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Porches & Decks

Advice on painting Rim Joist/PT Frame/PT Stair Risers

mrmichaeljmoore

16 years ago

I am planning on painting the PT Rim Joist/frame and stair risers of my IPE deck.

The railing will be white TimberTech Radiance Rail.....so my wife wants to paint the exposed PT white so it matches the railing. I think it will look real nice as a contrast to the dark IPE.

I've done a lot of interior painting but nothing exterior....Any advice on how to get a nice looking finish?

I assume I should prime it first....

Any suggestions for a paint/primer brand?

Any tips on how to get a long lasting finish?

Do I need to sand first?

Any tips to conceal the nail heads?

I figure using a roller on the 2x boards would be easiest...

Thanks.

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Comments (8)

thedeckpro
16 years ago
Since you went with high quality railing and decking, why let any PT lumber show? Wrap the outside joists and stringers with Azek and paint.

PT Pine is notoriously horrible at holding paint.

Jeff

www.thedeckpros.com

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
john_hyatt
16 years ago
I have to agree with the deck of the Pro, it would be better to use some sort of faceing on the exposed pt frame. It is possible to build paint coats on pt but its a total pain in the A$$. John
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mrmichaeljmoore
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, we were gonna do Azek, but decided against it for two reasons:

1. Price
We went with the IPE.....it extended our budget so adding the Azek on top of that would have been tough to do.

2. Install
We already have the floor down. We have a 1" overhang all around. If we were going to add the Azek that would mess up the overhang.

Are there any products similar to Azek that aren't board thickness? That way I could still keep the 1" overhang....

Thanks.
martin_carthage
16 years ago
Yes there are many many brands of PVC foam trim, available in all kinds of thicknesses. These products all came from the sign industry and you need some that is thin like a sign. Other brands include Kleer, Versatek, KOMA, and on and on.
john_hyatt
16 years ago
Timber Tech also makes a facia board 1/2'' x 12'' I think it comes in 12' lenghts. J.
mrmichaeljmoore
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks guys....I'll look into it.
deckman22
16 years ago
Several of the composite companies make a thinner facia board, but if your budget is tight you won't like the price tags on those. If you're going to be painting it anyway I would suggest using hardiboard, they make a board 12" wide & 1/2" thick that would work, all ready primed & takes paint well.

Al
dooer
16 years ago
Hardi Plank siding is a very good suggestion. It is actually only about 1/4" thick. Out here it only runs about .80 a foot for 8" board.

Mark

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