Kilz Deck Paint Review – Has The King Lost His Throne?

Kilz was introduced as a flagship primer of Masterchem Industries LLC 20 years after the company was founded. Masterchem Industries LLC officially came into the business in 1954 by its founder – Melvin Caldwell.

Started off as just a primer, Kilz has now become a brand of the entire paint product line, offering a wide variety of not only primers but also interior and exterior paints for all household surfaces.

In our review, we will specifically focus our insights on the Kilz Porch and Patio Floor Paint. And below are of all Kilz Deck Paint’s features.

See Also: Kilz Over Armor Textured

• Type: Deck – Porch and Patio Floor Paint, 100% acrylic latex
• Brand: Kilz
• Interior/ Exterior: Both (Preferred Exterior)
• Volume: 1 gallon
• Color: Silver Gray, Slate Gray
• Drying Time: 24 hours
• Ideal Temp for Drying: 50 – 90 Fahrenheit degrees
• Shelf Life: 2 years (under normal conditions)
• Viscosity Range: 90 – 100 (KU)
• VOC: 50g/L
• Weight: 11.37 (lb)
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
• Coverage Range: 200 – 400 (sq. ft.) depending on the substrate nature and application method

When it comes to the aestheticism of the deck, color and finish are always the two most significant features to consider.

Kilz deck paint comes with four different colors – Silver Gray, Slate Gray, Deep, and Ultra Pure White. The two most favored are Silver and Slate Gray, which match almost all house decks and need less recoating than the other two.

Kilz Porch and Patio Floor Paint also offer a satin/ low-luster finish – somewhere between shiny and matt, making it ideal for exterior projects. And as most decks are wood or concrete, such finish with a moderate sheen as low-luster enamel is preferred for its easy cleanup and longevity.

Simply speaking, it is the ability to conceal the surface, rooting from the paint’s pigment; Kilz deck paint tackles well with peeling, tannin bleed, and chalkiness.

For an even surface, two layers of Kilz deck paint is recommended. There are good chances that you will find yourself buying more than one can of Kilz to ensure posterity.

One gallon of Kilz can cover up to 400 square feet on smooth surfaces. However, for a surface that needs more touch up, it offers half of its maximum coverage area.

And as it is a water-based paint, Kilz deck paint is known for being microporous. What does it exactly translate to? Well, it means that the coverage has tiny, tiny narrow pores that allow the wood to breathe, thus extending the wood life.

Kilz deck paint has the ability to retain its original color and finish during exposure. The beauty of such acrylic paint as Kilz Porch and Patio Floor is that it can protect the surface from harsh UV rays. It stands up to the elements to preserve the appearance of the deck.

Being one of the leaders in the industry, Kilz knows what really matters in painting. So besides giving you a versatile paint, it also ensures the durability of it.

What is worse than seeing your house deck keep on chipping out, forming chalky powder, getting cracks under the scorching sun, being blanketed with molds and fungus, or having blisters after a heavy rain? Nothing, it’s just the worst nightmare.

Among all house parts that need painting, deck is most likely to suffer from the punishments of the outer environment and heavy traffic. Guard decks from the potential ruins, Kilz’s resistance features boast all the way from weather, chalking, blister, crack, and fungal. Yes, we mean all parts of the nightmare just mentioned above.

Roller, brush, and airless paint sprayer are all good to go with Kilz deck paint. The paint is not too thick; it is versatile enough for priming trims, trellises, and sidings.

This Kilz is a go-to introduction to deck painting for newbie painters and DIY enthusiasts. You won’t really need a professional-grade paint applicator to start your job with it.

The paint starts to dry just after one hour; however, you will normally need to recoat, it’s advisable to do it after another 4-6 hours. After your paint job is accomplished, it will need another 24 hours with no heavy traffic.

These numbers, when put side by side with other paints, prove that Kilz is speedy at drying. The reason behind its quick drying time is the combined formula of Latex and Enamel; it can self prime to reduce the wait while still having a decent amount of gloss finish.

Sometimes you will need to give your deck a wipe down, but there’s no need to treat it like a fragile because Kilz deck paint is highly washable.

Kilz brings to the market a paint formula that allows for self-cleaning. Dirt and stains can be easily washed off; you can also clean the deck without any guilty feeling of damaging its finished look.

As Kilz offers superior resistance and self-priming features, the paint won’t need frequent maintenance. However, it won’t hold up well with such heavy-duty cleaning tools as pressure washer, metal shovel, or snowblower. A cleaner, garden hose, or brush is more suitable for the cleaning works.

Another worth-rewarding feature of this 100% acrylic paint is that it does not give off much odor. As compared with oil-based paints, it has a lower level of VOC (volatile organic compounds), making it more eco-friendly.

While sticking to the surface permanently, Kilz deck paint can be easily washed off if stuck on your skin. You won’t need any special treatment but water to clean it off your hand or body after painting.

Pros

• 100% Acrylic: Kilz deck paint is highly resistant to weather and wear. It helps preserve the color and texture for a longer time.
• Latex Enamel Formula: It is easy to apply and dries pretty quickly.
• Versatility: It applies even coating for all exterior projects, especially on wood and concrete decks.
• Elasticity: It reduces surface harms resulting from material expansion and extension.
• Eco-friendliness: It contains low VOC and emits no harmful odors.

Cons

• Low viscosity: You will need two layers of coating most of the time.
• Not waterproof: Even though it is weather-resistant, Kilz is not 100% waterproof.

Just as important as painting, preparing the surface allows for the best advantages of a deck paint. You don’t want to just paint on debris and dirt.

First off, remove the furniture, sweep the surface clean, wash the deck thoroughly with a power washer or with a scrub brush and soapy water, and let it fully dry within 1-2 days. It’s also important to inspect the deck if there is any repair work in need – nails, loose pieces, cracks, etc.

Next, protect the areas you don’t want to paint on using painter’s tapes and plastic sheeting. Cover the surroundings (grass areas, plants) if necessary.

Start applying the deck paint from top to bottom using brush, roller, or paint sprayer. This step is straightforward, but it needs a bit of patience for the best results.

It’s ideal to start your painting job in the evening or early morning. The deck should avoid direct sunlight for better color retention.

This step needs your patience to the next level. You can’t act like Gordon Ramsay yelling “chop chop” at it and expect the paint to dry faster; it does not work that way.

Remember the rule of thumb – 6 hours for recoating and 24 hours for complete dryness. As advised by Kilz, you should as well leave it for 72 hours before subjecting it for normal use.