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My house has only one outdoor area, which makes it valuable. It’s the only place where we can actually hang out without having to leave. Since I’m a dedicated introvert who enjoys fake interactions with my cats more than actual interactions with people, this is incredibly important. As a result, I spent a lot of time keeping the deck comfortable and in good repair.
A few years ago, I replaced some composite decking with new pieces that weren’t extremely Matches the original color, so I painted the decking to keep things uniform. However, the decks were pretty rough last winter and were beginning to look a little worn:
My deck, before the paint job, was looking a little sad.
Credit: Jeff Somers
Obviously the time for a new paint job had come. This time I chose lighter colors and shopped for the tools I needed. A roller and a brush? No. A regular, cheap push broom and a bender pad.
How to Paint a Deck with a Broom and Bender Pad
All I need to paint my deck is: a paint tray, a can of floor and patio paint, a broom, and a bender pad:
My paint tools for this project.
Credit: Jeff Somers
It is much easier to paint your deck with a push broom than using a paint roller or brush. A 10-inch push broom typically covers two deck planks, and the bristles work the paint into crevices more efficiently than a roller, requiring fewer passes to get good coverage. And a bender pad is just a flexible, handheld tool that slips easily between tight spots that need to be painted – like the spaces between deck boards.
What do you think so far?
Using these two unusual tools, I completed this paint job in about an hour from start to finish. First, I cleaned the deck using a stiff brush to remove any dirt that had settled on the deck. I scraped away any loose paint and let the deck dry thoroughly. Once it dried, I picked up the broom and got to work. The key is to choose a push broom with flexible bristles – if they’re too stiff, you won’t get good coverage.
Using a broom to paint the deck.
Credit: Jeff Somers
I took turns painting the tops of the boards and working on the spaces between the bender bars. Instead of working a crooked brush in between boards, the Bender Pad simply pads the edges of the board, leaving a clean, almost perfect coat. In retrospect, I should have started by painting the edges first so I wouldn’t have to fold myself into a pretzel sometimes because all the boards were wet from paint, but that’s a lesson for another time.
Using the bender pad on the deck.
Credit: Jeff Somers
The broom and bender pad combo made painting the deck extremely easy and fast. If you have a deck you want to paint or stain, forget the rollers and brushes and use brooms and pads instead. You won’t regret it. Here is the final result:
My deck after the paint job.
Credit: Jeff Somers
