Deck and Porch Staining · Sep 2024
Brick home deck pressure washed, by a screened porch with a red wood door
Brick home deck pressure washed, by a screened porch with a red wood door. These are before and after photos from the job, taken Sep 2024. This deck and porch staining project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Weathered Pine Deck Pressure Washed Next to a Screened Porch
This deck runs along the back of a brick home and leads to a screened porch with a red wood screen door, photographed in Sep 2024. Before the work, the pine boards had turned gray and blotchy, with green mildew, dark rings where pots and buckets sat, purple-tinted stains and patches of old finish wearing away. Leaves and pine straw had collected along the railing and near the house. In the after photo, our crew member is working the pressure washer wand across the boards, and the difference is clear. The cleaned wood is a bright honey gold, with the grain and knots easy to see again, while a strip of unwashed boards near his feet shows how dull the surface was. The black metal railing, red brick walls and the red door with its octagon windows now frame a clean deck that is ready to dry and take a fresh stain.
How We Prepared This Deck for a Fresh Stain
- We cleared the table, grill, buckets and plants off the deck and swept away the leaves and pine straw so nothing would be blasted into the screens or brick.
- Doors, the screened porch opening and nearby windows were checked and protected so spray and dirty water would not get inside the porch.
- A deck cleaner was applied to loosen mildew, gray fibers and old stain residue, then given time to work before any washing began.
- We pressure washed the boards with a wide fan tip, moving with the grain at a steady distance to lift grime without gouging the soft pine.
- Each board was washed end to end in overlapping passes, which avoids stripes and gives an even, light color across the whole surface.
- After washing, the wood needs to dry fully before stain goes on. We check it for loose nails, raised splinters and soft boards during that time.
Trim and Railing Colors That Suit This Freshly Washed Deck
These are similar colors to consider for nearby railings, porch framing and trim, not the exact colors used anywhere on this home.
Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black SW 6258
A true black close to the metal railing. It keeps rails and posts crisp against the warm golden tone of clean pine boards.
Sherwin-Williams Van Dyke Brown SW 7041
A deep brown that suits screened porch framing beside red brick, and it pairs well with a natural or cedar-toned deck stain.
Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore SW 7069
A soft black for fascia or porch trim, a little gentler than pure black next to brick and honey colored decking.
Questions About Pressure Washing and Staining a Deck
How long should a deck dry after pressure washing before staining?
Most wood decks need at least a couple of dry days after washing, and longer in cool or humid weather. The boards should feel dry to the touch and absorb a few drops of water quickly. Staining wet wood traps moisture and can lead to blotchy color or early peeling.
Can pressure washing damage deck boards?
It can if the pressure is too high or the tip is held too close. Soft woods like pine can be gouged or left fuzzy. A wide fan tip, steady distance and moving with the grain clean the wood without scarring it. Any raised fibers can be lightly sanded before staining.
Why do wood decks turn gray?
Sunlight breaks down the surface fibers of wood, and rain washes them away, which leaves a gray, weathered layer. Mildew and dirt add dark spots on top of that. Cleaning removes the gray layer and shows fresh wood again, and a stain with UV protection slows the process down next time.
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