This post was updated on May 9, 2025
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior deck cleaning and stripping prep. My wood prepping help tips are based on my history as a wood and deck restoration contractor and actual hands-on testing. See here for more info about me.
How to Prep a Deck 2025
This has become one of my most popular articles on how to prep your wood deck before applying a wood deck stain. In it, I will help consumers find the best way to prep their deck for an application or reapplication of a deck stain or deck coating. Not all scenarios are the same, and this article, with your input and pictures, will help determine the proper way for you to prep.
Best Deck Prep? Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck?
Clean, Strip, or Sand the Deck?
This is the 2nd most popular question deck owners have on this website, with the first being What is the Best Deck Stain? Prepping your Deck is the most critical aspect of the restoration process and will determine your final appearance and the stain’s longevity. Not prepping correctly can lead to premature stain failure and poor appearance results.
3 Easy Pro Steps to Deck Prep
Prepping your deck properly is crucial for a long-lasting and professional-looking stain job. Follow these three easy steps to ensure your deck is clean, prepped, and ready for staining!
Step 1: Determine Your Deck’s Current Condition
Before choosing how to prep your deck, consider:
✅ Is the wood new or old?
✅ Does it have a previous stain or coating?
✅ Are you re-coating with the same brand and color as last time?
✅ When was the last time it was stained?
✅ What type of stain or finish was used before?
Instead of asking, “How do I prep my deck?”, ask:
🛠 “What is the best prep for my deck based on its age and condition?”
Step 2: Choose the Right Prep Method
There are three main ways to prep a deck before staining:
1️⃣ Deck Cleaning + Wood Brightening (For general dirt, mildew, and light stain removal)
2️⃣ Deck Stripping + Wood Brightening (For removing previous stains and coatings)
3️⃣ Power Sanding (For tough coatings like solid stains or paint)
You may also need a combination of these methods depending on your deck’s condition.
Wood and Deck Cleaning Prep
Wood and deck cleaners are designed to clean and prep the wood before applying wood stain. Deck cleaners are to remove grime and dirt, oxidation (graying), mold, algae, and, in some cases, deteriorated stains that have failed. However, they do not remove old stains or paint. Deck cleaners will “loosen” the dirt and grime so you can scrub or lightly pressure wash the wood without damage. Most deck cleaners will slightly darken or raise the pH of the wood, so following with a deck brightener is needed. See here for more Deck Cleaning tips.
🔹 How It Works:
- Cleans wood by loosening dirt and grime
- Prepares wood for a fresh stain application
- Darkens the wood slightly, requiring a wood brightener afterward
🔹 Pro Tip: Avoid bleach-based deck cleaners like Olympic Deck Cleaner, 30 Seconds Deck Cleaner, and Behr Deck Cleaners. These can damage wood fibers and harm the environment.
📌 More Info: Deck Cleaner Reviews
Wood and Deck Stripping Prep
Deck stain strippers remove old coatings like clear sealers, transparent stains, and some semi-transparent stains. They are not effective on solid stains, paints, or varnish coatings. They are not designed to remove solid color opaque stains or paints. In addition, coatings that have a shine like a varnish cannot be stripped with a deck stain stripper. Deck strippers work on your old stain by softening the old coating to be heavily scrubbed or pressure washed off. For a stripper to be effective, it needs to penetrate the coating and soften the bond between the coating and the wood. If it cannot penetrate the coating, it will not work. Deck stain stripper will significantly darken the wood, so a wood brightener is necessary to lighten the wood and restore the pH balance. See Deck Stripper Reviews. See here for more Deck Stripping tips.
🔹 How It Works:
- Softens old stain coatings
- Allows for easy removal via scrubbing or pressure washing
- Darkens the wood, requiring a wood brightener to restore the pH balance
🔹 Pro Tip:
If you have a solid stain, deck paint, or varnish, use a paint stripper like RAD PaintStrip.
📌 More Info: Deck Stripper Reviews | Deck Stripping Tips
🎥 Watch My How-To Strip a Deck Stain Video
Sanding a Wood Deck for Prep
Sanding is usually a last resort if stripping doesn’t fully remove the old coating. If you need to sand off a solid stain or paint, it is best to start with 40 or 60-grit sandpaper, which is the best option for stripping old finishes. Never sand finer than 80 grit paper. Sanding finer than 80 grit may close the pores and prevent stains from penetrating. See here for more Deck Sanding tips.
🔹 Best Practices for Sanding:
- Use 40-60 grit sandpaper for stripping old finishes
- Never sand finer than 80 grit (this closes wood pores and prevents stain absorption)
- Spot-sand raised fibers or splinters if needed
🔹 Pro Tip: You can lightly spot hand sand to remove splinters or raised wood fibers. If you have furring of the wood grain, see this article. Deck Furring after Prep.
3. What is the best way to prep my Deck?
I will ask a series of questions. Based on your answers, I can help you determine the best way to prep your Deck before applying a deck stain.
- New Wood or Older Wood?
- Does the Deck have a Current Coating?
- Are you Switching Brands of Deck Stain or Applying a Maintenance Coat of the same Brand and Color?
- Deck Stain Brand Previously Used? Enter “unknown” if you do not know.
- What is the Current Deck Stain Type? Oil-based or Water-Based? Clear, Transparent, Semi-Transparent, Semi-Solid, or Solid Stain?
- Mold or Mildew Issues?
