Sanding a deck.

Anonymous asked 10 years ago

Do I go with the grain of wood when sanding the deck?

3 Answers
M.A.C. Painting answered.

This really does not matter. As long as you are not using a power sander, if you are then just be real careful not to over sand or scar the wood. If you plan on staining, use a fine grit on last swipe to reduce scar lines from sanding. Hope this helps.

Adam D. Cavenagh
M.A.C. Painting

Anonymous answered.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

By the way, when I had started the project I made quite a few mistakes. I got suggestions from a neighborhood hardware store and Home Depot after making my mistakes.

If you care to know.

I applied the cabinet indoor stain to outside wood deck. A dark stain oil base. Blah– it looked awful !!!. So, what do next? That's when I went to two stores with three options given me. Too much labor work and cost.

I went on my gut feeling. I had applied as a coat of a light color oil stain to one previous applied oil stain as a second coat. Which brought a better result then I had expected. Much better.

I wouldn't repeat the mistakes and use the steps I did again. Thanks again! Take care.

Crowder Painting answered.

As you found out interior wood stains don't work when applied to a deck. A major issue you will have is lifting and fading of the stain. It isn't capable of dealing with the sun and weather. This could happen rapidly.

One solution is to apply a translucent or clear deck "stain" over top. This could get you a year or two before you will be forced to sand and refinish.