Is It Necessary to Sand a Deck Before Staining

Once dry, these wood fibers can remain raised and may cause splinters. For this reason, light but thoroughly sanding your wood deck is a necessary step before staining or sealing. This crucial step will ensure that your refinishing job gives great results.

Can you not sand a deck?

1) You should never sand your deck Sanding creates a smooth surface. Smooth surfaces do not have teeth. surfaces without teeth do not grab onto stain or paint. This is why you should never sand a deck, especially not with orbital sanders (those are the vibrating while rotating sanders you use on doors or furniture).

How much do you need to sand a deck before staining?

To open the wood grain so it absorbs stain or paint, sand the deck using 20 to 50 grit sandpaper on the first pass and 60 to 80 grit on the second pass on a belt sander or orbital floor sander.