It's kind of like your skin....if you go out in the sun without protection, you get a little burned. You shower and the dead skin comes off. Think of the fuzzies like peeling after your burn. With that said, even with good protection, your skin is still exposed to UV rays and other elements that cause it to "sluff" off. Same with the top layer of wood. Sun, weather, foot traffic etc will cause the very top layer to degrade. Washing can cause these little fibers to stand up so it's not necessarily the specific detergent or method....it's more of a time thing. Doing your maintenance sooner than later causes less disturbance to the top layer. Now to your deck - we've actually used a defelting pad over stain and it worked out. There are companies that don't ever do this step because they say that over time, they will lay down. I absolutely get baby feet on ipe with splinters because you are right - they really hurt! Let me do some looking around - I'm betting that there is some way to fashion an attachment for a defelter....if not, it sure sounds like something that would sell well! We don't use a random orbital - but you know those car buffers? Something might attach to that :) Celeste

Random, and in the same manner on both decks to make them appear similar. Are the decks rectangular (or orthogonal) or some sort of free form frenzy?

In my opinion, proper bonding is the most important aspect of a swimming pool. Improperly bonded or pools not bonded have caused deaths. It's not to be taken lightly. As I had stated, an electrician or pool pro who has knowledge of pool electricity is the best person to evaluate your current condition and advise you on any corrections to be made to bring it to the current code requirement and, make it safe. We have been required by town building depts. on some residential renovations to have a bond test performed by a trained individual to prove the current bonding is ok. A written document accompanies these tests. In New Jersey for instance, public pools must get tested and certified every 5 years for bonding. Diving boards are fine provided the pool meets the current standard for one.Yes, they are fun for the kids-and some adults!

Those deck boards don't look like they need replacement. A good power wash and a finish.