Removing Rust Stains from Pressure Treated Wood

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.