How To Remove Decking Paint?
If you have decided to refurbish your decking boards or decking area with a new paint colour or stain, preparation of the decking is key to obtaining a finish that lasts and gives the wood the protection and longevity you require. Though typically you would generally maintain a deck using elbow grease, a hose and an appropriate cleaner such as Osmo Reviver Gel or the Owatrol Net-trol and water, a chemical based stripper such as Owatrol DSP800 is required to carry out a professional finish. This will return your wood decking back to its natural beauty.
Identify The Material You Have
The first thing is to identify which type of material the decking boards are made from. Then you can find out what type of paint, wood stain or varnish was previously used if any. Having any trouble determining which coating is on your deck boards? Please contact our technical team. With a picture or two and they will do their best to help you.
Clean the area by removing any furniture, step nosing angles, pots or plants. Make sure all screws and nails have not come loose as the timber has expanded and contracted with moisture. Then sweep with a stiff brush to remove any leaves, algae or moss.
Strip Your Decking
Owatrol Prepdeck Stripper Cleaner is a product designed to remove semi-transparent stains, grade stamps such as FSC® prints, and other finishes from various types of wood used, for decking such as softwood, hardwood, Ipe, thermowood and pressure treated woods. With a working time of 15 – 30 minutes, this product almost instantly rejuvenates your deck boards bringing them back to their original bare wood with the minimum of work.
Owatrol Prepdeck Stripper Cleaner isn’t always suitable. Especially when a deck has a previous coat of epoxy 2 pack paints, polyurethane paints or varnish. When such a heavy duty industrial coating has been used on timber we recommend Owatrol DSP 800 as it is a powerful “Dichloromethane” free, multi-purpose stripper, for the removal of all coatings including Alkyd, Acrylic, PU, Epoxy, Cellulose, RSE (semi-thick coating), RPE (thick plastic coating). It will more than likely require more than one application to remove the existing coating. Make the job more efficient and economical by applying a sheet of plastic to the area. This will stop the paint stripper from drying out in the sun or wind allowing it to keep working longer.
Rinse and Neutralise If Necessary
It is important that after using a product to clean your decking, that if necessary depending on the product, a pH neutraliser is used, otherwise you risk the paint not adhering properly or damaging the deckboard surface. When using a product such as Owatrol Prepdeck this is vital. We recommend using Owatrol Net-trol to neutralise the timber then rinse with plenty of clean water.
Sand To Produce A Key
If a product like Net-trol has not been used then allow the wood to fully dry, and use a fine grit sandpaper on each board, remembering to work into the grooves and gaps between the lengths. Remember to sand in the direction of the wood grain and if required fill any screw holes or imperfections with a quality wood filler from your local DIY merchant. Once the dust in the atmosphere has settled, sweep fully to remove the sediment. Now it is ready for your new colour or stain.
Click through to our online shop to find out more about our extensive decking range of timber cleaners and strippers:
Which Decking Paint Is Best For My Job?
Click through to Promain‘s online shop to find out more about our extensive range of coatings, paints, varnishes and stains:
- Decking Oil & Deck Stains
- Anti Slip GRP
- Wood and Timber Paints
- Restoring Your Weather-Beaten Decking
- How To Treat Softwood Decking
If you require further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the Promain technical department and ask us about the different methods for preparing your decking: 01462 421 333
