Merbau decking questions - nails/staining & sanding!

Hi. I have read through a few posts but being of a feeble mind I really need a bit of one-on-one tutoring :p

I have a merbau deck measuring roughly 11m x 5m. The deck is covered but nonetheless subjected to a fair bit of weather due to our location (just your standard rain, nothing too nasty :wink: ). I have let it weather due to laziness but that is about to change! I have promised myself I am going to fix it up after....8 years. So I need to sand it, clean it & stain it. No tradie will come near the job as they say it's too small for them. I am left with having to DIY! eek!

Questions:
1. Is it reasonable to expect a person with no previous sanding experience can get the job done and do it well? Or am I kidding myself? Me: female, not very muscular, but not a complete idiot either. No male help around unfortunately.

2. My deck guy only fixed with staples. Apart from a handful that have lifted it's all good but should I replace and fix with gal screw/nails? How do I remove the staples and what nails should I use? Can I rock down to Bunnings tomorrow and expect to find them there? This is worrying me as I really have no idea :)(

3. Any stains you folk particularly recommend? My guy suggested Intergrain (DWD) but it was also suggested I might be better trying Naturalstain. I want something easy to apply and long lasting if poss.


Thanks so much for any help!
kelly


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