How to Sand a deck/ Quick & Easy

Shout out to Marc Berm for recommending!!! Using a floor sander on a deck is a great way to prep the deck surface for stain.

[davecoles]

Hey pal, you are on the right track. Here are a few things to consider from a company that does about 75 - 100 deck stains per summer. First have the customer remove all their items from around the deck ... ie hose reels and lawn chairs. Clean the cracks between all the flooring pieces with a compressor (thats where the dirt and gummy items are coming from, gumming up the sandpaper.) I would typically strip that deck first day and sand the next. Much of the overly applied existing stain and protector will fall off with a good stripper making your sanding so nice and clean. And yes, always buy loads of sand paper and just return what you don't use (you're returning the sander so it's not like it's an extra tip). The other thing to remember is this is an outdoor deck. 120 is a bit fine. I am usually 80 grit after the stripping of the existing. No need to polish the deck like an interior hardwood floor. Great start pal. You will do well with your conscious effort of improvement.

[MrAguamiel]

This is going to be my first time sandind a deck (exterior), this video showed me what I was looking for, what to use, where to rent, and how to use it. Thank you very much Sir.

[ericrump]

Square sander is def the way to go. The pad will work around the contour of the wood. Cedar 60 then 100 grit. Regular pine with heavy paint or deck over 20-40 grit

[marcthibault]

Good choice to use a floor sander... 80 grit is fine enough for a deck and allows the new stain to penetrate...

[MRGOLD.]

Nice work but you shouldn't go above 100 grit because it changes the characteristics of the top grain and starts to close the cells this doesn't let the stain penetrate as much as it could

[MR.]

Try the 8 inch drum sander if you do this again. The weight of the machine and a 60 grit should take all that off. Sink your screws a little deeper though or you’ll trash the paper.

[robraven]

Been doing deck resurfacing for 17 years and seeing as most of the stain/sealer is well should be using a drum sander ! The result is amazing and when you're in business the time saved is quite justified. The orbital is okay for decks that are faded grey or most of the old stain is gone but painted or stain sealed requires a drum sander.

[thedarwinsnatchers]

think either u should have power washed first ... and then did the 60 grit or....20 grit .... and then 60... to get that stain off ...im getting into doing decking and that's what I would do

[chopnit]

Great details! How long do you usually wait once you'd sprayed stripper so you can start sanding?

[tpmarkham]

My deck is mahogany. Can I do it the same way you did?

[pyro]

4.5 inch diamabrush. I did a 80 ftt deck took 14 hours .then hit it with that orbital sander. Will look like new. That deck should only take 2 hours with the disk. It a lil hard work but will look new after. The 4.5inch diamabrush disk is the only way

[felipenunez]

You need to use a big sanding machine first and then finish with machine

[tomcorey]

Too much talking. Not enough sanding.