How to Remove Paint From Timber

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By Kevin McDermott
eHow Contributing Writer

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Old recovered lumber is a great material to use for some outdoor projects, such as landscaping ties, trellises or even deck posts. If someone painted that lumber way back when--and you want to either repaint it or strip it down and use it bare--there's an easier way of removal than trying to scrape it with a metal paint scraper. Pressure washers today reach such high levels of pressure that they come with warnings about how they might peel the paint off what is being washed. That is, of course, exactly what you need.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Rented pressure washer rated at 3,000 psi (pounds per square inch)
Garden hose
Metal paint scraper

Step 1

Lay the wood out on a patio or lawn.
Step 2

Hook up your pressure-washer to your garden hose; connect the nozzle as instructed. Turn on the pressure tank.
Step 3

Stand above the wood. Hold the end of the nozzle about six inches from the first piece of wood at one end of the span. Squeeze the trigger.
Step 4

Move the nozzle in slow but steady strokes along the surface of the wood. Adjust the distance of the nozzle from the wood so the water pressure is taking off most of the paint, yet not gouging the wood. Turn the pieces as necessary to strip the other sides.
Step 5

For any residual paint that is left on the timber after spraying it, take your paint scraper to it while it's still wet. Take as much of it off by hand as possible.
Step 6

Let the timber pieces dry in the sun for at least two or three days after pressure-washing them to make sure all the moisture is out before you proceed with your project.

Tips & Warnings

This process isn't recommended for very soft wood like cedar or some pines, as it will insert moisture deep into the fiber. In that case, it is likely to gouge the surface. If your fingernail can leave a noticeable nick in the wood's surface, put away the pressure washer. Pull out the paint scraper, and prepare for some hard work.
Don't ever point a pressure-washer nozzle at yourself or anyone else.