How to Deal With Old Deck Steps With Peeling Paint
- 1). Inspect the boards on the steps for signs of damage. If any boards are sagging, rotted or have large cracks in them, replace them.
- 2). Spray the steps down with a power washer to clean the surface. Scrub heavy stains with a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water, and allow the steps to dry.
- 3). Place drop cloths on the deck and the ground around the steps. The dropcloth will catch paint chips and protect the other surfaces from dripping paint.
- 4). Remove the peeling paint from the steps by sliding a putty knife along the surface to scrape it away. Hold the putty knife at a low angle so you don't cut into the wood.
- 5). Repair nicks or holes in the wood by filling them with wood putty.
- 6). Sand rough spots on the steps smooth, especially areas where you applied wood putty or were scraping paint away.
- 7). Wipe down the steps with a dry rag to remove the dust from sanding.
- 8). Apply primer to the steps with a paintbrush, using long, even brush strokes. If you're painting the steps a lighter color than before, paint all of the steps. If you're using a darker color or the same color as before, apply the primer to areas where the bare wood is exposed or you applied the wood putty. Allow the primer to dry.
- 9). Paint the wood, using the same technique you used to apply the primer. Allow the paint to dry, and add a second coat if necessary.
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