Sanding & oiling your deck is necessary to prolong the life of your deck. In order to remove damaged and splintered wood from your existing deck, it is necessary to sand the deck before applying any oils or stains. The deck must be smooth, clean, and free of debris before applying a stain or oil.

Can you oil a deck without sanding?

You don't need to sand your deck back if you don't want to. However, any preparation work you put in now will add to the finished deck appearance. ... If there is any dramatic staining or inconsistency to the look of the deck after the clean then you should consider sanding.

Can you stain an old deck without sanding?

If you're wondering how to restain a deck without stripping or sanding the old stain off, we can help. To avoid stripping or sanding the old stain off your deck, thoroughly clean and rinse it, and then let the wood dry for 24 to 48 hours. Apply the same (or darker) stain color or tint from the same manufacturer.