Share
Sanded board
marks
I have a brand new spotted gum deck that I placed an umbrella on with pavers stupidly
of course it has left marks k am trying to remove I cleaned with aqua deck and have started hand sanding with an 80 grit sand block but I am having issues it doesn’t seem to be budging much
how can I sand this back so I can reoil it it was never stained just oiled
Hi @PennyH,
The best way to address the marks left by the pavers really depends on how deeply the stains have penetrated the spotted gum decking. Since you’ve already tried hand sanding with 80-grit and it hasn’t made much difference, it’s likely the stains are more than just surface-level. Spotted gum is a dense hardwood, so hand sanding is often ineffective for deeper blemishes. At this point, it would be worth using an electric sander, such as a random orbital or belt sander, which will give you far better results with less effort. However, keep in mind that if the stain has gone quite deep, removing it completely may involve sanding down a significant portion of the board, which could lead to unevenness across your deck. If that's the case, replacing the stained boards might actually be a simpler and more visually consistent solution.
It’s also worth noting that Aquadeck is actually a decking oil, not a cleaning product, so it's not used for removing stains. You might be referring to a product like Cabot’s Deck Clean or New Timber Prep, which would be more appropriate. New Timber Prep is a stronger option and might be more effective on stubborn stains, but it can also affect the timber’s natural colour, so you should always spot test in an inconspicuous area before treating the whole surface.
Once you've successfully removed the stains—whether by cleaning, sanding, or replacing boards—you can then reapply your decking oil for protection and a uniform finish.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
