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Restore an Older Deck

Note: Below is a quick synopsis, for detailed product information and application guides click on the product pages and application guides on our website.


Option 1 – Sand it down and restain it

Clean the deck well before sanding. Never sand dirty wood! If necessary, reset all nails and/or screws so they are below deck surface again. Sand with 60 –80 grit paper unless there is a real buildup of previously applied stain or semi solid stain. You may need to sand with as low as 20 grit to remove heavy stain or paint buildup. Once the deck is back to bare then apply 2 coats of Deck & Fence Formula in color of your choice. Note: Sanding can be problematic because the old stain and discoloration remains visible in the cracks between boards and if the boards are cupped, it is difficult to sand down into the low spots.


Option 2 -Remove stain and discoloration with Strip & Brite, then restain.

Remove all the gray discoloration and failed oil based stains and sealers with our Strip & Brite restorative. Return the deck to its bare, nearly original color. Pressure washing alone will not remove all the discoloration or achieve uniformity of color. Once dry, the deck will be a little fuzzy. Knock the fuzz off with q quick light sanding. Apply two coats of our Deck & Fence Formula in the color of your choice. Note: Strip & Brite is a two step process, as is the case with true wood strippers. It will not remove paint or acrylic wood stains. Order a sample of Strip & Brite to test its effectiveness if you are not sure.


Option 3 – Pressure wash the deck and restain it

Pressure washing an older deck requires skill so as not to mar the surface. The deck will not be returned to its bare state by pressure washing, nor will it be uniform in color. In this case it is best to apply the Deck & Fence Formula stain in a darker tone, maybe even a semi transparent color that has more pigment to hide the imperfections. Note: In areas where previously applied stain (other than Timber Pro) has not worn off there is a risk that a new stain applied over it will not penetrate and could flake off as a result.