The wooden patio makes a wonderful and rustic embellishment in any garden; this open space is generally very popular, especially during the warmer months. It is great for relaxing in the afternoon, for outdoor dining in the summer, and also for organizing parties with friends and family. However, to ensure a perfect appearance and keep your bare feet safe, it is important to carry out proper maintenance, which also includes a refinish every couple of years. Applying a protective layer allows you to preserve it from atmospheric agents and restore it to its original condition; the procedure takes only a few hours of work over a couple of days and the right tools. You need to clean the surface, prepare it for the new finish and finish by applying a new coat of paint, making sure it is waterproof.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Get the Tools
Step 1. Gather your equipment
There are a few things needed for this project, among which you need to consider tools for cleaning the patio, repairing any damage, and finishing the surface. The main tools and tools you need are:
- Broom and garden hose or pressure washer;
- Cleaning products, such as trisodium phosphate;
- Bucket and water;
- Stiff and synthetic bristle brush;
- Soapy water to remove mold
- Brush, tray and roller;
- Sand paper;
- Masking tape of paper;
- Waterproof finish for wood;
- Rubber gloves and protective clothing.
Step 2. Choose the correct stain
Unless the patio is less than a year old, it is not recommended to use a clear or completely transparent paint or sealant. If you want to give the wood a natural look while hiding knots and veins, you must choose a semi-transparent product; if, on the other hand, you want to perfectly cover the wood so that even the color is no longer visible, you must opt for a solid color product. An oil-based paint or sealant will penetrate the fibers of the wood, but a water-based one is easier to clean; the ideal is to take a product that offers these characteristics:
- A waterproof finish (not only water repellent) to protect the surface from atmospheric agents;
- UV resistance to avoid damage from the sun's rays;
- Protection from water damage (which contains an anti-mold);
- It must contain an insecticide if the house tends to be infested with wood-gnawing insects.
Step 3. Get a plastic sheet to cover the plants
Although most sealants are safe for greenery, it is best to protect surrounding foliage from cleaning products and paint. You can purchase large plastic sheets or cut out large garbage bags, but be sure to cover the plants before proceeding to the next steps.
Part 2 of 3: Cleaning and Repairing the Patio
Step 1. Move the furniture
Remove tables, chairs, umbrellas, rugs, barbecues, and anything else on the patio. Completely clears the surface, as well as the railings and steps; this means removing lamps, plants and other similar elements.
Before emptying it, you need to clear some space in your garage or basement where you plan to store furniture and other accessories for a few days while you finish the space
Step 2. Sweep the patio and examine it
You must completely eliminate all traces of dust, dirt and other residues; while using the broom, do a visual check, inspect for any problem areas, such as raised nails, loose screws, warped, gears, broken boards, chips or areas that need to be smoothed.
- Sand down any parts where the wood is chipped and can break.
- Tighten the loose screws and hammer the nails that have come up.
- Replace individual planks that have broken or shattered.
Step 3. Apply masking tape to the places you want to protect from the paint
Place it on any areas that connect to the house, on concrete or other surfaces that are not part of the porch to protect them from possible splashes of cleaner or sealant.
Step 4. Choose the day and period to proceed
Spring is definitely the best time for this project, but if you want to do it in the summer, you'll get better results if you apply the sealant early in the morning or late in the afternoon. You do not have to apply the paint if the temperature is below 10 ° C or above 35 ° C.
- Do not proceed even on a sunny day, otherwise the primer dries too quickly under direct sunlight which prevent the wood from absorbing it properly.
- You should also pay attention to the long-term weather forecast, so that you choose a day when it shouldn't rain.
Part 3 of 3: Finishing the Patio
Step 1. Clean and scrub the porch
Take a large bucket and dilute 250 ml of trisodium phosphate in 4 liters of water; use a brush to scrub the stairs and railings with the resulting solution. Then attach a stiff bristle brush to a long handle and continue scrubbing the entire surface of the patio.
- The mechanical action removes all dust, mold, old varnish or paint, as well as all dirt; it also helps to open the pores of the wood, so that the finish penetrates deeper.
- When working with harsh cleaning products, don't forget to wear rubber gloves and protective clothing.
- Usually, there is no need to remove the old paint or sealant by stripping the patio.
Step 2. Rinse with water
Once you've scrubbed the entire area to be treated, use a garden hose to rinse thoroughly; at this stage there is no need to use a pressure washer, but if you wish to activate it, avoid directing the flow to areas that have been damaged by atmospheric agents. Keep the nozzle 30 cm from the surface and don't hold on to a single spot for too long.
Concentrate the flow of water in corners and places that you have had difficulty reaching with the brush
Step 3. Wait for the porch to dry
If you want to use a water-based paint or sealant, you need to apply it while the surface is still wet; however, if you opt for an oil-based product instead, you must wait two or three days for the wood to be perfectly dry and can be treated.
Step 4. Apply the new finish to the railing
Pour the product into a painter's tray, dip the brush a couple of times to soak it, rub off the excess primer and start applying it on the porch, starting right at the railing. Do not spread too thick a layer and immediately remove any excessive patches of color.
Step 5. Refine the patio surface and steps
When you're ready to paint it, attach the paint roller to the paint roller holder and the paint roller to a long handle. Dip the roller in the impregnating agent evenly and let the excess product drip; if necessary, soak it one more time.
- Preferably start at the inner corner closest to the house and apply the finish with movements parallel to the wooden planks (and in the direction of the grain of the material).
- Gradually move towards the stairs and finish the steps starting from the upper one down to the lower one.
- Use a brush to paint the delicate areas that are near the house or along the edges that you do not want to get dirty with the product.
Step 6. Be careful not to leave pass marks
To prevent some areas from absorbing more finish than others and becoming darker, work only on a few boards at a time, fully impregnating them along their entire length before moving on to adjacent ones. Also, make sure you don't waste too much time when you stop to dip the roller again, otherwise the edges of the paint may dry out.
Step 7. Apply several layers as needed
Check the instructions on the primer can and follow them scrupulously regarding the waiting times between one coat and the other; once the necessary time has elapsed, you can apply the next layer by repeating the same procedure.
Remember that some products must be applied when the previous coat is still slightly damp for them to penetrate properly into the wood
Step 8. Let the patio dry completely
Read the manufacturer's instructions for exact times; however, you typically have to wait at least two days before putting the furniture back in place and walking out onto the porch.
