A deck is the perfect outdoor room – a space to sit, relax, and entertain. But if left unattended, a deck quickly becomes an eyesore. That’s why it’s important to learn how to sand a deck.
But don’t worry, because it’s much easier than you might think. If you’re ready to start sanding your deck, read on to learn how to sand a deck step-by-step!
Belt sanders are very handy tools for all kinds of stripping, smoothing, and shaping projects. But like many machines, using them can be a bit intimidating.
This is especially true when it comes to working on a deck that has been stained or painted.
Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to make your deck sanding project easier. A belt sander is a powerful tool that allows you to strip and repair deck boards.
However, just because it’s powerful doesn’t mean you can just jump in and start using it. You need to use appropriate safety gear and follow some specific sanding guidelines to make sure you get it right.
Sanding a Deck: A Step-by-Step Guide
Sanding a deck is an important job, but it’s also one that’s easy to mess up.
From picking the right sander to knowing when to stop, here’s a step-by-step guide that covers everything you’ll need to know to complete the job properly.
“Sander” is a name for a power tool that uses sandpaper to smooth a surface. Most sanders use an electric motor to turn a flat disc, belt, or drum covered with sandpaper.
Other sanders use one or more rotating wheels to which sandpaper is glued.
One of the most important steps in finishing a wood deck is sanding. Sanding is a process that smooths out a wood surface, removing small imperfections in its surface and preparing it for the application of a finish.
Although a number of power tools can be used to sand, you’ll find that using a hand-held random orbital sander is a far better choice for all-around use.
Step 1: Safety First
- Put on your safety glasses and gloves to protect your hands and eyes while you work.
- Remove loose nails and screws with the pry bar. Placing a piece of scrap wood on top of the deck, rest the bar on the top of the deck, and tap it with a hammer to remove nails and screws.
Step 2: Drying your deck before sanding
Drying your deck before sanding is important for a few reasons.
- First, you don’t want the wood to be damp when you sand it. This is because a wet deck can cause the sandpaper to expand or warp.
- Second, wood that is dry is much easier to sand than wood that is wet.
To ensure your deck is dry before sanding, you should first let it air dry for several days.
You can speed up the drying process by using a fan. You should also use a moisture meter to make sure that the wood is dry before sanding.
Step 3: Sanding the Deck Surface
In order to sand the deck surface, you will need to remove all of the previous finish from the wood. This is done by using a steel wool bristle pad and a sanding block or power tool.
You will then need to wipe the wood with a tack cloth to remove all of the remaining dust and debris.
If you are using a power tool to sand, you will then need to apply a finish.
If you are applying a stain, you will need to apply a sealer first, then stain, and then a topcoat.
If you are using teak oil, you can skip the sealer. You will need to sand the deck with a random orbital sander
Support the wood fibers by applying a thin layer of paste wax to the wood before you start sanding the deck.
On the surface of the wood, mix a cup of all-purpose floor wax and a half-cup of linseed oil into a smooth mixture. Brush a thin layer of this onto the wood and wipe off the excess with a dry rag.
Brush a second coat onto the wood, let it dry, and then sand the deck with medium-grade sandpaper. The floor wax and the linseed oil will create a surface that is easier to sand.
Once you have prepared the deck surface, it is time to sand the deck surface. The process of sanding the deck surface will result in a smoother deck surface.
Step 4: Sanding Board Edges
To prevent your new wooden boards from warping or cracking, it is important to sand off the edges before you use them.
This process is time-consuming and boring, but it is essential to ensure that your boards are safe for use.
The first step is to sand the edges of your wooden boards with rough sandpaper, then sand them again with fine sandpaper.
Keep sanding until you can run your hand across the edges without feeling any rough spots.
If you want your boards to have a smooth finish, you can sand them with a piece of fine sandpaper, and then run the boards over a piece of steel wool.
Step 5: Sanding the Railings
When it comes to renovating, sanding the railings should be one of the first things you do. Not only is sanding a ladder rail time consuming, but it’s also a lot of hard work.
Let me show you a few tips to make the job easier for you.
- Tie a rag around the bottom of the rung of the ladder so you don’t get any dust in your face.
- Choose your power tools wisely. Sanding railings with a power circular saw will get you through the job faster.
- Sand the outside of the railings first. That way you can go back and sand the inside later on.
- Sand the edges of the railings
Final Step: Sealing
This is the most important step in the entire process as the finish put on the deck will be what lasts for many years to come.
You’ve just spent the past few weeks sanding down your deck, and now you’re ready to choose a sealant to finish the job.
Before you buy anything, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the different options and what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’re hoping to protect your deck from the elements, you probably want to choose a penetrating sealer that will offer protection from water, mildew, and UV damage. If you’re more interested in creating a durable, slip-resistant surface, you should look into a surface sealer.
In Conclusion
Deck sanding is both an art and a science. You want to make sure you are applying the right kind of sandpaper to the right kind of wood, and you need to be careful not to sand too much or too little.
The trick is to sand just enough to smooth out the surface but not so much you expose the wood grain or remove too much wood. This is especially true for hardwoods. Softwoods like cedar or pine don’t need as much sanding. Still, it’s a good idea to use the same grit sandpaper for all the wood in the project. That way, you can be sure that all the wood in the project is going to look good.
