I have a cedar deck that I simply have to restore this spring. I noticed that the builder (I'm not the original owner of the home) positioned the deck planks almost right against each other, offering almost no spacing. I want to create as much fresh surface as I can for stain application. There's simply no way to get between the boards. My idea is to set my handheld circular saw to the depth of the boards and run it down each seam. The kerf of the saw blade will be enough to clean the sides of the boards (giving a fresh surface) and provide a needed air gap for between planks. I then intend to devise or get a sanding block to clean the small rounded edge of the planks. I'll use a larger floor sander for the surface of the planks. The deck is about 12 feet by 20 feet, so it's a rather big job but it has to be done.

Anyone use their circular saw in this fashion, with good results?

Thanks

It's a good thought but personally I think it will not have a good outcome. You will have jagged lines, making it look bad.

I would leave it alone. When staining it is only needed to get the exposed areas. You do not need to get the unexposed sides of the floor boards.

To deal with any jaggedness, I would toenail a board as a guide (it will be a lot of fussing for sure). I'm not married to the idea, except that whenever I've built a deck, I've always ensured a minimum gap between planks to allow for the wood to expand/contract and for airflow and drainage. I'm still debating, but leaning towards not worrying about "getting between the boards".

Cheers

Yes a straight guide will help but most likely your gap(s) between the deck boards will not be as straight. For it to work they would both need to be "equally" straight.

Thanks for the feedback. Believe me, I'm not running for the Porter Cable to screw up the look of my deck! The real issue is, however, how necessary a, say 1/16" gap (I have commonly used nails as spacers), is between boards for the longevity of your deck planking?

Cheers

We see a lot of decks that do not have gaps. It typically is only an issue if there isn't any airflow under the deck and there is a lot of moisture.

If that is the case then you can see some rotting.