Need help cleaning aluminum siding!

[Deckcareplus]

I was at a job yesterday and I was suppose to clean the aluminum siding of the house for the customer. When I first looked at the job, there were no signs of oxidation just, what I thought to be mildew...I was wrong... because it wasn't mildew it is some sort of roadway fallout from a nearby highway. Nothing I applied seemed to remove it. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I might try for this? I know the homeowner did use some sort of citrus based cleaner that they applied by hand and worked pretty well.

Also... the house recently had a new roof installed and the contractors had left shingle marks on the siding when they had torn off the old roof. Is there any kind of cleaner for removing those marks?

 

[Clean County PW]

Rick,
Run while you can.(just kidding)
Aluminum is one tough animal to clean when its aged. I've cleaned Aluminum over the years and its always a pain in the***.

I've used hot water and cold water pw's without getting much different results. Of course we all know that the cleaning solution (chemical or whatever you like to call it) is the real trick.

I never found a sure way to clean Aluminum siding because every house with that kind of siding is different. Older Aluminum siding is extremely tough because you can take the color right off of it and then the house will have to be painted because it will look horrendous. As far as preping Aluminum to paint it thats never a problem. But to just clean it and not cause any damage to the color..you see where I'm heading here.

First thing I would need to know is how old is the siding and what color is it. Then I would go to a hidden area of the house and try a very small test patch. And I mean small.

I would then try using chlorine at different strengths. You may have to brush it on and with low psi clean it off.

If that roadway fallout as you put it has oxidized into the aluminum you very well may not be able to get it all out. Do a test patch and then show the homeowner and if there happy with that then go for it.

You might want to try to sell to the home owner the idea of cleaning the siding then giving it a fresh coat of paint to it afterwords because that may be the only real choice that will work.

Good luck John/Clean County PW

 

[Deckcareplus]

John,

Thanks for the help. I have actually done everthing you mentioned above already. The problem isn't age because it is only 6-7 yrs. old. It's the fact that due to such a major highway being so close. The fallout (pollution) has etched itself into the aluminum. I haven't tried the Gutter Zap that Ron talked about yet but I did try a solution of sodium hydroxide which is a big component of Gutter Zap.
Unfortuantely, homeowner isn't interested in the expense of painting right now either.

 

[Les Howington]

Rick,

A high alkaline soap should get the staining off. Mix some bleach in with it just in case it is mildew. I would start with a 15-1 dilution and let dwell around 3-4 minutes and rinse it. The trick to aluminum siding is not to use direct pressure. Even a strong garden hose can leave a streak. Keep your washing and rinsing in even patterns, meaning use side to side strokes and fanning, just like washing a deck. When your finished, apply a spray on wax or sealant to bring the gloss and color back because it will be dull. Waxes are cheap and produce good results.

Les

 

[Ron Strickland]

Cleaning aluminum siding.

Rick,
Gutter Zap will clean aluminum siding with a 10/1 down to a 5/1 dilution rate. It is made up of a small amount of sodium hydroxide
but it has 6 other synthetic ingredients in the formulation.
Ron/Xterior

 

[Deckcareplus]

Ron,
Did you get my message? I tried to call you last thursday to order another 5 gallon pail. I don't think I will have enough to finish the job.

 

[Ron Strickland]

I'll be in the offfice tomorrow morning.