How to Deal With Old Deck Steps With Peeling Paint

Inspect the boards on the steps for signs of damage. If any boards are sagging, rotted or have large cracks in them, replace them.

Spray the steps down with a power washer to clean the surface. Scrub heavy stains with a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water, and allow the steps to dry.

Place drop cloths on the deck and the ground around the steps. The dropcloth will catch paint chips and protect the other surfaces from dripping paint.

Remove the peeling paint from the steps by sliding a putty knife along the surface to scrape it away. Hold the putty knife at a low angle so you don't cut into the wood.

Repair nicks or holes in the wood by filling them with wood putty.

Sand rough spots on the steps smooth, especially areas where you applied wood putty or were scraping paint away.

Wipe down the steps with a dry rag to remove the dust from sanding.

Apply primer to the steps with a paintbrush, using long, even brush strokes. If you're painting the steps a lighter color than before, paint all of the steps. If you're using a darker color or the same color as before, apply the primer to areas where the bare wood is exposed or you applied the wood putty. Allow the primer to dry.

Paint the wood, using the same technique you used to apply the primer. Allow the paint to dry, and add a second coat if necessary.