Removing Winter Bark and Cambium with Power Washer

[bjrogg]

Yesterday I cleaned up the back of a Elm stave Pnewton gifted me this summer. It worked great. The power washer has a burner to heat the water but I did try it with cool and it did work but slower. This morning I got out 18 HHB staves that I harvested feb 27, 2016. They all had the bark on and I did zero prep work. I peeled the bark and cambium off perfectly exposing a pristine 1st ring. I took me just over 2 hours to do 18 staves and they are clean. I really don't think the wood took on any real amount of water they already feel dry. I know it's not primitive but a very effective way to get a clean back on winter harvested HHB.
Bjrogg

[Danzn Bar]

Cool who'd of thunk it

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I never would have expected it to work that well. That's aweskme! It looks like a worth while method.

Kyle

[DC]

Could you post a picture of the power washer?

[bjrogg]

Thanks Dbar, I guess somebody that's not very good at taking it off any other way.lol.
Thanks Kyle, I thought it might work, but not nearly as good as it does. The Elm I took Bark was from with draw knife, not sure if I'd of had to. I got a hickory I might give a wirl.
Bjrogg
I'll get one for you DC

[Stick Bender]

Im going to bring a stave to work next week but the power washer here is set really high , we use it to wash heavy equipment its set just shy of taking paint off and water is scalding hot do you think thats to much ? Mr Bjrogg

[MulchMaker]

You just saved me hours of work thank you bjrogg

[PatM]

 My dad takes the bark of burls for bowl carving with a power washer.  Works great for getting in all the nooks and crannies.

[Bryce]

I do the same things! Works really well on juniper

[bjrogg]

DC here a picture of power washer. It's a pretty good power washer we use it a lot for cleaning up our equipment. I think a smaller one would probably work.
Stick Bender this is just like your work one I'd say. I can't see where it did any damage to wood it looks perfect. It seemed good on HHB and Elm not sure of other types. I just did this so if your thinking of trying it might not want to experiment with your favorite stave first. If you do let me know how it works
MulchMaker glad to help but even more exciting to me is the condition of the back.
Bjrogg

[make-n-break]

My mind is blown. Definitely adopting this method!! Thank you for sharing.

[bjrogg]

Thanks Bryce, Thanks Pat M glad to here someone else has tried it. If anyone has had any bad results please let me know. I just went all in on the bunch of staves.
Your very welcome make-n-break
Bjrogg

[burtonridr]

My local car wash place isn't gonna like me.....

[bjrogg]

My local car wash place isn't gonna like me.....

just take lots of quarters lol. Was wondering when someone was going to say that
Actually if your took Bark off it probably save quarters and mess.
Bjrogg

[DC]

Ahh man, if I buy a power washer I can see my honeydo list stretching. And that's all I need is one more of those dern noisy things in the neighbourhood. Some guys get addicted to them. I saw one guy spraying one spot on his chimney for over an hour.