I’ve read quite a few threads about cleaning decks, still have a few questions.
I’ve done a few decks, just basic white/green tip work and they come out well enough for the homeowner to be very happy. That being said I see a lot of guys using SH, light pressure then oxalic or citric acid, which I’ve never used on wood.
Here’s an example of a typical project here. Sorry no idea why it’s horizontal.
They want this deck done in a few months. Now, as the outside face is on the second level, how do you all get that part without a ladder? Would I be using around 2%, rinse and apply oxalic or something else?
Another issue, more than a couple customers have asked if I ‘clean decks’ only to discover they have old paint and stain but want it ‘removed’. Besides walking away, how is that handled? I don’t see removing old paint without wood damage.
You could clean that part from the top, that railing part would be up to your sack, reach over and clean it, you should have a ladder on board?? I’m not sure you can chemically remove actual paint off a deck with chemicals, that’s more of painters problem not yours.
Even with sh you’re still going to have to hit it with some pressure to remove that old dead layer of wood. Around 800-1000 psi is usually enough. To get the front you’ll have to get what you can by leaning over the side and use a ladder or long extension to get the rest. I usually use a combination of all three depending on the deck. Just charge accordingly because it can be heck on the back. I try not to lean over because of that.
As far as the paint or stain that’s stripping not cleaning. Be sure to set expectations from the get go and let them know. Stripping can be a tedious task and is more on the restoration side of things. Sometimes removing all old paint or stain not only requires sodium hydroxide but also some sanding. Not many here offer stripping. @MDA1775 does but he’s the wood guru.
Put a bend in a long lance and just lean over the edge enough to get a good angle on it. Proceed exactly the same for all the other steps. That shouldn’t be too bad on your back, I think. I know you have some problems with that.
You guys have it covered. Paint stripping is not the same as cleaning. If the old paint is stable after cleaning you can usually use a solid on it and just reapply.i think we covered all the chemical stuff in the 101 thread.
I have about a 10’ aluminum lance I use just for that purpose. Ain’t gotta drag the ladder out anymore for 2 story decks. I also use potassium hydroxide (sometimes sodium hydroxide), and a little sh before hitting it with any pressure. Sometimes just the low pressure soap/rinse nozzle is all I need after letting it sit for a few mins.
That’s a pretty nasty deck.Steps and handrail will take more time than deck. I know what I’d be on that down here. How much would you be thinking up there? Just to clean it all and get ready for stain.
I told her $250, they’re on a fixed income and are regular window cleaning customers. $250 for the house as well. I really don’t understand why it’s sideways, never had this problem before.
The deck stripper a certain blue paint store sells is nothing more than lye and a surfactant… so that should work well. Sometimes it just takes multiple multiple applications and rinsing and can make an all fired mess. Also gotta watch plants and any painted surface with that stuff.
$250? You serious? What would you normally charge for the deck if they were first time customers? I know it’s miles away but that would be a $700 job here and I wouldn’t move a bit. On decks that badly looked after you need to charge restoration money just for a clean.
Dang I wish I could get that much around here! I was in the middle of you two on this one. 2% SH, dwell for 10mins, rinsed with 1000psi, did that twice then hit it with oxalic. This is after it was dry.
If I remember right hes a Kentucky native like me. Kentucky is a relatively low cost of living area, BUT depending on location it’s also a relatively low paying area as well. Remember Kentucky coined the phrase Hillbilly lol. I cant remember what you upside down folks call them but I’m sure you have the rough, do it yourself or not at all, low income populace as well.
You can! What you have to remember is that on decks that are that badly let go you can set the customer expectation really high and say it will come out like brand new! If you’ve done a half decent job on something that bad there’s no way they can be disappointed after staring at what they had before. Decks in my opinion have the the best before and after customer reactions. Look at the one you’ve done, it gives them nothing to complain about, came out great!
I know what you mean buddy, I’m just saying to be on the higher end it’s always easier to come down in price than leave coin on the table. We call them Australians.
True. She was ecstatic at how it looked. Gave me $320 tip, almost doubled what I made. Lol. All thanks goings to the guys on this forum though. Before getting on here, I was washing decks with 3-4000psi and blasting the crap off. I honestly have no idea how I didnt destroy any decks. Plus it can be done 2 or 3 times faster when done the right way. Gotta give credit were credit is do. Thanks guys!!!
