STRIPPING the DECK - What's BEST???

We will NEVER buy a "stain" from Lowe's, Sherwin Williams, Home Depot EVER AGAIN. The products they are selling as deck "stains" are more like paint than stain. The first year it looked great, the second year started cracking, and by the third year was flaking off like crazy. Here we are trying to decide what method is fastest, because we will be spending dozens of hours stripping the old "stain" off. Testing with a Bauer 4 1/2 inch angle grinder from Harbor Freight, Makita palm sander, Porter Cable belt sander, and a Dewalt 4 1/2 in angle grinder. Later using a Simpson Megashot pressure washer powered by a Honda engine, 3300 psi.
Be sure to check the video link at the end where we test the DIAMABRUSH against the FLAP DISC

[robraven]

Been re-doing decks for 17 years and what I found was, regardless of what finish was previously on I would always power wash( 800 psi max) first to clean up loose stain/paint/sealer and then hit it with a drum sander(80 grit) to remove the rest. I would wait one full day of sun so that the humidity level was less than 10% on the deck material. There would still be the occasional stubborn coating left and would use cordless orbital sander. Just would recommend taking a hammer and drift to knock down the nail heads or screw down high screws avoids ripping sanding discs. Also, FYI, I keep in business thanx to Behr stain/sealers....seems to be the worst product out there....good video btw !

[maloosecat]

I just angle grinded (using 80 grit discs) a deck with years of stain and paint and this method worked like a charm. Saved me so much time and wrist pain compared to orbital/belt sanding--Thank You (I would have never thought of doing it this way)

[maniacmog]

Thanks for this vid! I'm looking to strip the paint off my deck and have been looking over options. From power wash w/nozzle, stripping solution, flap disc, to diamabrush disc, and so forth. This really helped give a full overview of all the options and their pros/cons, which I haven't found in other videos. Your video has really helped.

[josron]

Thanks for putting this up. I had the same problem with home Depot stain it works more like paint than stain. Seems like the flap discs are the way to go.

[MelMarsh]

Very well made video. Super informative and visual.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Ive tried a few way to sand our deck to no avail. So this video is perfect for what i was looking for

[LizEudy]

I have tried just about everything on my 40 year old deck with about three layers of paint and lots of stain under that, and your plan is about what I would do in the unfortunate event that I ever have to do this kind of thing again! I may forgo the chemical stripper with lots of layers, because if you can’t get ALL the layers completely, it hardens into something akin to rock. Other lessons—
Use almost horizontal angle with pressure washer and don’t stay in one spot too long. Also, (if you’re comfortable with power tools) get two cheap, corded random orbital sanders, zip tie the cords together, extension cord on garden hose retractable holder, and a rolling mechanics board. One sander in each hand and roll with it. It’s been an adventure. I have two decks, both 12 x 26.

[ebernhard]

I highly recommend a floor sander. I tried first renting an orbital floor sander, bit was no way near aggressive enough. so i brought it back to home depot and swapped it out for a floor belt sander. VICTORY! Next step, I have to get the edger to finish the job... but it also helped smooth out all the boards as an added bonus.

[davedaniels]

Here in the UK most of our decking boards are of the grooved variety. I use a water jet on low pressure to get rid of all the grime. Let it dry, and then a vigorous brush. Deck oil retails for about £40 for 5 litres . I only ever stained with deck 'paint' once - never again. Decking lasts about 10 years here no matter what you apply. We're slowly moving towards composites. I'd never use an angle grinder or wire brush attachment on decking as my back, knees and British good looks wouldn't tolerate it 😊 Great tutorial.

[kaitlyn]

Thank you o much for such an incredibly detailed video! I am sanding my deck after moving into to a older home. Ive been struggling to flatten the uneven board with the orbital saw and unsure about pressure washing the deck. This was so helpful thanks!!

[pdxrcfl]

I just had a hip replacement. After watching I have decided to just go and buy a thickness planer, pull up the boards and run them through.

[simpletonballsack]

I have every one of these tools but this is an excellent video to demonstrate not only the uselessness of the big hired sheet sander (it's only use is for final smoothing after drum sanding or just removing high spots as demonstrated here) but also how time-consuming these tools would be. I will hire the drum sander and get down to clean wood in one-tenth the time and one-hundredth the bending/kneeling/effort as the flap disk, which WILL chew all kinds of divots for rain and crud to sit in. Thank you!

[sonofsandwiches]

HomeDepot rents a floor sander that will make quick work of any buildup. I power-washed it first. Doesn't work well on beat-up boards that are warped, but will remove buildup and paint. I was removing mold for the most part. After sanding with 40 and then 80 grit, the deck looks good but not new. It is 20 years old. Sealing the deck with a clear protectant is all the protection you need.

[funstuffonthenet]

Another (expensive) method. Remove all the board and put down composite decking. Never needs to be stained or painted. 😂

[ecosystems]

I'm in the process of using a angle grinder/flap wheel to take the paint off the 4X4 frame for a patio roof. It is a slow process (3 layers of paint), especially the bottom surfaces. Also leaves the wood with a wavey surface.

[crazznrz]

Great video! Helped me alot on deciding what to use on my deck!!

[deepspacecobra]

I was going to run out and buy a belt sander. Instead I’m gonna just use my angle grinder. Great video thank youu 🙏

[Pilot]

Awesome experiment with details!! Thank you, Sir!

[yerocrendrob]

Rumor has it he’s still sanding this deck

[buddysdomain]

From all my recent research, I've found Restore-A-Deck and Defy to be the best stains. They're only available online but their sites have great advice on prepping decks. I ended up going with Defy solid stain for my old, cedar deck. It's too old, with too many layers of stain, to take down to bare wood.

[nanchassch]

Good video. I guessed the flap disc would be best. That's what I use to sharpen lawn mower blades. Works fast. Hopefully I can save my deck. It's in pretty bad shape. thanks