I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use it on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the wood. If I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?

Thanks!
Scott

"Scott" wrote in message
...
I know I've asked the question before about whether a
do-it-yourselfer should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a
professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric
Pressure Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do
the deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck
greyed considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained
(Sikken Natural Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer
with bleach did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail.
The verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88
and use it on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the
wood. If I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?

Thanks!
Scott

Scot, I really can't answer your question about whether pressure
washing your deck yourself is a good idea, but I would like to offer
an observation I've made it the many years past.

I doubt if you would be satisfied with an $88 pressure washer and I
have found that Black & Decker tools are seldom satisfactory.

Personally, I wouldn't consider it. If I were going to get a PW, I
think I'd invest a bit more (3 times as much at least) and get
something more useful.

On the other hand if you are only going to use it once a year, that
is another consideration.

Also, have you thought about renting one? Probably cost less that
$35 for a half day. Then you do the job, return it, and you don't
have to store someplace for a year.

Just some thoughts.
Bob-tx

On Sep 21, 1:40 am, Scott wrote:
I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use it on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the wood. If I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?

Thanks!
Scott

Hi,

I have a Home Depot Husky electric one. It is sort of wimpy in power
but it works for me O.K. I think for a deck a gasoline one with more
oomph would be better. I did decide to get an electric wimpy one for
the following reasons:

1) Easy to store and maintain
2) I have a pretty wimpy water supply. So a large gasoline one would
quickly outstrip
my water source and start to gulp air
3) I wanted it to clean some rock in the garden... (it's a long
story ....) and this involved alot of stopping and starting. So an
electric one is very handy in this regard

Best, Mike.

"hobbes" wrote in message
oups.com...

I have a Home Depot Husky electric one. It is sort of wimpy in power
but it works for me O.K. I think for a deck a gasoline one with more
oomph would be better. I did decide to get an electric wimpy one for
the following reasons:

2) I have a pretty wimpy water supply. So a large gasoline one would
quickly outstrip my water source and start to gulp air

where would the air get in?



Best, Mike.

I just purchased the troy bilt 3000psi unit (gasoline driven) This PW is
awesome! It has the bogus and stratton engine and does seem to be a bit of
a gas hog, but it's worth it for the power. I consider it a good value at
$398.


s

"Scott" wrote in message
...
I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer
should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a
professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure
Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the
deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed
considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained (Sikken
Natural Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach
did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The
verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use
it on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the wood. If
I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?

Thanks!
Scott

on 9/21/2007 1:40 AM Scott said the following:
I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use it on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the wood. If I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?

Thanks!
Scott

It's a good deal for what you want. I have one and it does decks very
well. It also cleans all the crud from an automobile engine and
undercarriage (don't directly spray electronics), mowers, tractors,
sidewalks, siding, fencing, etc.
You won't be able to carve your initials into rocks, so if you are into
that, get a gas one.


--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On Sep 21, 1:40 am, Scott wrote:
I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use it on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the wood. If I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?


I have a cheapo 1500 Karcher model. It is unlikely you will damage
the wood if you are careful, as this is low pressure for a pressure
washer. I use mine to clean the deck, patio, siding, brick, driveway,
etc. A higher end model would undoubtedly be more useful and make
some jobs easier (could say that about every tool I own), but the one
I have has been good to have around and well worth the cost.

"Steve Barker LT" wrote in newsdWdnVGxNKk-
:


"hobbes" wrote in message
oups.com...

I have a Home Depot Husky electric one. It is sort of wimpy in power
but it works for me O.K. I think for a deck a gasoline one with more
oomph would be better. I did decide to get an electric wimpy one for
the following reasons:

2) I have a pretty wimpy water supply. So a large gasoline one would
quickly outstrip my water source and start to gulp air

where would the air get in?

That's what I was thinking. Even if you don't have much water pressure
the pump will draw in what it needs from the water line. Unless the supply
line is restricted in some way I doubt water pressure will be a problem.

for the op:

I have a 1600 psi electric pressur washer - ok for small jobs. I would not
do a deck or even a patio. Not enough gpm to be effective.

I use it for parts, motors, outdoot tables, it even works fine on getting
the algae and mold off the lower bricks of the house.

You won't be able to carve your initials into rocks, so if you are
into that, get a gas one.

lol. Reminds me of when I was younger and had a job at a chemical
plant hydro blasting cracking towers.

