If it starts to dry, apply a little more to keep the surface wet. Instead try one that contains sodium hydroxide or linoleum. Spray nearby vegetation with water and then cover it with a plastic bag until you’ve completed the process. When it's stripping, it doesn't blister or fizz, so don't worry if you can't see anything happening. When you first painted that deck it looked great. Also, be prepared to get wet, as some water will probably splash back at you. Thus, make sure to get a quality paint stripping product. Anytime you are using a chemical, be sure to wear protective gear. Once the coating has visibly lifted, agitate the surface using a stiff brush or power washer to remove the old coating. In this way, you can avoid any damages or harm. Oil based paints and latexes that have been on the deck a long time may require additional mechanical methods for removal. Planing the wood will reduce the dimensions of the boards, however, and should only be used sparingly in the most difficult cases. After allowing the stripper to work for the recommended time, use a power washer set on a lower pressure to peel away the softened paint and rinse away the salt-based stripper. If you were not present when the paint was applied and are not sure of the kind of paint used, a simple test will tell you the type of paint you are dealing with. The ideal time to remove paint is before it has had time to dry, but it is also possible to remove dried latex paint from wood. After allowing the stripper to work for the recommended time, use a power washer set on a lower pressure to peel away the softened paint and rinse away the salt-based stripper. How to Power Wash an Exterior Deck to Remove Paint. To avoid this undesirable outcome, most people hire a. However, if you have a very tough wood and would like to use a PSI close to 1500, it’s a good idea to get the help of professional painters. Lynn. People do this all the time, and then end up with a result that is no better than what they started out with. Don't paint yourself into a corner, the surface will be slippy while it's working, so be careful. Typically, the entire process takes a full day complete. Check the guidelines below: Keep in mind that most people do not go over 1200 PSI when power washing their deck. If the paint comes off, it is latex. Especially if you are a beginner, it’s best to start out at a lower PSI. But guess what? Remember that the real power is behind the paint stripper that you are using. Mechanical methods include power washing, sanding and planing. Using a combination of these methods will yield the best results. Of the two types of paint, latex is by far the easiest to remove. Mold is a fungus that seem on wood as greenish-black streaks. Afterwards, follow up with mild water to rinse. Still, the amount of pressure you use should depend on the type of wood that your deck is made of. Maybe you are about to call a contractor to get an estimate for stripping the deck back down to its natural finish. Use a belt sander. Maybe you are about to call a contractor to get an estimate for stripping the deck back down to its natural finish. In turn, power washing and re-painting will be a much easier task. Still, if you plan to tackle this job and want a professional looking job, then you’d be smart to take the proper steps. All you need to do is get in touch with a company that does exterior house painting in Cape Cod, such as Total Care Painting. If the paint comes off on the rag, its latex. Test the paint for lead 2. This means gathering all the necessary equipment beforehand and making sure you are dressed appropriately. Old paint by: Anonymous Rich thanks for the info. Work in ten foot by ten-foot sections as you apply and remove the stripper. Apply deicing salts before an ice or snow storm to prevent ice formation. Planing the wood will reduce the dimensions of the boards, however, and should only be used sparingly in the most difficult cases. I used the Bher deckover on my wood deck also about 4 years ago, it is peeling and cracking all over, to bad such a good paint product can come up with a very very bad one, I have not tried to remove mine, just hate looking at it everyday. The act of power washing is not a very difficult one. To clean deck wood, start by prepping the deck properly. After sanding the old paint away, you can repaint or seal the deck boards for a new look. Don’t use strippers that contain methylene chloride because the chemicals are extremely harsh. Use a belt sander. The answer is yes you can, but have a few tips before repainting it. While this is a useful measure for killing fungi, it can cause damage to the wood fibers. Chemical methods involve fairly caustic chemicals that can be applied by sprayer, brush, and roller. Be warned that power washers are viciously strong, and it can completely destroy the wood in your deck if not used with caution. This must be done prior to repainting, in order that a fresh new coat of paint will have something great to bond to. Use a paint scraper to remove any paint still on the