Best way to Refinish a Deck?

Question

I have a wooden deck on the back of my house about 20' x 30'. Years ago it was stained red but now the stain is wearing through and the gray wood is showing through. Do I just restain over the old stain, or do I have to remove the existing stain, or...?

Regarding sanding, can you use one of those stand-up types you rent from a HomeDepot or do you need to hand sand it with a handheld sander or something?

Answer 1

I've been doing this a long time, and no offense, but I never stain or paint a deck... That said however,,,the customer is ALWAYS right.

At the point at which the stain is degrading, and apparently you want to re-stain, I'd get a pressure washer, 2500 PSI maybe, and when you wash it you will very likey see the original "tone" of the bare wood come back. I can't say that a penetrating stain will completely disappear, but its a Moot point if you're going to re-stain.

No offense to any other answers but it's not an interior floor, and you will waste not only money, but time, energy, and a lot of wood in SANDING. The wood is cheaper to replace in the big picture. Certainly rough,,,splintering wood should be replaced anyhow. The other issue is crowning or cupping, in which case more sanding would be required. BTW,,,Any decent Deck installer will know the end grain of a piece of wood, and install so that Crowning would happen first, or overall, in the aging of the deck material.

After you've pressure washed the deck, and if some stain still shows, you can re-stain, then treat, with "Thompsons" or some such, and prepare to re-treat on occasion.

Rev. Steven

Answer 2

I would think just using a 'floor' type or big belt sander would be effective in doing a clean job on the walking surface - i dont suggest the water- itll get into the pores of the older wood and take forever to dry out before applying a sealer/stain. The stain would definitly look better then painting and protect alot better as well - before sanding - nail/screw down loose planks , remove/replace any bad pieces of wood , use a hand sander on the railings /stairs and stain same color as deck or a different color to contrast slightly. Definitly use a sealer when done.

Answer 3

Here is a great site to answer your question from HGTV:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_deck_patio_wood/article/0,,HGTV_3681_1381844,00.html

It talks about replacing any warped wood planks, pounding down nails, scrubing the deck with a cleaner and power washing it. Then letting it dry and restaining the deck.
Good Luck>

Answer 4

It would be best to sand the deck first. You do not need to sand the deck to bare wood, but rather want to sand the deck until it is roughed up enough to accept the stain. If you do sand to bare wood, then you will probably get a better finish on the wood.

Answer 5

In my opinion i think the best thing to do would be power wash it to get most of the old off then if you want the same color try to match it if not paint it or totally resand everything and seal it with deck sealer

Answer 6

It probably would be best to at least sand it before you put on a new stain unless you are going to use the same colour again.

Answer 7

My husband does this for a living-rent a pressure washer. This will get the old stain off.Then restain. MUCH easier than sanding.

Answer 8

Pressure wash it first. It's cheap and quick and you will likely be amazed at the results. Ultra high pressure is not necessary, and increases the risk of damaging the wood.