Summertime is the perfect time to give your deck some love! I recently decided to refresh my grandparents’ weathered deck in their backyard with Olympic Exterior Stain to give them a cute and practical outdoor space to hang out on while stuck at home. This project took me a few days to complete (luckily, the weather held out) and made a huge impact in their backyard.
Here’s the before:
Here’s the after:
Not bad for a long weekend of work. Ready to see how I did it? Let’s get started!
Step 1
First step in any deck project is to clear the deck and inspect the boards to see if any need to be repaired or replaced.
Step 2
Once the boards were inspected (I luckily didn’t have to replace any), I knocked down any loose or lifted nails using a hammer.
Step 3
Next, I cleaned off the deck using a thick bristle brush.
Step 4
After removing debris from the deck, it was time to prep the yard for a deep deck cleaning. I started by using a garden hose to soak all of the plants surrounding the deck. This will help dilute any solution that touches the plants during cleaning.
Step 5
Next, I added a bottle of Olympic Deck Cleaner to a handheld pump sprayer. I then used the sprayer to saturate the dry deck boards. I also made sure to use a thick bristled brush to work the solution into the boards. Then, I allowed the solution to sit for 10 – 15 minutes.
Step 6
After 10 – 15 minutes, I then used my power washer on the lowest setting to wash away the solution from the decking boards. I then let the deck dry for a full 24 hours.
Step 7
The next day, I used a pole sander to just knock down any splinters or fuzzy pieces of wood that were leftover from the power washing. This can also be done using a powered sander as well. The amount of sanding that will need to be done will depend on the condition of the wood.
Step 8
After sanding, it was time to brush off the deck one more time and then prepare it for stain by hanging plastic wrap on any surfaces I did not want to paint (i.e., the house, fence, and plants).
Step 9
Next, I poured my cans of Olympic Elite Solid Stain into a 5-gallon bucket to make sure the color stayed consistent. I chose a solid stain for this project because the deck is a bit older, and the solid stain will give it a rich color but still emphasize the texture of the wood.
Step 10
I then began to paint the deck and started by spraying stain on the lattice and railings using a paint sprayer. I also made sure to back brush the paint with a paintbrush to remove any drips or excess paint.
Step 11
When it was time to paint the decking boards, I tried a few different methods ranging from applying the paint with a paint roller to using a deck stain applicator. But, in the end I opted to use my handheld paint sprayer to apply the finish to the deck and then back brush each board with a paintbrush.
The Olympic Elite Solid Stain is a stain and sealant all-in-one. So I only needed to apply two coats and wait two hours in between them. I then let the stain dry for 48 hours before walking on it or installing some new patio furniture and a small bistro set from The Home Depot.
Talk about a transformation!
Before:
After:
It’s pretty amazing what a few days of work and a fresh coat of stain can do to a space (and to your grandparents’ lifestyle). My grandparents are stoked on their new outdoor space. I cannot wait to hang with them on their newly improved deck for coffee and board games really soon!