deck. It’s an efficient method for flat surfaces but must be done carefully to avoid wood damage. Usually, a gel-based stripper is more effective but requires application by roller and brush which is more time consuming. Clean off the sticky residue left behind 5. I have 4layers of paint. Now, years after the job, the paint is weathered and peeling. You’ll also need to visit a hardware store to purchase other paint-removal supplies. Generally, when someone has decided to strip their deck, they are preparing it for a fresh coat of paint or stain. Perhaps you are contemplating replacing the deck. Before using a brush to remove latex paint overspray from hardwood flooring, allow the rubbing alcohol to sit for about five minutes. How to remove and strip paint from the deck easy way using a behr deckover painting finish work contractor talk is there a way to tell if deck finish behr deckover how to strip clean a deck for stain young house love how to remove flaking deck stain the family handyman home depot cl action lawsuit says behr deckover is defective. Spray the nearby siding of the house with water to help deflect any chemicals that may come in contact with it. Chemical methods involve fairly caustic chemicals that can be applied by sprayer, brush, and roller. The chemicals used to strip latex paint are caustic and salt based and can come in either a gel or thinner based form suitable for spraying. Some people falsely assume removing the old coat is unnecessary, but that is simply not true! For larger jobs, like furniture, use a mechanical hand sander or a power sander to buff dried paint away. When the time comes to repaint your deck, you don’t want to make the terrible mistake of painting over an old, chipped coat. If it does not, you are dealing with oil-based paint. Here comes the messy part! The best thing to use isn't chlorine bleach, but plain water and perhaps some detergent. Not wanting to gouge, or dig into wood. Some people take a scraper to their deck as well. Scrape off the paint to reveal the wood underneath. Then, grab your stiff bristled brush and scrub every inch of your deck. Once you’ve identified latex paint, you can begin the cleaning process. Is the paint an oil based exterior paint or a latex? We specialize in interior and exterior, painting, pressure washing, and deck staining and much more. You can apply with the cleaner with a paintbrush or through the pressure washer intake hose. However, the portion we are discussing below – the removal of old paint – will take about 4 hours. How to remove paint from wood – 3 ways. Remove snow from the deck often to prevent ice build up. Once you’ve covered all your bases and taken the proper safety precautions, you can start the cleaning and paint removal process. If you are putting paint stripper in a bucket, make sure to use plastic as opposed to metal to avoid a chemical reaction. The metal can chip the wood and cause it to decay. It will grow whether you use redwood, cedar or pressure-treated decking, and whether or not you paint the wood. Otherwise, the paint stripper will eat through the bristles of a natural brush. A safer alternative to chlorine bleach for mold cleaning is oxygen bleach. We specialize in interior and exterior, painting, pressure washing, and deck staining and much more. On the other hand, a rashly done job will result in a deck that looks worse than when you it started out. Buy or rent a power washer that is no stronger than 1200 PSI. This entails removing the old paint, cleaning (and maybe sanding) the deck, applying brightener, repainting or staining, and applying a nice finish. So, when you are power washing your deck, remember these tips: Make sure to always keep the nozzle moving during this process, to avoid damaging your wood. Your deck provides an outdoor gathering place in seasonable weather, but painted deck boards can age and the paint can peel over time, leaving you with a less-than-optimal floor surface. Before you do that, consider doing the job yourself. 1. Remove all items from the deck. Press the scraper in and up on the paint to remove it, taking care not to scrape the wood underneath. Sanding is best kept for small projects unless you want to hire an industrial sander to remove paint and varnish from your floor. John has been involved in politics for the last 10 years, 5 of those as a Mayor in the midwest. In turn, the new coat will display the intended color and remain on the deck for a longer period of time. When you don’t remove the old layer from the deck, the new layer will not adhere to the wood. Put a small amount of alcohol on a rag or cotton swab and rub this over the paint. Do not use a metal shovel to remove snow from a wooden deck; instead use a plastic shovel. Keep in mind that most people do not go over 1200 PSI when power washing their deck. Not to mention, you’ll end up wasting more money and time to correct it. Simply spray on and wait the recommended time. Since it's beginning, Total Care Painting has evolved into a full-service professional painting company in Cape