Can You Paint Over Deck Stain? (Everything You Need To Know)

It’s time to re-stain your deck and you may have the idea of painting the deck to avoid the laborious task of re-staining it. But, can you paint over deck stain? What are the results like?

In this blog post, we will go over everything you need to know about painting over deck stain including the pros and cons.

Short Answer To The Question Can You Paint Over Deck Stain:

If the deck is cleaned off well and not wet, you can paint over the old stain. If you are looking to avoid the task of staining your deck, painting it may seem like a tempting solution. However, before you go ahead and paint your deck, you should be aware that there are some potential drawbacks.

Drawbacks To Painting Your Deck Instead Of Staining It

You may think it’s the easier route but painting your deck instead of staining it can have some drawbacks. Below are some of the potential problems you may encounter if you decide to go this route.

Learn: “How Many Square Feet Does a Gallon of Deck Sealer Cover? (What You Need To Know)“

Longevity

The paint will likely not last as long as the stain would have. This means you may need to repaint your deck more often than if you had stained it.

May Not Look As Good As You Think

The paint may not look as good as a stained deck, especially if you choose a color that doesn’t match the natural wood. Also, Moisture will likely get under the paint more easily than if the deck was stained, which could lead to a lot of chipped paint and a generally ugly deck. These chips also play a role when re-painting your deck because now you’ll have to spend time sanding the deck down before applying a new coat of paint, which brings us to our next point.

More Work In The Long Run

You will likely have to do more work in the long run if you paint your deck instead of stain it. This is because, as we mentioned, moisture will get

Can’t Go Back To Staining That Easily

When you decide to paint your deck it will be extremely difficult to ever go back to staining it. This is because you’d have to remove all the paint, which would be a lot of work.

Despite these potential drawbacks, if you are still interested in painting your deck instead of staining it, there are a few things you can do to increase the chances that it will look good and last for a while.

Make sure to clean the deck thoroughly before painting it.
Choose a paint that is designed for outdoor use.
Be sure to apply at least two coats of paint, and preferably more.
Keep an eye on the deck for signs of chipping or peeling, and repair/repaint as needed.

How Do You Paint Over Stain Properly?

If you have decided that painting your deck is the way to go, there are a few things you need to do to ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you get good results.

Start by giving the deck a thorough cleaning. This means using a pressure washer or power washer to remove any dirt, debris, or old paint or stain.
If you want to go the extra mile, using a primer may be a good idea. This will help to ensure that the new paint sticks to the deck and doesn’t peel or chip off over time. Primer is a shortcut, which allows you to not have to sand or strip the deck before painting it.
Once the deck is clean, it’s time to start painting. Begin by taping off any areas that you don’t want to paint, such as railings, posts, or stairs.
Next, using a roller or paintbrush, apply the paint evenly to the deck. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Allow the paint to dry completely before walking on it or moving any furniture back onto it.
Once the paint is dry, you may want to apply a second or even third coat, depending on how thick you want the paint to be.
Keep an eye on the deck over time and repair any chips or peeling paint as needed.

What’s The Biggest Difference Between Paint and Stain?

Wood absorbs stain more than paint, which means that stain will likely last longer on a deck than paint will.

Stain can also penetrate deep into the wood, which gives it better protection against weathering and damage.

Paint, on the other hand, simply sits on top of the wood. While this can give the wood some protection, the chipping it causes after a while causes a lot of work down the line.

Typically, re-staining a deck looks better because the stain actually fully covers the wood and goes away completely over time as to where the paint will always have a layer on top.

Bottom Line

In the end, whether or not you should paint over deck stain is really up to you. If you are comfortable with the potential drawbacks and are willing to put in the extra effort to make sure your deck looks good and lasts for a while, then go ahead and paint away! But if you are on the fence, it may be worth considering staining your deck instead.

If you have any other questions about whether or not to paint over deck stain, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help.

Now that you know the pros and cons of painting your deck instead of staining it, you can make a more informed decision about what’s right for you. If you decide that painting is the way to go, be sure to follow these tips to ensure that the process goes smoothly and you get good results.

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Can You Paint Over Deck Stain? (Everything You Need To Know)