Is there an easy way? (prepping barn for painting)

Sarah K. · #1 08/12/10, 11:10 AM

We're getting ready to paint our barn and it is taking FOREVER to scrape off all the old paint. Our barn is not that big as barns go, but the paint is in really rough shape and it has that textured wood siding that is kind of uneven. Is there some other way, like power washing or sandblasting, that will at least get us partway there? Any other tips to make the work go faster/more smoothly? Our time to work on it is limited and I can't stand looking at it the way it is another winter!

Thanks,
Sarah

Stephen in SOKY · #2 08/12/10, 11:25 AM

I prepped mine with a pressure washer and it did a great job. However, I made certain to allow ample time for the wood to dry (Couple months) before having it painted. The pressure washing was a miserable dirty job, but it really removed the old loose paint and left a nice surface for painting.

mickm · #3 08/12/10, 02:27 PM

A power washer works great, but be careful with them. They can cut lines in soft old barn wood.

Tarheel · #4 08/12/10, 03:01 PM

All of the above and a good sander to feather the edges of the old paint that's left. It will make it blend in better. As an old painter says preparation...preparation...preparation.

Minelson · #5 08/12/10, 05:59 PM

You would think that a paint would have been invented by now that wouldn't require any preparation! That you could just apply over the old paint and done! Sarah, my barn needs paint really bad but I just haven't had the gumption to start the dreaded scraping. Kudos to you for taking it on!

stanb999 · #6 08/12/10, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minelson

You would think that a paint would have been invented by now that wouldn't require any preparation! That you could just apply over the old paint and done!

There is it's called white wash. Works great and is non toxic when prepared and is cheap.

Minelson · #7 08/12/10, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanb999

There is it's called white wash. Works great and is non toxic when prepared and is cheap.

Do they make a red wash???

**Ross** · #8 08/12/10, 08:17 PM

The pros here use a pressure washer. if the flakes don`t shift with the high pressure then they`re good enough to stay.

Bret4207 · #9 08/13/10, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanb999

There is it's called white wash. Works great and is non toxic when prepared and is cheap.

Or stain. Stain won't flake and peel.

jmtinmi · #10 08/13/10, 07:29 AM

Take precautions with old paint, it could contain lead.

Also, when we paint our 120+ year old farm house we found that a quality oil base primer is essential. If we didn't use primer the paint would just lift from the old wood in a very short time.

Good Luck!

stanb999 · #11 08/13/10, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minelson

Do they make a red wash???

Sure as listed above. You can use stain or you can still get Iron Oxide barn paint (not the latex stuff. you want the oil based) which also doesn't form a film it stains and soaks in. Basically it's linseed oil and iron oxide. Once you paint a board with a film. You must start the habit of scraping and painting.

IMHO the worst thing for a barn is house paint. It will get chipped or crack and let moisture in. Or it will be damp inside and not let the moisture out in winter. Then it will start to rot. Both Iron oxide and white wash let the wood breathe.