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#1
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Pressure Washer Question
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 |
#2
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Pressure Washer Question
"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 |
#3
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Pressure Washer Question
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. |
#4
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Pressure Washer Question
"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. |
#5
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Pressure Washer Question
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 |
#6
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Pressure Washer Question
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 @ |
#7
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Pressure Washer Question
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. |
#8
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Pressure Washer Question
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#9
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Pressure Washer Question
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. |
#10
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Pressure Washer Question
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 @ |
#11
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Pressure Washer Question
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. |
#12
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Pressure Washer Question
"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 |
#13
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Pressure Washer Question
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 |
#14
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Pressure Washer Question
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 |
#15
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Pressure Washer Question
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 |
#16
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Pressure Washer Question
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 |
#17
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Pressure Washer Question
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#18
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Pressure Washer Question
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 |
#19
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Pressure Washer Question
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? |
#20
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Pressure Washer Question
"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" |
#21
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Pressure Washer Question
"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 |
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