JamesonBlade

Hello, I just registered because I had been online researching the proper procedure to stain a deck, have some fundamental inquiries to make, and after reading a few threads I decided this seemed like the correct place to be. I have done much interior painting, but not much deck work. I went to evaluate the deck I am going to bid on earlier this afternoon. It was coated with blue solid stain that appeared to be chipping ONLY on a small gate that was hinged above he deck stairs. The coating on the deck floor itself seemed to be in favorable shape. The coating was dull, not glossy, and I believe the customer wanted it restained because the color was fading from the weather, and the coating was spotted in areas. There was also a patio surrounded by rocky landscaping and plants below the deck, which although the deck boards are set very tightly, would most likely call for covering if it were to be "slopped-n-mopped" and brushed. Also, there are no railing pickets, instead there is vertical detailed glass. Here are my questions, and feel free to ad any advice you deem necessary. 1. What procedure is proper for the best product? Should I brush/backroll, brush with a pole-attachable brush and hand brush only, spray and backroll, or spray only? Are different procedures acceptable for different conditions? 2. Since the stain is in relatively good condition, do I need to strip, or should I powerwash only? If stripping is necessary, what product should I use? 3. Should I prime? 4. How much should the lack of pickets affect the price? 5. Is sanding the entire surface effective, or just ideal? Should I only spot sand? One guy on another thread said that solid stain covers solid stain without need for stripping. I'm pretty sure the customer just wants the deck recolored the same, or at least close to what the existing color is. I just need to know where the overhead should go. Renting a sprayer and taping plastic to the siding and so forth, or laying drops on the patio in case of drip through the boards with brush application, and saving the cash to rent a sprayer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I called the homeowner and found out that it's Behr Solid Stain on there right now. Since the original stain is in alright condition, could I just recoat it, or will it turn out much better with stripping, neutralizing, and then recoating?