Pressure Washing Clapboards prior To Painting: Good Idea ?

On 3/17/2020 1:01 PM, Robert11 wrote: ...

Absolute.

So you're going to waste the paint to put it on the dirt as a substrate.

If it's been very long since it was painted and has therefore oxidized, not only should it be pressure washed but to have much hope of lasting, use triphosphate or the like. Weathered wood, even if clean, will not take paint.

There are some specialty products for the purpose but they ain't cheap.

Well, your description of the washing taking off the marginal paint is one of the main reasons to do it. Good paint over old crap adhesion means the new paint has crap adhesion.

The key to a good paint job is the prep. Painting over dirt, loose paint, oxidized wood will cut the life of the new paint in half or less.

Your choice is the follow the recommendation all the painters have or to cheap out and do a half assed job that will look like crap in a few years.

Listen to the pros.

Pressure wash then let it dry thoroughly. Gets rid of the loose paint and the dirt that would prevent the new paint from sticking.

Do it once Do it right.

Make sure it dries out well before painting too. A few days minimum, more depending on weather.

It's wash, scrape if needed, fill cracks, caulk, prime bare spots, then paint. Most of the work, the important work, can be the prep work.