What is the easiest way to remove paint from our deck and stain?

So our deck had a bunch of chipping paint and my wife and I had decided it would be a good idea to remove all the paint and stain it. Started off with a power wash which took off most of the paint in the high traffic areas and barely any elsewhere. I've been sanding the rest off with a belt sander and it is taking FOREVER. Any thoughts to help in the process. We've actually tried a paint stripper from Home Depot (not sure which brand, sorry) and it didn't do diddly-poo. I believe the wood is cedarWhat is the easiest way to remove paint from our deck and stain?
To answer your question, I highly recommend using Marine Strip, or equal high strength product. It is thick and goopy, you can roll it on with a 3/4'; nap. Be very careful though, this stuff is nasty and will burn your skin, eyes, etc.





Be aware, this product will NOT be available at Home Depot. Depending where you live, a high end paint store should carry it, possibly Sherwin Williams (though their selection varies by location). Our local is called Halman-Lindsay.





My bigger qeustion: why are you stripping the paint? If it is adhering well, just apply solid stain right over the top of it. Removing the paint is just a lot of extra work. If you are going to use a transparent stain, or semi-transparent stain, then I understand, but you probably aren't I'm guessing. If it is cedar, and you are going to use a semi or fully transparent stain though -you'll need to revive the wood after you strip it in order to neutralize the stripping agent.





Just know that even solid stain won't last much longer on a deck surface. You'll probably get 2 to 3 years out of it, max, on any flat part that you can walk on. The semi trans for transparent stain will last even less time.What is the easiest way to remove paint from our deck and stain?
Given limited funds, I would take my wife out to a nice dinner and explain why the deck should be repainted. It does suck that they painted the cedar, but good paint applied properly should last for a long time.





The amount of work and expense involved in stripping the existing decking is very large. I would wager in today's market, you would be ahead paying someone to remove your existing decking and install new cedar, than to buy the paint stripper and do it yourself. Paint stripper is expensive and highly unpleasant.





If you do repaint, be sure to wait at least 1 week after powerwashing to allow the wood to dry thoroughly, then paint with a good paint. Cheap paint will require more coats and will only last a short time.
remove the boards and turn them over, the person who painted it probably didnt paint the other side. I personally would just repaint it, stripping paint takes too long. Make sure you prime first.
Defiantly use a smaller power washer to remove any paint and restore to great condition seal the deck.
Paint thinner and a chisel. But be warned, it takes forever; but gets the job done nicely.
Careful sandblasting. Rent the tools.
It stinks they painted cedar. Anyway. You have to entirely remove all of the paint or the stain will never take. There are many methods to do this. Two of the best are.... The silent paint remover. It takes along time, but it's results are terrific. Cedar is worth the time unless it is one huge deck. Belt sanding is going to take you forever. The other is strippers. These are very caustic. It will kill plants and other vegetation. No doubt. But they will work more quickly then any kind of sander. Since you are staining you've got to be careful not to hurt the wood. Which sanders can destroy. You are in for a daunting task, my friend. If it's any consultation. This is my job. That is why I charge so much. Sometimes it's easier to replace then to fix.
You could use a angle grinder if you do it with caution!





I say caution because it's very effective may be to well if your not paying attention to what you are doing. You could gouge it if your not careful making it uneven. Use eye wear, and I would recommend testing it on a piece of scrap wood before I began. Get the feel of the tool and find your rhythm. It can get jerky on you if you don't have the right angle or rhythm possibly gouging you if your not careful! It's a small tool you'll need exta angle pad things incase one breaks.





I have sanded a huge deck with this technique but it beats sanding, with the sanding tools, strippers and putty knives.





This is probably a commonly used technique. But I liked doing it this way and it turned out good and didn't take all day!


Good luck!