How to Remove Paint From Your Deck: A Step-by-Step Guide
Say goodbye to chipped paint and hello to a picture-perfect outdoor oasis
Excited to spend more time relaxing on your deck, but not looking forward to confronting its chipped and peeling paint? Tackling paint removal from your deck only takes a few hours, and it’ll give your outdoor space a much-needed refresh. Follow these guidelines to learn the best ways to remove paint from a deck.
The best way to redo a painted deck is to remove the old paint completely and start fresh. Paint removal from your deck will require some elbow grease, but it’s a doable project for handy homeowners.
Steps to Remove Paint from Your Deck
The fastest way to remove paint from a deck is by using a paint stripper and a pressure washer. A paint stripper takes about 15 to 20 minutes to lift the paint, and then a pressure washer will quickly wash it away.
You’ll also need to prep the deck and sand it down afterward. Here’s a breakdown of each step, from prepping to sanding.
1. Prep the Area
Before beginning the paint-removal process, clear the deck of all furniture and decor elements. Inspect your deck to see if any loose nails or screws need fixing or if there are signs of rot. Cover any plants or shrubs nearby with a tarp and mask any surfaces with painter's tape, such as house trim, siding, or railings. To speed up the process, you can use a hand scraper to remove the worst areas of flaky paint.
2. Apply Paint Stripper to the Deck
You can choose from various paint strippers for paint removal: chemical, gel-based, and liquid. While chemical paint strippers are highly effective at removing multiple layers of paint, some homeowners choose to avoid them since the chemicals can be harsh on your health and the environment.
If you want to strip paint from your deck without the harsh chemicals, one alternative is a caustic paint stripper, which uses lye as the main ingredient. While lye can be harmful if it comes into contact with skin or eyes, it’s more environmentally friendly than other types of paint strippers.
The best way to strip paint off a deck is to work in small sections as you apply the paint stripper and, as needed, reapply to areas that dry out too quickly. Allow the stripper to sit on the deck as the paint lifts. This process can take between 15 to 20 minutes. You want to ensure the solution doesn't dry out, so keep an eye on how the paint is lifting with the paint stripper.
3. Remove Old Paint With a Pressure Washer
Using a pressure washer, gently remove the paint from the surface of the wood. Avoid setting the pressure higher than 1000 PSI. Too much pressure can cause moisture to penetrate the wood and could lead to mold, mildew, rot, or other related issues you won't want to tackle down the road.
If you want to avoid using a pressure washer, you can use a stiff-bristled brush, but it will require a great deal of elbow grease, especially for larger decks. Keep in mind that excessive scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush can damage the wood surface. If you want to go with this method, test it out in a small area first.
4. Tackle Hard-to-Remove Areas
You may find some areas more stubborn or hard to reach effectively with a pressure washer. These areas can include corners, railings, or cracks between boards. Don't force it if these areas are giving you trouble.
Instead, use a stiff-bristled brush or a heat gun to take care of those hard-to-remove areas of paint. If you are still struggling with a few areas, don't fuss over them too much as they can be painted over since the old paint is well adhered.
5. Sand Down the Deck
Once all the old paint is gone, you can sand down the deck to prep it for a new coat of paint. This will help the new paint bond to the wood. After sanding, you can use a leaf blower to remove the dust. Wear a mask during the process to protect yourself from dust.
Chemical vs. Mechanical Deck Paint Removal
There are two main methods to remove paint from your deck—chemically with paint strippers or mechanically with scraping, sanding, or power washing. You can also combine chemical methods with power washing to do the job faster and with minimal elbow grease. That’s because the paint strippers will help break down the paint, making it easier for the pressure of a power washing to do its job.
With chemical deck paint removal, it’s best to use water-soluble, low-VOC formulas. Some options include:
Soy-Based Strippers: Derived from soybeans, these strippers use soy oil to soften paint.
