Can you strip stain from wood deck?

Yes, it is possible to strip stain from a wood deck. There are several methods that can be used to remove stain from wood decks, ranging from chemical strippers to power washing. The most effective method will depend on the type of wood, the age and condition of the stain, and how much effort you want to put in. With the right products and techniques, you can fully reveal the bare wood on your deck.

Why Would You Want to Strip Stain from a Wood Deck?

There are several reasons you may want to remove stain from your deck boards:

– The existing stain is badly weathered or worn and needs to be reapplied. Stripping off the old stain allows you to take the wood back to its original condition so you can apply fresh stain.

– You want to change the color of the stain. For example, you stained your deck a dark walnut shade originally but now want to go lighter. You’ll need to remove the existing stain first before applying something new.

– There are damaged areas of the deck that have started to rot or splinter. It’s best to strip and replace those bad boards instead of just trying to add more stain on top.

– The deck was stained poorly originally and the finish has bubbled, peeled, or remained tacky. You’ll need to strip it down and start over.

– You prefer the look of natural weathered wood vs. a colored stain. Removing the stain will uncover the bare wood.

How to Strip Stain from Wood Decks

There are four main ways to tackle removing stain from wood decks:

1. Use a Chemical Paint & Stain Stripper

Chemical strippers are the most effective way to remove stain from wood decks. These toxic products essentially dissolve the existing coating off the wood fibers. They come in both liquid and gel forms. Here is the process:

– Sweep the deck to remove any loose debris.

– Use plastic sheeting to completely cover plants and vegetation near the deck. Chemical strippers can kill plants.

– Wear gloves and eye protection. Follow all the manufacturer’s directions for safe use.

– Apply a thick coat of the stripper evenly across the deck using a paintbrush or roller. Don’t spread it too thin. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes.

– Scrub the deck boards with a stiff brush to help lift the stain. Apply more stripper and scrub again if needed.

– Use a garden hose on a high-pressure setting to rinse away the dissolved stain residue.

– Let the deck fully dry for several days before evaluating if you need to do a second application. Multiple strippings are often required to remove all traces of stain from porous wood.

– Once done, you can optionally brighten the wood with an oxalic acid wood brightener before applying a new stain.

Always test chemical strippers in an inconspicuous area first. And take care to avoid contact with plants, pets or skin.

2. Rent a Power Washer

For deck boards that aren’t too deteriorated, you may be able to blast away the stain using a power washer rental. This is a more labor-intensive option, but safer than chemicals. Here is the process:

– Sweep and clear debris from the deck.

– Use a sprayer nozzle attachment and adjust to a narrow 15-25 degree angle with decent pressure.

– Hold the wand 6-12 inches above the wood surface and systematically spray across each board using overlapping passes.

– Be cautious not to damage the wood by holding the nozzle too close or using excessive pressure. Soft woods like pine are more vulnerable.

– Let the deck thoroughly dry afterwards before evaluating if you’ve removed enough of the stain. Several power washing sessions may be needed.

– Consider a wood brightener after to prep for new stain.

The advantage of power washing is it’s less messy and better for the environment than chemical strippers. Just be aware it likely won’t fully remove every last trace of stain like a liquid stripper can.

3. Use an Oxalic Acid Wood Brightener

For decks where the stain has grayed, oxidized or become streaky over time, a wood brightener alone may be enough to restore the wood’s appearance.

Wood brighteners contain oxalic acid, which clarifies and evens out the color of weathered wood. It helps remove tannin stains, rust stains and any grayness. Brighteners don’t technically remove wood stain, but they lighten the wood to make the remaining stain less noticeable.

Here are some tips for using an oxalic acid wood brightener:

– First try the brightener in a test spot to make sure it achieves the desired effect before applying across the whole deck.

– Carefully follow the product instructions for prep, mixing and application.

– Apply using a pump sprayer, roller or brush. Let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes.

– Scrub with a stiff broom then rinse thoroughly with a garden hose. Wear gloves and goggles.

– Dispose of runoff carefully since it contains acids. Avoid contact with plants.

