Build Shed: Refinishing Our Deck

Refinishing Our Deck

Oh, the trials and tribulations of doing a diy project.

Ok, not always, but every once in awhile.

Have you ever started a diy home project and it seemed like it took

forever?

Well, thats how its been with regards to refinishing our deck this year.

Back in 2010, our deck looked fabulous and so well put together.

But, this year, our deck started to peel in a bunch of places, so I pressure washed it...

Until it looked like this and all the loose old finish was removed. We did a little light sanding, as well.

We had purchased Olympic Nantucket Gray solid deck stain awhile back and we applied one coat on the deck floor, all except this corner(where we had put the furniture and the grill). (you shouldnt really stop in the middle of the board; for best results, you should do one board all the way the the end so you dont have any marks, but I was lucky)

anyway...

This was back in June

Then it started raining.

Every

day

We finally had a few days of only small showers and then 2 days of no rain, so I finished the corner.

Turns out, I really HATED the color, but at least the deck floor was refinished with one thin coat.

So, I went back to the store and bought another sample/er quart of stain.

I didnt like Olympic Eiffel Tower

So, I bought another quart of Olympic Pewter...

didnt like that either...(too gray)

So, I went back to the store and bought another quart of stain.

I didnt like Olympic Deep Charcoal either.

So, I went to the Home Depot to try one of their colors. Their stain samples were only $3.68 (instead $15+ for the quarts.

I tried Behr Solid Color Weather Proofing All In One Wood Stain and Sealer in Autumn Brown.

This time, I painted a piece of pine and set it against the brick.

Autumn Brown was actually too brown for me. (Its actually browner than it looks in the photo)

So, I went home and did what I usually do when I choose a paint color.

I take what I have and mix up a couple of colors until I like the color.

I applied the color I mixed up to a pine board and

went back to the Home Depot and asked them if they mix custom colors for deck stain and could color match what was on my sample board.

They could and it was perfect!

Here are all the samples I had to go through to find my perfect deck color. The final color is in the gallon.

Of course it rained again

for

days

but we finally got a break and I applied the first coat of the new color on the deck.
and then, there was this on stairs...

what do you do?

I got another break in the rain last week for a couple of days and finished the 2nd coat on the deck floor and stairs.

I was able to touch up some of the railing too.

Still have the bottom of the posts and the stair railing to do, but it will have to wait at least until next week.

Mr. Fanatic likes the custom color too.

Our deck is getting a total makeover, including furniture. Mr. Fanatic made a gorgeous picnic table ~ heres a sneak peek:

Ill show it to you and how he made it in a couple of days.

He also has plans to make a chaise/bench with storage for the seating on one side of the table.

Heres what Im planning to add some color to all the gray, brown and white.

I cant tell you how HAPPY I am to finally finished the deck floor(and 1/2 of the railing).

Have you ever started a diy home project that took you forever, or is it just me?

Pam

joining:
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Between Naps On The Porch

Refinishing Our Deck