the experts at Hirepool.

Decking stains
Supplies

You will need:

A trolley to shift any large pots
A stiff broom
A putty knife
Garden hose or soft-pressure water blaster
Belt sander
Hammer
Wide paint brush - generally a 63-88mm brush is best. Brushing is necessary every couple of years to get the stain into the edges and end grain. Rolling or using a deck pad also works well and is much quicker than brushing.
Resene Moss & Mould Killer
Resene Timber and Deck Wash
Resene Woodsman Decking Stain in your selected colour, Resene Kwila Timber Stain or, for a natural oiled look, Resene Furniture and Decking Oil

How to stain a deck:

Step 1: Clear the decks, literally. Remove all furniture and pots. Large filled pots are very heavy so remove with a trolley to save your back.

Step 2: Sweep the deck with a stiff broom, and pick dirt and debris from corners and cracks with a putty knife.

Step 2b: Sweep the deck with a stiff broom, and pick dirt and debris from corners and cracks with a putty knife.

Step 3: Scrub any mouldy areas with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, and then wash with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. Rinse off with a garden hose or low-pressure water blaster. DO NOT use a highpressure water blaster as this will fur up the timber grain. Sand the deck if needed to smooth rough spots or remove old stain. Use a belt sander for spot sanding or a floor sander for an entire deck. Begin sanding across the wood's grain, then diagonally, and finish by going with the grain. Before you sand, make sure all the nail heads are below the surface or the sandpaper will catch and tear.

Step 4: Apply the finish of your choice, either Resene Decking and Furniture Oil or a stain from the Resene Woodsman Decking Stain range (we used Resene Woodsman Decking Stain Sheer Black). Dark stains are good for disguising discoloured areas common in aged, weathered timber, particularly cedar. If you are using a dark colour, consider choosing a Resene CoolColour™ formulated with special pigment technology to reflect more heat than a standard stain colour.

Splits and rot

If your deck has areas of rot, splintering, long cracks, cupping and twisting, you will need to replace any unsightly or unsafe boards. Use a jigsaw or keyhole saw to cut through the decking directly next to the two joists on either end of the bad section.

Cut a 50mm x 100mm cleat to fit in the space next to the joist. Start one or two galvanised nails into the cleat before putting it in place, and then attach it flush to the top of the joist.

Cut a length of decking to fill the space. Attach it to the cleats with galvanised nails or decking screws. For nails, use a nail punch to put their heads below the surface.

Remove any damaged boards by prying up slowly from the end with a pry bar. Replace.

Brought to you by the experts at Hirepool.

equipment and expertise: by Hirepool

▸ Download a PDF of this article

winter 2012

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