- 1). Remove all hardware from the old wood. Pound or pry out nails with a hammer or pry bar, pull out nails and staples with locking pliers, and use pliers or a screwdriver to back out any screws. Do not leave any metal in the wood, because it can cause injury to both humans and tools.
- 2). Cut off any parts of the wood that show signs of disease or rot. If it appears to have just surface mildew, wipe the affected area with a rag soaked in a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. Set the wood aside for a few weeks to see whether the mold grows back after this treatment. If it does, discard the wood.
- 3). Run each piece of wood through a planer set at 1/16- to 1/8-inch depth, depending on the damage to the surface of the wood. Plane down each surface, except in the case of tongue-in-groove panels; avoid planing the tongue and grooved edges. If the planed surfaces are still flawed, remove another 1/16 inch.
- 4). Inspect the planed wood for any further flaws. Cut off extremely knotted or damaged portions, then use the remaining wood as you would any other type. Remember that the planing will cost you 1/8 inch or more of surface, so mixing used wood with new wood can lead to uneven sizing.
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