Wooden decks are a beautiful addition to your home to enjoy the outdoors, especially in the dusk. However, over time, they gather oil stains from grills or spills, which can affect their beauty and lead to long-term damage if not addressed on time.
In this step-by-step blog, we will help you remove old oil from your wooden deck. Following these steps, you can get professional results with ease and restore your deck to its original charm.
Table of Contents
Smart Steps To Remove Old Oil From Your Wooden Deck
1. Prepare The Deck
So, first of all, all you have to do is prepare the area. Start by cleaning dirt, leaves, and other debris from the deck to make sure they don’t get in your way when you clean the deck.
Also, cover the surrounding areas, such as furniture, plants, and sidings with drop cloths to protect them from any chemical reactions.
2. Gather Your Materials
Once you’ve cleaned the area, gather all the materials that you need. This includes a number of items such as a vacuum cleaner, protective gloves, eyewear, sanding machine, sandpaper, and microfiber clothes.
3. Sprinkle A Detergent
To remove old oil from your wooden deck, you have to use a mild detergent solution. Follow the steps to learn how to apply it:
➔ First, prepare a bowl of warm water and add a few drops of mild detergent to it. Mix the solution well with your hand or a spoon to create soap.
➔ Then, take a clean cloth, dip it into the soapy solution, and apply it to the stained area of the deck.
➔ Rub the solution well, ensuring you do not scratch the wood but apply enough pressure to work the suds into the wood grain.
➔ After cleaning the area, rinse it with clean water and wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any oil residue or soapsuds. Lastly, allow the wood to air dry properly.
In addition to a mild detergent, you can also opt for mineral spirits. They can be found at hardware stores but it’s important to note that they cause skin irritation, so use them in a well-ventilated area.
To use mineral spirits, take a clean cloth or cotton ball, dampen it with some mineral spirits, and apply it over the stained area. Rub firmly in a circular motion. Continue doing so until the stain no longer appears before rinsing it with clean water.
4. Sand The Area
After cleaning the stained area, some oil stains might leave residues trapped within the wood, below the surface. So, to deal with them, sand the stained part of the deck thoroughly.
Be sure to choose the right sanding equipment and use appropriate sandpapers. Begin with a low grit sandpaper and work your way up to a finer grit. This will help remove the residual oil and create a more even texture for a flawless finish.
5. Seal The Deck
Wood, as is known, is naturally prone to damage from sun rays, rain, snow, and other elements. Therefore, mind that you apply a sealant over the cleaned area. The Sealant creates a barrier or fence that helps protect the wood from damage and ensures its longevity.
Conclusion
The wooden deck is just as important part of your home as any other. But years of usage can leave unsightly oil stains on your deck. Removing old oil from the deck can be a challenging task, but it can be done with a little how-to.
However, if the oil has deeply seeped into the wood or the deck is in poor condition, make sure to contact experienced professionals like Sanding Wood Floors to handle the task effectively.
They use industrial-strength cleaners and tools that can remove old oil from your wooden deck and help restore its lost charm.
You can also read: How To Prevent Water Damage Caused By Rain?
