Best Deck Paint for Old Wood:
A Complete Buyer’s Guide
Does your deck look like the picture above? Are you looking for a quick and easy solution to make your deck look better without much effort or having to spend an arm and a leg? Look no further! These four products are the best deck paint for old wood. These products are ideal for worn or weathered wood. Before applying any of these products, it’s imperative that the surface is clean. That means using soap AND water and not just water alone.
Why is water alone not sufficient? Think about it like this, when you go to the car wash and rinse your car with just water and no soap, it will probably look okay while it’s still wet. Once it’s dry however, you’ll be able to see all of the dirt that was left behind. If you do not do proper prep work, you’ll be wasting your time because the product will not work like it’s supposed to.
Now, with all of that being said, I want to make it clear that these products are not the only solution to fix old weathered wood. In fact, the thought of painting a deck, personally, makes me cringe because you can bring the wood back to life. Yes, it would it would take a lot more time and effort, but there’s something about the beauty of wood that should be appreciated. If you’d like more information on restoring old wood without painting it, click here.
Quick Overview
By Olympic
Olympic RESCUE IT! MAX is a resurfacer, self-primer and sealer in one. It locks down splinters, fills cracks up to 1/4” and provides a safe, and durable surface that resists fading. It has a slightly textured finish that covers up to 75 sq.ft in 2 coats, and the texture provides a slip resistant finish. It also prevents mildew and algae. It’s 100% acrylic, making it an easy soap and water cleanup. View all color options here.
Prep work includes:
- Scraping off paint that’s peeling, hammering loose nail heads, and securing loose screws.
- Cleaning the surface with a deck or concrete cleaner with a pressure washer.
- Sanding any loose fibers and filling cracks deeper than 1/4” with exterior paintable latex caulk.
Pros:
- Self Priming
- Fade protection and water resistant
- 140 Colors options
Cons:
- Peeling, cracking, and bubbling.
- May not fully cover 75 sq.ft in 2 coats depending on how worn the wood is.
- 72 hour cure time before replacing furniture
Color Examples:
By Rustoleum
RockSolid by Rustoleum is 20 times thicker than ordinary paint and restores heavily worn surfaces. It’s available in 60 different colors and must be tinted before use. It will cover up to 40 sq.ft per gallon which is slightly less than the Olympic Rescue It. Restore can be used on weathered wood, concrete, and composite. It’s barefoot friendly, water repellent and fills cracks up to 1/4”. Preparation is key!! View all color options here.
Prep work includes:
- The surface must be completely clean and free of dirt and mildew. Clean the surface using a hard bristle brush.
- Additionally, loose paint needs to be scraped and removed.
- Check the weather- the temperature cannot fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degree Fahrenheit during application and for at least 24 hours after application. Also, do not apply the product if rain is forecasted within 24 hours after application.
- Apply RockSolid Deck Start Wood primer with a 3/8” nap roller.
- Allow primer to dry for at least 2 hours before applying the actual product.
Pros:
- Product can be applied 30min after cleaning
- Can be used on concrete, wood and composite
- Product can be applied 2 hours after applying primer
- Soap and water cleanup
Cons:
- Must use honeycomb roller
- 1 gallon only covers 40 sq.ft with 2 coats
- Potential for peeling
- Can only be used on horizontal surfaces
Color Examples:
By Behr
Advanced Deck Over features a splatter-resistant application and it’s available in 2 finishes; smooth and textured. Both finishes provide a smooth slip-resistant surface. It conceals splinters and fills cracks up to 1/4”. It covers up to 75sq. ft in 2 coats/gallon. 2 coats are required for optimal durability. View all color options here.
Prep work is key to a successful, long lasting product.
Prep work includes:
- Clean the surface using a deck or concrete cleaner and allow the surface to dry for 24 hours. The surface needs to be free of dirt, oil, grease, mold/mildew, and any other debris.
- Remove any old coating that is peeling.
- Fill in cracks and let dry for 4-6 hours.
- Apply the first coat and let it dry for 4-6 hours and then apply the 2nd coat.
Pros:
- Can be used on vertical surfaces
- Can be brushed, rolled or sprayed
- No need to use a honeycomb roller
- Soap and water cleanup
Cons:
- Longer cure time
- Requires more timely prep work
- Potential for cracking/peeling
- Cannot be used on drive-able surfaces
Color Examples:
By Cabot
Available in 51 different colors and covers 75 sq.ft with 2 coats. You can use any nylon/polyester brush or 3/8” roller nap to apply. It’s recommended to on weathered wood, concrete, decks, porches and steps. For best results with this product, Cabot recommends using a solid stain on vertical surfaces such as railings and the solid stain is offered in complementary colors. View color options here.
Pros:
- Can be used on decks, porches, concrete and weathered wood
- Ready for use in 48 hours
- Soap and water cleanup
- Easy Application
Cons:
- Not recommended on vertical surfaces
- 1 gallon only covers 40 sq ft with 2 coats
- Potential for peeling
Color Examples:
By Kilz
Kilz Over Armor Smooth Wood/Concrete coating is a very thick solid color coating designed to restore old wood. It’s acrylic/resin formula binds cracks, while also hiding imperfections and concealing splinters. Kilz Over Armor works best on weathered wood, composite surfaces like decks, porches and boat docks. It’s also ideal for concrete surfaces like pool decks, patios and sidewalks. 2 coats are required for optimal durability. It’s available in 1 gallon cans, and 5 gallon buckets.
Pros:
- Can be used on horizontal and vertical surfaces
- Light foot traffic 24-48 hours
- Soap and water cleanup
- Smooth slip-resistant finish
Cons:
- Hard to apply due to the thickness of the coating
- Very limited colors
- Cannot use on driveable surfaces such as garage floors or driveway
Get Everything You Need
Final Recap
Deck paint for old wood is a great alternative to replacing your deck. Wood that has been neglected, can be expensive to restore or replace. The “pros” of deck resurfacing products include sealing down wood splinters, protection from fading and extreme water resistance. The “cons” of deck resurfacing products include peeling and cracking, and the surface can become very hot when exposed to direct sunlight.
If after reading this post, you’ve decided that deck paint is not the way you want to go, make sure to checkout my post on ‘Everything You Need to Know About Deck Stain’.
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One Response
All of these are crap and a waste of money. Home Depot had a class action law suit against them for Deck Over. This is only good if you are selling your house and need to freshen the deck for sale. Do not walk on it, put furniture on it or god forbid a grill. It will chip and peel were table and chairs will slide. I used Deck Over it lasted about two weeks, then I did the unthinkable, I slide my chair back from the table and the coating came off. Cracks that it “sealed” re-opened within a month. Railings held up pretty well but no one walks on the railings.