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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.
Should I use a belt sander or orbital sander for deck?
Remember that woods used on decks are typically soft-wood species. Belt sanders, whether hand-held models or large uprights, tend to gouge softwoods, so an oscillating or random orbit sander is usually the better choice. Make sure your deck is thoroughly dry before you sand.
What is the easiest way to sand a deck?
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. Use 60- or 80- grit sandpaper on the main deck boards, and use 80- or 100-grit on the handrails.
Can I use a floor sander on a deck?
Sanding your 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. Just make sure to go slow and steady to get an even finish, and make sure all parts of the deck have been sanded down.
Can I sand my deck with a belt sander?
How do I sand my deck? Use a belt sander with 36 to 40 grit belts for the bulk of your deck, and an orbital sander with 40 grit for the edges. Any tight spots you can hit with a detail sander. Once your deck is all stripped back with the 36 grit, go over it once more with an 80 grit sandpaper just to smooth it out.
How much does a deck sander cost?
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.
Should I use a drum sander on my deck?
Use an Orbital Sander—Not a Drum Sander An orbital flooring sander is safe to use on decks, and it’s faster and easier than hand sanding. A flooring drum sander removes too much material too quickly to use safely on a deck. Most decks are made from softwoods, and the surface is more uneven than an interior floor.
Can you sand a deck with a palm sander?
Sand the entire deck with 80-grit sandpaper. Use a palm sander and 80-grit paper to sand in corners and under rails where the larger machine won’t fit. This is a good time to sand the railing with a palm sander, if you plan to refinish it. If so, you’ll need two passes, one with 80- and one with 100-grit paper.
Should you clean deck before sanding?
Sanding is more for the feel of the deck than to prepare it to accept a new stain. But sanding definitely won’t hurt anything. Ideally, applying a light wood stripper and then pressure washing in a board by board manner is highly recommended to clean the surface and open up the wood grain for staining.
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.
What is the difference between an orbital sander and a drum sander?
Drum sanders work fast due to their aggressive cutting action. If you have a large room or several layers of finish, this type of sander saves time. This can result in scratches with a drum sander. Orbital sanders are gentler and require less physical exertion from you, but they take longer to remove heavy finishes.
How long after rain Can I sand my deck?
After it’s been washed, let the wood dry for at least a couple of days. If it happens to rain or is particularly humid, you may need to wait for a few more days.
Should you sand pressure treated wood before staining?
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. Once the wood has dried completely, it’s ready for a coat of transparent or semitransparent stain.
When should I sand my deck?
Sanding a deck before staining provides a clean, smooth, and absorbent surface for stain and paint to adhere to. It is a key part of cleaning and preparing a deck for finishing. Most decks take two passes with a power sander; the first with 20 to 50 grit and the second with 60 to 80.
Should I pressure wash 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.
How many coats of stain do you put on a deck?
The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless your dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain.
