Everything a solo deck pro needs to strip, brighten, and coat wood decks like a paid contractor.
Curated starter gear · buy direct from trusted retailers · no markup
Start on the Core Tools tier -- a good sprayer, sanders, and prep chemicals are enough to book and finish paying restoration jobs. Land a few decks, then reinvest that revenue into the pro sprayer and pressure washer that let you cover more square footage per day. The Safety & Prep and Going Pro tiers are what separate a weekend refinisher from a booked-solid contractor.
Typical starter cost: $650–$3600
| Item | Price | |
|---|---|---|
Airless paint sprayer (stain-rated, 0.5+ GPM) Lays stain fast and evenly across large deck surfaces and railings Graco Magnum X7 | $379–$469 | Shop → |
5-inch random orbital sander with variable speed Knocks down splinters and old finish flat on deck boards before staining DEWALT DWE6423K | $79–$109 | Shop → |
Stain application pad kit with pole Works stain into board grooves and railings the sprayer misses Wooster Deck Stain Pad Applicator | $18–$34 | Shop → |
Pump-up chemical sprayer (2 gallon) Applies stripper, cleaner, and brightener evenly over the deck Chapin 2-Gallon Industrial Sprayer | $34–$54 | Shop → |
Deck scrub brush with threaded pole Agitates cleaner and stripper into the wood grain for even removal Bristles Stiff Deck Scrub Brush | $22–$38 | Shop → |
Moisture meter for wood Confirms the deck is dry enough (under 15%) to accept stain and avoid callbacks General Tools MMD4E | $27–$42 | Shop → |
| Item | Price | |
|---|---|---|
Percarbonate deck cleaner concentrate Removes gray weathering, mildew, and dirt before coating Restore-A-Deck Wood Cleaner | $30–$48 | Shop → |
Oxalic-acid wood brightener Neutralizes cleaner and restores the wood's natural tone for stain adhesion Restore-A-Deck Wood Brightener | $28–$45 | Shop → |
Semi-transparent penetrating deck stain (5 gal) The finish coat that protects and colors the deck; your main material DEFY Extreme Wood Stain | $165–$230 | Shop → |
Percarbonate/gel wood stripper Strips failed film-forming coatings off restoration decks HD-80 Heavy Duty Wood Stripper | $40–$65 | Shop → |
Sanding disc variety pack (5-inch hook-and-loop, 60-120 grit) Consumable abrasives for prepping and feathering board surfaces Diablo 5-Inch Sanding Disc Assortment | $24–$40 | Shop → |
Painter's plastic and drop cloths Protects siding, plants, and hardscape from stain overspray Trimaco Easy Mask Plastic Sheeting | $20–$38 | Shop → |
| Item | Price | |
|---|---|---|
Half-mask respirator with organic vapor cartridges Protects lungs from stain fumes and stripper vapors during application 3M 6200 Half Facepiece Respirator | $28–$45 | Shop → |
Chemical-resistant nitrile gloves (box) Shields hands from caustic strippers, acid brighteners, and stain Grease Monkey Nitrile Gloves | $14–$24 | Shop → |
Knee pads (gel, professional) Protects knees during hours of board-level staining and sanding NoCry Professional Knee Pads | $22–$34 | Shop → |
Safety glasses / face shield combo Blocks stripper splash and sanding debris from eyes 3M SecureFit Safety Glasses | $12–$22 | Shop → |
5-gallon buckets with grid and lids (set) Mixing chemicals, holding stain, and load-out on every job Leaktite 5-Gallon Bucket Set | $24–$40 | Shop → |
| Item | Price | |
|---|---|---|
Gas pressure washer (3000+ PSI) Speeds up stripping and cleaning large or heavily weathered decks Simpson MSH3125 MegaShot | $379–$499 | Shop → |
Adjustable pressure-washer surface/turbo nozzle set Dials wash intensity so you clean wood without furring the grain Twinkle Star Pressure Washer Nozzle Tips | $15–$28 | Shop → |
Professional cordless orbital sander (18V/20V) Untethered sanding on decks with no nearby outlet, faster board prep Makita XOB01Z 18V Random Orbit Sander | $99–$149 | Shop → |
5-gallon airless spray tip and guard upgrade set Correct tip sizes for stain viscosity, less overspray and clogging Graco RAC X FFLP Tip | $30–$55 | Shop → |
Wet/dry shop vacuum (12+ gal) Collects sanding dust and cleans up chemical spills between coats RIDGID 14 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac | $99–$149 | Shop → |
Folding aluminum work platform / job ladder Safe reach for multi-level decks, railings, and pergola tops Little Giant Velocity Multi-Position Ladder | $149–$229 | Shop → |
Run the business, not just the gear. The kit gives you the spreadsheet back-office; the course teaches you to price, win clients, and scale.
Get the ops kit See the full courseEvery item here is the beginner-right version — not the cheapest junk that fails on job two, not the pro overkill you don't need yet. It's the exact loadout taught in the course.