Liven up your back patio or deck without spending too much on an expensive renovation. See how Sam Raimondi of DIY Huntress redesigned her grandparents' patio deck with a few simple layers of Olympic exterior wood stain.
Summer is the perfect time to give your deck some love! I recently decided to freshen up my grandparents' weathered deck in their back yard with the # 1 Olympic Elite Solid Stain to give them a cute and practical outdoor space to stay at home. This project took a few days (luckily the weather held out) and made a big impression in her back yard.
Here is the before:
Here is the after:
Not bad for a long work weekend. Ready to see how I did it? Let's start!
Step 1
The first step in a deck project is to clear the deck and inspect the boards to determine if repairs or replacements are required.
step 2
After the boards were inspected (luckily I didn't have to replace them), I knocked loose or raised nails down with a hammer.
step 3
Next I cleaned the deck with a thick bristle brush.
Step 4
After the debris was removed from the deck, it was time to prepare the yard for a thorough cleaning of the deck. I started with a garden hose to water all the plants around the deck. This helps dilute any solution that touches the plants during cleaning.
Step 5
Next, I added a bottle of Olympic Deck Cleaner to a hand pump sprayer. I then used the sprayer to saturate the dry deck boards. I also made sure to use a thick bristle brush to process the solution into the boards. Then I let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes.
Step 6
After 10-15 minutes I used my pressure washer at the lowest level to wash the solution off the decking. I then let the deck dry for a full 24 hours.
Step 7
The next day, I used a rod grinder to knock down any splinters or blurred pieces of wood left over from the power wash. This can also be done with a motor grinder. The amount of sanding that needs to be done depends on the condition of the wood.
Step 8
After sanding, it was time to brush the deck again and then prepare it for stains by hanging plastic wrap on all surfaces that I didn't want to paint (ie the house, the fence and the plants).
Step 9
Next I poured my Olympic Elite Solid Stain cans into a 5 gallon bucket to make sure the color stayed consistent. I chose a solid stain for this project because the deck is a bit older and the solid stain gives it a rich color but still emphasizes the texture of the wood.
Step 10
Then I started painting the deck and spraying stains on the grille and railings with a paint sprayer. I also made sure to brush the paint back with a brush to remove any drops or excess paint.
Step 11
When it was time to paint the decking, I tried different methods, from applying the paint with a paint roller to using a stain applicator. In the end, however, I decided to use my hand paint sprayer to apply the finish to the deck, and then brush each board back with a brush.
The Olympic Elite Solid Stain is an all-in-one stain and sealant. So I just had to apply two coats and wait two hours in between. I then let the stain dry for 48 hours before going on or installing new garden furniture and a small bistro set from The Home Depot.
Talk about a transformation!
In front:
After this:
It's pretty amazing what a few working days and a fresh stain on a room (and your grandparents' lifestyle) can do. My grandparents are excited about their new outdoor area. I can't wait to hang out with them on their newly improved deck for coffee and board games soon!
