Removing paint from grooved decking

987654

Over the last few years I have put a coat of decking paint on each year. Wish I had never started this as it chips. I am in the process of removing it all so I can stain the decking.

The area is about 15ft x 12 ft.

It seems the only way to get it off is to scrape it. I have got a lot off but there are still patches across the whole deck.

I have tried a heat gun (leaves a residue & still needs scraping), electric sander (doesn't bring it off).

It is going to take hours to continue to scrape to get it back to a good enough surface to stain.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

a1cat

987654 wrote: »

Over the last few years I have put a coat of decking paint on each year. Wish I had never started this as it chips. I am in the process of removing it all so I can stain the decking.

The area is about 15ft x 12 ft.

It seems the only way to get it off is to scrape it. I have got a lot off but there are still patches across the whole deck.

I have tried a heat gun (leaves a residue & still needs scraping), electric sander (doesn't bring it off).

It is going to take hours to continue to scrape to get it back to a good enough surface to stain.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Not really, I think it is an impossible job without great expense or effort, might be better to start from new if you can afford it or just paint it a colour you can live with if not.

a1cat

Idea: spray with white spirit an hour before you scrape? It'll evaporate so reapply.

Idea 2: when it is the best you can reasonably achieve, stain it and see if the result is not too bad, I am imagining some kind of mottled army camouflage look in dark brown which might be OK

987654

a1cat wrote: »

Idea: spray with white spirit an hour before you scrape? It'll evaporate so reapply.

Idea 2: when it is the best you can reasonably achieve, stain it and see if the result is not too bad, I am imagining some kind of mottled army camouflage look in dark brown which might be OK

Thanks. Will get some white spirit & give it a go.

I have been thinking about what point I give idea 2 a go. I thought about doing it with a clear/ light colour to ensure it is protected. Then nature will bring some of the remaining bits off over the course of time. I could then use a darker colour next year.

Forgot to add, I have also tried pressure washing (and I've hoovered it to get the paint off when scraped!)