How to strip paint off decking

Question

Our decking has been painted and it's now peeling badly! We want to get back to bare wood before treating it. What's the most effective way to remove old paint from decking boards?

Simon · Answer

Clean the deck first – Sweep away dirt and debris, then wash the surface and let it dry.
Apply a deck paint stripper – Use a product designed for exterior wood decking. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and wear gloves and eye protection.

Michael · Answer

Hi Jenny, 
you have a few options.

These could be,
A. Chemical. Use an eco friendly chemical, follow manufacters use of the chemical. Be sure to use a plastic scraper to work it though. Also, do this not in direct sunlight. On a day like today thirty plus degrees. Probably best doing this in the late evening.
B.  Pressure washer. But again need to be careful. Use of a forty degree nozzle mostly and not too close to pull the fibres of the wood up.
C. Finally, sanding. This is long but also most rewarding as u get fresh wood to then re paint.

So, to summarise. Chemicals are good. But be sure to not do in sunlight. And will need a wash after use to wash chemicals away. Pressure washer is good. Not too close to wood as will ruin it. And sanding is best but hardest to do.

Thanks
Mike

Blerim · Answer

The best method depends on how much paint is left, but in most cases we would:

1. Scrape off all loose and peeling paint using a heavy-duty scraper.
2. Apply a quality decking paint stripper and allow it to work according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Use a stiff brush or scraper to remove the softened paint.
4. Wash the decking thoroughly, ideally with a pressure washer on a suitable setting.
5. Once fully dry, sand any remaining patches and smooth the surface back to bare wood.
6. Allow the timber to dry completely before applying a new stain, oil, or decking treatment.

If the paint is heavily peeling across the whole deck, a combination of chemical stripper and sanding usually gives the best results. Care should be taken not to use excessive pressure when washing, as this can damage the timber fibres.

Sulcarinean · Answer

A combination approach usually works best rather than relying on one method alone. A dedicated exterior paint and varnish stripper applied generously and left to soften the paint (usually thirty minutes to a couple of hours depending on the product) will lift the bulk of it once scraped, and this softens paint in the grain that sanding alone tends to miss. Follow up with sanding, working from a coarser grit down to something finer, to clear any residue and get back to clean bare wood ready for treating. Pressure washing on its own is best avoided as the main method since it rarely removes all the paint and can gouge or fuzz up the wood grain, making the new finish look patchy. Doing a small test area first helps confirm timings before tackling the whole deck.

Paul · Answer

Here is a highly condensed, quick-reference version of the guide:

---

### 1. Scrape (The Easy Wins)

* Scrape off loose, flaking paint with a **tungsten carbide scraper**.
* Tighten or hammer down any protruding screws or nails.

### 2. Strip (Soften the Paint)

* **Apply:** Brush a thick exterior gel stripper (*Dilunett* or *Owatrol*) onto 4–5 boards at a time.
* **Dwell:** Let it sit for 15–45 minutes until the paint bubbles.
* **Scrape:** Lift the softened sludge using a plastic scraper.

### 3. Wash & Dry

* **Wash:** Scrub with water, then pressure wash at a low setting (**500–1200 PSI**), keeping the nozzle **9–12 inches away** to avoid splintering the wood.
* **Dry:** Let the deck dry completely for **24 to 48 hours**.

### 4. Sand to Bare Wood

* **Flat boards:** Use a sander with coarse **40–60 grit** to remove remaining paint, then smooth it with **80–120 grit**.
* **Grooves:** Clean out grooved decking using a wire brush or wire wheel drill attachment.

---

### Pro-Tricks & Next Steps

* **Speed Tip:** Use an angle grinder with a **polycarbide stripping disc** for fast paint removal.
* **Easy Alternative:** If screwed down, **flip the boards over** to expose fresh, unpainted wood.
* **Protect:** Never repaint. Apply a **penetrating decking oil** instead so it won't peel in the future.

J Amaral · Answer

Find someone that does sandblast depending on the size of your decking shouldn’t be that expensive good luck

John · Answer

Try a jet wash ive found it quit affective even though the proper way is a sander

Jonathan · Answer

If it's peeling badly already, I'd start by scraping off as much loose paint as possible with a paint scraper. Once you've got all the flaky bits off, give it a good sand down.

If there are still stubborn patches of paint left, a decking paint stripper can help soften it before scraping and sanding again.

Once you're back to mostly bare wood, give it a good clean and let it dry properly before treating it. Personally, I'd go for a good decking oil or stain rather than paint when you redo it, as they tend to wear more naturally and are much easier to maintain in the future.

Just avoid blasting it with a pressure washer on full power as it can damage the surface of the timber.

Kelvin · Answer

Use paint stripper then sand when dried. This will bring it back to bare wood

James · Answer

The most effective way would be to sand it back to the original wood dependant on the type of decking you have or use a mild paint stripper one that would not do damage plants people or animals.

How to strip paint off decking

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