Selecting the Right Pressure Washer for Stripping Paint from Wood Siding
Removing old, flaking paint from wooden siding with a pressure washer requires matching the machine's power to the task. Too little pressure leaves paint behind, while too much can harm the wood itself, so choosing an appropriate PSI range and following safe operating practices matters.
By Jamie Howard
Use a power washer to remove peeling paint quickly.
Pressure washers, sometimes called power washers, are useful for washing the exterior of a home. Before repainting, they can also strip flaking and peeling paint from wooden siding. The key is selecting a machine whose power suits the job. If the pressure is too low, not all the paint will come off. If it is too high, the paint will be removed but the wood beneath may be damaged as well.
Minimum Size
For cleaning surfaces ahead of painting, machines in the 1,200 psi to roughly 2,000 psi range are suitable, though they should not be expected to strip much paint. Units with greater strength, beginning around 2,500 psi, are more effective at removing flaking or peeling paint. When the job is more stubborn, a 3,000 psi pressure washer may be considered, since it can apply enough force to break paint away from the wood's surface.
Process
Begin by putting plastic bags over outdoor lighting and electrical fixtures, shutting doors and windows, and covering landscaping plants and the lawn. Goggles and protective clothing should be worn to guard against injury from the pressurized spray. To strip paint from wood, keep the nozzle four to 12 inches away from the painted surface and hold it at approximately a 45 degree angle. Do not spray beneath the laps of siding or into vents, as doing so can lead to moisture problems later on.
Considerations
A pressure washer can make the work easier, but it will not eliminate the need to hand scrape some areas of the house. Water blasting takes off most peeling or blistered paint, yet it also tends to make the edges of the remaining painted areas curl upward. After letting the siding dry, go over those spots with a scraper before painting so the surface ends up flat.
