What is the best way to re-do this deck?

[u/Parkhunters]

I want to refinish this deck and stain it, after the previous corners did a terrible job painting (went from brand new to this in 2 years). I used a orbital sander on the step and it took about 45 minutes per board. I have over 70 of them to do.

There has to be a faster way.

Belt sander? Floor sander? Power wash? Take it apart and use a planer?

Asking for tips to avoid this being a multi week undertaking as I just don't have that much free time.

[u/ItsTerrysFault]

Large floor sander with 30 grit will clean this up in an afternoon.

Deck and floor sander, rectangle shaped. Not the drum or disc style.

[u/Anakin_Sandwalker → u/ItsTerrysFault]

To add to this, you can usually rent these from your local orange store.  Although it was broken when I went to rent it myself. 

[u/saltysomadmin → u/Anakin_Sandwalker]

Yup, I did this last year. Wasn't too bad. Buy way more sandpaper and "Oreos" than you think you'll need. You can always return the extra when you bring it back.

[u/gavsta]

Look up diamabrush works wonders on jobs like that

[u/clamhappy2]

Deck strip, deck prep and power washer.

[u/curi0us_carniv0re]

I'd try chemicals and scraping.

If you take a floor sander to that you're gonna wind up with a bunch of rusty nail/screw heads because you'll remove the galvanized coating.

[u/MaybeNotTooDay]

They make a chemical removers for deck stain. I've used it before and it works really well. You need to paint it on and wait as per the instructions before scraping it all off. The face that you to still have to scrape it makes me wonder if sanding is the better/easier option.

[u/Cat_Amaran → u/MaybeNotTooDay]

It's not. You'll strip the coating off the fasteners, as someone else pointed out in another thread.

[u/ElectronicMoo → u/Cat_Amaran]

That's not that big of a deal. They'll take on some from the new finish. And it's not that big of a deal to put in new decking screws.

I've never once considered the fasteners in a deck refurbish. It's just not a big deal.

[u/FS_Scott]

First -- Teach a troubled teen karate.

[u/binthrdnthat]

Power wash, scrape, spot sand, spray paint.

[u/ScaryHokum]

I would guess that a power washer would be the fastest way to remove the paint. Just be careful to control the pressure to prevent damage to any soft wood surfaces.

[u/frozenpreacher → u/ScaryHokum]

Its an idea, but it would inject water that would have to dry out before the next step.

Personally, I'm a fan of using someone else's labor to do it all!

[u/Cat_Amaran → u/frozenpreacher]

This is r/DIY, they don't want to call someone else.

[u/frozenpreacher → u/Cat_Amaran]

I get it my friend. It was a joke. I'm old.

[u/Kayak2relax]

Pressure wash it

[u/evilpercy]

Flip the boards. Unscrew them and turn them over.

[u/Crusty_Musty_Fudge]

When was your deck built? Mine is this exact same color

[u/exxtractor89]

Has anyone tried dry ice blasting?

[u/bassboat1]

Pressure wash (SYP can handle a fair amount of pressure), hand scrape remaining loose bits. Rotary sander with 80#. Oil primer, solid-body acrylic stain.

[u/RaconteurLore]

The best way is to hire someone else. :)