How to Remove the Varnish From a Non-Skid Deck

Non-skid decks attached to residential homes are typically finished with a stain, paint or varnish. While the non-skid surface offers safety from accidental falls, the stain, paint or varnish seals and protects the decking. However, constant exposure to normal and severe weather events can cause the varnish to dull, fade or even crack. To refinish a non-skid varnished deck, you must first remove the old varnish. Any homeowner can do this, following the same procedures for marine non-skid decks.

Rubber gloves
Paint stripper
120-grit sandpaper
Orbital sander
Dust mask
Pressure washer
Paint scraper

Instructions

- 1
  Put on rubber gloves and pour paint stripper directly onto your non-skid, varnished deck. Allow the paint stripper to penetrate the varnish and soak in between 15 and 20 minutes.
- 2
  Attach 120-grit sandpaper to an orbital sander. Set the sander on its lowest power setting, then put on a dust mask.
- 3
  Abrade the non-skid deck with the orbital sander, going in the same direction as the wood grain as much as possible. Check the sandpaper regularly as the varnish will stick to the grit, forming a gummy film. Change sandpaper pieces as needed.
- 4
  Pressure wash the non-skid deck after sanding to get up the loosened varnish. Put the pressure washer on its lowest setting and increase the pressure as necessary to finish removing the varnish from the deck.
- 5
  Repeat Steps 1 through 4 as necessary until all or most of the varnish comes off the non-skid deck.

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