How to Remove the Peeling Paint on a Wooden Deck

After years of use and exposure to the elements, painted deck surfaces can begin to show signs of wear and tear. Peeling paint exposes the wood underneath, which if left to continue peeling could lead to water damage and rotting of the wood. Before repainting and sealing a wood deck, you need to remove the old paint.

Paint-stripping solution
Garden hose and sprayer attachment
Pressure washer
Power sander
80-grit sandpaper
Broom and soft rag

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all furniture, plants and other items on the deck.
- 2
  Pour chemical paint-stripping solution into a garden sprayer. Depending on the solution you use, mixing proportions will vary, so check the packaging for instructions.
- 3
  Connect the garden sprayer to a garden hose. Spray the entire deck surface with the paint-stripping solution until fully covered.
- 4
  Connect a power sprayer and use the high-pressure water to remove the chemical solution. Adjust the power sprayer nozzle so the stream of water is not too fine, as this could be too forceful and damage the wood.
- 5
  Wait a few days for the deck surface to dry completely.
- 6
  Attach a sheet of 80-grit sandpaper to the power sander. Inspect the wood surface and note the direction of the lines in the grain of the wood.
- 7
  Sand down the wood, following the grain of the wood.
- 8
  Use a broom and soft rag to wipe off any dust and wood particles.

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