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I have used a timber stripper twice on these surfaces but it doesn’t seem to be doing the job fully. Should I sand this timber back as we’d like to get it back to its raw form so it will eventually weather and turn grey. If so, what sander do we use to protect the grain?
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @emmanewton. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about timber decking.
It appears you’ll need to sand the surface to remove the remaining coating and expose the bare timber. For sanding, a standard orbital sander will do the job. Just take extra care around the corners of the boards, as they can chip quite easily. Start with 60-80 grit sandpaper to remove the coating, and then sand up to 240 grit to remove scratch marks from the previous coarser grits.
It’s also worth noting that exterior timber typically needs to be protected with an oil to prevent decay. A greyed timber surface is actually the first sign of deterioration, as it means the wood has lost its natural oils. Over time, it can begin to splinter and crack. If you like the look of weathered grey timber, you may want to speak with our team in-store to see if they can mix an oil with a grey tint. That way, you can achieve the appearance you’re after while still keeping the timber protected.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
