How Long Should I Wait Before Painting After Pressure Washing?

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Pressure washers may expose raw wood.

Painted Surfaces

If the surface is already painted, you should wait until the surface appears completely dry. On a warm, sunny day, this usually takes between 2 to 4 hours.

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Unfinished Wood

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If you are planning to paint raw wood, you should wait a full day for the surface to dry. Water may soak within bare wood. If you paint too soon, you may trap the water within. This can lead to paint failure.

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Bottom Line

Pressure washers often eliminate chipping and peeling paint, leading to exposure of bare wood. Because of this, your best bet is to wait a full day before painting, unless you are working on a metallic, plastic, fiberglass or vinyl surface. If you are painting a non-wood surface, you can begin work as soon as it appears dry.

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