How to Use a Pressure Washer to Remove Paint from Deck
Pressure washers are some of the most valuable tools you can have around your house. They are delicate enough to clean cars, but they also pack enough power to strip paint of surfaces. In this article we will cover how you can use a pressure washer to remove paint from a deck.
How Much PSI Do You Need?
Pressure washers come in a variety of sizes ranging from small to large. When looking at the amount of cleaning power these machines produce, people often refer to the PSI (pound-force per square inch).
If you’re looking to remove paint from a deck 2,000 – 4,000 PSI will pack enough power. The good news is that most pressure washers fall somewhere in this range. Some models will even have a lever that allows you to control the amount of pressure.
Anything that falls under this number will fall more into the category of cleaning. And machines above this range will produce too much pressure and will need to be adjusted. You don’t want to damage your wood deck during the cleaning process.
How to Remove Paint from a Deck
If you’re applying a fresh coat of paint to a deck, you will need to remove the existing layer first. A majority of this work can be done with a pressure washer, but you will also need to use a scraper tool to take off any remaining paint.
1. Gather Your Supplies
It’s important to gather all of your gear before starting this job. You will need a pressure washer, wand attachment, and extra extension hoses. You don’t want to start this cleaning project only to have it cut short if you don’t have everything. Longer extension hoses will come in handy if your deck isn’t close to a nearby water outlet.
This is also a good time to replace any rotted wood on the deck. What happens most often with neglected decks is that the paint will peel and expose raw wood. When this protective layer comes off, the wood is exposed to water and other elements of nature. There’s a higher chance for the wood to rot and disintegrate as this occurs.
2. Try the 15 Degree Nozzle
You can begin pressure washing once all of your necessary supplies are close by. Connect the 15 degree (yellow nozzle) to the end of your pressure washer wand. This attachment will delivery plenty of power to strip off paint, without causing any harm to the wood in the process. It’s crucial to never use an nozzle lower than this.
Any nozzle under 15 degrees can potential damage the surface of the wood. Avoid using the red nozzle as this will concentrate all of the water into a small area. Nozzles work by spreading out the water when the machine is on and you don’t want to focus all the pressure on one area. The 15 degree nozzle should not damage the wood when used correctly.
3. Stay Consistent
You should always follow a pattern when using a pressure washer to remove paint from a deck. This will not only make things easier for you, but sticking to a consistent pattern will produce the best results possible. Hold the wand between 12-15 inches away from the surface, as this is the most efficient distance for paint removal.
If you’re unfamiliar with pressure washing, it helps to understand how to use the machine for cleaning. You want to avoid standing in one place, as this will make it harder to remove paint. Try walking with the wand so you can effectively clean the entire surface area. This will help remove all of the paint that is hanging from the wood.
4. Use a Scraper
As great as pressure washers can be, they are not perfect. During this project you will discover that not all of the paint can be removed with high amounts of water pressure. That’s why you will need to use a paint scraper tool once the pressure washing stage has been finished. This will remove any leftover paint on the wood of your deck.
It’s essential to remove all hanging paint, as you will not be able to apply a fresh layer over these areas. The paint needs to bond to the surface of the wood if you want it to last. Painting over these areas will not only look sloppy, but the paint chips will get on your brush and roller. Make sure to scrap off these areas if you want to do the job right.
5. Apply New Paint
When you have removed all of the paint from the deck with a pressure washer and scraping tool, you can apply a new layer. Just remember that you don’t need to remove every inch of paint from the wood. This will take too much time and it’s an unnecessary step. Paint that is still bonded to the surface can be covered with fresh paint.
The easiest way to paint a deck is to use a handheld roller for the large surface area. Make sure to use an extended handle so you can save your back in the process. For the railing and posts you will need to use a brush, because these areas require more precision. Some raw wood might require two coats of paint, so apply a second coat if needed.
Paint Removal Tips
Keep the wand at an angle – It helps to keep the pressure washer wand at an angle for two reasons. The first is that it will make removing the paint much easier. You want to take off the chips at an angle, rather than spray them straight on. But you also want to angle the wand for safety reasons. Spraying water away from you will prevent any debris from landing in your eyes.
Allow enough time – Whenever you’re planning an outdoor project, it always helps to allow enough time to get the job done. Set aside an entire day so you don’t feel rushed. Even though it might not take this long, it’s good to know you have all of this time free. It also helps to check the forecast ahead of time, so you can choose a sunny day and not have to worry about getting rained on.
Use a plastic tarp – One of the most underrated tips when it comes to using a pressure washer to remove paint from a deck it to use a tarp. All of the paint chips being removed from the wood will land below the deck. Placing down a plastic tarp beforehand will make the clean up process so much easier, because you won’t have to take the time picking up all the little pieces by had after.
Final Thoughts
Using a pressure washer to remove paint from a deck is by far the fastest way to strip paint. High amounts of water pressure will easily tear the paint chips right from the wood. Just make sure to use a 15 degree nozzle attachment to complete this project.
A nozzle lower than this number will be too aggressive for the wood and could potentially damage the surface. Follow up with a scraper tool and a fresh layer of paint to make your deck look new again.
Further Reading
Search Terms
- Pressure washer to remove paint from deck