- Reason for Previous Stain Failure?
- You Must Include Picture(s) of the Current Condition.
Post a comment below and include the answers to the above questions. Feel free to include any additional useful information!
Deck Prepping Product Articles
Hi, I’m looking to cover my old deck with Cabot Deck Correct, and mostly want to know if I need to remove all old solid stain. Wonder if you’ve had experience with this product. The facts:
Old PT wood.
Has some remaining solid stain after pressure washing.
Looking to cover old Behr Deck Plus solid color acrylic latex that is about 5 years old with a darker color Cabot Deck Correct.
There was mildew, but washed off fine.
Reason for failure was constantly changing NE weather, and age. Wood is at least 20 years old and looking to get another 2-3 years out of it before fully replacing. No rotting boards.
Photos show the cracks I’m looking to fill and mask with the Deck Correct. Some boards show the existing stain is pretty intact, these were boards protected by a roof overhang. The rest of the surfaces got about 75% cleaned of the stain after cleaning and pressure washing.
I don’t want to have a bad prep. I assume I need the RAD paints strip for the stubborn areas, but not looking forward to sanding.
Thanks!
We would not suggest the Cabot Deck Correct. It has very poor reviews from consumers on this site. Most deck resurface coatings do not work very well:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-olympic-rescue-it-rust-oleum-deck-restore-do-they-work/
As for removing all the current solid stain, it is best to follow the directions of the coating manufacturer you end up using.
For prep, use the Restore-A-Deck Stain Stripper with both gel and booster additives. Brightener would be last.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product-category/restore-a-deck-wood-stain-strippers-and-additives/
Do you want stain suggestions? Do you want a solid stain, a penetrating semi-transparent, or a semi-solid?
I would appreciate some recommendations on both the kind of stain as well as a best brand selection. I love the look of the semi-transparent, but want to provide the best protection given the age of the deck and the sometimes extreme weather here in the Hill Country of Texas.
We like penetrating semi-transparent stains best. See here for options:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/best-semi-transparent-deck-stain-reviews/
Thanks for the info. Now, there’s a plan!
See this article for tips on recoating with a solid color stain:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-reapply-a-solid-color-deck-stain/
Thanks so much for your help! I have used your site for years.
I would also love to know what stripper/brightener I need to prep the deck for the new stain.
To strip off TWP stains, you would need this kit:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit/
1. Old wood (~11 years), with exception of one railing 4×4 that had to be replaced.
2. No Current Coatings (waterproofing applied ~7-8 yrs ago)
3. N/A (no coatings)
4. No stains, unknown waterproofing brand.
5. No stains
6. Slight mold issues in nail holes/btwn planks, but mostly scrubbed off.
7. No stains used to date.
8. Pics, see attached (before/after scrubbing, mold).
Scott –
I’d love your advice, particularly after reading your deckover reviews (that’s out now!).
I’ve got a large pecan tree that looms over the deck, providing lots of shade, but also lots of dirt, leaves, pollen, and pecans that can stain. I’ve scrubbed the deck to get rid of the dirt, but haven’t used any cleaner or brightener yet. Goal is to coat (stain/paint) to blend/hide the stains, but also protect/extend the life of the deck.
Again, I’d love your input.
Prep with this kit while pressure washing:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-package-300/
Copy that.
Afterward, do you think I’m good with semi-transparent stain (following your two-toned article)?
Yes, it will look great!
I have begun the process of refurbishing our front porch. It has been power washed and now I am confused, too much internet info, how to remove the old stain. I do not know what the previous homeowner used or how long ago. It has been over 7 years ago. I am going to re-stain using Cabot Gold moonlit mahogany. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Kent
Strip and brighten for prep:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/deck-stripping-removing-an-old-deck-stain/
Use this kit:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/product/restore-a-deck-stripper-brightener-kit/
There are many better stains than Cabot.
Can you recommend a stain that will give the effect of an indoor wood floor? Oil or water based makes no difference to me. Looking for the best appearance and most durable finish. We are going with a dark mahogany type color as we are painting the rails, rail caps and posts white and staining the deck and balusters dark.
Thank you for your time and advice!!!
You cannot have an outdoor stain that resembles an interior hardwood floor. They cannot be “shiny” when outside, as that will lead to peeling and blistering.
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/your-deck-is-not-a-hardwood-floor/
Two-toned tips:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/advantages-to-having-a-two-toned-deck/
As you can see with the attached pictures, our deck is large & not all uniform – mixture of old(original) boards w/ heavy solid stain (peeling up and can remove in large strips) new replacement boards on upper deck. Lower deck (pool) boards are only about 5-6 years old & need stripped & re-stained (solid stain)
I am trying to complete the full deck at one time – the refresh & uniformity of the solid stain. I did purchase an airless sprayer to utilize on the vertical boards. During my research I have learned that I will need to dilute the solid stain to go in sprayer & for the first coat on the new deck boards. I have deck cleaner, pressure washer & 5 gallons of the solid stain already.
Any time line or order of operations you recommend to make this as least stressful, cost effective and streamlined as possible will be greatly appreciated.
If you want to recoat with a solid stain, see here for prep tips:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-reapply-a-solid-color-deck-stain/
Never dilute a solid stain. A solid stain can be easily applied with an airless sprayer without the need for dilution.
Behr Deckover has one of the worst ratings on our site:
https://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-deckover-review-updated/