painting deck

I desperately want to paint our front deck but when I went to buy the paint it said you have to powerwash AND sand the deck! I thought I would just be able to paint it....has anyone painted their deck without sanding and/or powerwashing??

Message edited 7/3/2008 10:57:48 AM.

Re: painting deck

I would be careful of this. My neighbors started to do it and hated the way the paint took. They wound up powerwashing the entire deck before trying again.

I know it's a pain, but powerwashing is probably the way to go, even if you don't sand it, at least the surface is free from buildup, etc.

just my .02. Two weeks ago I spent an entire weekend powerwashing our deck - which isn't even that big- so I feel your pain

Re: painting deck

Yes and it started peeling a few months later

We know have to powerwash the chipped paint off, sand and re paint.

Speaking from experience, save yourself the headache and do it right the 1st time

Re: painting deck

You should powerwash first. The paint won't stick as well if you don't.

Re: painting deck

I dont have a problem with powerwashing since it's a pretty small deck but its the whole sanding thing...it would take forever!

Re: painting deck

def powerwash it 1st

Re: painting deck

Message edited 11/18/2011 9:16:58 PM.

Re: painting deck

We powerwashed but did not sand. We stained our deck