This is a building I was invited to quote on. The facilities manager is most concerned about the Alucobond type panels. She does not want any cleaning solution penetrating too deep as to cause damage or discolouration of the panels. Anybody here have experience with these panels? It's very popular here and I can get a lot of work cleaning them if I can do it right.
Have a look at the pics. It looks to me like it's mostly hard water stains but I'm fully open to expert opinion and advice. How would you go about cleaning them?
I was thinking about a 1% solution but then thought maybe no SH at all; maybe just Green Wash and water? Looks like I will have to agitate with a brush or sponge and rinse with pure water. Perhaps a Bleach Wash rinse? Also read that OneRestore should work for the stains. This is what I'm thinking at the moment.
Really appreciate the advice guys.
Best regards,
Paul
-- Edited by Paul Low Chew Tung on Monday 4th of May 2015 05:49:04 PM
-- Edited by Paul Low Chew Tung on Monday 4th of May 2015 05:51:44 PM
Paul Low Chew Tung said
May 5, 2015
nobody?
Spencer Zeman said
May 5, 2015
Paul,
That looks just like a movie theater I cleaned with a 3% solution and subbing 1oz of Terra Wash in instead of Green Wash. Within 10 minutes the panels looked brand new. No scrubbing or rinsing required but I rinsed anyhow because I was not certain how long term exposure to the chemicals could affect the surface. I would start low and do some small test spots. When I quote projects I bring several pump spray bottles with premixed solutions and ask permission to try them on inconspicuous parts of the building. This gives me a good idea of what solution to tackle the problem with. Bring a small gallon of water to rinse just incase.
Also I find when I have tackled some larger projects I bring an additional 40-60 gallons of SH at 12.5-13% with me incase I need to up the content on scene or mix a new batch. Hope that helps.
Paul Low Chew Tung said
May 5, 2015
Thanks Spencer!
When you say 1oz of Terra Wash; do you mean 1oz Terra Wash, no Green Wash? or 1oz Terra Wash with the rest Green Wash? Did you rinse with Bleach Wash?
Do you have any pics you could share? You can post them here or email them to me. I would really appreciate it.
Best regards,
Paul
Brandon Vaughn said
May 6, 2015
Paul,
Alucabond can clean up easily when the stains are organic. SoftWashing will zip the stains right off. However, you need to also be concerned about non-organic stains and streaks, as these can be extremely difficult if not impossible to clean off. In order to properly set the customers (and yours) expecation - it's best to do a sample spot in an inconspicuous area like Spencer says.
I've had streaks that would not come off with ANYTHING - and it ended up being determined that it was acid rain damage to the coating and it was irreversible. Start with as low of a concentration as possible and work your way up.
Hey guys,
This is a building I was invited to quote on. The facilities manager is most concerned about the Alucobond type panels. She does not want any cleaning solution penetrating too deep as to cause damage or discolouration of the panels. Anybody here have experience with these panels? It's very popular here and I can get a lot of work cleaning them if I can do it right.
Have a look at the pics. It looks to me like it's mostly hard water stains but I'm fully open to expert opinion and advice. How would you go about cleaning them?
I was thinking about a 1% solution but then thought maybe no SH at all; maybe just Green Wash and water? Looks like I will have to agitate with a brush or sponge and rinse with pure water. Perhaps a Bleach Wash rinse? Also read that OneRestore should work for the stains. This is what I'm thinking at the moment.
Really appreciate the advice guys.
Best regards,
Paul
-- Edited by Paul Low Chew Tung on Monday 4th of May 2015 05:49:04 PM
okay pics fixed. thanks guys
-- Edited by Paul Low Chew Tung on Monday 4th of May 2015 05:51:44 PM
That looks just like a movie theater I cleaned with a 3% solution and subbing 1oz of Terra Wash in instead of Green Wash. Within 10 minutes the panels looked brand new. No scrubbing or rinsing required but I rinsed anyhow because I was not certain how long term exposure to the chemicals could affect the surface. I would start low and do some small test spots. When I quote projects I bring several pump spray bottles with premixed solutions and ask permission to try them on inconspicuous parts of the building. This gives me a good idea of what solution to tackle the problem with. Bring a small gallon of water to rinse just incase.
Also I find when I have tackled some larger projects I bring an additional 40-60 gallons of SH at 12.5-13% with me incase I need to up the content on scene or mix a new batch. Hope that helps.
When you say 1oz of Terra Wash; do you mean 1oz Terra Wash, no Green Wash? or 1oz Terra Wash with the rest Green Wash? Did you rinse with Bleach Wash?
Do you have any pics you could share? You can post them here or email them to me. I would really appreciate it.
Best regards,
Paul
Paul,
Alucabond can clean up easily when the stains are organic. SoftWashing will zip the stains right off. However, you need to also be concerned about non-organic stains and streaks, as these can be extremely difficult if not impossible to clean off. In order to properly set the customers (and yours) expecation - it's best to do a sample spot in an inconspicuous area like Spencer says.
I've had streaks that would not come off with ANYTHING - and it ended up being determined that it was acid rain damage to the coating and it was irreversible. Start with as low of a concentration as possible and work your way up.