PT lumber has been treated with preservative chemicals and therefore must be handled with special care. It’s possible to sand pressure-treated lumber, but protect yourself with goggles, dust mask, and work gloves. After sanding, wash hands well before handling food.

Can a pressure treated deck be sanded?

Sanding pressure-treated wood is actually contraindicated because, as Sand & Stain warns, you’ll end up partially removing the protective coating created by the pressure treatment, and the wood will look terrible.

Should I sand pressure treated wood?

All wood, except manufactured products like composite wood — even pressure-treated lumber — need to be sanded and stained. If you want it to last, you have to put in the time and some elbow grease.

Should I sand my pressure treated deck before staining?

Pressure wash until the deck is clean. It should only take a few hours. Allow it to dry for one week before staining. DO NOT SAND A DECK!

What grit sandpaper should I use to sand a deck?

Sand the Deck

Use 60- or 80- grit sandpaper on the main deck boards, and use 80- or 100-grit on the handrails. After sanding, vacuum the deck thoroughly to ensure that dust does not settle on the new finish.

Do I need to power wash my deck before sanding?

Splintered, cracking, or just plain rough wood should be sanded first, then pressure washed to open the wood’s pores and allow penetration of the stain. Deeply grooved wood that has mold, moss and other growing things filling the cracks will need treatment with a deck and siding cleaner.

When should I sand my deck?

Sanding a New Deck

A new deck should season for 30 days or more to allow it to dry to the outdoor climate. Some pressure-treated lumber can take up to half a year to dry enough to absorb sealant or stain. Use the water test and sprinkle some water on the boards. If the water beads up, you need to wait longer.

Can you stain pressure treated wood right away?

Recently, pressure treated lumber will have a high moisture content and may take several weeks to dry. Staining pressure-treated wood is ineffective if the wood is still wet. Kiln-dried wood will be dry at purchase and can be stained immediately.

Can I sand my deck by hand?

Most homeowners find it entirely possible to sand using an ordinary hand power sander, though patience is required, especially with a large deck that may need several days of work.

Can I sand my deck with a floor sander?

It is possible to use a floor sander to sand your deck, although we still advise you to use a hand-held belt sander for best results. The steps for sanding with a floor sander are very similar to the ones described above, except you replace the step using the belt sander with using the floor sander.

What happens if you don’t sand before staining?

A lot of folks make the mistake of sanding to either too fine of a grit or not fine enough before applying stain. Too fine and the wood won’t be able to accept the stain. Too rough and the wood will be very dark almost to the point of being black.

What is the easiest way to sand a deck?

Sand the entire deck with 80-grit sandpaper. Use a palm sander and 80-grit paper to sand in corners and under rails where the larger machine won’t fit. This is a good time to sand the railing with a palm sander, if you plan to refinish it.

What if it rains after sanding deck?

It’s important that you make sure there is no chance of rain when you begin to sand. If the wood gets wet after it’s been sanded, but not before you’ve had the chance to stain or paint it, you’ll be back to square one — you’ll need to wash and sand it all over again.

What is the green stuff on pressure-treated wood?

Why is some treated wood green? The green color you see on treated wood is caused by chemical reactions that take place between the preservative components and the wood. Copper is still the most widely used element in wood preservatives and creates a green color on the wood.

Should you seal a pressure-treated deck?

However, most pressure-treated wood should have periodic sealing against moisture, preferably every year or so. Although the wood is resistant to rot and insect attacks because of the pressure treatment, it can warp, split and develop mildew if not protected from the effects of water.