How to Get Rid of Burn Stains on a Deck

Surface Burn Stains

• 1

  Sweep the deck with a push broom to remove the dirt.

• 2

  Mix a 1 teaspoon of grease-fighting liquid dish soap with 1 gallon of water in a bucket. Wet the deck with the spray from a garden hose. Submerge a stiff-bristled scrub brush into the soapy water and scrub the stained area of the deck. Rinse the deck with water and let it dry.

• 3

  Cover a sanding block or an orbital sander with 120-grit sandpaper. Sand the burn stain on the deck following the grain of the wood until the burn mark disappears.

• 4

  Sweep the sanding dust with a small broom and collect the debris in a dustpan.

• 5

  Paint on a coat of penetrating sealer to the repaired section with a paintbrush if the rest of the deck has a coating of sealer.

Deep Burns

• 6

  Sweep the deck with a broom.

• 7

  Wash the deck with grease-fighting dish soap and water. Rinse the soap residue off the deck with water and let the deck dry.

• 8

  Hold a butt chisel at a low angle to the burn stain with the cutting end facing the stain. Lightly tap the handle of the butt chisel with a mallet or tap it with the heel of your hand to shave the stain out. Continue to chisel the burnt wood until you reach bare wood.

• 9

  Dip a paintbrush into penetrating wood sealer and apply a coat over the chipped-out area. Let the wood sealer dry for about six hours.

• 10

  Mix two-part epoxy putty, according to the putty manufacturer's directions. Scoop up repair putty on a putty knife and press it forcefully into the chipped-out wood until the putty is flush with the surrounding deck. Let the repair putty dry for about six hours. Cover a sanding block with 120-grit sandpaper and sand the putty surface smooth. Apply penetrating wood sealer around the repair.