Can You Paint Composite Decking?

Usually, no one expects maintenance practices on composite decking. Why so? Well, these materials are strong and expected to last for several years. As time passes by, however, it will likely lose its original color through fading. With a finish over the surface of your decking, you can help add “life” to it. It begs for the question, can you paint composite decking?

Adding a topcoat of porch paint, for example, would be a great way of restoring beauty to your deck and even extend its life for more years. So, it’s a yes. You can paint composite decking.

Therefore, it’s your responsibility as a composite deck owner to monitor your decking and decide how you want to go about it. Leave it in its natural state or add some beautiful finish over its surface.

What Kind of Paint Can You Use on Composite Decking?

If you are looking to add a paint finish over composite decking, we recommend that you use a high-quality latex deck and floor paint with a semi-gloss or satin finish. In the case of staining a composite deck, choose to use high-quality acrylic latex solid color deck stain best for composite decking.

How Long do Composite Decks Last?

Composite decking can last up to a range of 25-30 years and needs little or no maintenance at all. Cleaning might be necessary even though it does not affect its longevity.

It (composite decking) is a product of recycled materials, like wood shavings as well as plastics. Therefore, it is eco-friendly. In almost all cases, composite decking is often created to mirror the look of wood with more durability compared to that of wood.

How do You Clean and Restore a Composite Deck

Cleaning of a composite deck involves sweeping of the debris such as dirt and leaves from your deck. Follow this by cleaning your deck using Messmer’s Composite Deck Cleaner, or use any of the cleaners that are available in the market and suits your needs. Use water to rinse and ensure that the surface of the deck is clean.

Allow your deck a few days to dry thoroughly and be in good condition; you can now go ahead and paint.

How to Paint Composite Decking

If you notice a change in the appearance of your composite decking to suggest that it is fading, then it is the right time to make decisions such as to paint it.

Painting the composite deck does not mean you just straight to the application, there are steps involved, and they are:

Step 1: Cover the Plants around You Composite Deck

If there are plants such as flower vase and other vegetation around your decking, then you need to cover them using canvas or plastic cloth to protect them from possible chemical spillage.

Step 2: Clean Your Deck

Cleaning makes an essential part of the entire process of painting composite decking. As we have stated before in this article, you need first to remove the debris and dirt. Depending on the magnitude of the dirt, you can use soap and water for low debris levels. Alternatively, you can use Messmer’s Composite Deck Cleaner or other cleaners that you can easily shop for in your local store. If you choose the chemical way, you still will have to rinse clean the surface using water.

Step 3: Sand The Deck

If you are looking to achieve the smoothest possible coat of paint on your composite decking, it will be crucial that you sand it in the direction of the wood grain so that you can degloss and have the planks smoothened out.

We recommend that you use 240-grit sandpaper. After sanding, ensure that you wipe the dust with a broom then rinse with water again.

Step 4: Apply a Primer

For priming of composite decking, it will be great if you can go for an acrylic latex exterior primer like the Rustoleum Restore Deck Start Wood Primer. Apply the primer in the direction of the wood planks.

Step 5: Paint The Composite Decking

As soon as the primer dries fully, you are free to apply the outdoor porch paint over the surface of the deck. Pour the paint into a roller tray to make it easy for you to proceed with the painting project. Once you have applied the first coat, allow it some time to dry before you can go ahead and do the second layer. The dry time of the formula varies depending on the product that you are using.

The Conclusion

Can You Paint Composite Decking?

As a composite deck owner, it is understandable if you wake up one day, and you feel like you should add a paint finish over your composite deck. Much as it, not a requirement to offer any maintenance practice over a composite, the painting would be necessary as a way of adding beauty to a surface that is otherwise starting to fade.

Here’s a video on painting a composite decking