Decks are a beautiful complement to any house. It's important to know how to paint a deck, however, in order to preserve the wood, and keep the deck looking its best. You'll need a few tools, and a day or two to complete the job. Be sure to select a dry day to paint your deck.

Materials

• Belt sander with a coarse and fine grit paper
• Tacky cloth
• Broom
• Hammer
• Exterior primer
• Fresh exterior paint
• Paint brush or roller

Sanding

Place coarse grit sand paper on the belt sander, and sand along the grain of the wood. Remove any old paint, as well as pieces of wood that may be splintering. When this is complete, sweep off the deck with a broom. Change the sand paper to a fine grit, and sand the wood again, removing any leftover paint.

Cleaning

Use the broom to sweep the deck off completely. Be certain to remove dust from all the recesses within the wood. When you are satisfied with your efforts, take the tacky cloth and wipe down the entire deck. Remove all visible dust from the deck's surface.

Nails/Screws

Move along each board of the deck, and hammer down nails that are protruding. If screws were used on the deck, check for screws that should be tightened down.

Priming

Apply the appropriate primer to your deck before painting. Be certain it is a primer suitable for exterior use. Apply the primer with a paint brush or roller, and allow to dry according to the label's instructions.

Painting

Open the paint, and stir it thoroughly. If using a roller, pour some paint into a paint tray. Otherwise leave the paint in the can. Move to the end of the deck that is furthest from stairs, gates or other entry points. Apply the paint liberally, being careful to work the paint into cracks and low areas on the wood. Apply paint with the grain for the smoothest coverage. Work your way back toward the entry point, leaving that area for last. Allow the paint to dry according to the directions on the can. At the appropriate time apply a second coat of paint to the deck. Again, begin applying paint at the far end of the deck, and slowly work your way toward the point of entry.