\n
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.<\/p>\n
A few years ago, I replaced some composite decking with new pieces that weren’t extremely<\/em> 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:<\/p>\n \n My deck, before the paint job, was looking a little sad.<\/span> 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.<\/p>\n All I need to paint my deck is: a paint tray, a can of floor and patio paint, a broom, and a bender pad:<\/p>\n \n My paint tools for this project.<\/span> 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 \u2013 like the spaces between deck boards.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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 \u2013 if they’re too stiff, you won’t get good coverage.<\/p>\n \n Using a broom to paint the deck.<\/span> 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.<\/p>\n \n Using the bender pad on the deck.<\/span> 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:<\/p>\n \n My deck after the paint job.<\/span>
\n Credit: Jeff Somers<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nHow to Paint a Deck with a Broom and Bender Pad<\/h2>\n
![\"My](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPNY6BCZNBNJ2P1CH62QSQ5Q\/images-2.fill.size_2000x1500.v1776705519.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n
\n Credit: Jeff Somers<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Using](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPNY6BCZNBNJ2P1CH62QSQ5Q\/images-5.fill.size_2000x1125.v1776705519.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n
\n Credit: Jeff Somers<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Using](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPNY6BCZNBNJ2P1CH62QSQ5Q\/images-7.fill.size_2000x1125.v1776705520.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n
\n Credit: Jeff Somers<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"My](\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/imagery\/articles\/01KPNY6BCZNBNJ2P1CH62QSQ5Q\/images-8.fill.size_2000x1500.v1776705520.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n
\n Credit: Jeff Somers<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n