Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - stripping old stain

We have a deck that is about 10 years old & made from cedar. We have kept up on preserving the wood each year or so with semi-transparent deck stain w/uv protection, etc., so the wood is in good shape. Last year, by mistake, we bought SOLID stain on clearance instead of semi-transparent, so we used it. We don't like the look of it, it is peeling like paint & we want to go back to the semi-transparent. Should we use a pressure washer?(we're afraid it might damage the soft cedar)-which psi? & if so, should we use one with or without a chemical stripper? Last Year I tried to use Behr Quik-Fix Deck Finish Remover & Wood Resurfacer (w/Sodium Hydroxide) without much luck. It is a large deck & I'm trying to avoid as much manual scraping & scrubbing as possible. Also, will this need to be followed by a sander? Thanks

jfm,
I'm sorry you used the solid stain and are now in this dilemma. You will have to use a sodium hydroxide or stronger stripper. The Behr leaves a bit to be desired. Try either the Flood Deck-strip or the Wolman Deckstrip Plus Paint remover. You can apply the stripper with a garden pump sprayer, it will require time to act on the surface. A pressure washer used with about 800 to 1200 psi shouldn't damage the wood. If 'fuzzies' develop from the pressure they can be lightly sanded with 80 grit paper after the wood has dried. The worse scenario is that two applications of stripper may be required, or possibly a stiff synthetic scrub brush. After stripping, you should use an Oxalic acid brightener - this is the best cleaner for cedar and will neutralize any remaining stripper residue. Remember to pay close attention to the label precautions. The sodium hydroxide is lye, and the oxalic acid, although found naturally in many plants, is still something to respect.
Good luck'
fred