How to Paint a Wooden Porch

Prepare the wood by scraping off any old paint. Use the paint scraper to clear away any peeling paint, scraping in the direction of the wood's grain.

Fit the sandpaper onto the belt sander, according to the manufacturer's directions. Plug the sander into an electrical outlet, holding it away from your work surface. Turn the sander on and allow it to reach full speed before slowly lowering it to the wood. Hold the sander tightly, moving it in the wood grain's direction, until all remaining paint has been removed.

Spray the porch boards with your garden hose to remove any sawdust, paint chips or debris. Allow the wood to dry before proceeding to paint.

Protect your home from paint by taping the areas near the wood with painter's tape. Run the tape along the porch's edge, where the wood meets the wall and any other areas you'd like to protect.

Open the can of primer and mix well. Load up your paint roller and start painting at the far side of your porch. Avoid painting yourself into a corner by moving from the outside in toward the porch's center. Leave an exit route near the staircase or entrance way and paint this area last.

Paint the primer in the direction of the wood's grain, moving evenly and smoothly over the surface.

Use your paintbrush to paint finer details such as the railing, steps and lathed woodwork.

Allow the primer to dry for the time designated in the instructions on the can.

Follow the coat of primer with paint. Open the paint can, stir to mix, pour it in the paint tray and load up your roller.

Roll the paint along each board with a smooth, even motion. Work quickly to avoid patchy drying, moving from the outside in toward the porch's center.

Use your brush in small spaces and paint any fine details missed by the roller.

Allow the paint to dry, as instructed in the manufacturer's directions. Once dry, apply a second coat for maximum coverage and opacity.