Usually, the trex or composite decking is supposed to last forever, so you will not actually need to paint it. You can often get some old composite decking that should be returned for a bad patch, but in reality there are only a couple of problem spots. So, you may want to keep it rather than waste it. In order to make the trex or composite decking look as good as possible, you should put a coat of paint on it.
Although manufacturers demand that the color of trex or composite decking is permanent, they will surely fade in time. Therefore, you can surely paint your composite decking when you want to change the color completely or simply like to freshen the look of the deck.
Mentioned below are some of the most important steps to paint trex or composite decking:
Clean the Composite Deck:
Before you start applying paint on the composite deck, you need to sweep excess debris like dirt and leaves off the deck. In order to clean the deck, you can use a good quality composite deck cleaner. Alternatively, you can also use a good quality wood cleaner of your choice. Once done, rinse the deck properly with clean water. You need to make sure that the trex or composite deck surface is clean, dry, and in good condition. If required, you may need to wait a couple of days for the composite deck to completely dry depending on weather conditions. During this time, you can cover plants, grass, concrete, trim, or any areas that you don’t want stained.
Apply Composite Deck Stain:
Once the composite deck is properly cleaned, you need to apply a good quality composite deck stain. Make sure you stir the stain thoroughly before using. You also need to make sure that all stain in the product is mixed evenly into the stain. If you use paint, make sure you use the top quality exterior latex coating. In case you want to use oil-based product over the latex coating, you should be careful, otherwise the oil coating may develop cracks that can ruin the appearance of the deck. Once the staining is done, you can also apply a coat of composite deck finish following the label direction. Wait around half an hour and then brush or roll out any excess stain or finish pooled on the surface of the trex or composite deck. In case you don’t remove the excess paint or stain, you will find a sticky, shiny spots on the deck surface.