I'm going to rent a pressure cleaner to prepare a smooth stucco on
cement block house for painting. It's been several years since the
house was last painted and the surface is chalky with some areas of
peeling paint.

As someone whose experience with power tools and accessories is pretty
much limited to rare use of a 40 year old electric drill, I wonder if
there's is much of a learning curve for using a pressure cleaner.
Would 3000 psi be adequate for a job like this? Are there certain
things to do or to avoid doing to improve the chances of satisfactory
results or is it simply a matter of just starting the thing up and off
I go?

Any and all advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

On Apr 7, 4:30*pm, wrote:
I'm going to rent a pressure cleaner to prepare a smooth stucco on
cement block house for painting. It's been several years since the
house was last painted and the surface is chalky with some areas of
peeling paint.

As someone whose experience with power tools and accessories is pretty
much limited to rare use of a 40 year old electric drill, I wonder if
there's is much of a learning curve for using a pressure cleaner.
Would 3000 psi be adequate for a job like this? *Are there certain
things to do or to avoid doing to improve the chances of satisfactory
results or is it simply a matter of just starting the thing up and off
I go?

Any and all advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Before committing, talk to a pro (painter, whatever) and get prices.
If the $$ are reasonable have it done and get on with the painting.
Pressure washers can be tricky like any power tool, and its well to do
your learning on a project where mistakes don't really matter. A high
pressure water stream into a stucco crack could blow a section off the
wall, and then everything stops while you do the repairs. OTOH, paint
brushes and rollers are more benign and the work enjoyable. After
seeing how the experts do it. you'll be able to judge next time where
a pressure washer would be suitable for your project.

Joe

On Apr 7, 5:30*pm, wrote:
I'm going to rent a pressure cleaner to prepare a smooth stucco on
cement block house for painting. It's been several years since the
house was last painted and the surface is chalky with some areas of
peeling paint.

As someone whose experience with power tools and accessories is pretty
much limited to rare use of a 40 year old electric drill, I wonder if
there's is much of a learning curve for using a pressure cleaner.
Would 3000 psi be adequate for a job like this?

It's plenty. In fact, the best advice I can give you is to be careful
with using too much pressure. You don't want the gun set to anywhere
near full force. If you do, you can easily damage the stucco or blow
water behind it, where you don't want it. If there is any wood
trim, be extra careful there too, as it's easy to over do it and raise
the grain. You may want to experiment on some scrap wood first.




*Are there certain
things to do or to avoid doing to improve the chances of satisfactory
results or is it simply a matter of just starting the thing up and off
I go?

Any and all advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

wrote in message
...
I'm going to rent a pressure cleaner to prepare a smooth stucco on
cement block house for painting. It's been several years since the
house was last painted and the surface is chalky with some areas of
peeling paint.

As someone whose experience with power tools and accessories is pretty
much limited to rare use of a 40 year old electric drill, I wonder if
there's is much of a learning curve for using a pressure cleaner.
Would 3000 psi be adequate for a job like this? Are there certain
things to do or to avoid doing to improve the chances of satisfactory
results or is it simply a matter of just starting the thing up and off
I go?

Any and all advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Given your admitted limited tool use, I'd hire someone to do it. It won't
really cost all that much more than renting/hauling/returning yourself and
you'll significantly reduce chances of damage to your house.

On Apr 7, 4:30*pm, wrote:
I'm going to rent a pressure cleaner to prepare a smooth stucco on
cement block house for painting. It's been several years since the
house was last painted and the surface is chalky with some areas of
peeling paint.

As someone whose experience with power tools and accessories is pretty
much limited to rare use of a 40 year old electric drill, I wonder if
there's is much of a learning curve for using a pressure cleaner.
Would 3000 psi be adequate for a job like this? *Are there certain
things to do or to avoid doing to improve the chances of satisfactory
results or is it simply a matter of just starting the thing up and off
I go?

Any and all advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

A 1200 lb unit will clean, it will just take longer but is easier to
use, When cleaning high up, far from the gun with 3000lb use the 0
degree nozzle, if you are within maybe 5-8 ft use a 30+ degree nozzle
so you dont blast away anything. Experiment, you are just washing off
dirt. Black areas are likely mold, household bleach in a garden
sprayer should be used where ever there might be mold, if it is it
will change color in a few minutes. Be sure you have a good supply 4-5
gpm is needed at the faucet with a big machine. Consider buying an
electric, for 2 day rental price you can own one, one that is
portable.

I'm going to rent a pressure cleaner to prepare a smooth stucco on
cement block house for painting. It's been several years since the
house was last painted and the surface is chalky with some areas of
peeling paint.

As someone whose experience with power tools and accessories is pretty
much limited to rare use of a 40 year old electric drill, I wonder if
there's is much of a learning curve for using a pressure cleaner.
Would 3000 psi be adequate for a job like this? Are there certain
things to do or to avoid doing to improve the chances of satisfactory
results or is it simply a matter of just starting the thing up and off
I go?

Any and all advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Did you ever wash your car at the do-it-yourself wash with the sprayer?
That's the same thing. If you can handle doing a car, you can do your
house.

Pay attention to the others' advice about getting too close and
damaging the siding and trim.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX USA

"SteveBell" wrote

Pay attention to the others' advice about getting too close and
damaging the siding and trim.

Getting too close is about the only thing you can do wrong. Unless you
leave the windows open. Or don't move the flowers from the window boxes.
Don't ask how I know.

wrote in message
...
I'm going to rent a pressure cleaner to prepare a smooth stucco on
cement block house for painting. It's been several years since the house
was last painted and the surface is chalky with some areas of peeling
paint.

As someone whose experience with power tools and accessories is pretty
much limited to rare use of a 40 year old electric drill, I wonder if
there's is much of a learning curve for using a pressure cleaner.
Would 3000 psi be adequate for a job like this? Are there certain
things to do or to avoid doing to improve the chances of satisfactory
results or is it simply a matter of just starting the thing up and off
I go?

Any and all advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.


Keep the tip 12 to 18" from the surface and **keep the wand moving**.
Stopping the wand could cause the water to cut into the wood. No joke!

After you start the motor, point the wand off into space.
Squeeze the trigger. Adjust for wide fan spray. Slowly get
closer to the house, until you find the distance that works.
Probably about six inches.

If you spray a straight stream of water to the house, you
risk damage. Having left permanant lines on a black top
driveway with a straight stream out of a 3,000 PSI
washer.....

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


wrote in message
...
I'm going to rent a pressure cleaner to prepare a smooth
stucco on
cement block house for painting. It's been several years
since the
house was last painted and the surface is chalky with some
areas of
peeling paint.

As someone whose experience with power tools and accessories
is pretty
much limited to rare use of a 40 year old electric drill, I
wonder if
there's is much of a learning curve for using a pressure
cleaner.
Would 3000 psi be adequate for a job like this? Are there
certain
things to do or to avoid doing to improve the chances of
satisfactory
results or is it simply a matter of just starting the thing
up and off
I go?

Any and all advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Might save on colonic bills?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"StepfanKing"
wrote in message
...
Be sure you aim it at the thing you want to clean. Do not
put the washer
wand up your ass.