How to Strip and Stain a Desk

Scrape off the old finish from the deck's surface using a paint scraper tool, although you do not need to scrape off every last bit of the finish. Use a garden hose to wash away the debris from the old stain.

Brush the stripper solution onto 6 foot square sections of the deck at a time. Scrub the treated section with a stiff bristle brush, hurrying while the wood is still moist, removing the old stain from the wood.

Spray the deck with a hose, washing away the remnants of the deck's old stain. Reapply the stripper solution and wash it away if any portions of the old stain remains.

Allow the deck to dry completely overnight. Pour wood cleaning solution into a pump sprayer. Spray the cleaning solution onto all of the wood surfaces on the deck, helping restore the wood to its natural look.

Sweep the deck clean 15 minutes after you finish applying the wood cleaning solution to the deck. Spray the deck down again with the garden hose and high-pressure attachment. Allow the deck to dry fully for at least two or three days.

Brush stain on the deck's railings first, and then roll the stain onto the walking surface of the deck. Allow the stain to dry, and then apply a second coat of stain to the entire deck.