Sanding a deck before staining

[danluschwitz]

g'day,

I have just spend a considerable amount of time sanding my deck (previously stains 5+ years ago) in preparation to stain with Sikkens Deck. BUT have been unable to get my belt sander under the railing and now there is a major colour difference between the sanded and un-sanded sections. Can anyone suggest a product that will negate this different or an inexpensive sanding tool that will reach under my deck (the detail sanders don't get under)?

One suggestion i have been told is to swap my stain for the darker cetol HLS and prepare the surface with Dulux Prepsol beforehand to maybe mask any differences?

Cheers,
Daniel

[Extracare]

Go to a good paint shop and ask for the biggest paint scraper they have.

It should be a long bowed handle (30cms or so) with a reversible blade on the end. Keep it sharp with a file and you'll have the inaccessible bits done in no time.

Keep the scraper low to the deck and keep a firm, even prssure on it.

It's a bit sore on the arms, but think of the good it's doing you and you'll go OK.