Can you sand deck boards
Samuel Coleman
Published Apr 20, 2026
Use an orbital sander to remove any old gloss and smooth out any rough areas on decking boards. … Use 60- or 80- grit sandpaper on the main deck boards, and use 80- or 100-grit on the handrails. After sanding, vacuum the deck thoroughly to ensure that dust does not settle on the new finish.
Should you sand deck boards?
Old and newly built decks should be sanded before staining so they are better able to absorb the stain. Plus, it will remove or smooth raised grain that could cause slivers.
Can I sand my decking?
Sanding is only practical when your garden decking is smooth, with no grooves. If you have grooved decking, like most people, sanding won’t remove the finish from the grooves. Jet washing is a popular choice for removing flaky or peeling sealers.
Can a wood deck be sanded?
Sand the deck with an orbital floor sander. If the decking boards are made from a hardwood like teak and they are warped, use coarse 20-grit sandpaper for your first pass. Softwood decks don’t need such aggressive treatment, however, especially if the wood is still straight. Start with 50-grit paper.Is it worth sanding a deck?
Sanding a wood deck provides a clean, smooth surface and removes any splinters or rough patches. By sanding before applying a fresh coat of stain, you are ensuring the stain will adhere to the wood well, and last for years before needing a new coat.
What kind of sander is best for a deck?
Using a random orbital sander is by far one of the most efficient and smoothest ways to sand your deck. These sanders are typically lighter, easier to operate and quieter than other types of sanders for your deck refinishing projects.
Should you sand an old deck before staining?
Sand the Deck If you plan to stain the deck, sand the surface before application to make the wood better absorb the coating. Use an orbital sander to remove any old gloss and smooth out any rough areas on decking boards. You may need to use a sanding sponge on the railings or balustrades.
Should I pressure wash my deck after 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 much does it cost to have a deck sanded?
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.
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.
Article first time published onWhat 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.
Can you sand a pressure treated deck?
It’s possible to sand pressure-treated lumber, but protect yourself with goggles, dust mask, and work gloves. After sanding, wash hands well before handling food.
Can you sand a deck with a floor sander?
It is possible to use a floor sander to sand your deck, although we still advise you to use a hand-held belt sander for best results. The steps for sanding with a floor sander are very similar to the ones described above, except you replace the step using the belt sander with using the floor sander.
Do I need to sand deck before repainting?
No need to remove all deck paint without stripping, but scuff sanding is recommended before repainting, allowing new paint to grab and hold even better. So there you have it! Great news if your current deck paint is holding up, needing an additional coat. You only need to give it a good scuff sand first.
Can you sand a deck with an orbital sander?
Rent an orbital flooring sander and enough 80- and 100-grit sandpaper to sand your deck. Orbital sanders come with rectangular and round pads. Either one is suitable for sanding your deck.
How much should you sand before staining?
On most raw woods, start sanding in the direction of the grain using a #120-150 grit paper before staining and work up to #220 grit paper. Soft woods such as pine and alder: start with #120 and finish with no finer than #220 (for water base stains) and 180 grit for oil base stains.
Can you not sand a deck?
1) You should never sand your deck Sanding creates a smooth surface. Smooth surfaces do not have teeth. surfaces without teeth do not grab onto stain or paint. This is why you should never sand a deck, especially not with orbital sanders (those are the vibrating while rotating sanders you use on doors or furniture).
Is it too late to stain my deck?
Months to Weather New Wood: 2-3 Months for Transparent and Semi-Transparent colors. 12 months for Semi-Solid Colors. Number of Coats Applied to New wood: 1 Coat is suggested if the wood is under 12 months old. Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain can be applied to dry or damp wood.
How long does it take to sand a deck?
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.
How much does it cost to stain a 10 x10 deck?
A 10’x10′ deck covers 100 square feet, with a typical staining cost of $300. A 12’x12′ deck covers 144 square feet, costing an average of $432. 8’x10′ works out at 80 square feet, with a final cost of $240. A deck measuring 10’x20′ covers 200 square feet for a typical cost of $600.
Can treated wood be sanded?
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.
Can I just power wash my deck before staining?
There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.
Can my deck be saved?
A full replacement can make the deck completely safe and functional again. Whether you’re designing an entirely new deck or replicating the homeowner’s current setup, trust Nisbet Brower for all your decking material needs.
Should I sand or strip my deck?
Sanding is preferable where less penetration is required and the deck is flat, but the process requires additional labor and time to achieve consistent results. A stripper can often be the best option for larger decks, even though the cost will be significantly higher.
Can you stain over old deck stain?
Yes, it is possible to stain over the existing stain on a deck. It is recommended to do this at least once every 5-15 years, depending on how worn your deck is.
What's the best deck restore product?
- BEST OVERALL: Olympic Rescue It 3 gal. …
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: INSL-X SU092209A-01 Sure Step Acrylic Anti-Slip.
- BEST TINTABLE: Cabot DeckCorrect Tintable Satin Mildew Resistant.
- BEST MILDEW-RESISTANT: Cabot DeckCorrect New Cedar Satin Mildew Resistant.
- BEST POLYURETHANE: LR Liquid Rubber Smooth Polyurethane Deck and Dock.
What can I do with old deck boards?
- Sell it. Imagine if you could get rid of all that unwanted wood, and get paid for it! …
- Give it away. …
- Trash Pick-up. …
- Reuse It. …
- Trash removal services. …
- Local landfill.
How do you fill in deck gaps?
While you might be tempted to fill in gaps in your decking with wood filler or caulk, the natural movement of the boards can eventually cause the materials to break loose and make the gaps even worse. However, you can use rope to easily fill the gaps.
How long can you wait to stain after sanding?
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.
What to Do After sanding deck?
It is important, to begin with, a power sander and always finish by hand to reach difficult areas. 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.