Why is it so difficult to keep paint from peeling off of exterior wood decks?
The culprit here is moisture. Usually, only the top and ends of the boards used on a deck are painted. This leaves the sides and bottom uncoated and able to absorb moisture from rainfall and the soil under the deck. The moisture, drawn to the surface by the heat of the sun, destroys the adhesive bond between the wood and the paint, causing it to blister and peel. The best way to protect a new deck is to apply a deck sealer/toner or semi-transparent stain.
