striping wood siding

[jlw]

could anyone give me a pointer on or two on striping the paint off of wood siding. the paint is beginning to peel over the majority of the house. its and older house and i do not want to damage the wood. would low pressure covering the entire house be the best bet?

 

[Bob Gates]

If the idea is to strip and repaint then you might consider using just enough pressure to remove peeling paint but not enough as to damage wood...let it dry...the get out your paint scraper and get with it...

 

[CaroliProWash]

However far you intend to strip the paint, low pressure on wood is always important. If you use too much pressure you'll find yourself sanding the whole thing (yuck). Depending on what you want to do to the wood afterward, there are multiple products out there that will do the majority of the work for you.......Work smarter, not harder.

Celeste

 

[Aplus]

I would go with a good detergent application followed by a nice low pressure wash.

Don't try to strip with increased water pressure.

Here is a point rarely covered.......

First thing, do a lead test on the paint. If the paint is previous to the 1970's, it may well contain lead.

We do not want to get into a lead abatement situation. We also don't want to poison ourselves or others.

Wash it and paint it.

 

[CaroliProWash]

Here is a point rarely covered.......

First thing, do a lead test on the paint. If the paint is previous to the 1970's, it may well contain lead.

We do not want to get into a lead abatement situation. We also don't want to poison ourselves or others.

Wash it and paint it.

Very excellent point Tony - lead test kits are readily available and reasonably priced at most home improvement stores. Most folks have to sign paperwork when buying a home (older ones) but 99% don't read these things at closing. Lead poisoning is a scary thing and evidently you don't have to eat the paint chips to get it.

This may be an issue that deserves it's own thread for informational purposes.

Celeste