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Preparing. Before you apply stain, make sure the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, wood fibers or grease), dry and free from mildew. When a surface is not clean, stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling. You can remove dirt with warm water and detergent, but mildew problems require more.
What is the best way to clean wood siding?
Clean wood siding with a garden hose When using a garden hose, it is recommended to use a solution of water and cleaner, which is often a mild detergent, and scrub the siding with a sponge, cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Be careful not to push too hard with a brush as this can damage the siding.
Is it OK to pressure wash wood siding?
While it’s possible to pressure wash wood siding correctly, you can also force water up and under the exterior surface if your water pressure is set too high. If water gets under the siding it can damage insulation, electrical wiring, and even spur mold growth.
Should I pressure wash my house before staining?
Taking your time is key to power washing a deck successfully. Now that the wood has been cleaned and stripped of grime, you can sand it and apply your stain of choice. Power washing a deck before staining will allow the wood to absorb the stain better and deeper.
How do you clean siding without a pressure washer?
Household Cleaner #1: Bleach Solution One of the most popular alternatives to power washing your siding is detergent, bleach and water. If your white siding is beginning to look a little green, then this is the route you want to go, as it is very powerful against mildew and mold.
How often does wood siding need to be stained?
According to Networx, “wood siding should be repainted every 3-7 years, or stained approximately every 4 years.” How often you’ll need to restain or repaint will depend on your region’s weather conditions as well as how often your home suffers damage.
Can you use OxiClean to clean siding?
OxiClean is just one of many different brands of oxygen bleach cleaners. Oxygen bleach, aside from being great at cleaning siding covered in mold or mildew, is perfectly safe for you and the environment. It’s actually nothing more than a souped-up relative of hydrogen peroxide in powdered form.
What’s the difference between pressure washing and power washing?
The main difference with power washing vs. pressure washing is the heat. The jet wash in a power washing machine uses heated water, whereas the water in a pressure washer is not heated. It is particularly recommended on surfaces, such as concrete or cement, which will not be damaged by power washing.
How do you remove black mold from wood siding?
DO NOT POWER WASH! Obtain a 1-1.5 gallon hand sprayer. Mix in the sprayer 25% solution of bleach with water. Drench the siding where algae, mold, and/or mildew is present and let solution sit for 20 minutes or so and rinse off with a garden hose.
Do you have to sand weathered wood before staining?
You need a smooth surface with no blemishes because stain will highlight scratches and dings in the wood. Always sand down to clean wood (if you have enough meat left of the wood) before applying any stain. Too rough and the wood will be very dark almost to the point of being black.
Can you stain over GREY weathered wood?
When you are done repairing, cleaning and stripping the deck, it’s finally time to stain that weathered wood. Instead, the best deck stain for weathered wood will have at least some pigment. A semi-transparent stain will impart a little color to the deck wood while still allowing the grain to show through.
Should you condition old wood before staining?
Is the wood conditioner necessary? To answer our question, yes, a wood conditioner is necessary when applying stain to a soft, porous wood such as pine.
How do I pressure wash my house before staining?
A good amount of pressure is needed, at least 2000 psi, and a volume of 3-4 gallons per minute (gpm) output. This means a powerful pressure washer is needed. The best spray tips for the job are either the 40° or 25° degree. The 40° degree tip will distribute the spray over a wider area thus minimizing any damage.
How long after pressure washing can you stain?
After a deck has been power washed it will have some retained moisture within the wood. It’s important to let the wood dry thoroughly so none of the water that soaked into the wood gets trapped under the stain. In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining.
Do I need to use deck cleaner before staining?
In short, yes. It is highly recommended to use a deck cleaner when prepping your deck for a new coat of deck stain. Also, recommended but not required is the use of a deck brightener before staining your deck. These deck cleaning solutions will soak down into the dry wood.
What can I use instead of a pressure washer?
For things on walkways, driveways and sidewalks like gum, tar or other thick viscous materials that are incredibly difficult to get up, heat from a source like a heat gun is a good alternative to pressure washing.
What can I clean my siding with?
70% water, 30% white vinegar makes a great all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner that removes light mold and mildew stains. For a stronger solution, mix together one-third cup powdered laundry detergent, two-thirds cup powdered household cleaner, one quart liquid laundry bleach and one gallon of water.
How do you clean siding without a ladder?
You can use a power washer to clean the siding on the second story without climbing up a ladder, but it may not remove tough mildew, and it can damage loose siding. An extension brush can reach some of the siding, but may not be long enough for top sections.
How do you make wood siding look new?
Painting and Repairing Old Wood Siding—Step-By-Step Remove the old siding. Carefully use a pry bar to remove the siding. Add house wrap. Now strip the old paint. Next glue any cracks at the ends of the boards. Patch surface holes with an exterior wood filler. Caulk cracks. Sand. Nail any loose boards.
How do you clean and seal wood siding?
You should clean siding annually using warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled brush. Divide your house into 20-foot sections, clean each section from bottom to top (you’ll avoid those annoying drip marks), and rinse before moving on. If you’ve got mildew or rust stains, here’s what to do about them.
How do you maintain wood siding on a house?
Here’s how to maintain wood siding: Trim back bushes or trees from touching the wood siding. Clean your gutters regularly. Clean off dirt and mildew from the siding. Re-caulk around doors and windows as needed to keep water out. Apply a clear sealer or wood stain to the siding.
