Wire-brushing a shed - tool for the job?

[Jim K..]

If it's like their interior products you can mix them to get your particular shade... good stuff osmo.

[Another John]

Hi all

I'm going to be re-painting a large garden shed for the chap for whom I do a bit of gardening. (It's actually a summer-house-type thing, with double, windowed doors.)

I need to strip all the loose stuff that's accrued (or peeled away) in the c.10 years since it was erected. Then I will re-paint it with a shed-paint of his choice. I don't need to strip the wood: tidying it up for a new coat will do.

(I'm hoping he chooses something like fence paint, that soaks in, and not the crappy stuff that looks terrific (and glossy) when painted on bare wood, then proceeds to corrode over the years, leaving large areas adhering firmly to the wood, and large patches peeling away.)

SO: what's the best tool to get rid of the loose stuff? I'm out of touch with jobs like this. I have various wire brushes (drill attachments), or I could get a rotary sander, maybe.

I actually have one o'they Multitools, with a sander attachment, but I tried that and the bloody noise it makes is insufferable. Plus, it's slow work, on a 3mx4m shed.

The shed's in the middle of a large garden, so dust (except over me myself) isn't an issue.

All advice gratefully received!

John

[GB]

Hot air gun?

[newshound]

I don't think I'd use any sort of powered sander or wire brush. Actually, a pressure washer with a flat, brush-shaped medium pressure jet is quite good for removing dirt, loose paint, mould etc. You might need to be a bit careful around the windows and retaining beads. Or a churn brush; first used dry, then wet.

[Andy Burns]

pressure wash to remove grime and large scotchbrite pads to key the surface a bit?

[TimW]

Yes, a power wash is the thing. It will lift loose paint a treat. And a good dry out after.

TW

[Adrian Caspersz]

PVC Cladding?

[Chris Green]

Yes, I was going to suggest a pressure washer might be the best way to do it.

[Another John]

Wow -- such a consensus, and so quickly!

Of Course! Power washer! I never thought of that, even though I've used mine for stripping my own garden seat, and (using the special revolving jet thingy) for getting rid of rust and loose bits of our fronts gates.

Brill: I'll try that: thanks lads!! Glad I was at least able to think of asking ukdiy :-)

John

[DJC]

I used a pressure washer to clean and strip old paint from a shed. Need to choose a dry spell and give it time to dry out, but it won't end up any more damp than it would after a wet winter.

Best stuff is Osmo Country Colour, but it is expensive and the colour range limited.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Pressure washer