The blasters were 3000 psi I think but with a very high gpm, it would
cut a work boot in half. Ouch.

on 9/21/2007 10:14 AM kpg* said the following:
You won't be able to carve your initials into rocks, so if you are
into that, get a gas one.


lol. Reminds me of when I was younger and had a job at a chemical
plant hydro blasting cracking towers.

The blasters were 3000 psi I think but with a very high gpm, it would
cut a work boot in half. Ouch.


Look at these 60,000 psi water jet cutters they use now to cut steel plate.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Look at these 60,000 psi water jet cutters they use now to cut steel
plate.

yeah, I'm impressed evey time I see one. that is awesome.

"Scott" wrote in message
...
I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure
Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed
considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained (Sikken Natural
Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use it
on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the wood. If I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?


You'll get your moneys worth quickly. I use a little electric for all kinds of
quick cleaning.

Bob

Scott wrote:

I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use it on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the wood. If I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?

Thanks!
Scott


Update:

I purchased the Black & Decker Pressure Washer at Target today for $88.00. Regular
price is $169.95, so it looks like a good deal. There's also a 2-year warranty. The
unit is 1,600 PSI and has a 1.6 GPM flow rate. I'm going to try it out this weekend
on my front (treated wood) porch to see how it works. I'll let you know. Thanks
for all your very helpful advice.

Thanks again!
Scott

Scott wrote:

I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer should
try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a professional.
I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck
every few years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed considerably
last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar
stain)last year in the spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did
very little. The greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals
are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use it on
my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the wood. If I'm
careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?

Thanks!
Scott

I tried the pressure washer out on my small treated wood front porch, and it worked
fairly well. I hadn't cleaned this wood for several years. I put the 1,600 psi spray
as close as possible to the wood without damaging it. It's still somewhat dingy in many
places. I'm wondering if I should try hand scrubbing the wood with a strong cleaner
and/or bleach solution first and then follow up with another pressure wash? Hand scrubbing
has worked well in the past, although it's a chore.

Thanks!
Scott

Steve wrote:

Scott wrote on 22 Sep 2007 in group
alt.home.repair:



Scott wrote:

I know I've asked the question before about whether a
do-it-yourselfer should try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck
by himself or hire a professional. I see where Target is selling a
Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $88.00. This
seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck every few
years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed
considerably last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and
re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar stain)last year in the spring.
Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did very little. The
greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals are
fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88
and use it on my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too
close to the wood. If I'm careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the
wood?

Thanks!
Scott

I tried the pressure washer out on my small treated wood front porch,
and it worked fairly well. I hadn't cleaned this wood for several
years. I put the 1,600 psi spray as close as possible to the wood
without damaging it. It's still somewhat dingy in many places. I'm
wondering if I should try hand scrubbing the wood with a strong
cleaner and/or bleach solution first and then follow up with another
pressure wash? Hand scrubbing has worked well in the past, although
it's a chore.

Go over it again with the pressure washer. You'll wind up with a surface
that resembles a sandblasted sign, but it has it's own charm.

There's no way to get all the grey off in one pass without damaging the
wood. If you don't mind an irregular surface, the power washer will do
it for you. If you want a regular surface, you'll have to start thinking
about a sander.
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement

Steve,

I scrubbed the front porch with a good cleaner and bleach, then pressured washed
it again. It came out great...not perfect, but as light as possible, considering
the age of the porch (at least 15 years). The wood appears not to undamaged.

Then I did a trial section in the corner of my 3-year old cedar deck that had
become very greyed over the last year and a half. The pressure washer did a pretty
good job, although it was slow going. I had to be very careful to avoid gouging out
the softer wood. Now that it's dried, it looks better, but still somewhat dingy.

I'm thinking, should I consider renting a power sander? Would a power sander do
the job on the heavily greyed wood, or would I want to pressure wash first and then
finish with a sander?

I noticed that the top rail could not be cleaned well enough with the pressure sander.
(Last time I used a circular sanding pad on my electric drill, which worked very well).

Thanks again!
Scott

Scott wrote:

Steve wrote:

Scott wrote on 22 Sep 2007 in group
alt.home.repair:



Scott wrote:

I know I've asked the question before about whether a
do-it-yourselfer should try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck
by himself or hire a professional. I see where Target is selling a
Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $88.00. This
seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck every few
years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed
considerably last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and
re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar stain)last year in the spring.
Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did very little. The
greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals are
fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88
and use it on my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too
close to the wood. If I'm careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the
wood?

