However, before staining or sealing the deck, it must be completely sanded to remove the old finish, smooth rough places, and prepare the wood for a beautiful, even stain application.
So dive into this blog to learn the art of sanding your wood like no less than a trained expert and make the deck as attractive as a newly instated one.
Eight Simple Steps To Sanding Your Wood Deck Before Refinishing
Mop And Vacuum The Deck
So, first of all, all you need to do is prepare the area. Move all furniture including tables, chairs, flower pots, upholstery, etc to a separate place. In short, ensure the entire deck is free of any objects.
Next, grab your regular mop and start mopping the deck followed by a thorough vacuum. When vacuuming, attach a specific brush attachment (avoid attaching the beater bar) to remove dirt, dust, and other debris. If your deck has gaps, use a narrow attachment to clean between them.
Prior mopping and vacuuming the deck is one of the best ways to prepare the wood for staining or sanding, as you are assured the surface is free of any abrasive contaminants that can otherwise interfere or create hindrances during the sanding process.
Start Pressure Washing It
Once you are done with the mopping and vacuuming part, start pressure washing the deck. Pressure washing serves numerous purposes in one way, from removing dirt and old finishes to enhancing sanding efficiency.
However, before pressure washing you have to make sure the weather is sunny enough to sand the wood, as even little beads of rain can cause the wood to moisten or wet fast. And that is something you’d like to avoid.
So while pressure washing, a number of factors should be kept in mind. First, use the right pressure (typically between 1500 to 2500 PSI) to avoid damaging the wood. Second, use a wide nozzle, as it helps prevent gouging the wood, and last, keep the nozzle at a distance to avoid concentrated pressure on one spot.
Inspect The Wood
So as the deck has been dried enough to sand, it’s time to start inspecting the wood. Inspection of the deck helps you carefully examine and remove scuff marks, stains, and scratches from the wood or repair exposed nails or screws that could catch on the sander or damage its sanding pad.
Besides, it also lets you know of any tripping hazards, such as crevices, allowing you to fill the gaps in the wood floor or fix other structural issues such as loose railings and wobbly support beams.
Put On Your Protective Gear
Now, before sanding the floor, wear your protective gear including goggles for protection against dirt, dust, and other debris, earplugs for protection against high noise levels (especially important if you’re using power tools for extended periods), gloves for protection against splinters, abrasions, and vibration, and long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from irritation through dust and other abrasive particles.
Sand The Deck Surface
So as the wood is ready and so are you, attach 60-grit sandpaper in the sander and start sanding the deck, working in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratches and unevenness. Sand the entire deck, focusing on removing tough spots and levelling uneven areas.
Once the first pass is complete, check the deck’s condition. If needed, repeat the process with a finer grit (80) to achieve a smooth finish.
Focus On The Edges
After working on the surface, shift your attention to the edges. Sanding the edges with your standard orbital sander can be quite difficult, so make sure to use a detail sander.
When it comes to working on the edges, especially when sanding the wooden staircase, a detail sander can be the best choice, as resembling the shape of an iron or triangle, they allow you to sand along the edges of stairs way comfortably with no damage assured.
So while sanding the edges of the deck, use a sandpaper grit of 60 to 80 to ensure you sand as evenly as you can and prevent stains from absorbing unevenly.
Sand The Railings
Once the edges have been sanded, start working on the railings. Use an 80 to 100-grit sandpaper, wrap it around a sanding block for better control, and start sanding along the grain of the wood. While doing so, sand both sides of the railings, including corners and hard-to-reach spots, and then use a brush to wipe up dust.
Vacuum Again
Finally, vacuum the deck once again. Sanding generates a significant amount of dust, which can accumulate on the deck’s surface, railings, and surrounding areas. Vacuuming helps remove this dust and any loose debris, leaving a cleaner surface to refinish your deck.
Wrapping Words!
A deck can, perhaps, be the best choice to enjoy some of the best moments of your life. However, with time, it starts losing its natural sheen, compelling you to sand and refinish it and enjoy its lustre for years to come.
Sanding the wooden deck can be tricky, of course, only if one is not aware of the right steps to do it. Despite this blog’s extensive description of sanding your wooden deck, if you are unsure or unwilling to take the risk of doing so on your own, you can always turn to specialists at Floor Sanding Company.
Their highly-trained and well-experienced experts can help sand and refinish your wood using some of the best quality sanding equipment and other appliances, ensuring you get results that exceed your expectations.
Before diving into the sanding process, consider giving your deck a professional deep cleaning to ensure it’s in the best condition possible. Deep cleaning not only removes dirt and grime that regular mopping and vacuuming might miss but also gets rid of mold, mildew, and other contaminants that can interfere with the staining process. Thorough deep cleaning, using eco-friendly products and advanced techniques can prepare your deck for a flawless finish. Additionally, a professional deep clean can extend the life of your wood by preventing damage caused by built-up debris and moisture.