Cleaning Back Walls from Diesel Smoke

Ed Thompson

New member
Doing job next week for a truck transfer station. Theres a 30' high wall where the trucks park near a garage and theres a white painted wall that has turned black from the diesel smoke exhaust. I was thinking of x-jetting sodium hydroxide solution to loosen it but Im afraid of the paint. I know I could just hot water blast it but Im trying to see if I can avoid a lift. I am mostly a residential contractor so forgive me for my lack commercial knowledge. Any feedback would be helpful.
 
Doing job next week for a truck transfer station. Theres a 30' high wall where the trucks park near a garage and theres a white painted wall that has turned black from the diesel smoke exhaust. I was thinking of x-jetting sodium hydroxide solution to loosen it but Im afraid of the paint. I know I could just hot water blast it but Im trying to see if I can avoid a lift. I am mostly a residential contractor so forgive me for my lack commercial knowledge. Any feedback would be helpful.

I had exhaust soot from huge temp diesel generators on painted metal walls at local airport. Another contractor tried bleach, heat, high pressure. I used Bobs F 13 gutter cleaner and took most of it off with Xjetting, some I did have to brush and then rinse. Did not hurt paint at all, but it was a factory finish
 
BD200 degreaser
 
Dave, give me a call when you get a chance.
 
I second viper but i dont think its the same one. A sodium hydroxide based soap with some light scrubbing will get rid of it. I dont think bleach or hot water alone would touch it. also think of how you are going to reach 30 feet. an extended brush at even 15 feet sucks. A Manlift might have to be used to get decent even results. good luck.
 
pretty much the same. VIPER is a great degreaser, TNW is great for releasing the dirt/grime, mixed together the solution becomes very good. VIPERs base in Sodium Hydroxide. the mix will be bleed the soot and release it from the paint. may need to brush, depending on customers expectation. power soaping will allow for a better release of grime.

u can x jet and/ or get a cherry picker.
 
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Ed, were the diesel stains like the ones above? We recently cleaned a FedEx facility that wanted all the diesel smoke stains removed from the doors. The stains came off very quickly with the chems we used. I think total we charged $125 for the entire facility. PM me and I will let you know what we used.
 
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Ed, were the diesel stains like the ones above? We recently cleaned a FedEx facility that wanted all the diesel smoke stains removed from the doors. The stains came off very quickly with the chems we used. I think total we charged $125 for the entire facility. PM me and I will let you know what we used.

I know its Florida but whats with the sandles and high pressure Do you do a toe count every nite. Just kidding. When i forget to put my boots on I realize as soon as i get in my truck cause it feels weird.
 
You florida Guys I love ya

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Ed, were the diesel stains like the ones above? We recently cleaned a FedEx facility that wanted all the diesel smoke stains removed from the doors. The stains came off very quickly with the chems we used. I think total we charged $125 for the entire facility. PM me and I will let you know what we used.
 
I know its Florida but whats with the sandles and high pressure Do you do a toe count every nite. Just kidding. When i forget to put my boots on I realize as soon as i get in my truck cause it feels weird.


HAHA, I where boots a lot of the time. That was my little brother, he came back from college and wanted to earn a little extra money so I told him to just wear some older clothes. And dont worry, I didnt charge $125, Im not a low baller :)

On a side not maybe a should start an 11th toe removal service?
 
Doing job next week for a truck transfer station. Theres a 30' high wall where the trucks park near a garage and theres a white painted wall that has turned black from the diesel smoke exhaust. I was thinking of x-jetting sodium hydroxide solution to loosen it but Im afraid of the paint. I know I could just hot water blast it but Im trying to see if I can avoid a lift. I am mostly a residential contractor so forgive me for my lack commercial knowledge. Any feedback would be helpful.

Cleaning Diesel Smoke PA
 
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