– Let the wood completely dry before evaluating if additional applications are needed.

– Apply a new coat of stain or sealer for best results.

Oxalic acid alone may not remove heavier stain buildup. But combined with power washing, it can really help revive a dingy deck.

4. Abrade the Wood Surface

For small stained areas or spot treating, you can physically sand away stain using an orbital sander or sanding blocks. Here is the process:

– This only works well if the stain is already significantly faded and worn.

– Use 60-80 grit sandpaper to abrade the top layer of wood fibers where stain has penetrated.

– Sand evenly with the wood grain pattern.

– Vacuum up dust and debris when done.

– Wipe down the sanded area with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits, vinegar or wood cleaner to pull up any remaining stain residue.

– Let dry completely before applying a new stain coat.

Keep in mind aggressive sanding can damage the softer, earlywood portions of the wood and groove the surface. So limit orbital sander use to flat deck boards only. For rails, spindles and steps, hand sanding is best.

Tips for Successfully Stripping Wood Decks

Follow these tips for the best results removing stain from your deck:

– Test products and methods in a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it removes stain effectively without damaging the wood.

– Apply stain strippers on a cool, dry, mild day when wood is able to fully dry afterwards. Avoid direct sun.

– Wear proper safety gear like gloves, eye protection, and cover skin. Work in a well-ventilated area.

– Thoroughly prep the deck first by sweeping and clearing any furniture, plants or decorations.

– With chemical strippers, apply a thick saturating coat for best results. Don’t wipe or brush excessively once applied.

– Scrub with wood grain pattern, not against it.

– Use an oxalic acid brightener after stripping to further prep wood for new stain.

– Allow proper dry time of 1-3 days before restaining. Wood must have less than 18% moisture.

– Dispose of waste stripping chemicals carefully according to product guidelines.

– Refinish deck with a weather-resistant stain and/or sealer after stripping for protection.

Applying the right stripper product liberally, allowing adequate dwell time before rinsing, and scrubbing vigorously can help ensure you remove all the existing stain for best results. This allows the new finish to adhere and perform properly.

What Are Some Good Deck Stain Strippers?

Popular and effective wood deck stain strippers include:

Citristrip: This water-based gel clings well to vertical surfaces without dripping. It uses plant-derived solvents. Requires up to 24 hours dwell time. Rinse with power washer.

Defy Strip It: Liquid formula with sodium hydroxide works well removing thick stain buildup. Rinse with garden hose. Repeat for heavy stain.

Flood CWF-UV 5 Stripper: Low odor water-based formula suitable for indoor and outdoor surfaces. Let soak 5-10 minutes before pressure washing.

Dumond Chemicals Peel Away: Paste stripper with thick consistency stays where applied. No scrubbing needed. Cover with plastic and let work 1-3 days removing multiple layers.

Ready Strip: An eco-friendly Citrus Strip alternative with orange oil solvents and low odor. Can be cleaned with garden hose. Minimal PPE gear needed.

Always check that the product is recommended for exterior wood. Gel and paste strippers cling better to vertical deck surfaces than liquid versions. Make sure to match stripping strength to the stain buildup on your particular deck.

Stripper	Type	Active Ingredient
Citristrip	Gel	Dimethyl glutarate / dimethyl succinate
Defy Strip It	Liquid	Sodium hydroxide
Flood CWF-UV 5	Liquid	Benzyl alcohol
Dumond Peel Away	Paste	N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone
Ready Strip	Gel	Citrus oil

What Are Some Deck Stripping Alternatives?

If you want to avoid the strong chemicals and effort of stripping stain from your deck, consider these alternatives:

– Apply a solid deck stain:

Rather than fully removing old stain, you can apply a fresh coat of high quality, opaque solid-color deck stain (also called solid body stain). It will hide the existing color and protect the wood. Much less prep needed compared to full stripping.

– Cover with outdoor carpet:

Deck carpeting provides a quick makeover solution without stripping. Pick an outdoor-rated carpet with drainage holes. Just ensure good adhesion and seams so water doesn’t get trapped underneath. Limit to low traffic areas.

