A tired, weathered deck can completely change the look of an outdoor space, but with the right preparation, products and tools, it can be brought back to life.
For this deck transformation, we were working with timber that had previously been painted brown rather than stained. Over time, the paint had faded significantly, particularly around the edges, leaving the deck looking worn and uneven.
The goal was to remove the old coating, prepare and brighten the timber, then finish the deck with a fresh stain that would enhance the natural look of the wood.
Watch the transformation in the video, then follow the full process below.
STEP 1: Covering the Surroundings
Before reaching for the stripper, it was time to protect everything surrounding the deck.
Firstly, we covered the grass around the work area with the Haydn® Plastic Drop Cover Heavy Duty, creating a barrier between the surrounding lawn and the chemicals, coating residue and mess generated during preparation.
The Haydn® Plastic Drop Cover is designed for protecting surfaces during painting and decorating projects and is available in Heavy Duty, Medium Weight and Light Weight options.
View Haydn® Plastic Drop Cover Heavy Duty
Good preparation at this stage makes the rest of the job much easier and helps keep the surrounding area protected while stripping, scrubbing and staining.
STEP 2: Stripping the Old Paint
With the surroundings protected, it was time to tackle the old brown paint.
We poured the wood stripper (you can find one at any hardware store) into a Haydn® Heavy Duty Paint Tray 230mm, fitted with a Haydn® Plastic Paint Tray Liner 230mm.
The Heavy-Duty Paint Tray has a deep paint well, stable base and built in roll off area, while the liners fit directly inside the tray to simplify clean up and help extend the life of the tray. The PET liners are supplied in a 3 pack and can be cleaned and reused where appropriate.
View Haydn® Heavy Duty Paint Tray 230mm
View Haydn® Plastic Paint Tray Liners 230mm
For this project, the stripper was applied using a Haydn® Professional Heavy-Duty Roller Frame 230mm fitted with a 230mm Haydn® Trade Microfibre Semi Rough Roller Sleeve with a 9mm nap.
We attached the frame to the Haydn® Telescoping Extension Pole, allowing us to cover larger sections of the deck comfortably without constantly bending down. The Professional Heavy-Duty Roller Frame features a universal threaded end, while the Telescoping Extension Pole adjusts from 0.73m to 1.5m and features lightweight construction and a comfortable grip.
View Haydn® Professional Heavy Duty Roller Frame 230mm
View Haydn® Telescoping Extension Pole
The stripper was rolled evenly over manageable sections of the deck and allowed to work according to the stripper manufacturer's instructions. The aim was to soften and dissolve the existing coating so it could be removed more easily during the following steps.
Because chemical strippers vary, always check the manufacturer's instructions for compatible application tools, recommended coverage, dwell time, temperature conditions and safety requirements. Avoid allowing the stripper to dry on the surface unless specifically directed by the manufacturer.
STEP 3: Scrubbing the Stripper In
Once the stripper had started working, we brought in the Haydn® Deck Scrubbing Brush 200mm.
Its stiff synthetic filament is designed specifically for preparing decking before staining or oiling, making it ideal for working the stripper into the timber and helping loosen the deteriorated coating. The brush also comes complete with a 0.7m to 1.4m extension pole, making it easier to apply pressure while scrubbing without working on your hands and knees.
View Haydn® Deck Scrubbing Brush 200mm
We worked methodically across the deck, scrubbing along the boards and paying extra attention to areas where the old paint was particularly stubborn.
STEP 4: Water Blasting Away the Old Coating
Next came one of the most satisfying parts of the transformation: water blasting away the loosened paint.
After the stripper and scrubbing had broken down the old coating, a water blaster was used to remove the flaking paint and residue from the timber.
When water blasting a timber deck, controlled technique is important. Use enough pressure to remove the loosened coating without gouging or damaging the wood fibres. Keep the nozzle moving, maintain a consistent distance from the surface and work systematically along the boards rather than concentrating the jet in one spot.
The deck should then be assessed to see which areas need further attention.
STEP 5: Reapplying Stripper and Scraping Stubborn Paint
Because this deck had been painted rather than stained, some areas of the old coating were more difficult to remove than others.
Rather than forcing these areas during water blasting, we reapplied stripper where required, allowed it to work, and then used a Haydn® Tradesman Strip Knife to remove the remaining stubborn paint.
The Tradesman Strip Knife features a thick, stiff, polished stainless-steel blade with a chisel edge, making it well suited to applying the pressure needed to remove stubborn materials such as old paint.
View Haydn® Tradesman Strip Knife
Working carefully along the grain of the timber helped remove the remaining coating without unnecessarily damaging the deck boards.
If required, repeat the stripping and scraping process rather than trying to remove a resistant coating with excessive force.
STEP 6: Brightening the Timber with Oxalic Acid
This step is optional, but for this deck it made a noticeable difference to the appearance of the timber.
Once the old paint had been removed, we used an oxalic acid solution to help brighten the wood.
Wood brighteners based on oxalic acid can help restore the natural appearance of weathered timber, reduce certain tannin and iron stains and help condition the surface after some stripping processes. This can also help create a cleaner and more consistent surface before staining.
