We just spent 5 hours outside trying to clean our siding nothing seems to work except baking soda and a sponge (by hand) we were using a pressure sprayer with all kinds of cleaners nothing got it clean. Is there any cleaner to spray on any hose off. Please help .
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
In this FHB Podcast segment, the crew offers expert advice on insulating an old home and finding the right contractor to do the job.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Clothing detergent and bleach. Mix it up and apply with a garden sprayer, or with a scrub brush. I have also used a medium to soft bristle street broom.
Wear your safety glasses and gloves. Wet wall and apply top down.
Let it sit for 15 minutes then scrub and wash.
Same routine for decks.
-zen
Zendo, will that work for my aluminum-bodied cargo trailer? It seems like bleach would eat the finish, or at least dull it.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Jason,
Id figure a high concentration of bleach wouldnt be good for raw metal. Maybe check the bottle, but its really in there to kill any living thing like mold or mildew.
You could test a patch, but you probably wouldnt need more than 10%.... if you used it at all.
If I was cleaning an auto trailer, Id use either the clothing detergent or real car wash detergent. Dont use dish soap, the ph is bad, especially for car paint and will dull the finish.
After cleaning, Id use Liquid Glass Pre Cleaner, Ive also done ok with the McGuires system, it might be a little cheaper, they are both car products. Liquid Glass is a polish not a wax and will chemically remove any oxidation, tar or other mess, use this after the pre cleaner.
If you have a brushed or raw aluminum body, Id get an aluminum polish to use after the wash, Liquid Glass may be just as good. Dont be surprised of your rag turns colors the stuff works wonders.
If you need a great degreaser, Pink Stuff is the answer, squirt on and let sit, scrub over and rinse... it wont kill your paint. It might dull it a bit til its polished. I cheaped out once and got an imitation in a spray can, I sprayed it on the painted engine of my 1969 Dodge Coronet... it took the paint off the motor. I didnt buy it again.
-zen
Automatic dishwasher detergent like Cascade or Electrosol. Mix it with hot water then spray, sponge or brush it on. Leave it a few minutes and give it a few swipes with a brush. For added stickness add a bit of dish soap like Ivory. It will remove almost everything, it smells great and won't eat you up like bleach will. I've used it to clean hundreds of thousands of square feet of painted aluminum. Let us know how it works for you.