Cod, Massachusetts that offers House Painting, Pressure Washing, Deck Sanding/Staining and Light Carpentry. Avoid this disaster by first considering the type of wood that your deck is made of. Once you notice the bubbles, grab your scraper and begin scraping away as much as you can. You want to be certain that you rinse thoroughly so that no stripper remains to foul the new coating you will apply to the deck. Let dry completely before doing anything else Keep on scrubbing and keep on adding soap solution until the acrylic paint on your deck is completely gone. Wear goggles, rubber gloves and a dust mask. However, a gel based stripper is most effective on vertical surfaces such as rails and box sills due to its ability to cling. There are many kinds of deck cleaner, but any quality cleaner will do fine. You only need to remove old deck paint that is failing, before repainting with a new coat of paint. Oil based paints and latexes that have been on the deck a long time may require additional mechanical methods for removal. Pay special attention to corners, as they are hard to clear. People do this all the time, and then end up with a result that is no better than what they started out with. When you first painted that deck it looked great. However, if you have a very tough wood and would like to use a PSI close to 1500, it’s a good idea to get the help of. When you are finished stripping the deck you will be ready to stain or seal it. The goal is to remove any di… You can apply with the cleaner with a paintbrush or through the pressure washer intake hose. There are many kinds of deck cleaner, but any quality cleaner will do fine. Removing any paint that is showing signs of failure, such as cracking, peeling, bubbling, or blistering. Algae is a slimy, green film that quickly grows on wood in wet and dark conditions. Run the paint scraper over any areas that have flaking or peeling paint. … Sanding is the next step in this operation to remove paint. If the paint job on your deck has begun to look tired and worn, it’s time to get rid of the old paint and make the deck … Use a stiff, synthetic brush for initial paint removal. Active ingredient: N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) Strength: A ⅛-inch coat removes up to seven layers of paint. When picking a nozzle, remember that the smaller the spread or fan is, the harder the blast will be. Hold the tip about 12 inches away from the deck and spray in a sweeping motion, following the grain of the wood. Note: The sample deck we created had a new, solid-color coating on it so it took more than 15 minutes to lift. If you have a wooden surface that has been painted with a latex-based paint, you can remove the paint relatively easily. If you were not present when the paint was applied and are not sure of the kind of paint used, a simple test will tell you the type of paint you are dealing with. Continue spraying with the power washer until all of the paint has been removed from the … Allow the paint stripper to sit until the paint beneath begins to crack and bubble. Painted decks offer unique challenges for surface removal when preparing to re-stain. However, you must always keep in mind that going overboard will result in a destroyed deck. The chemicals used to strip … Most contractors prefer a combination of chemical and power washing. Some people take a scraper to their deck as well. If you’re not planning to do it the right way, then what is the point? Just remember, you'll want to protect deck wood, when removing old paint. When the time comes to repaint your deck, you don’t want to make the terrible mistake of painting over an old, chipped coat. It is critical that you have rinsed away the stripping agent before doing this. After shoveling snow each winter, the deck surface is chipped with raw wood exposed. Using a combination of these methods will yield the best results. The goal is to remove any dirt, debris, build up, or old paint. Besides, mold spores can pose a health risk to humans and pets when absorbed. When stripping paint from your deck, you should always take the proper safety precautions to avoid any unnecessary damage. Keep the fan between 25 and 45 degrees for the best results. I bought my house 3 years ago. As a result, you will notice that the new layer chips and flakes in under a year. Easy Step to Remove Green Algae from Wood Deck. The idea is to take as little of the wood surface as possible when removing the paint. Your deck needs to be cleaned and maintained to look its best. Do not use hot water. When you first painted that deck it looked great. Again, it should be emphasized that if you are not a very handy person, it may be best to get help from the professionals. Paint on a marine-grade anti-slip decking product for wooden decks especially prone to becoming slippery. Getting rid of the old paint (as well as other build up and debris) will ensure the smoothest finish. Shut all doors and windows that are in the surrounding area, to avoid water from getting inside. . 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