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.
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. With pressure washers, as with all power equipment, always wear protective goggles and closed-toe shoes. Prepare the area around the structure you are working on.
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.
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.
Use a pressure washer with a maximum output of at least 3,000 PSI. The water pressure alone is often enough to break the bond between the paint and concrete, but be sure to protect plants and structures in the area. Professionals often use pressure washers with water heaters to remove paint stains.
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.
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.
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.
Vinyl siding can withstand a powerful gas pressure washer (2,500-3,000 psi). Aluminum, stucco or soft-grain wood homes will do better with a less powerful washer (about 1,200-1,500 psi).
To avoid damaging the paint, use a pressure washer with a suitable psi rating (1200–2200), a wide spray nozzle (25 to 40 degrees), and maintain a safe distance from the car (at least 12 inches).
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.
Too much pressure (generally anything more than 1,900 PSI) can damage the paint job on your vehicle. If you're determined to do so, keep the following tips in mind. In addition to using the right pressure (1,000 to 1,200 PSI), make sure you use the correct nozzle.
For power washing a painted finish or siding, we recommend using a nozzle of 15 or 25 degrees – marked yellow or green, respectively – for a powerful stream that won't cause damage if used correctly.
To remove graffiti most effectively a 3000 psi pressure washer that can heat the water to approximately 190 degrees at a 5 gpm flow is most desired. If you have access to a cold water pressure washer (1500 - 3000 psi) you may want to extend the dwell time of the chemical on the surface to a minimum of 20 minutes.
For instance, a light layer of dirt or dust may only require a PSI of 1,500 to 2,000, while a thick layer of oil or grease may require a PSI of 3,500 or higher to remove.
For light-duty tasks such as washing a car or cleaning a barbecue grill, a pressure washer with 1,000 to 1,750 psi and 1.4 to 1.6 gpm (1,400 to 2,800 ECUs) will probably do the job.
There's no doubt that electric pressure washers from 1,300 to 2,300 psi can wash a concrete driveway, but it'll take longer. If you have a large driveway with lots of stains, you'll want more power to do the job faster. I chose the 3,100-psi gas pressure washer and cut the job time in half.
Medium Duty 2000-2800 PSI
This classification ranges from as low as 2,000 PSI to as high as 2,800 PSI. You can use a medium-duty pressure washer for almost any surface. They're great for cleaning concrete, brick, and wood.
2,000 to 3,000 PSI
Good for cleaning concrete surfaces with light to moderate oil stains, most automotive cleaning, pools, many industrial applications.
Solvent-based paint strippers work by breaking the chemical bond between the paint and the surface it was applied to. Caustic-based strippers break down the paint itself. Manual techniques use tools to physically chip or melt paint away. Choosing the right method will often come down to the surface you're working with.
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.
Plenty of people use a pressure washer to clean their car, but it can do more harm than good. Using a pressure washer can damage or nick the paint, which could lead to rust. A car wash will usually get the job done—so will a garden hose and soapy sponge.