Have purchased a home with deck that has neever been treated. fairly good shape but want to sand and clean i

Question

it. Shud I pressure wash it and then sand it and then stain or does it just need sanding before stain.

Answer 1

All you need to do is pressure wash the deck, let it dry for about 2 days and then you can put on whatever type of stain you want. If you plan on using a stain with color in it, I would use a semi-transparent stain on any surface that will be walked on or touched. There are so many pigments in a solid stain that they could rub off when walked on or touched with the hand or clothes. If you want to maintain the look of the wood grain, stay with a clear wood preservative and, depending on the brand, reapply every 2 years or so.

Answer 2

Since you don't state the condition or substance of the deck material I'll offer this.

I never stain decks. I never sand decking. I treat new pressure treated decking, then pressure wash regularly. If there are "checks" splintering, crowning, or bowing, I replace the material.

A natural, treated deck will "silver",,,unless it's a composite, which is the best way to go. Pressure washing will bring back the original coloration as good as can be, then I re-treat with Thompsons or some such.

Staining is just another, added process one will have to go through, eternally, along with each other process in the certain degradation of decking lumber.

Rev. Steven

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about sanding it at all. Buy, borrow or rent a good powerful pressure washer and go to town. You will be surprised how big of a difference just doing that will have. Once the deck dries out you should be good to go. If your going to stain it make sure you finish with a high quality sealer as a final coat.

Answer 4

Pressure washing should do it for most decks. A pressure washer will work much easier on the railings, too. Keep in mind that you can bore right through a board if you keep the wand close enough for long enough, so keep it moving.

Answer 5

just pressure wash ...let it dry...then stain....

I just redid mine and it is beautiful....I pressure washed it let it dry ..and then i used SUPER DECK...clear cedar stain...no sanding was needed pressure wash took care of that!