The Best Way to Sand Wood Fibers on a Wood Deck
The best way to sand wood fibers on your wooden deck is with a mechanical sander. Mechanical sanders come in a variety of sizes, so you can easily select the size most appropriate for the job you want to do. You can also adjust the grit to match the amount of sanding power you need. Mechanical sanders remove splinters and smooth wood grain faster and more evenly than manual sanding. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Disc sander
- Palm sander
- 120- or 100-grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Orbital sander
- 80- or 100-grit sandpaper
- Leaf blower
Instructions
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Rails and Benches
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1
Select a disc sander or a palm sander to smooth the grains on the handrails and/or benches of the deck. These tools are small enough to reach the corners and angles of the handrails and benches, and are easy to maneuver.
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2
Attach a 120- or 100-grit sandpaper to the disc or palm sander you select. These finer grits will remove splinters from the grain on the handrails or benches, creating a smooth finish that is not necessary in larger areas such as the deck floor.
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3
Turn on the sander and run it over the area you want to sand, exerting light pressure and following the grain of the wood.
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4
Rub the area with a tack cloth when you are done to remove the dust from the sanding.
The Deck Floor
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5
Select an orbital sander for sanding the deck floor, if the floor boards are not warped from weather exposure. If you have warped boards, use a belt sander and sand the boards one at a time.
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Attach a 100- or 80-grit piece of sandpaper to the orbital sander according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Turn the sander on and move in slow, back-and-forth motions over the deck floor. Start in an outer corner and move across the deck, then move down. Continue going back and forth with slow, even motions.
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8
Remove the sanding dust with a leaf blower or a vacuum cleaner.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