– Install a synthetic deck surface:

For a permanent low-maintenance solution, install composite decking or PVC deck boards over the top of stained wood ones. This completely covers stains and provides long-lasting protection. But it is a bigger investment.

– Flip boards over:

If the bottom sides of your deck boards are still in good shape with minimal warping, you can detach them and flip over to reveal the bare wood underneath. Just be sure to properly re-secure.

– Screen the deck:

Using a coarse screening pad attached to a floor buffer will lightly abrade stained decks to reveal newer wood underneath. Less labor than sanding and doesn’t fully remove stain.

These simpler approaches allow you to improve the look of stained decks without engaging in the complete stripping process.

Can Power Washing Damage My Deck?

Power washing can damage wood decking and rails if not done properly. Here are some cautions when pressure washing your deck:

– Keep the wand tip at least 8 inches above the deck surface. Closer contact can dig into the wood.

– Adjust to under 1500 psi pressure. Soft woods only need 500-800 psi rinse setting. Too much pressure also damages wood.

– Use the widest fan spray nozzle, about 40 degrees. Narrow high-pressure streams can erode wood.

– Limit the time in one area to 4-5 seconds max. Keep sprayer moving to prevent excessive pressure on any one spot.

– Never use a turbo or spinning tip that concentrates pressure. These etch wood severely.

– Be extra cautious with rails, spindles, steps and older weathered boards.

– Apply a wood brightener afterwards to help neutralize wood fibers and limit damage.

It’s safer to start with light pressure and make multiple cleaning passes if needed. This allows you to lift stain without digging into the wood grain excessively. Take care around deck edges and ends of boards where water pressure can cause more damage. A damaged gray surface won’t properly accept new stain.

Does Stripping Remove All of the Old Stain?

Getting down 100% to new bare wood when stripping stain is ideal but often not completely achievable. Here’s why:

– Wood is porous and absorbs stain into the grain surface. You can only remove what’s penetrated about 1/16 inch deep.

– Chemical stripping or power washing works best if the existing stain is already worn, weathered or peeling. Thick layers of newer stain are harder to remove.

– Any grayed wood fibers or surface roughness that develops over time on decks can’t be reversed. This affects how new stain adheres and looks.

– Cedar, redwood and pine are more porous types of deck wood compared to teak. The softer earlywood absorbs more stain you can’t remove compared to latewood.

– Old oil-based stains penetrate deeper into the wood than newer water-based types. So they are harder to fully extract.

– Multiple applications of stripping chemical or power washing are often needed to get down to mostly bare wood again.

For best results, thoroughly inspect and test a small area first. Check how much of the aged stain is coming up. Then set realistic expectations for the final stripped appearance before proceeding. The wood will never look freshly milled again.

Should I Hire a Professional?

You may want to hire a professional deck stripping and refinishing company rather than take on the big project yourself. Here are some benefits:

– They have the commercial equipment like floor sanders and heavy-duty power washers to strip decks effectively.

– Professionals have experience working with chemical strippers to ensure proper application for your specific deck finish.

– It’s challenging to safely dispose of used stripping chemicals if doing yourself. Companies follow regulations.

– They save you time, effort and hassle trying to strip all the wood and contain the mess.

– Experts can properly neutralize the wood after stripping to prep for new stain.

– Refinishing contractors can fix any damage that may occur during the stripping process.

– Professionals also are experienced applying quality stains and sealants to protect the newly stripped deck.

Just be sure to get multiple estimates and check reviews. Make sure the company is insured, certified and follows industry standards. A quality job usually costs $4 to $6 per square foot or more.

Conclusion

Reviving a stained wood deck to look like new again is possible, but takes some work. The most effective method involves applying a chemical wood stripper, letting it dwell, scrubbing thoroughly, and power washing away the dissolved stain residue. Repeat as needed for a fully bare wood surface. Then let dry completely before sanding, wood brightening and applying a fresh protective stain. While labor intensive, with the right process you can successfully remove years of built up deck staining. Or consider alternatives like simply restaining, using synthetic coverings, or hiring a professional.