How to Treat & Stain a Cedar Deck

Remove all items from the deck.

Inspect the deck for popping nails. Pound protruding nails into the cedar boards with a hammer or tighten raised screws with a screwdriver.

Sweep off large debris with an industrial broom.

Mix oxygen bleach powder with water in a bucket according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Splash some of the mixture onto the deck and use a soft, short bristled broom, like a wide-headed industrial broom, to scrub the cedar board. A small soft bristled scrub brush could be used instead (or in addition to the industrial broom to reach tight corners).

Allow the bleach mixture to work for about 15 minutes. Rinse off the deck with a garden hose. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Run a floor sander with 80-grit sandpaper across the wood surface just enough to remove the gray discoloration. Follow the directions on the equipment for proper use. Run the sander the length of the boards. Use a small hand sander to reach into corners.

Vacuum the surface with a shop vac to remove all sanding dust.

Pour deck sealer into a paint tray. The sealer comes with a stain color of your choice, which may be shades of blue, brown, green or white. Latex brands offer easier cleanup.

Apply the sealer with a wide bristle paint brush. Start in a corner, applying to three or four boards (or a distance you can reach) and work your way to the end of those few boards, making sure to apply the sealer into the cracks between the boards. Continue to apply the sealer going the length of the boards.

Allow the sealer dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply a second coat if directed.