Woody question, Do ya'll use any heat?

[Pat Norman]

Woodies, do any of ya'll use hot water in your stripping process? Any advantages or disadvantages?
Thanks!

[Camelot]

Pat -

Hot water will make boards swell and can result in warped, cracked deck boards. We don't use heat on wood, ever. Hope that helps.

- John

[Beth n Rod]

You might want to use hot water if you have to mix chems (they go into solution better), but for washing - cold water is the way to go.

Beth

[PressurePros]

Warm water tends to rinse soap and emulsified oil away faster (100 degrees or so) but the cost of running the burner and the heating of the couplers does not make it worthwhile.

+1 for cold wash.

[plainpainter]

200 Fahrenheit water and loads of sodium metasilicate is the bomb for removing paint from wood!

[Beth n Rod]

Summer withstanding, tap water supplies are running cold water (<50*) through them which tends to make the chems work slower. During the colder times and seasons we heat our mix water to apply chems with and for the wash, the water is heated to a max of 75* to help with the cleaning and rinsing process.
As far as hot vs cold making the wood swell, we have not found that to be an issue. Water on wood alone will raise the grain but as it dries out, the grain settles down.
Do your own testing and you will find out what woods are susceptible to warm water vs cold and the effect it has on them. Overall, you will find the difference is marginal.

The best difference is in the results of the job. The cleaners work so much better and the rinse is so much more complete.

Rod!~