Any handymen here

[Infern0]

I work at a computer all day so I have a lot to learn in the "working with your hands" fields.

What size and type of electric sander would recommend for a med/large deck and an older playset. The objective is to re-stain both afterward.

Thanks!

[Trickskier]

Are the surfaces that rough? A lot of splinters? Post some pics.

[Infern0]

Not terrible in my opinion. Just at the do or die point I'd guess.

[jrhagen]

Just pressure wash them. Faster and easier. You can rent a pressure washer from Lowe's or Home Depot for the day for about $50.

[Trickskier]

Originally Posted by jrhagen

Just pressure wash them. Faster and easier. You can rent a pressure washer from Lowe's or Home Depot for the day for about $50.

Agreed - Just pressure wash. Then just re-stain. May take several coats to sink in.

[jrhagen]

Remember a pressure washer isn't a toy. It will slice right through skin.

[Lou gill]

You are correct on sanding, using a pressure washer and driving water into the wood makes zero sense if you are going to stain or paint. In addition pressure washing will raise the grain of the wood for a rougher surface. Rent a floor sander for the main part of the deck, and pick up a palm sander for the rest. It will take awhile, but remember a good paint or stain job is all in the prep.

[jrhagen]

There you have it, 2 suggestions. Fast and easy or long and hard. The choice is yours to make.

[Infern0]

Originally Posted by jrhagen

There you have it, 2 suggestions. Fast and easy or long and hard. The choice is yours to make.

lol. I was hoping there'd be a right and wrong to make things a little more decisive.

I just picked up the playset and I was told it had already been pressure washed. I can tell that's probably true though looks like it was done gently.

I was thinking of gently pressure washing the deck anyway to get the dirt and some black stuff (maybe mold?) off of the surface.

The surfaces on both the deck and the playset aren't rough by any means at the moment. Virtually no risk of splinters even. I asked about sanding because I was perhaps under the wrong impression that it was a requisite to staining. If sanding would only be considered a requirement if the surfaces were rough, maybe it isn't necessary after all?

Thoughts?

[jrhagen]

Originally Posted by Infern0

lol. I was hoping there'd be a right and wrong to make things a little more decisive.

I just picked up the playset and I was told it had already been pressure washed. I can tell that's probably true though looks like it was done gently.

I was thinking of gently pressure washing the deck anyway to get the dirt and some black stuff (maybe mold?) off of the surface.

The surfaces on both the deck and the playset aren't rough by any means at the moment. Virtually no risk of splinters even. I asked about sanding because I was perhaps under the wrong impression that it was a requisite to staining. If sanding would only be considered a requirement if the surfaces were rough, maybe it isn't necessary after all?

Thoughts?

Sounds good to me, but I'm kinda lazy when it comes to stuff like that.

[imaSSnake]

Originally Posted by Infern0

lol. I was hoping there'd be a right and wrong to make things a little more decisive.

I just picked up the playset and I was told it had already been pressure washed. I can tell that's probably true though looks like it was done gently.

I was thinking of gently pressure washing the deck anyway to get the dirt and some black stuff (maybe mold?) off of the surface.

The surfaces on both the deck and the playset aren't rough by any means at the moment. Virtually no risk of splinters even. I asked about sanding because I was perhaps under the wrong impression that it was a requisite to staining. If sanding would only be considered a requirement if the surfaces were rough, maybe it isn't necessary after all?

Thoughts?

I've owned my own business before, and full time maintenance now.
That definitely does not require sanding. Good pressure wash and you're good to go, as said earlier in the thread.
You're actually taking care of Maintenance before most people would on your deck and playset

[imaSSnake]

There is even a product to rejuvenate the deck to freshen it up before you stain it if you wanted to use it, but it doesn't look like it really needs that so I would just pressure wash and let it dry and stain

[jrhagen]

3 pressure wash, 1 sand. Just saying.

[sherob]

Definitely PW, let it dry really good, then stain away... the pics don't show the need to sand yet, so sanding is just a waste of time.