Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 02, 2003 03:47pm | #1

   Power wash? Are you crazy?

   Don't ever use those things on wood. too much pressure and you destroy the wood. Any pressure at all and you drive water into the wood so you need three weeks or so of dry weather to let it dry out again. By that time, the sun has already done the UV thing to the surface wood cells and you need to pawer wash it again. The only good thing to say about using a power washer on cedar shingles is that it is easy and cheap. If you want to use a power waser, put vinyl siding on.

   There is almost nothing you can do to preserve the new look of the cedar. Any oil you put on would need to have UV and mildew inhibitors and that will help, but it will also darken the wood.

   Or just go ahead and power wash it every month for the next five years. By then, the wood will all be gone.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   sixriversguides | Jul 02, 2003 07:54pm | #3

   Hey Guy,

   Thanks for the quick response. I grew up in a New England atmosphere and somehow related to the siver gray eventualism of cedar as, well drab. Same goes for teak or mahogany. Brighter is better, IMHO.

   As for powerwashing anything, a little goes a long way. BTW, I'm not crazy. In the trades, here in Northern California, powerwashing redwood to "bring it back" seems fairly popular. Just don't hesitate while making a pass! And don't get too close to your product.

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 02, 2003 11:31pm | #5

   Penofin it is then, you crazy wall washer, you.

   ;).

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   swdd | Jul 03, 2003 05:51am | #6

   I had a little incident one day working at a house of a regular customer.A painter was there giving an estimate for repainting the house (cedar clapboard, painted). Wanted to power wash first. I just stood up and said " never power wash a house unless you like to change the color every 4-5 years". Kind of put the painter in a bad position but I hate seeing " professionals" that don't know what they're doing. And besides, I'm there to look out for my customers best interest.

   Power washing... big business....scary!

   Scott

1. 
   AaronRosenthal | Jul 03, 2003 07:35am | #7

   I agree with everyone here except for one proviso (fancy word for "welllll")...

   I will power wash siding as long as there are certain problems:

   1. The siding is painted (ONLY) and,

   2. There is algae or mould on a significant portion of the side of the house and,

   3. I use a pressure washer of 2000 psi or less, and,

   4. I can get above the problems so I am washing downwards and not putting water up, under the cedar.

   But generally, I tend to use a locally based product which is a mould/algae remover and cleaner, put it on by bucket & brush and rinse it off with a hose.Quality repairs for your home.

   Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada

2. 
   jc21 | Jul 02, 2003 05:35pm | #2

   Stay away from the powerwash! Ideally, you should dip the shingles before installation. As Piffin said, any finish (even  transparent finishes) will darken the wood. Plan on frequent reapplication- Cabot's recommends reapplication evry 2 to 4 years for their Clear Solution. I've used Cabot's, Benjamin Moore, and Penofin- all are good. Maintaining that new look is possible but it will cost considerable time and $- you are fighting the natural order of things.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/2/2003 10:39:12 AM ET by jc

1. 
   sixriversguides | Jul 02, 2003 08:19pm | #4

   JC,

   Thanks for your response. I had Penafin in mind.