I have run in to this multiple times before, and have a solution. I was just wondering if anyone has a suggestion for a better way. I have a new construction fiber cement sided house to clean tomorrow. Fiber cement tends to have a good amount of cement dust on it when new, and washing without scrubbing does not work. Also, very gentle rinse is needed, as dust from the backs will keep coming out with rinsing. It is worst where they cut in hose bibs, vents, etc.
I have found Turtle Wax Zip Wash and Wax, batched in the tank works pretty well. Then we scrub and rinse. Obviously, no bleach is needed. I am wondering if there is anything that would work better. I tried low-butyl concrete degreaser, Simple Green, Green Wash only, and Dawn. Also worth noting, he has copper gutters.
AC Lockyer said
May 31, 2014
Chad,
Sometimes you just have to use elbow grease.
Recently I was helping member come up with a scope to clean a building covered in glass and what looked to be an industrial bathroom tile. The building was designed to never be painted ever. Well that intent never to paint created a scenario that the building rarely ever was cleaned if ever. After trying lots of stuff even acidic cleaners we found that a 50/50 mix of Terra Wash to water sprayed on and allowed to dwell for a few min, then lightly agitate with a truck wash brush worked awesome. This was not mold or mildew on the tile but greasy, smoky, environmental fallout.
This building had hundreds of square feet of this tile surface on it and it all would require brushing. I attached a pic below.
Sometimes we are just spoiled with the instant results of pressure washing and soft washing. Today with environmental laws cranking down and limiting us on what we can use and how much of it, we will need to get those guns scrubbing again on many surfaces.
A.C., thanks for the input. I had already figured on hand scrubbing this whole thing and bid it as such. Actually on the bottom where it was worst we used a hand microfiber mitt for washing cars, and I tried my secret weapon, Mr Clean Magic Erasers, still with no luck. It got a little better, but did not come off.
I called a local supplier of Hardy products, and they called the company. Hardy confirmed that this is exactly the recommended method for cleaning, and said they would send a rep to the customer's house to take a look.
I have run in to this multiple times before, and have a solution. I was just wondering if anyone has a suggestion for a better way. I have a new construction fiber cement sided house to clean tomorrow. Fiber cement tends to have a good amount of cement dust on it when new, and washing without scrubbing does not work. Also, very gentle rinse is needed, as dust from the backs will keep coming out with rinsing. It is worst where they cut in hose bibs, vents, etc.
I have found Turtle Wax Zip Wash and Wax, batched in the tank works pretty well. Then we scrub and rinse. Obviously, no bleach is needed. I am wondering if there is anything that would work better. I tried low-butyl concrete degreaser, Simple Green, Green Wash only, and Dawn. Also worth noting, he has copper gutters.
Chad,
Sometimes you just have to use elbow grease.
Recently I was helping member come up with a scope to clean a building covered in glass and what looked to be an industrial bathroom tile. The building was designed to never be painted ever. Well that intent never to paint created a scenario that the building rarely ever was cleaned if ever. After trying lots of stuff even acidic cleaners we found that a 50/50 mix of Terra Wash to water sprayed on and allowed to dwell for a few min, then lightly agitate with a truck wash brush worked awesome. This was not mold or mildew on the tile but greasy, smoky, environmental fallout.
This building had hundreds of square feet of this tile surface on it and it all would require brushing. I attached a pic below.
Sometimes we are just spoiled with the instant results of pressure washing and soft washing. Today with environmental laws cranking down and limiting us on what we can use and how much of it, we will need to get those guns scrubbing again on many surfaces.
AC
I called a local supplier of Hardy products, and they called the company. Hardy confirmed that this is exactly the recommended method for cleaning, and said they would send a rep to the customer's house to take a look.
The customer seemed happy with the extra effort.