Should you sand a deck before or after pressure washing?

When the deck is dry (36-48 hours after washing, depending upon humidity and weather conditions), it's time to sand the surface. You can use a pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper to remove all the loose wood fibers that were lifted by the pressure washing.

Should you sand or power wash deck first?

Sand the entire deck to remove any old stain, paint, or varnish from the wood. After sanding, power-wash the deck and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before staining.

Do you need to sand deck after pressure washing?

If you are power washing to remove the surface of your decking, then yes, you'll need to sand your deck after power washing. If you are power washing just to clean your deck, then no you won't need to sand.

How soon after pressure washing can you sand?

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.

Can you sand a deck before cleaning?

Sanding back your deck before you give it a stain is a great way to improve the smoothness of the finish. As long as you get your preparation right and use the right tools, this simple job will help make your deck look and feel good for years to come.

Power washing VS Sanding Deck - See the difference!

When should you sand a deck?

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.

Is it OK to sand a wet deck?

Even green wood needs to be dry before it's a good idea to sand it. This also applies no matter what kind of sandpaper grit you're using. Whether you're using coarse or fine grit, you need to wait to sand wood until it's reasonably dry.

What happens if it rains on a freshly sanded deck?

If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat. If it rains immediately after you've stained the wood, the stain will peel and flake off.

How long should 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.

What is the best tool to sand a deck?

A random orbital sander is the best tool to sand a deck because it tends to be lighter and easier to use than other sanders. Random orbital sanders are also generally kind to the wood of a deck; belt sanders, by contrast, can gouge softwoods.

Is OK if it rains after sanding deck?

It shouldn't make too much of a difference that it rained after you sanded it down as long as it still has pores to absorb the stain. I always recommend placing a large tarp over the area so that if it does rain, you don't have to worry too much about your work.

How long does it take to sand a deck?

Does a deck have to be dry before sanding?

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. If there has been recent rainfall or if you have power washed, wait several days before sanding.

Can you stain right after sanding?

After sanding a piece of wood, you'll need to clean it before adding a stain or paint. You can use a variety of tools and techniques to remove sanding dust from your wooden surface. Just make sure you get the surface of your project as clean as possible before adding any paint or stains to finish the piece.

Can you over sand a deck?

Overzealous sanding can do a lot of damage to bare wood or even pre-treated redwood or cedar deck boards. If you find that the wood doesn't accept wood stains after sanding, chances are you've over-sanded with sandpaper grit that is too fine, and crushed the grain of the wood pores.

Should I use an orbital sander on my 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.

What sander is best for outside decks?

Does sanding ruin pressure treated wood?

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 much does it cost to sand a deck?

The average deck refinishing cost is between $3 and $6 per square foot. Of course, this is just an average. Other factors, such as the condition of your deck, the type of wood it is made of, and the type of stain or sealer you use, can also affect the price.

Is it OK to sand pressure treated deck?

Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to sand pressure treated lumber. The new finish should penetrate, so choose sanding equipment carefully, a course grit sandpaper around 40-60 grit will open up the pores of the wood and allow the finish to properly soak in.