Thanks!
Scott

I tried the pressure washer out on my small treated wood front porch,
and it worked fairly well. I hadn't cleaned this wood for several
years. I put the 1,600 psi spray as close as possible to the wood
without damaging it. It's still somewhat dingy in many places. I'm
wondering if I should try hand scrubbing the wood with a strong
cleaner and/or bleach solution first and then follow up with another
pressure wash? Hand scrubbing has worked well in the past, although
it's a chore.

Go over it again with the pressure washer. You'll wind up with a surface
that resembles a sandblasted sign, but it has it's own charm.

There's no way to get all the grey off in one pass without damaging the
wood. If you don't mind an irregular surface, the power washer will do
it for you. If you want a regular surface, you'll have to start thinking
about a sander.
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement

Steve,

I scrubbed the front porch with a good cleaner and bleach, then pressured washed
it again. It came out great...not perfect, but as light as possible, considering
the age of the porch (at least 15 years). The wood appears not to undamaged.

Then I did a trial section in the corner of my 3-year old cedar deck that had
become very greyed over the last year and a half. The pressure washer did a pretty
good job, although it was slow going. I had to be very careful to avoid gouging out
the softer wood. Now that it's dried, it looks better, but still somewhat dingy.

I'm thinking, should I consider renting a power sander? Would a power sander do
the job on the heavily greyed wood, or would I want to pressure wash first and then
finish with a sander?

I noticed that the top rail could not be cleaned well enough with the pressure sander.
(Last time I used a circular sanding pad on my electric drill, which worked very well).

Thanks again!
Scott


Note: In paragraph 1, I meant: "The woods appears undamaged".

Scott

wrote:

On Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:40:44 -0500, Scott wrote:

I know I've asked the question before about whether a do-it-yourselfer
should try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck by himself or hire a
professional. I see where Target is selling a Black & Decker 1,600 PSI
Electric Pressure Washer for $88.00. This seems like a good buy, since
hiring someone to do the deck every few years would be around $100. My
3-year old cedar deck greyed considerably last winter, after being cleaned
with bleach and re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar stain)last year in the
spring. Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did very little. The
greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals are fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88 and use
it on my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too close to the
wood. If I'm careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the wood?

Thanks!
Scott


You have to be careful with a "big" pressure washer, it will cut
trenches in the wood. Unless it is sealed, cedar will always turn
grey. That is it's natural state. I have 2 pressure washers, a small
electric (1300 PSI or so) and a big electric, 5HP that puts out 2700
PSI. I end up using the small one more than the big one.

5hp electric? You know of course that that is not really 5 hp. On a 110v
circuit the most you could run, given standard motor efficiencies, would be
about 1 1/3 hp IF you could get it to start without tripping the breaker
which i doubt.
Eric

Scott wrote:

Steve wrote:

Scott wrote on 22 Sep 2007 in group
alt.home.repair:



Scott wrote:

I know I've asked the question before about whether a
do-it-yourselfer should try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck
by himself or hire a professional. I see where Target is selling a
Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $88.00. This
seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck every few
years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed
considerably last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and
re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar stain)last year in the spring.
Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did very little. The
greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals are
fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88
and use it on my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too
close to the wood. If I'm careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the
wood?

Thanks!
Scott

I tried the pressure washer out on my small treated wood front porch,
and it worked fairly well. I hadn't cleaned this wood for several
years. I put the 1,600 psi spray as close as possible to the wood
without damaging it. It's still somewhat dingy in many places. I'm
wondering if I should try hand scrubbing the wood with a strong
cleaner and/or bleach solution first and then follow up with another
pressure wash? Hand scrubbing has worked well in the past, although
it's a chore.

Go over it again with the pressure washer. You'll wind up with a surface
that resembles a sandblasted sign, but it has it's own charm.

There's no way to get all the grey off in one pass without damaging the
wood. If you don't mind an irregular surface, the power washer will do
it for you. If you want a regular surface, you'll have to start thinking
about a sander.
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement

Steve,

I scrubbed the front porch with a good cleaner and bleach, then pressured washed
it again. It came out great...not perfect, but as light as possible, considering
the age of the porch (at least 15 years). The wood appears not to undamaged.

