Refinishing a Wood Deck in Temecula

Most people lay a film finish on a deck that is already checked and splintering, and it peels in a year. Finish work on a wood deck in Temecula, CA goes better in sequence, and the breakdown sitting on painting temecula ca prime focus lab separates cleaning, sanding and sealing into steps that each need their own drying time.

What dry heat does to boards

Valley air pulls moisture out of decking faster than the boards can handle. Surface checks open along the grain, edges cup, and nail heads rise. Splinters follow. Boards that have been through several dry spells in the Temecula Valley wine country without a finish are usually graying and rough, and the grey layer itself has to come off before any new product can bond.

Cleaning and stripping

A deck cleaner removes dirt, mildew and the dead grey fibers. Old stain or sealer that is flaking gets a chemical stripper, and then a rinse and a neutralizer. Pressure washing helps, but too much pressure carves the soft grain between growth rings. Give the deck several dry days before sanding, and check the moisture level with a meter if there is any doubt.

Sanding and patching

A pole sander or a floor sander with 60 to 80 grit takes the surface back to clean wood, and a hand sanding block does the rails and the edges. Raised nail heads get set below the surface, and cracked boards get patching with an exterior wood filler or get replaced. Sweep and vacuum the dust off, since wind carrying dust from nearby lots will settle in wet finish.

Stain over film

A penetrating stain soaks into the wood and wears away gradually, so it can be refreshed without stripping. A film finish sits on top, and on a horizontal surface in full sun it blisters and peels. For most decks the better choice is a semi transparent oil based or acrylic deck stain, two thin coats applied with a roller, a brush and a pad for the gaps.

Timing in dry spells

Dry spells help the wood dry out but make the stain flash off the surface before it can soak in. Work in the shade, in the cooler part of the day, and in small sections that keep a wet edge. A deck in direct afternoon sun can reach a surface temperature well over what the label allows.

Rails and posts

Railings get a brush and a lighter coat, and the post bases and the end grain get extra. Seal the boards on the underside at the ends where possible, and keep irrigation heads from soaking the rim joist.