Paint Prep

Barry M

Hey all,

My name is Barry and I own a pressure washing business. I frequent pressure washing boards and I posted about a paint prep job a guy wants me to do on a wood sided house. Someone recommended me here because you painters know your stuff. The homeowner wants to paint the home himself and just wants it prepped. There is some flaking but mostly the paint is just cracking and I doubt will come of with water pressure or even a scraper. I know there is more to it than just doing a regular house wash and then painting. Someone else suggested using TSP to take the finish or gloss off the old paint. What's all involved to do it right and how expensive to you think it would be?
Thanks in advance.

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Barry Maddox - Midwest Pro Wash
Pressure Washing Indiana
Deck Cleaning

KellyPainting

Now... I'm a prep fanatic...so I'll go thru my steps and you decide which ones to leave off.

1st, If your a pressure washing guy.... then you must have a high pressure orbital (spinning) tip for your gun... If not you got to get one. There about 60 bucks but works great at pre-prepping a house.
2nd I'd power sand with a makita power sander... the kind with the pads that are tightened on with a allen wrench.... power sand the entire surface... ( heavy on the loose stuff, and light on the rest ) this will give the paint/ primer something to bond to. At that point I go back with a palm sander and smooth out any swurls or rough spots. Then I wash again.
just to remove the dust. Make sure it is dry before proceding.

If the paint still has cracks in it.... tell the homeowner to prime.... and then caulk any holes / spaces or cracks he feals need it.

P.S if the paint is cracking instead of flaking... then there might be oil on it... if so tell hime to prime w/ oil and finish with 2 coats latex... latex will expand and contract with the weather better than oil.

Barry M

Wow! Sounds like a job for a painter, not a power washer. I'm going to tell the guy the "right" way to do it, and if that's the road he wants to go I'll recommend a painter. If he still just wants to slap some paint on it, I'll offer to wash the house and nothing more. Thanks for your help.

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Barry Maddox - Midwest Pro Wash
Pressure Washing Indiana
Deck Cleaning

KellyPainting

Sorry if I overwelmed you....you could just wash the house and say...
I'm Done!