Touch-dry paint may not be ready for furniture or routine foot traffic. Plan an alternative route where the deck serves a doorway. Return-to-use timing follows the product and actual conditions; the job does not include a fixed universal drying promise.
The gaps and edges need to remain appropriate for the existing deck arrangement. Coating is not a way to fill movement gaps or conceal damaged boards. Show narrow, blocked or uneven gaps so the preparation can be reviewed before application.
Cleaning and suitable ordinary preparation depend on the existing coating and selected system. Discuss any required sanding separately. Unknown hazardous coatings are excluded, and a broad promise to remove every old finish would exceed the accepted handyman scope.
Prepare the accepted sound surface and apply the agreed compatible deck-coating system in its required stages. Scope limits: Compatible film coatings on sound accessible timber only. No slip certification, hazardous stripping, structural repairs or waterproofing-system claims.