The Tools Used for Teak Deck Refinishing

Tools to Remove Existing Finish

• If the deck already has a worn-out coat of finish on it, you might want to remove the old finish before applying a new one. To refinish a surface finish, the old finish must be removed. If the finish is a penetrating finish, you can touch up blemished areas without removing the old finish. Use a finish-stripping gel or liquid to soften an existing surface finish, and then scrape it off with a putty knife.

Sanding Tools

• Sanding helps remove excess finish residue from the deck and can also help smooth the wood in preparation for the new finish. Sanding can also help remove a layer of gray color from the surface of weathered teak wood. Lowe's Home Improvement Store recommends starting with an 80-grit sandpaper and moving to a finer 220-grit sandpaper. Possible sanding tools include handheld sanding blocks, an orbital sander, a belt sander or a disk sander. Belt and disk sanders can remove the surface of the wood quickly enough to accidentally make its surface not level. You'll want to keep a broom on hand to sweep up the dust created by sanding.

Finishing Supplies

• A penetrating finish, such as teak oil, soaks into open-grained teak wood easily. Penetrating finishes also work well for decks because they do not flake or peel with age the way that surface finishes do. To keep teak close to its natural color, use a clear water-repellent. If you want to darken light teak wood and add UV protection, choose a colored water-repellent preservative or a semi-transparent stain. You might want to finish railings with the same finish as the rest of the deck, but solid stains and paints are also options for railings. Some oil finishes work best when rubbed onto wood by hand. However, many penetrating finishes require basic application tools, such as a paintbrush and rags to wipe up excess finish.

Protective Gear

• Since chemical finish strippers and finishes contain ingredients that can harm the skin, wear protective gloves while using them. Also wear protective eyewear to keep chemicals and dust out of your eyes. Additionally, protect the exterior of the house from spills by using plastic sheets and tape to cover walls and windows adjacent to the deck.