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What kind of sander should I use to sand my deck?
A random orbital sander is a specialized tool that sands wood in an elliptical pattern. It’s the most efficient sander to use when refinishing a deck, as they’re easy and practical to use.
How do I sand my deck before staining?
To open the wood grain so it absorbs stain or paint, sand the deck using 20 to 50 grit sandpaper on the first pass and 60 to 80 grit on the second pass on a belt sander or orbital floor sander. Use the same grits to sand railings, posts, and stairs using palm or orbit sanders.
Can I use a floor sander to sand my deck?
Some homeowners will want to rent a big floor sander to do a large wooden surface like a deck floor. Don’t do that. Floor sanders can only sand surfaces that are perfectly flat, and deck boards are slightly curved. That means it will take off too much in some sections and not enough in others.
Is it better to sand or power wash a deck?
DO sand your deck before sealing. At that point, lightly sand the surface to remove splintery or fuzzy patches caused by pressure-washing the deck. A pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper will suffice; a power sander is overkill. Then seal the deck to protect from cracking, cupping, and warping.
How long does it take to sand a deck with an orbital sander?
In general, it will take you 8 hours to sand a deck that is 25m2, using a belt sander. But there are a few factors that can affect the time it takes to sand your decking.
What if it rains after sanding deck?
It’s important that you make sure there is no chance of rain when you begin to sand. If the wood gets wet after it’s been sanded, but not before you’ve had the chance to stain or paint it, you’ll be back to square one — you’ll need to wash and sand it all over again.
Do I need to sand new deck before staining?
Once dry, these wood fibers can remain raised and may cause splinters. For this reason, light but thoroughly sanding your wood deck is a necessary step before staining or sealing. This crucial step will ensure that your refinishing job gives great results.
Can you sand a pressure treated deck?
Sanding pressure-treated wood is actually contraindicated because, as Sand & Stain warns, you’ll end up partially removing the protective coating created by the pressure treatment, and the wood will look terrible.
How long after sanding Can I stain?
After you’ve opened the grain by sanding, the wood more easily absorbs any new finish you apply. The grain stays open for only a short time, however, so you should apply the finish as soon as possible after you’ve finished sanding. For best results, you shouldn’t wait longer than 48 hours.
Should I wash my deck after sanding?
Remember no more than 60 or 80 grit paper. The next step is to clean the wood thoroughly after the sanding. Deck cleaners, also known as deck wash are used to lift dirt and unsightly mildew which accumulates over time. Most deck cleaners contain soaps to help them clean effectively.
How much does it cost to sand a deck?
The cost to sand a deck is $280 on average. Most homeowners spend between $210 and $350 for a 200-square foot deck, which takes about seven hours to sand. If you choose to sand your deck yourself, you’ll need to purchase an orbital sander, which costs $75 on average.
Do you powerwash a deck before sanding?
Splintered, cracking, or just plain rough wood should be sanded first, then pressure washed to open the wood’s pores and allow penetration of the stain. Deeply grooved wood that has mold, moss and other growing things filling the cracks will need treatment with a deck and siding cleaner.
How long after power washing can you sand?
Sand Your Deck Before Sealing After you’ve pressure washed your deck, you’ll need to wait for it to completely dry. Sometimes, this can take as long as 48-hours. Once it’s dry, you’ll want to sand your deck lightly. This is necessary to remove any splinters or fuzzy patches that pressure washing can cause.
How long do you let a deck dry after power washing?
A basic rule of thumb for DIY deck builders, homeowners, and professional contractors is that roughly 48 hours is an adequate drying time for a newly washed deck.
How do you refinish a deck without stripping it?
To avoid stripping or sanding the old stain off your deck, thoroughly clean and rinse it, and then let the wood dry for 24 to 48 hours. Apply the same (or darker) stain color or tint from the same manufacturer. Otherwise, you’ll need to strip or sand the old stain out.
What happens if you don’t sand before staining?
You need a smooth surface with no blemishes because stain will highlight scratches and dings in the wood. Always sand down to clean wood (if you have enough meat left of the wood) before applying any stain. Too fine and the wood won’t be able to accept the stain.
Should I sand my pressure treated deck before staining?
Do I need to sand the deck before staining? The answer to this is “it depends.” You won’t hurt the deck by applying a light sanding. Sanding is more for the feel of the deck than to prepare it to accept a new stain.
Can I stain my pressure treated deck right away?
Recently, pressure treated lumber will have a high moisture content and may take several weeks to dry. “Wet-treated wood” still contains significant moisture when purchased and may take longer to dry than other types of pressure treated wood. Kiln-dried wood will be dry at purchase and can be stained immediately.
