Power washing/painting house questions
Coconut
We have recently bought a 15 year old house in NE PA that has never
been painted since it was new. In places, the paint has flaked off and
in other places it is fine. We also have much dirt in certain areas.
We live in a VERY heavily wooded area and trees grow fairly close to
the house.
My question is, will a 1750 psi power washer do the job? Or will I
need something more heavy duty/higher psi? I can have free access to a
1750 psi washer which is why I ask.
Next, when I paint, should I prime the ENTIRE house or just the spots
that I take down to bare wood? What primer and/or paint is
recommended for the NE climate with its cold winters and hot summers?
Many thanks for all your help!
Chris
Joseph Meehan
Personally I am not a fan of power washers on wood you are going to
paint. The old scrap and sand, I believe, does a much better job. For some
things there is no fast right way.
--
Joseph E. Meehan
26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math
RB
wood is that the material between the growth rings tends to erode faster
when pressure washed than at the ring boundaries. If the force is to
great you will no longer have a smooth surface, rather you'll have a
rough surface.
Pressure washing, starting with a low pressure and increasing the
pressure as you get comfortable with the results, followed by scraping
of the difficult areas will yield the best results.
You'll get a cleaner surface if you precede any pressure washing by
spraying with a TSP and water solution and letting it sit for 30 to 45
minutes.
On bare wood in New England that has been allowed to dry apply an oil
based primer first and then latex or acrylic finish coats. If the
previous finish is in tact priming is not necessary. My preference for
exterior paint is Benjamin Moore.
RB
davefr
and scrape/sand flaking areas.
I'd prime any bare area with a long oil primer. You might want to
consider SW Duration since it's self priming.