
Removing paint from the deck may reveal beauty underneath.
Things You'll Need
- Power washer
- Paint stripper
- Wire brush
- Paint scraper
- Orbital sander
- 120-grit sandpaper
Step 1
Power wash the deck. Hook up the power washer to a garden hose and start the engine. You may have to experiment with different nozzles to find the one that is most effective. While spraying, keep the nozzle 6 inches or further away from the surface. Any closer and you risk notching the wood with the powerful spray. Let the deck dry completely after washing.Step 2
Examine the deck and, if most of the paint is gone, you may be able to finish the job with a scraper. If a lot of paint remains, then use the stripper.Step 3
Brush or roll the stripper on according to the specifications on the can. Let it work for about an hour, then use the power washer to spray it off. If a lot of paint still remains, apply the stripper again and this time brush over the stubborn paint with a wire brush. Spray the paint stripper off after an hour with the power washer. Let the deck thoroughly dry.Step 4
Apply stripper over stubborn patches of paint and brush with a wire brush or scrape with a scraper. Wash the stripper off with water or, since you cannot overdo this, go over the deck again with the power washer. Let the deck dry.Step 5
Sand any imperfections, splinters or protrusions with 120-grit sandpaper. The deck is now ready to refinish.Tips and Warnings
- If it becomes clear after the first power wash that the removal process will be too labor intensive, you may want to stop here and repaint the deck.