I have a customer who is currently under contract to clean a very large Mercedes dealership, with most of the building covered in galvanized steel siding.
There are some stains, either oxidation or something else, that do not come off with brushing, softwash solution. I was thinking of going out and trying some of my Landa Supernova and or F9 on an inconspicuous area and see how it does.
Anyone recognize these kinds of stains and know how to tackle them???
Looks like same staining that you get on gutters.......aluminum oxidation. Have you tried a gutter cleaner?
Brandon Vaughn said
May 31, 2014
I personally haven't tried anything yet. The contractor said that he's had about 4 different cleaning guys go out and try to get the stains off with no luck. We'll see if I can do better. I'll bring some gutter zap out with me as well. My hope is to find something that will remove the stains without needing to agitate the whole surface... There is about 50k sq. ft. like this...
Mario Ciottariello said
May 31, 2014
I'm with you I'd try the gutter zap and a loaf brush.
Jason Rapisarda said
Jun 1, 2014
Your probity going to need an acid cleaner. Try an aluminum brighter like u would use for truck wheels. Each chem Saber is great stuff! And safe on glass. Call and talk to Mike www.eacochem.com
Chad Eneix said
Jun 1, 2014
I second that eacochem makes good stuff. Confirm exactly what the surface is, then call and they can advise.
Brandon Vaughn said
Jun 1, 2014
Jason Rapisarda wrote:
Your probity going to need an acid cleaner. Try an aluminum brighter like u would use for truck wheels. Each chem Saber is great stuff! And safe on glass. Call and talk to Mike www.eacochem.com
My Landa Supernova is an aluminum brightener. That's what I was thinking as well. I've used that stuff diluted down to remove oxidation on gutters as well.
I'll check out Eaco chem too! Thanks for the recommendation.
AC Lockyer said
Jun 1, 2014
Be very careful because the zinc coating can be altered if not removed by a solution that is either too acidic or too caustic. Make sure you stay as neutral puns possible. In a range of 6 to 8 on the Ph scale. Remember there is a difference between cleaning away dirt, grime, mildew etc. and surface restoration where you are reversing damage or aging. Be very careful not to make it worse by burning the siding.
AC
Brandon Vaughn said
Jun 1, 2014
AC Lockyer wrote:
Be very careful because the zinc coating can be altered if not removed by a solution that is either too acidic or too caustic. Make sure you stay as neutral puns possible. In a range of 6 to 8 on the Ph scale. Remember there is a difference between cleaning away dirt, grime, mildew etc. and surface restoration where you are reversing damage or aging. Be very careful not to make it worse by burning the siding.
AC
Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to do a small test patch behind a bush to see how everything does. Is it possible to damage the zinc coating and not be able to visually tell? And have a catastrophic surface failure later on? Or should I be able to tell if there is damage occuring?
AC Lockyer said
Jun 1, 2014
You will see it instantly dull.
AC
John Aloisio said
Jun 4, 2014
Brandon,
check if it is definitely galvanized or is it galvalume? If galvanized it is pretty much a lead coated steel and most acidic based products will strip the lead if agitated. Galvalume is a lead and aluminum dipped steel, which in that case, a butyl based gutter brightened might do the trick. Those streaks could be the zinc striping, caused by mild acid rain.
You know what you are doing, just try a test spot first.
Vic Irish said
Jun 16, 2014
John Aloisio wrote:
Brandon,
check if it is definitely galvanized or is it galvalume? If galvanized it is pretty much a lead coated steel and most acidic based products will strip the lead if agitated. Galvalume is a lead and aluminum dipped steel, which in that case, a butyl based gutter brightened might do the trick. Those streaks could be the zinc striping, caused by mild acid rain.
You know what you are doing, just try a test spot first.
How can you tell the difference between galvanized, aluminum and galvalume?
Galvanized is magnetic while aluminum is not. What is galvalume?
John Aloisio said
Jun 17, 2014
Galvalume is steel, but it has a coating on it made up of 55% Aluminum and 45% zinc, to enhance the corrosion resistance of the panel.
Vic Irish said
Jun 17, 2014
John Aloisio wrote:
Galvalume is steel, but it has a coating on it made up of 55% Aluminum and 45% zinc, to enhance the corrosion resistance of the panel.
Thank you, John. Good answer!
Vic Irish said
Aug 3, 2014
Hey Brandon,
I'm curious how this turned out? Did you use the SuperNova?
I have a customer who is currently under contract to clean a very large Mercedes dealership, with most of the building covered in galvanized steel siding.
There are some stains, either oxidation or something else, that do not come off with brushing, softwash solution. I was thinking of going out and trying some of my Landa Supernova and or F9 on an inconspicuous area and see how it does.
Anyone recognize these kinds of stains and know how to tackle them???
I personally haven't tried anything yet. The contractor said that he's had about 4 different cleaning guys go out and try to get the stains off with no luck. We'll see if I can do better. I'll bring some gutter zap out with me as well. My hope is to find something that will remove the stains without needing to agitate the whole surface... There is about 50k sq. ft. like this...
My Landa Supernova is an aluminum brightener. That's what I was thinking as well. I've used that stuff diluted down to remove oxidation on gutters as well.
I'll check out Eaco chem too! Thanks for the recommendation.
AC
Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to do a small test patch behind a bush to see how everything does. Is it possible to damage the zinc coating and not be able to visually tell? And have a catastrophic surface failure later on? Or should I be able to tell if there is damage occuring?
AC
Brandon,
check if it is definitely galvanized or is it galvalume? If galvanized it is pretty much a lead coated steel and most acidic based products will strip the lead if agitated. Galvalume is a lead and aluminum dipped steel, which in that case, a butyl based gutter brightened might do the trick. Those streaks could be the zinc striping, caused by mild acid rain.
You know what you are doing, just try a test spot first.
How can you tell the difference between galvanized, aluminum and galvalume?
Galvanized is magnetic while aluminum is not. What is galvalume?
Galvalume is steel, but it has a coating on it made up of 55% Aluminum and 45% zinc, to enhance the corrosion resistance of the panel.
Thank you, John. Good answer!
Hey Brandon,
I'm curious how this turned out? Did you use the SuperNova?