So the deck is old and we did nothing to it except power washing since we moved ( 2013).
It had some kind of paint on it.
I have power washed. Rented a drum sander (36 grit). Rented a belt sander (36 grit). Used my orbital (60 grit). Over the past few weeks put many hours into it to get to this point.
There is still some paint in the grooves.
I want to use a semi transparent oil based stain to see the grain. I may even go with transparent but we get a lot of sun and mildew. Behr has a penetrating oil I’m considering.
I really like the clean look of the lighter wood color so I’m thinking cedartone.
Should I use a stripper to remove what’s left after sanding. Then brighten (I have the product 30seconds and a deck brush). Then wait to dry and stain.
The power wash pic is my before. Rest are taken in the morning after it rained the previous night. Last pic is after it’s dry.

(Also currently considering power washing the remaining stain off. )

Close up to see the paint is obvious in the rain

Last photo taken after the deck has dried I like how this looks