• A painted deck can last a long time.deck with a view image by Bruce Shippee from Fotolia.com
  
  A deck is a wonderful way to be close to nature yet within steps of the comforts of home. Decks have much required of them: they're mostly made of wood yet are expected to withstand the elements and support the weight of all who walk and stand on it. In order to preserve it, you must apply a finish that will help preserve the wood. One way is to paint the deck, but to do so, you need to take certain steps to make sure the paint adheres properly and withstands the elements, as well as the wear it will receive.
  
  

Cleaning

• Proper preparation of the deck is necessary, for it will determine whether the paint adheres and wears properly. Part of this preparation is cleaning the deck with lacquer thinner or acetone. Do little sections of the deck at a time, making sure you discard the cloth once it's dirty and use a fresh one in its place.
  
  

Covering

• When you're done cleaning the deck, make sure you cover it with a tarp. Since the best time to paint your deck is in the morning, you need to make sure that no dew gets on it during the night, making it wet.
  
  

Two-part Polyurethane Paint

• Two-part polyurethane paint works well for decks because it's hard and durable, as well as glossy. Mix the two-part paint according to the manufacturer's directions, then use a roller to apply it. Mix more paint as you need it, cleaning up any drops of paint with acetone-dipped rags.
  
  

Drying Time

• Once you've painted the deck, you need to let the paint dry for at least 24 hours before using it. This allows the paint to cure properly, thus ensuring it will sufficiently protect the deck.