Deck cleaning. What am I missing?

[firepaint 14]

I left the company I was painting for about 5 months ago to start my own business. I have been painting/pressure washing for 4+ years. I’ve been washing decks using a pump sprayer, deck brush, tire brush (for spindles and corners) and a pressure washer (with low pressure). I’ve used BM’s Clean and krud kutter. After I wet the deck I spray it down with cleaner, scrub with a deck brush, and finally rinse with the pressure washer. I am finding that more often than I would like I have to go back and do a second round of cleaning to get the job done right. If I’ve got to go back and do everything twice I will, but feel like I am missing something or doing something wrong.

If anyone has any recommendations as to what I am missing or doing wrong I would greatly appreciate it. Any cleaning products recommendations or techniques would be greatly appreciated.

[big mike 14]

Ed, welcome. I'll try to be gentile here, but you really need to use the search function at the top of the site for the answers you're looking for. Try a search for "deck cleaning" or "deck washing". You'll find a months worth of info, and good advice. If you need more specific answers, pictures always bring advice. Good luck..

[PressurePros 249]

Ed, its the cleaners you are using.

Try Deck Stains Cleaners Sealers | Staining Decks Wood Decking Sealing | Concrete Paver Restoration

[acegot 14]

You need to use that powerwasher to soft-wash off your chems, not rinse after scrubbing, with the right chems there is no need for scrubbing. Why use the p-washer if your not goiing to utilize it. As Mike said, use the search tool.

[James 625]

I have to ask ? Did u do many decks working at your past job before going SOLO ?

[plainpainter 217]

Before you start reading for the next month - just throw out all your chems and buy a bunch of oxiclean, you won't get half bad results with the methods you are using now. I am not saying that it is totally professional - but it will get that next deck on your schedule done ten times easier.

[gutterdog 14]

Do what I was told to do. Go through the old posts. Throw away that brush!

[4000psi 16]

(strip)F18 (clean)F10 from pressuretek.com. Spray it on with a pump sprayer or what ever you want. Let it sit. Use the pressure washer( white tip) to clean off the crud. Do not stop on the wood, keep the wand moving.

Call me if you like, Dane

[Celeste 341]

Are you just wanting to include decks in your services or do you want to do actual wood restoration/preservation? I'm finding there's quite a difference in the two.

Celeste

[MudDuck 20]

Another deck painter,,,,shaking head.....all due respect but doing decks isn't like painting and pressure washing isn't like paint prepping with a PW. People try to confused the two sometimes but as Celeste stated above.....theres a difference. Ones nothing like the other there two different animals. You have to start all over like learning a new trade. The only thing that carries over I can think is, how to start the pressure washer.

[Mountain View 14]

All the previous answers are correct. With the right chems and knowledge, your PW will be the tool you use to apply, strip, and rinse. Sit down, get comfortable, and read read read.

[slim1151 14]

Hello to all. Another newbie here.( I'm sure you're all thrilled.) I've been lurking around for the last few months trying to gain as much info as possible. The vast amount of info in these forums is PRICELESS. I want to thank everyone for all the help. Now I'll go back to my searching and reading. Maybe soon I can become a contributor.

Thanks, Slim

[Adrian 155]

Hello to all. Another newbie here.( I'm sure you're all thrilled.) I've been lurking around for the last few months trying to gain as much info as possible. The vast amount of info in these forums is PRICELESS. I want to thank everyone for all the help. Now I'll go back to my searching and reading. Maybe soon I can become a contributor.

Thanks, Slim

Welcome to TGS.

Please go to your "my controls" and give us an idea of who we are talking to. House Rules.

Unless of course your real name is Slim1151.

You will get better responses if we know who we are talking to.

Again, welcome to TGS.

[slim1151 14]

Sorry for such a late response. I filled out all the personal info. in My Profile. I guess that replaced My Controls. What should I do?

[Pat Norman 18]

. After I wet the deck I spray it down with cleaner, scrub with a deck brush, and finally rinse with the pressure washer.

For one thing do not pre wet the deck before applying the stripper. You want the stripper hitting the deck as strong as you make it and not trying to guess how much the already wet wood is diluting it. Be sure you are using enough stripper and let it sit (dwell) for about 20 minutes.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

FAQ’s on Wood Restoration

Read the WOOD FAQ

Beth

[Cat Powerwashing Inc. 17]

The hell with the chemicals, throw them away. Blast the wood with 3000 psi, splinter the crap out of it then apply thompsons water seal. Thats how we work in joisey lol!!! No but seriously, we would strip using hd80, neutralize with citrilic then apply a good sealer (NOT THOMPSONS OR BEHR) we prefer wolmans because we are certified by them and it can be picked up locally.