How to peel your terrace with a pressure washer. First of all, you need the right pressure washer. We recommend around 2400 PSI for an average platform. This makes it easier to work without damaging most woods.
We hear this question a lot from DIYers and it's an important one. Too much pressure can permanently damage the wood, while too little will not be enough to do the job. In general, we recommend buying a pressure washer that can operate between 1200 and 2000 psi. This is approximately the optimal range for removing old paint from deck wood.
Keep in mind that most people don't exceed 1200 PSI when they pressure wash their deck. Especially if you're a beginner, it's best to start with a lower PSI. However, if you have very strong wood and want to use a PSI close to 1500, it's a good idea to have the help of professional painters. This way, you can avoid any damage or harm.
To clean a wooden deck, it's best to use the lowest pressure setting that's still effective. For soft woods such as cedar or pine, this is usually 500 to 600 psi. For harder woods, it can go up to 1200 to 1500 psi. According to the video, a heavy project like this requires a pressure washer with a rated power of at least 2500 PSI.
Other sources say it should be between 2000 and 4000 PSI. When you're sure you have the correct pressure setting, work from the house to the outside and make sure you keep a constant distance while keeping your arm steady and sweeping, working with the grain of the wood. While there may still be some paint left that won't come off with the pressure washer, the vast majority should. Keep in mind that pressure washers are extremely strong and can completely destroy the wood on your terrace if not used with caution.
Remember to always start the water pressure in a safe area pointing away from people and glass windows, and start at least two feet from the wooden platform, then place the pressure in a range of between one foot and 18 inches from the platform. If washing produces soft, raised wood fibers, you will need to sand them before staining the freshly cleaned platform. Never use this method on hardboard coatings, as it is more susceptible to moisture and can be easily damaged by high pressure. This is important because oil-based paint is much more difficult to remove and may need more work than a pressure washer.
Choosing the right pressure washer and operating it with the correct pressure setting are the first keys to properly washing a platform. In certain cases (when there are too many coats of paint), you may need more than 3000 psi, but at that time it's better to simply hire a professional, since 3000 psi pressure washers can easily damage the wood on the deck. If you own or have ever rented a pressure washer, you probably already know a thing or two about nozzles. During this step, try to remove as much paint as possible before taking out the pressure washer.
And while pressure washing is a viable option for removing old paint from the terrace, there are a few things you should know before taking it away and starting to clean it. As in some cases, you apply high-pressure water very close to your feet, you should protect your feet and toes.
