How to Sand & Stain a Large Deck

Break off any loose splinters with a chisel and bevel off any sharp edges anywhere on the deck. Hammer down any nails or screws that are not flush with the surface.

Scrub up and down individual boards with the orbital sander, always working with the grain of the wood. Sand all the way down one board, then come back across on another board, sanding until the surface of the wood has a even color. Using the front edge of the orbital, sand into any dips or gouges and blend them out. Don't leave any rough edges.

Fill the paint-pot with stain and plug it into the air supply using the air hose. Open the flow control nozzle on the end of the spray gun to spray at the maximum volume.

Spray along the same route you took when you sanded. Methodically spray up and down the boards one at a time from about 12 inches away. When the board has a wet look, move to the next board. After one spray run down an individual board, tip the gun about 30 degrees and make another run on the same board, spraying stain into the crack between the board and the next board. Do both edges of the board.

Get underneath the deck and spray up, spraying as much of the deck as you can. If you can't get underneath, reach your hand up and spray under the deck as far as you can.

Walk around the deck with the spray gun. Spray all of the board ends. Spray all of the uprights, struts and supports. Inspect and continue spraying light spots, or areas where you might have missed. When the deck has an even, consistent stained look without any light spots, you're finished.