"Unsealing" deck boards?

[BudgetSlasher]

Ok I know it is probably impossible but I have to ask, it is possible to strip deck sealer? I have no idea what type it is or exactly when it was applied.

We have several outdoor areas, built at different times, all standard 5/4 deck boards. At between 10 and 30 years ago our front porch was sealed. The porch is covered and predominantly in the shade so it has minimal exposure to weather and UV. Whatever it is sealed with is horrible or it was installed horribly. It is ever so slightly tacky and it traps dust and pollen and it hold onto it; that makes it unsightly and slick if it get damp.

When things get too bad, which is infrequent, all of the other deck boards can either be simply swept off or at worst hosed off and are satisfactory. But the porch very quickly gums right back up and requires scrubbing or light pressure washing to clean up.

Over the past 10 years we've cleaned it a few different ways (albeit never with the intent of stripping the sealer) and every time soon is caked in stuck on dust/pollen.

Any ideas?

[lthenderson]

Ok I know it is probably impossible but I have to ask, it is possible to strip deck sealer?

Yes, just get a jug of deck stripper.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-PREMIUM-1-gal-Wood-Stain-and-Finish-Stripper-06401N/202263937

[Uturn]

rent a powerwasher.  I removed the old stain from my deck using a pressurewasher, water only.

[lthenderson]

rent a powerwasher.  I removed the old stain from my deck using a pressurewasher, water only.

Just a word of caution that power washing a deck must be very carefully done as it can lead to a lot of damage. Not only can it splinter the fibers of the wood leading to early failure, but it can drive moisture deep into the wood that can then take a long time to evaporate out before resealing it again. Doing so early can lead to blistering of the deck sealer and/or stain. This is probably the number run reason people talk about premature sealer failure.

https://www.designbuildersmd.com/blog/why-you-dont-want-to-clean-a-deck-with-a-power-washer

[sonofsven]

rent a powerwasher.  I removed the old stain from my deck using a pressurewasher, water only.

Just a word of caution that power washing a deck must be very carefully done as it can lead to a lot of damage. Not only can it splinter the fibers of the wood leading to early failure, but it can drive moisture deep into the wood that can then take a long time to evaporate out before resealing it again. Doing so early can lead to blistering of the deck sealer and/or stain. This is probably the number run reason people talk about premature sealer failure.

https://www.designbuildersmd.com/blog/why-you-dont-want-to-clean-a-deck-with-a-power-washer

I agree with this, although I do powerwash decks, I use the widest spray head and am careful to keep a good distance from the boards.

OP, you can sand it off if you don't want to use chemicals. A 5 or 6" random orbit sander, a big box of 60 or 80 grit paper, kneepads, and a dust mask. Bonus points if you can run the sander into a good shop vac with a bag inside. As soon as the paper gums up, toss it and load another.