Removing Rust Stains from Pressure Treated Wood

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated April 11, 2022)

Pressure treated wood is a common choice for the decks of many home owners, simply because the material is very resistant to staining. However, just because something is resistant to stains doesn't mean that there will never be any. One of the more common stains that you can find on pressure treated wood decks is a rust stain. Usually these stains are caused from the barbecue grill that you have sitting out, waiting to be used. There are several methods that you can use for removing rust stains from pressure treated wood. Each will require some effort on your part, but the results will be well worth it.

  • Sand it and refinish. One of the simplest methods for removing rust stains from pressure treated wood is to sand the wood down. Simply remove everything from the deck so that you have a nice open work area. Use an electric sander to make the job easier, and then simply sand away the first few layers of wood. You will want to do this to the entire deck so that there is an even appearance to the deck. Once finished, simply refinish the wood and allow it to completely dry before you use it again.
  • Strip the finish, and replace. Another method for removing rust stains from pressure treated wood is to use a chemical stripper, such as Behr's deck finish stripper to remove the old stains, and any waterproofing agents that may be on the wood. Nothing is left behind when you use a product such as this, so you will need to put a new finish on the wood. Make sure that you test the product on a small portion of the stained area before you begin applying it, to make sure that it removes everything it is supposed to, and that it doesn't cause any damage to the wood itself.
  • Replace the wood. While replacing the wood is perhaps the single most dramatic (and possibly expensive) method for removing rust stains from pressure treated wood, you are certain to remove the stain. Considering how much time, effort, and money is involved in replacing a portion of your deck, you should only use this option as a last result, when nothing else you have tried will work.
  • Prevent the stain. There is an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that is true in this situation as well. It is best to try and prevent any rust stains from forming, rather than trying to remove rust stains from pressure treated wood. The best way to do this would be to not store anything that can rust on your deck. If this is unavoidable, then place a tarp or something similar under the item to protect the deck itself. Periodically you will want to either replace the tarp, or clean it off so that you don't have to be faced with an eye sore.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Choosing the Right Wood for Molding

Whether you are looking at adding some molding to a specific room, or want it throughout your home you need to do some ...

Discover More

Preparing Emails for Easy Organization

Email has quickly become an important part of our daily lives, and an even more important part of our work lives. Since ...

Discover More

Reining In Your Spending

Whether you are young or old, if you are not careful in your spending habits you can easily find yourself in a world of ...

Discover More

The Power of Microfiber! Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths will become your favorite tool for every cleaning task. This 36-cloth package is perfect for hundreds of uses in the garage, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and all around the house. Each cloth is tough, streak-free, lint-free, reusable, and washable. Check out Microfiber Cleaning Cloths today!

More Cleaning Tips

Keeping Your Patio Furniture Clean

While it is always possible (and a good idea) to get your patio furniture clean when it gets dirty, why let it get dirty ...

Discover More

Removing Stains from a Wood Deck

Most mild stains can easily be removed from a wood deck with detergent and water. Simply use a stiff brush to agitate the ...

Discover More

Cleaning Trex Decking

If you are looking for material for your deck that not only looks natural, but is extremely long lasting as well, then ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five more than 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.