For our project, we used a Haydn® White Bucket 20L to hold the solution and a Haydn® Plastic Mixing Jug to accurately measure and prepare it according to the chemical manufacturer's directions.
Haydn® White Buckets are heavy duty, reusable and lightweight, while Haydn® Plastic Mixing Jugs are designed for measuring and mixing liquids and are available in a range of sizes.
View Haydn® Plastic Mixing Jugs
Once prepared, the brightening solution was worked across the deck using the Haydn® Deck Scrubbing Brush.
The stiff synthetic filament helps work the solution evenly across the timber surface and into the texture of the boards. Scrubbing also helps loosen remaining surface contamination and encourages more consistent preparation across the deck.
🚨Important Safety Note
Protective wear is essential when working with wood strippers, oxalic acid and other preparation chemicals.
Wear suitable chemical resistant gloves, eye protection, protective clothing and any respiratory protection specified by the chemical manufacturer.
Always read the product label and Safety Data Sheet before use.
Never mix different cleaning, stripping or brightening chemicals together unless the manufacturer specifically instructs you to do so. Fully complete the required rinsing or neutralising process for one product before moving to another.
Haydn offers a range of protective wear to help you stay protected on the job.
Explore Haydn® Protective Wear
After the brightening stage, the timber was thoroughly rinsed as required and allowed to dry completely before staining.
STEP 7: Staining the Deck
With the preparation complete and the timber properly dry, we were finally ready for the finishing touch: the new stain.
Before opening the stain, we masked the walls and adjoining surfaces around the deck using Haydn® Sabre Tape 36mm.
Sabre Tape is a premium painter's tape suitable for interior and exterior applications. It offers strong adhesion, waterproof and UV resistant properties and clean removal. It is designed to help produce sharp lines with minimal paint bleed.
For the best masking result, make sure the surface is clean and dry before applying the tape. Run the tape in manageable lengths and press the edge down firmly where the stain needs to stop.
Avoid stretching the tape as you apply it, as this can cause it to lift or pull away later.
Next, we thoroughly mixed the stain with a Haydn® Wooden Paint Stirrer to redistribute pigments and other components that may have settled in the container.
View Haydn® Wooden Paint Stirrer
The stain was then poured into the same Heavy Duty Paint Tray using a clean Paint Tray Liner.
Applying the Stain with a Professional Deck Pad
For the final application, we used the Haydn® 230mm Professional Wool Deck and Stain Paint Pad Kit.
Designed for staining decks efficiently, this professional kit features a genuine wool pad, universal thread and replaceable pads. It is suitable for smooth timber surfaces and can be used with a wide range of paints, stains and sealers.
View Haydn® 230mm Professional Wool Deck and Stain Paint Pad Kit
The 230mm width makes it particularly effective for covering larger deck areas efficiently, while the genuine wool pad holds and distributes the coating across the timber.
To apply the stain, load the pad evenly in the tray without oversaturating it.
Start at one end of the deck and work in manageable sections, moving with the direction of the timber grain.
Where possible, coat the full length of individual boards rather than stopping halfway along them. This helps reduce visible lap marks.
Maintain a wet edge as you progress and spread the stain into a thin, even layer rather than leaving heavy pools of product on the surface.
Pay particular attention to joins, edges and areas where stain can accumulate. If you notice excess material, redistribute it while the coating is still wet.
Always follow the stain manufacturer's instructions for surface moisture, application conditions, number of coats, coverage, drying and recoating times.
Once the coating has been applied, remove the masking tape carefully at the time recommended for the coating being used, pulling it back over itself at an angle rather than directly away from the surface.
From Faded Paint to a Fresh New Deck
The biggest lesson from this transformation? A great finish starts long before the stain goes on.
Taking the time to protect the surroundings, thoroughly remove the previous coating, deal with stubborn areas and properly prepare the timber made all the difference to the final result.
From surface protection and stripping to scrubbing, mixing, masking and staining, having the right Haydn® tools at every stage helped make the process more efficient and delivered a finish that completely transformed the outdoor space.
Now that's a deck ready for the warmer months.
Haydn® Products Used in This Deck Transformation
Haydn® Plastic Drop Cover Heavy Duty
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Haydn® Heavy Duty Paint Tray 230mm
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Haydn® Plastic Paint Tray Liners 230mm, 3 Pack
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Haydn® Professional Heavy Duty Roller Frame 230mm
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Haydn® Trade Microfibre Semi Rough Roller Sleeve 230mm, 9mm Nap
Haydn® Telescoping Extension Pole 0.73m to 1.5m
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Haydn® Deck Scrubbing Brush 200mm
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Haydn® Tradesman Strip Knife
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Haydn® White Bucket 20L
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Haydn® Plastic Mixing Jugs
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Haydn® 230mm Professional Wool Deck and Stain Paint Pad Kit
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Haydn® Wooden Paint Stirrer
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Haydn® Sabre Tape 36mm
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Haydn® Protective Wear
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