Then I did a trial section in the corner of my 3-year old cedar deck that had
become very greyed over the last year and a half. The pressure washer did a pretty
good job, although it was slow going. I had to be very careful to avoid gouging out
the softer wood. Now that it's dried, it looks better, but still somewhat dingy.

I'm thinking, should I consider renting a power sander? Would a power sander do
the job on the heavily greyed wood, or would I want to pressure wash first and then
finish with a sander?

I noticed that the top rail could not be cleaned well enough with the pressure sander.
(Last time I used a circular sanding pad on my electric drill, which worked very well).

Thanks again!
Scott


Another thought:

I'm going to apply some Sikkens Cedar Stain (which has aa little pigment) to the newly
cleaned
section to see if it brings back the original, natural look.

I had a contractor scrub and bleach the deck by hand a year and a half ago, and it looked
great after I re-stained it. Any idea why a year later, the deck floor and rail top turned
dingy grey? Note: There are oak trees overhanding part of the deck and sunshine hitting
it directly until early afternoon.

Thanks!
Scott

In article , Scott
wrote:

I'm thinking, should I consider renting a power sander? Would a power sander
do
the job on the heavily greyed wood, or would I want to pressure wash first
and then
finish with a sander?

I'm thinking, you should rip out the wood and replace it with plastic.
Wood grays. Why are you struggling to fight it?

"Scott" wrote in message
...


Steve wrote:

Scott wrote on 22 Sep 2007 in group
alt.home.repair:



Scott wrote:

I know I've asked the question before about whether a
do-it-yourselfer should try pressue washing a 3-year old cedar deck
by himself or hire a professional. I see where Target is selling a
Black & Decker 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $88.00. This
seems like a good buy, since hiring someone to do the deck every few
years would be around $100. My 3-year old cedar deck greyed
considerably last winter, after being cleaned with bleach and
re-stained (Sikken Natural Cedar stain)last year in the spring.
Cleaning it by hand this summer with bleach did very little. The
greying is only on the deck floor and top rail. The verticals are
fine.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to buy this unit now for $88
and use it on my deck next spring, being careful not to spray too
close to the wood. If I'm careful, is it unlikely I'll damage the
wood?

Thanks!
Scott

I tried the pressure washer out on my small treated wood front porch,
and it worked fairly well. I hadn't cleaned this wood for several
years. I put the 1,600 psi spray as close as possible to the wood
without damaging it. It's still somewhat dingy in many places. I'm
wondering if I should try hand scrubbing the wood with a strong
cleaner and/or bleach solution first and then follow up with another
pressure wash? Hand scrubbing has worked well in the past, although
it's a chore.

Go over it again with the pressure washer. You'll wind up with a surface
that resembles a sandblasted sign, but it has it's own charm.

There's no way to get all the grey off in one pass without damaging the
wood. If you don't mind an irregular surface, the power washer will do
it for you. If you want a regular surface, you'll have to start thinking
about a sander.
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement

Steve,

I scrubbed the front porch with a good cleaner and bleach, then pressured
washed
it again. It came out great...not perfect, but as light as possible,
considering
the age of the porch (at least 15 years). The wood appears not to
undamaged.

Then I did a trial section in the corner of my 3-year old cedar deck that
had
become very greyed over the last year and a half. The pressure washer did
a pretty
good job, although it was slow going. I had to be very careful to avoid
gouging out
the softer wood. Now that it's dried, it looks better, but still somewhat
dingy.

I'm thinking, should I consider renting a power sander? Would a power
sander do
the job on the heavily greyed wood, or would I want to pressure wash first
and then
finish with a sander?

I noticed that the top rail could not be cleaned well enough with the
pressure sander.
(Last time I used a circular sanding pad on my electric drill, which
worked very well).

Thanks again!
Scott

I noticed an end of season sales at the local Lowes store 1450 psi electric
pressure washer for 51.00 dollars or close to it Sounds a little too weak
but a good price sorry don't remember the brand

--
"Non sibi sed patriae"

"Scott" wrote in message
...

I'm thinking, should I consider renting a power sander? Would a power sander
do
the job on the heavily greyed wood, or would I want to pressure wash first and
then
finish with a sander?

My belt sander does a quick job on everything it can reach. IIRC, I used 60 grit
belts.

On paint, the belts coat up quickly, but on stain or bare wood, it works great.
Even a fast orbital sander would work, but slower.


Bob