Selecting a pressure washer with a range of 2,000 psi to 4,000 psi will give you the most effective power for removing peeling paint.
How to strip your deck using a pressure washer. First of all, you need the right pressure washer. We recommend around 2400 PSI for the average deck. This makes the job easy without damaging most woods.
Determine How Much Pressure Is Needed
Other sources say you should have between 2,000 and 4,000 PSI. Based on our experience, we recommend getting a pressure washer with at least 3000 PSI. It requires a lot of pressure to break the chemical bond between the surface and the paint.
MEDIUM-DUTY pressure washers in the 1,800 to 2,000 PSI range can tackle bigger projects like large SUV's, RV's, siding and fencing, decks, garage floors and driveways.
For cleaning a wooden deck, you'll be best served by using the lowest pressure setting that's still effective. For soft woods like cedar or pine, this is usually about 500 to 600 psi. For harder woods, it can go up to 1200 to 1500 psi.
2,000 to 3,000 PSI
Good for cleaning concrete surfaces with light to moderate oil stains, most automotive cleaning, pools, many industrial applications.
The best way to strip paint from a deck is with a gel-based paint stripper. Gel-based strippers are thicker compared to liquid paint strippers which makes them less messy and runny. Application is much easier with gel; you usually only need to apply once to lift paint from the wood.
You can remove paint chemically with paint strippers or mechanically by scraping, power washing, and sanding your deck. Deck-maintenance pros prefer chemical strippers and power washers because they're much faster and less laborious than using strictly mechanical methods.
Use a paint scraper to remove any paint that is still partially stuck to the wood, but make sure to take your time to avoid damaging the wood. If necessary, you can reapply the paint stripper to help remove any stubborn paint that didn't come off the first time.
Removing exterior paint requires a stronger stream of pressure than soft washing jobs such as cleaning a roof. Thus, you want to find a pressure washer that is up to the task. To properly strip old paint, you will need a pressure washer with a psi of 2000 or higher. Even setting the unit at 2000 won't do the trick.
Applying Pressure
Although highly effective for cleaning concrete, applying this much pressure to your deck can cause irreversible damage. To clean a deck effectively, about 1,500 pounds of pressure will do the job nicely, without causing permanent damage.
To correctly strip old paint, you should work with a power washer with a psi of 2000 or higher. Even starting out at 2000 probably won't do the trick and you'll need to set the psi closer to 3,000 for effective paint stripping.
Heavy-duty tasks like stripping paint or removing graffiti require 2,800 psi or higher and a gpm of 3 to 4 (8,400+ ECUs). Commercial-grade pressure washers, intended for regular use and built and powered accordingly, start at 3,100 psi.
Liberally apply the stripper to dry surface and let it stand for 15 minutes. Next, rinse the surface with a garden hose or, for best results, use a pressure washer. The entire surface must then be neutralized with Problem-Solver Wood Brightener, which is included with the kit of stripper.
Best Overall
Our top recommendation for removing paint is Citristrip. This paint remover is effective at removing several types of paint and varnish, including latex-based paint, oil-based paint, shellac, varnish, and polyurethane.
This depends on the condition of your paint. If it's flaking and peeling then you do need to remove the old paint. However, if the deck paint is in good condition, then you can simply clean it and apply another coat of deck paint…
Deck painting is a classic summertime project, but according to Jolene Jantz, Paint Advisor for Jantz Lumber and Do-It Center in McPherson Kansas, the key to a successful deck-painting project lies in the surface preparation. “All loose paint must be removed, and the surface must be clean and dry,” Jantz said.
Yes, as long as the old deck paint is still in good condition, you should be able to paint right over it. But if the old paint is cracking, peeling, or otherwise damaged, give it a light sanding to even the surface before you paint.
To sand your deck, use a belt sander with 36 to 40 grit sandpaper belts to strip and remove the old surface and deck coatings. Next you'll need an orbital sander with 40 grit sanding discs to sand the edges of your deck.
Reach for the 1500 PSI Pressure Washer and use the 40-degree nozzle to clean painted soft-wood surfaces, aluminum siding, and windows. Brick, stone, and vinyl can handle the higher pressure of the 1600 PSI model. For stucco, stick to the gentler cleaning power of the WORX Hydroshot described below.
You have to know its capabilities, 1600 PSI is good for most home jobs (general siding cleaning/gutters, car washes, cleaning furniture) Don't expect it to clean a whole concrete driveway in one smooth pass.
2,000 - 2,900 PSI: This is a moderate strength unit used heavier residential tasks. These units are commonly sold as either electric or gas pressure washers. 3,000 - 6,900 PSI: These high pressure models are what professional pressure washers and contractors usually use.