I am trying to discover the most efficient way of removing old scaling paint. I tried a 1500 psi with a 25 degree tip. It didn’t do anything. Any suggestions?
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Replies
A pressure washer may or may not be effective for removing scaling paint. It also may or may not damage the underlying surface.
If you can easily flake the paint off with your fingernails then the pressure washer will likely work. If it takes hard scraping with a tool, probably not.
You're On The Right Track
Pressure washers come in a variety of sizes. Most of what you find at the store is either way too small ... or way too big.
You want to use a pressure washer that delivers 2gpm of cold water, at just over 2200psi. So, it's no surprise that the M-T-M model sold by Sherwin-Williams delivers .... drum roll, please .... 2600psi and 2-3gpm.
Using more pressure, or hot water, increases the chances you'll damage what's under the paint.
The little machine you describe seems more like the type you buy at Wal-mart for about $100. Good for cleaning, useless for stripping.
A capable machine is available for rent through Home Depot. Rental rates are such that if you need it for more than two weeks, you might as well buy your own.
not good
Pressure washers are good for putting water into the pieces you want to put new paint on thereby reducing the life of the paint job you're putting on. Water under new paint = shorter life span of new paint.
So does rain. That's why professional finishers don't apply film or penetrating finiishes right after pressure washing or rain storms. They allow time or use mechanical devices to facilitate evaporation of bulk water and moisture. Best bet is to check the moisture content of hygroscopic material you plan to finish with a moisture meter before you apply any primers or top coats.
RRP?
I was speculating that a pressure washer might be a compliant way to remove lead paing. Unlike sanding, scraping, etc., which put dust into the air, pressure washing reduces dust.
Speculation can be dangerous.
Lead poisoning can be entered into the body by inhalation and ingestion. If more than 20 sq. feet of painted exterior surface of a pre-1978 home (which has not been proven to be lead-free) is being disturbed during the course of regular renovation, repair, and painting (by someone other than the owner), then they are required to assume lead is present and that it can become a health hazard.
Pressure washing obviously disturbes the finish and the resulting uncontrolled debris can be ingested. Therefore, the lead based finish must either be abated by somenoe certified to perform that work, or be worked on by EPA certified tradesperson(s) according to RRP protocols.
iNCORRECT
The EPA lead rules apply only to contractors, and not to home owners. There is no requirement for a homowner to hire "rated" firms.
Likewise, any home center can furnish you with the same test kits used by contractors, etc. Any homeowner can perform the tests themselves.
Finally, I was rather clear as to what I 'knew' and what I 'thought.' That's why I used the term 'speculate.' Can it be "dangerous?" Heck, waking up in the morning 'can' be dangerous.
Are you likely to ingest paint removed by a pressure washer? Personally, I doubt it. Absent an acid solvent, the lead in the paint isn't going anywhere. Were it water soluable, simple rain would have solved the problem decades back. Nor is pressure washing going to create particles that can be suspended in the air ("dust"). Thus, I would not be surprised to find that pressure washing met EPA guidelines.
Lest someone have trouble understanding my simple statement, "not surprised" indicates a guess based on my understanding of the issues. If anyone wants to get an official answer, they can feel free to consult the exact wording of the statute, or try calling the EPA themselves.
I'm no lawyer. I don't even play one on the internet. :D
Yeah, the main problem with pressure washing and lead paint is that the removed paint will either contaminate the ground around the structure or be swept into sewers and waterways. If one is removing paint which is likely to be lead-based, it's just good citizenship (and possibly the law in some states) to use tarps, etc, to catch as much as possible and dispose of it properly.
Let me also be clear renostinke:
Your speculation is dangerous. Just because you think that uncontrolled lead based paint chips from pressure washing aren't harmful to you doesn't mean it can't be potentially harmful to others. One example: Any uncontrolled lead based paint chips that are removed via pressure washing outside can lay on or within the soil. If folks (such as children) play or work (adults gardening /pulling weeds) in and around that soil, they can get those chips on their hands and ingest them. Its been reported that, on average, kids aged 1-20 ingest about 1/10 of a pound of dirt a year. Also, not everyone wears gloves while gardening. If you don't wash your hands before eating a sandwich or snack after weeding or gardening in an uncontrolled lead based paint site, you can ingest trace amounts of lead. Both scenarios are plausible and can be health threatening. Sure, driving on the highway is also dangerous, but I'm sticking to the subject at hand here.
You don't always read what others have written. I stated that protocols applied to folks "other than the owner". If you would focus on learning rather than defending a defenseless position, then you wouldn't waste your time restating the obvious.
You display only a vague understanding of the RRP rule. While pressure washing can serve as legitimate paint preparation tool, it is not a workaround for the RRP rule. To infer that it might be implies an ignorance of the law and, when projected via a forum, perpetuates false information that can potentially be harmful to others. I have to wonder: Are you even an RRP certified contractor?
It is foolish (IMO) to recommend to homeowners to test for lead. Two reasons: The first is that many test kits are inaccurate. This has been proven over and over since the RRP rule became law. It has even adversely affected the ability of the EPA to enforce renewals of certifications. The second (and more important) reason is that if a homeowner tests for lead and the test is positive (even if a false positive), then RRP protocols cannot be used when renovating, repairing, and repainting their homes. This will invariably cost them more money if these choose to hire contractors to do the work. Not only that, but even if they decline to do any work, they must forever disclosure the presence of lead when go to sell their property. That can be a very real (and in my opinion unnecessary) blow to their equity
Lastly, it's a good thing you're not a lawyer. You'd quickly go broke.
Once relevant, now gone
Your posts once had some sense to them. No longer. What happened? I do hope you get well soon.
Otherwise, all I see are weasel words, with plenty of 'cans' and 'maybes' and 'mights.' Heck, I 'can' see where 'maybe' this post 'might' cause a return of the Ice Age ....
Nothing but vague assertions and innuendos, with a few slurs and 'personal attacks thown in. Is it really that important to pretent to be the smartest guy in the room?
Well, I'll give you a choice. You can either get civil, change your tone,and apologize within the next day ..... or you can be forever removed from my internet universe. That's how i treat trolls. You're just not worth the time.
This is not a parting shot- just giving you the chance to redeem yourself. I do this not for you, as much as to meet my own standards.