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Should I pressure wash or sand my deck before staining?
Power washing a deck is a quick and efficient way to get it ready for painting or staining, but it isn’t a necessary prerequisite. There are less aggressive alternatives to power washing that remove stains and surface discoloration, and if you don’t have success with any of them, you can always sand the deck.
What is the best way to clean a wooden deck?
They include: Warm water can be used on its own to wash a wood or composite deck. Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water. Oxygen bleach or powdered oxygen laundry cleaner is safe for use on wood decks and useful in removing mold or spores.
How do you clean and finish a wood deck?
Clean the deck by spraying a biodegradable deck cleaner that removes mildew. Scrub with a stiff bristle brush, using an extension handle, if necessary. After cleaning, consider applying a wood brightener to the surface to improve the deck’s appearance. Then rinse the deck with a garden hose.
Should I 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.
Should you sand deck before staining?
Sanding your deck before staining strips the outer layer of sealer and stain, and removes damaged wood and smooths away splinters. Sanding by hand with a pole sander is the safest method for both you and the deck, but can be very slow.
Can I pressure wash my deck instead of sanding?
That being said, sanding is a lot of work. You can get the same clean, fresh surface with a good pressure washing. A pressure washer removes the deteriorated finish and some of the decayed wood fiber leaving a like-new surface after the wood dries.
Can I use vinegar to clean my wood deck?
To clean your deck, combine 1 cup vinegar with 1-gallon water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed wood and use the vinegar and warm water to scrub over all the boards. Borate is also a natural cleaner and versatile for indoor or outdoor cleaning.
Is bleach bad for wood decks?
Cleaners containing Chlorine Bleach are commonly used to clean decks but they are not recommended for cleaning treated wood. Excessive use of chlorine bleach containing cleaners (sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite) can damage treated wood leaving it with an unnatural whitewashed appearance.
Is it better to stain or seal a deck?
Sealing a deck is best for cedar, teak, mahogany, or other quality woods as it enhances the wood grain and natural color. Staining a deck protects the wood from mold, mildew, moisture, and rot, and UV rays and sun damage.
Do I need to clean my deck before sealing?
DO repair, wash, and sand your deck before sealing. Proper prep is key to successfully sealing a deck. Repair or replace any loose or broken boards, so that future breaks or cracks won’t create hazards. Then, wash the deck using a power-washer to scrub the surface clean.
Is it better to sand or strip wood 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.
How soon after power washing Can I stain my deck?
After a deck has been power washed it will have some retained moisture within the wood. It’s important to let the wood dry thoroughly so none of the water that soaked into the wood gets trapped under the stain. In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining.
How do you clean deck before staining?
Apply your decking cleaner directly to the wood and start scrubbing it with a scrubbing brush. Rinse off thoroughly with clean water. Using a pressure washer on the minimum level will give you a great finish. Allow the deck boards to dry for at least 24 hours before applying any paint or stain.
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.
How much do you need to sand a 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.
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.
Is it bad to pressure wash your deck?
A pressure washer is a straightforward machine that can clean very well with only water. However, it can ruin your deck if it’s not used properly. If you use it with too much jet pressure or place the tip too close to the surface of your deck, you can deeply etch the wood and cause the fibers to splinter.
