surface cleaner on wood - Page 2 - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

Harold Brantley · #11 (**permalink**) 03-10-04

For years I too feared using a floor machine on wood but boy is it wonderful and a big time saver on a large deck. I use cold water, 3 k psi with a Landa which has wheels and adjustable height rotor (raised to about 2.5"). I only use it on PT that is in good physical shape (not rotten). I go with the grain and do 3 boards at a pass and you wouldn't know it was cleaned with a rotating floor machine. The cut in with a wand blends perfectly. This doesn't mean every one is ready to do it with sucess. It is possible to damage wood so take it easy at first and gain experience.

onecallpowerw · #12 (**permalink**) 03-11-04

We love it. We were worried at first but gave it a try and it worked wonderfully. We have been using surface cleaners for a about a year now on wood. (Big Jobs) It cuts the job time in half if not more. The important thing is to have the right wash bar attached and to keep moving. We generally cut in then use the washer then switch back to the wand. The equipment we carry are all made by whisper wash. The big guy and the original. The original seems to work best but they both do a great job.

oneness · #13 (**permalink**) 03-11-04

onecall:

What psi are you running with the surfacers on wood?

onecallpowerw · #14 (**permalink**) 03-11-04

It ranges between 400-800. Depends on the deck being cleaned. Also the chems have allot to do with it, tempetures etc.... But no more than 800.

chrisecs · #15 (**permalink**) 07-27-07

I have tried it twice, with mixed results. If you have experience with surface cleaners on concrete, you know about overlap, the correct speed, chem. use, etc.

Wood is not much different. Maybe it requires a little more TLC to prevent damage. It will make the job faster and easier with good results. The corners, edges, and other hard to reach areas will need to be cut it; just like on concrete. No big deal.

The only problme I had was on one dock that was just a little wider than by cleaner, so I had to make two passes, and the overlap was quite obvious. That is the only drawback. If you can avoid overlap, it is a great way to clean decks.