Exterior Painting Question

Ok, I've decided to paint my house myself. And I have some questions. I will post photos below.

I know the house needs to be pressure washed before I start. And I figured since most of the paint just rubs off by rubbing a hand over it, that pressure washing it would get all but a little off. But the guy that came to give me an estimate said that he wouldn't want to use too much pressure on it, because the wood might "hair-up" meaning, having a shredding effect. and make the painting difficult or possibly make the paint not last as long.

I want to do a good job and don't mind working, but I don't want to waste time scraping the whole thing by hand if I don't "need" to.

What should I do?

Thanks!




Post edited by: jmm8877, at: 2008/09/13 17:59

I'm pretty sure you can pressure wash it. It will get water into the wood but it has already been exposed for some time from the looks of the photos.

You'll have to prep the wood with linseed oil and turpentine which will help dry it out of any water that got in. The oil will replace what was lost in the wood being exposed.

This two would be only if you are going to paint with an oil based paint. I'm not sure if they are compatible with exterior acrylic.

I think that you would be fine using a pressure washer on the exterior. Unless the siding is extremely old and weathered, it shouldn't cause a splintering effect. If the wood is in that poor of condition, you would need to consider replacing it anyhow... I don't think you have anything to lose by trying a pressure washer.. Good luck!

As a professional painting contractor in Louisville, KY we pressure wash every exterior paint job. However, pressure washing is to rinse the surface of dirt, not to blast off paint. So I would not recommend trying to remove all the paint with a pressure washer, the wood will get too saturated. What does come off while rinsing the house is a bonus, but the rest should be scraped.

Hi
Yes I would recommend high pressure hydro washing your walls followed by scraping and sanding the wood to remove as much paint as possible once dry you need to put a high quality wood sealant on it before painting.

I suggest that you save energy and frustration and hire a pro.

anyway up to you.