hi I need to give this deck a good clean and then stain it - what is the easiest and fastest way to do this ? It is a very large area
thank you
Hello @sharynritchie
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about cleaning and staining your deck.
Looking at the photo you've shared with the community, it appears that the decking finish is still in good condition. There are no cracks in the finish, no peeling or stripping and it still has an even finish. I propose giving the surface a good clean by following this guide - How to clean a deck. I understand your desire for a quick turnaround, but if you are after a proper finish, I can only suggest doing it in the correct sequence.
The issue with sealing the old surface with a new sealer on top is that it will not get absorbed properly and you end up with a patchy, flaky finish, which will eventually come off. The best way to rejuvenate your deck is to sand down the old seal and go back to a plain timber surface. The deck is then washed to clean off the sanding dust and any contaminants that may have been left behind. Once the deck is totally dry you can then stain and seal the surface.
To expedite the sanding, I suggest hiring a floor sander - For Hire: Orbital Floor Sander - 24hr. This will allow you to sand large areas in a relatively short amount of time.
Here are some handy step-by-step guides that will help you with your project:
I also suggest having a look at these discussions:
Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
