Immediate Post-Sanding: It's generally recommended to wash your deck immediately after completing the sanding process.
In all seriousness you should power wash first and then sand it. Sanding will make the stain last longer or you'll be power washing and staining every one/two years. Sanding and replacing any rotting boards will buy you at least another 6/7 years if you do it correctly.
The deck must be completely dry before you start sanding. As previously mentioned, this usually takes at least 24-48 hours, but can vary based on weather conditions and wood type. The wood should return to its natural colour and feel dry to the touch.
Clean after Sanding Deck? Yes, after sanding, it is suggested to lightly clean and brighten the wood. This will help open the wood grain so the stain can dive even deeper into the wood. Better penetration = better stain performance!
In all seriousness you should power wash first and then sand it. Sanding will make the stain last longer or you'll be power washing and staining every one/two years. Sanding and replacing any rotting boards will buy you at least another 6/7 years if you do it correctly.
Why does my wood appear fuzzy after pressure washing it? Pressure washing removes the outer layer of dead wood, and can sometimes make it look like it has short fuzzy hairs. This is caused by the tearing of the wood fibers.
For the best results, you should separately strip old paint with a scraper, heat gun, or sander after you finish pressure washing. Aside from that, using it to strip off the paint can easily damage the surface beneath, especially wood and vinyl surfaces.
The Golden Rule of Sanding
The golden rule for choosing your sequence is to never skip more than 1 grit. For example, if you start with P80, and need to finish at P240, rather than using every grit from P80 – P220, you can do P80 – P120 – P180 – P240. This sequence cuts out P100, P150 and P220.
Removing Dirt and Grime
Over time, your house siding or deck will accumulate dirt, grime, mold, and debris due to outdoor elements like rain, snow, and wind. Pressure washing the surface will eliminate all this gunk, so your paint job adheres better and lasts longer.
We prefer a 50|50 mix of denatured alcohol and water because it does not contain phosphates, is inexpensive, readily available and does not require rinsing. You can also use ammonia as a cleaner when using oil-based finishes.
Pressure washing is ideal for large exterior surfaces like driveways, siding, and decks. It's highly efficient for removing loose paint, mould, grime, and dirt quickly over large areas. Not suitable for delicate surfaces. Sanding: best for small-scale, detailed tasks or when a smooth finish is required.
You can use a pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper to remove all the loose wood fibers that were lifted by the pressure washing. Or, try using a DeWalt 5-inch variable speed random orbit sander with 80-grit sandpaper to really smooth out the surface.
Vinyl siding: Using high pressure on vinyl could strip the protective sealant, leaving an uneven appearance to the siding. Paint: Painted surfaces are prone to chip, peel or discolor with applied water pressure. Roof shingles: Shingles can lose their granules, detach or break if immense pressure is applied.
The high-pressure water stream dislodges dirt, grime, or paint from surfaces and then washes it away into a drain or onto the ground.
This process of cleaning and drying your home before painting will ensure that the paint job lasts much longer. Painting without pressure washing may only last 2-3 years, whereas painting after a thorough pressure washing may last up to 7 years.
Sanding is an important step in refinishing a wood deck. The effects of weather and sunlight, as well as the deep cleaning that was just completed, will raise the grain of the wood. If the deck is to be stained, it's best to sand the wood smooth.
Always wash a freshly sanded deck before refinishing using the right deck cleaning solutions, tools and rinsing methods. Allow 48 hours to dry fully. Proper post-sanding washing techniques lock in durability and longevity of your renewed outdoor living space.
The amount of time you can wait to paint after power washing depends on the type of siding you have — typically, you should wait at least 24 hours or around three days before you apply your new coat of paint.
In a perfect world, you should wait about three to four days afterward before you start exterior painting. This gives typical surfaces like wood, brick, and other porous materials time to fully dry. It's never a good idea to paint onto still wet surfaces.
One common mistake is not replacing the sandpaper frequently enough, especially when it becomes clogged. This often happens due to a lack of experience or the desire to save money by using fewer sandpaper sheets. However, continuing to sand with worn or clogged sandpaper is a big mistake.
The rule to remember is that, no matter what grit you choose as your starting point, you must sand, in order, with every grit that is finer than your starting point. So, if you start with 16-grit, you cannot jump to 36-grit; you must go 16 > 24 > 36 > 60 > 80 on both machines.
With enough time and energy spent sanding, you can still end up with the same result. However, because we skipped so many grits, it is going to take much more time and effort to lower the 80-grit peaks and establish the 180-grit scratch pattern that we need for a high-level finish.
A lightly dampened microfibre cloth may be the best way to remove dust from sanded wood.
Peeling or flaking paint should always be removed prior to applying a fresh coat of paint. Pressure washing is one way to remove loose paint from wood, metal, concrete, and other exterior surfaces. Because of the high-pressure levels, it can be very efficient and can drastically cut the time to complete this task.
In most cases, you should power wash your home at least annually between March and November. Power washing is a routine but essential home maintenance task that will protect outdoor surfaces and extend your property's life span.