Hatrack River Forum: Looking to paint my house

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Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :

Was thinking about getting one of those power washers to spray the old paint off and what not. But I’m not sure about the details there. PSI and GPM and what not that I’ll need. Anyone done this? Plus where might be the best deal.
I’m also thinking of getting one of those power painters to. Wal-Mart has one for $50 and a step up model for $80.
I was looking at siding too. But that seemed to be pretty crazy. Not sure the deal there. Anyway… who has done this and has some opinions?

Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :

The military can paint your house with lasers.

Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :

No one used these power sprayers?

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

I used an early model power painter once. It was a pain. The paint had to be thinned down to spray properly, which, of course, meant extra coats to get the desired coverage. That and it dripped. It wasn't neater, it was messier.

Hated it.

As for pressure washing before painting, I suppose that sort of thing works -- it'd be better than not doing any prep work.

But, if you have flaking paint and the pressure washer doesn't get it all off, you're going to need to scrape or sand anyway.

My current house was repainted before we bought it. They didn't scrape or do anything, apparently. Next time through is going to be a bear of a job.

Plus, it looks like the house has a bad case of skin cancer that's been painted over. Looks good from the street, but up close -- sheesh!

You gotta prep the surface well! So, if after pressure washing you've still got paint highs and lows on the surface, you have to do something else.

Might as well scrape to begin with, imo.

(note: I think that the rules may be different for stucco or cinder-block versus siding or wood frame -- I would check with a pro or talk to the hardware store folks).

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

Power washers can be really handy for this sort of thing, but be careful--it's pretty easy to damage the surface that you're wanting to prep. What is it you'll be spraying? Bat and board? Stucco? Cinder block?

I'm not a huge fan of paint sprayers. A roller or brush takes longer, but they work the paint into the surface, which a paint sprayer simply doesn't do. You'll have to repaint sooner if you use a sprayer, or at least that's been my experience.

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :

I had, as a client, a painting company. They used power washers all the time to clean the surface before painting. It was considered a very important step, especially as this was in Vancouver, which is rainforest area with algae growing on exterior surfaces.

And that's pretty much all I know. [Smile]

Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :

It’s an old wood house built in the teens. Some areas have paint peeling. Some have about a ten year old paint job on it. It a real mix of everything.
One of the main things I can’t figure out is how much PSI will do. Wal-Mart has a couple of pressure washers. I think the max is 3000 while the low end one is 1000. I’m going to hit up Lowe’s this evening and see what they say. Should be fun.

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

Err on the side of too low when it comes to the pressure, especially if there are any places where the wood isn't in perfect shape.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

You don't want a high-PSI pressure wash on wood. You'll groove the wood in horrible ways if you've never done it before.

Posted by TheHumanTarget (Member # 7129) on :

I would suggest hiring someone, as opposed to doing it yourself.

Posted by ssasse (Member # 9516) on :

Consider renting for the first time you do this, too. If the one you rent isn't just right, you can usually exchange it for another free (check first on the store policy, though). Then you'll have some idea of what you really want for your place when & if you decide to buy.

Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :

I second Sara's recommendation; definitely rent rather than buying if it's your first time using one.

Posted by ssasse (Member # 9516) on :

(Hey! Stray recognizes me. [Blushing]

)

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

Jay -- I have a very old house (1880) with original wood siding. I have been told by a professional that the wood is much too old to even CONSIDER using a power washer to clean it -- it would destroy the wood siding completely. It is currently being scraped, sanded and repaired by hand (my son) in preparation for a good primer coat.

I would say it depends on the condition of your wood. You could ask a pro to come out to give you an "estimate" (even if you don't use it) and see what his opinions are on the pressure washing.

FG

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

Farmgirl, could you send your son up to Dayton when he gets finished? I've got a porch that needs prepping.

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

Ha! I'm having to use a cattle prod to keep him going as it is. I think we have a 8' square section actually cleaned and primed right now. At this rate, he might be done in 2010.

(did I mention that he is meticulous way past the point of aggravating?) [Wink]

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

If you're comfortable with a heat gun that's probably the fastest way to get off loose paint. But the time to learn how to use one is probably not on the side of your house.

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

Exactly. So if you need to practice, I hear there's a porch in Dayton that could use prepping. . .