Water-Based Gel Strippers: These strippers use water as the primary solvent, and the gel consistency leaves a minimal mess.
Caustic Strippers: These strippers contain alkaline chemicals, such as lye. They’re less toxic than solvent-based strippers but still require some caution to protect your body.
If you opt strictly for mechanical paint removal methods, plan to put in more time and effort, as sanding and scraping can be laborious.
What Damages a Painted Deck?
To preserve the material of your deck, you’ll need to paint or stain the deck. While a painted deck lasts longer than a stained deck, it requires some upkeep. One of the leading causes of paint cracking, peeling, or chipping is due to moisture exposure. Wood is a porous substance, so any moisture penetrating it will eventually disperse. If your deck is painted, when the moisture disperses, it can cause the paint to appear messy.
Painted decks can also weaken from high temperatures, so if your deck is in direct sunlight, you will likely see sun damage over time. Normal wear and tear can contribute to damage as well. On average, a painted deck can last up to 10 years without a refresh. There may be other reasons you should consider painting your wood deck more often, depending on the amount of upkeep and the quality of its last paint job.
How to Make Your Deck’s Paint Job Last
While paint removal from the deck may only take one afternoon, you want to do your best to prevent having to complete this chore too frequently.
To increase the longevity of your paint job, prioritize these tips when repainting your deck:
Only paint on the wood after it has dried completely. Trapped moisture can result in peeling and cracked paint.
Refinish your deck to improve its long-term appearance and prevent wood rot.
Apply a primer to the wood to allow the paint to adhere to the deck better.
Use acrylic paint on wood decks to increase longevity, as oil-based paints can penetrate the wood.
Avoid painting on a very hot day, as high temperatures can cause paint to dry too quickly. Instead, choose a warm, comfortable day for deck painting.
The time it takes for deck stain to dry is up to 24 hours.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Remove Paint
If you have the time and knowledge of home projects to tackle paint removal from a deck, it's a great DIY project for homeowners. If you are strapped for time or want help from a professional, hire a local exterior painter to tackle the job for you. Plus, you can hire them to remove the old paint and repaint the surface once it’s dry. Be sure to talk with your pro beforehand to learn what to expect from their painting estimate.
With a local professional, resurfacing a standard 200-square-foot deck would cost about $500 to $1,400, likely around $1,000 on average. The cost of resurfacing a deck depends on the size and condition of your deck, which affects the type of materials and equipment used for the job.
If you choose to DIY, you can rent an orbital sander to remove most paint for $40 to $70 per day. Follow instructions and find the right guidance because you’ll need to buy your sanding discs with the correct grit amount for your specific deck’s wood. A good rule of thumb is that floors need a lower grit, and railings need a higher one since they have more detailing. A pack of discs costs about $5 in addition to the rental cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to strip paint from a deck is with a gel-based paint stripper. Gel-based strippers are thicker compared to liquid paint strippers, which makes them less messy and runny. Application is much easier with gel; you usually only need to apply once to lift paint from the wood.
Yes, you can use a pressure washer to help with deck paint removal. One of the benefits of pressure washing is its speed. However, a pressure washer is best used with a paint stripper. A paint stripper helps the paint lift from the wood, and then you can use the pressure washer to remove the paint effectively. To increase the longevity of the wood, you want to avoid using more than 1000 PSI on your pressure washer, as too much moisture will penetrate the wood and may cause mildew or rot.
Using mechanical tools, you can remove paint from your deck without chemicals. While you can use a pressure washer, note that you may damage the wood long-term due to increased moisture. You can also use a sander to remove the paint. Either of these options will be more labor-intensive than a chemical product but it’s a doable solution.
You don’t necessarily have to remove all the old paint before repainting your deck, but it’s best to remove as much as possible to ensure a smooth and long-lasting finish. Prioritize scraping off loose, peeling, or flaking paint, and sand down rough areas to create a smooth surface for the new paint to bond with.