Is your garden deck looking worse for wear after years of battling the elements? You’re not alone. One of our recent customers faced this exact challenge with their large, 7-year-old deck, spanning approximately 45 square metres.
Like many others out there, this deck had suffered from a previously applied stain that had failed over time, leaving it patchy, weathered and in need of serious attention.
Read on to see how they revitalised their deck using Owatrol’s comprehensive wood care system and why Decking Paint was the perfect finishing touch.
Step 1: Stripping the Old Finish with Prepdeck
The first hurdle with any deck restoration is dealing with existing finishes. This deck still had remnants of an old stain that was peeling and patchy.
To ensure the new coating would adhere properly, they used 10 litres of Owatrol Prepdeck – a professional-grade wood stripper that removes old finishes, stains, oils, mill glaze and even grade stamps.
Prepdeck effectively lifted the failing finish, exposing the bare wood beneath – this helps ensure a better, longer-lasting finish.
Step 2: Neutralising, Cleaning & Brightening with Net-Trol
After successfully stripping away the previous finish and whilst the wood was still wet, they immediately applied 11 litres of Net-Trol – our neutraliser and wood cleaner / brightener.
Application of Net-Trol after using a stripping product such as Prepdeck is crucial first and foremost because it neutralises the wood, preventing the stripper from continuing to work.
However, Net-Trol is also a cleaner and brighter, so application also ensures a clean slate to allow for optimal application of the new finish.
Step 3: Applying the Protective Finish – Decking Paint
With the wood stripped, neutralised and brightened, it was finally time to add some colour.
Our customer opted for the ever popular Decking Paint in the shade Black, applying 17 litres across the entire 45m² area.
Decking Paint offers outstanding weather resistance and long-lasting colour. The sleek black finish turned the once tired, patchy deck into a bold, contemporary outdoor space that complements the garden furniture and surrounding garden beautifully.
Why Choose Owatrol Decking Paint?
✅ Durability: Designed to withstand the UK’s climate due to added E-B, resisting peeling and flaking
✅ Easy maintenance: When it’s time for a refresh, simply clean the wood and then once dry, recoat – no stripping or sanding required
✅ Rich colour: Available in a wide range of shades with a matt finish to suit any garden design, delivering even, opaque coverage
The Customer’s Experience
Our old decking had been down for around 7 years and was in need of much needed maintenance. We had used oils and paints by well-known DIY brands in the past and these tended to fade or flake off in a few weeks, sometimes months despite removing and pre treating before application.
I work for a painting and decorating contractor but am not a professional decorator, I was therefore aware of Owatrol products. I contacted the Owatrol technical team for some advice before going ahead with the project. I was recommended to use Prepdeck and Net-Trol solutions to clean and prepare my deck and allowing it to fully dry before applying two coats of Decking Paint in the shade Black by brush. We tried using deck brushes on poles, paint pads and rollers but none of these worked as well as a good quality wood brush. The coverage was excellent and the product went on like a dream.
Our deck is huge and we have kids and pets, therefore the process took place over a few weeks but we are extremely pleased with the results.
So far it has been down for a month and there is no fading, peeling or chipping to the surface. We are heavy users and as our deck is against our house we are walking on it to go in and out multiple times a day.We will recommend Owatrol products to our friends and family and I will also be recommending them to my work colleagues for use on future projects.
Ready to Revive Your Deck?
Whether your deck is 1 or 51 years old, Owatrol’s range of wood care products makes it easy to breathe new life into tired timber. From stripping and cleaning, to long lasting colour protection, you can achieve a stunning transformation that lasts for years to come.
We hope you found this post on transforming a tired garden deck interesting! If you have any other advice or top tips, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
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About Owatrol Team
Our team are ready and willing to support you with your requirements whether it is protecting your newly laid deck or renovating a luxury yacht, whatever the application Owatrol has the solution you are looking for.
