Wood & furniture
Smoothing a deck before re-staining
Single grit. The whole deck. Done before lunch.
A deck doesn't need a four-stage climb. One grit, a 5" random orbital or a pole sander, and a strategy for the edges.
Beginner-friendlyA weekend day1 stage
The climb
The exact sequence, in order.
- 180
Knock down splinters and remove old stain
ROS on the boards, pole sander for the edges. Sweep before you stain.
Reach for
Diablo 5-inch ROS Discs — 120 Grit (50-pack)
Watch out for
The things that quietly ruin the job.
- ·Don't go finer than 100. Smoother decks shed stain faster — you want pores open for absorption.
- ·Sand the edges of the boards too. Stain pools where there's a sharp edge unsanded.
- ·Wait 24-48 hours after sanding if humid — let any raised grain show before you stain over it.
Questions people ask
The practical part.
Should I pressure wash first?
Yes, and wait at least 48 hours. Wet wood gums up the abrasive instantly.
What about pole sander vs ROS?
Pole sander is faster for the flats; ROS is gentler and cleaner. Pick by deck size.
Keep going
Adjacent jobs.
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