Soft wash chemicals to use on metal roofs? - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Texas Pressure Clean · Freshmen Member

Soft wash chemicals to use on metal roofs?

Brian Friel · Sophmore Member

We use our normal house wash mix with some f13 gutter grenade mixed in. You may have to use a brush to agitate if it is really bad, but it works very well. The gutter grenade removes just about all of the oxidation and leaves the metal looking new.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

PA Roof Cleaning Company wrote:
We use our normal house wash mix with some f13 gutter grenade mixed in. You may have to use a brush to agitate if it is really bad, but it works very well. The gutter grenade removes just about all of the oxidation and leaves the metal looking new.

Good point Bryan, we just need to watch what we are adding to our mix. Some additives will react adversly with the bleach releasing chloromines. My chemest says that those chloromines can cause cancer and we need to watch for that.

I would use the gutter grenade as a post rinse after the algae and bacteria is gone and the roof has been rinsed. Than grenade it.

AC

Texas Pressure Clean · Freshmen Member

With the F13 gutter Grenade can it be left on or do you then next to do a final rinse?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Texas Pressure Clean wrote:
With the F13 gutter Grenade can it be left on or do you then next to do a final rinse?

I have not used it personally but I bet it will need to be rinsed. I wonder how a shot of Bleach PM would look on the roof. It has a waxing agent in it and cold water buffs it as you rinse. Might gloss up the roof some.

AC

Ray Burke · Community Member

Typically I wash metal at 15-20%sh and lots of detergent. Be very careful about f13 on a metal roof, it can remove coating. With metal roofs, rinsing is a must.

Carlos Rodriguez · Freshmen Member

in the few metal roofs that I have done I have notice that the F13 only works in certain paints, most of the new metal roofs have a special coating and F13 don't do much.
Do not let F13 dry in any surface, you would need to reapply F13 in order to get it off so try it first and if it works for you try to work in a section at the time so it won't dry on you .
I'll use SH% as needed and make a mix of house wash soap and F13.
I'm sure Bleach PM could help with rinsing.

Thomas Peerless · Sophmore Member

Not many metal roof cleanings under my belt but I have always used just the love and downstream some vinegar on it.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

PEERLESS wrote:
Not many metal roof cleanings under my belt but I have always used just the love and downstream some vinegar on it.

lol, you know we dont have a 100 post rule over here right.....................thanks for being active.

AC

Thomas Peerless · Sophmore Member

Aww mang...

I thought I could be a roof cleaner by Friday!

Great BB AC, enjoying reading your posts and trying to provide the same and learn.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

PEERLESS wrote:
Aww mang...
I thought I could be a roof cleaner by Friday!
Great BB AC, enjoying reading your posts and trying to provide the same and learn.

You are already a roof cleaner, you dont have to prove it over here. Just suck it all up like a sponge. U going to the Tampa NCE Event?????????

AC

Thomas Peerless · Sophmore Member

Don't worry about me trying to prove anything, I think most that have been around a couple years are in the know now.
I took a few black eyes, but they heal and served a good purpose. I respect you.

IDK AC about the NCE stuff....We usually are up in upstate NY at the end of July. But with the baby who knows?
I'd love to meet you.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

PEERLESS wrote:

Don't worry about me trying to prove anything, I think most that have been around a couple years are in the know now.
I took a few black eyes, but they heal and served a good purpose. I respect you.

IDK AC about the NCE stuff....We usually are up in upstate NY at the end of July. But with the baby who knows?
I'd love to meet you.

Love to meet you if you are able to come!

Brian Friel · Sophmore Member

F13 works great, but you must rinse afterwards. I'm not talking about using only F13, but adding it to your house wash mix. The results are amazing! I add it to any aluminum siding wash we do because it makes it much cleaner than any other mix I have used.

Metal requires rinsing no matter what cleaner you use. Try the F-13 and you will be happy. I have washed a few metal buildings and the results were terrific! Follow the instructions and you will be fine.

Brian

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

well guys, i have not received my chemicals yet because of the distance. however i have a job on a metal roof coming up and i could do with some advice..I have done them before but just with a pressure washer but this time i advertised the soft wash... Need some tips to really impress this customer..Anyone?

Ryan Freidline · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Hey Look....It's Carlos with that really cool Logo!!

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Has anyone come across any videos where they are soft washing on a metal roof? I tried it on last job and the heat just dried up the solutions.. Is it really possible for this process to be successful on them?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Laurie,

In the same way you wouldn't wash a car or specially wax it in direct sunlight you don't do a metal roof that way either. Now you cant move a roof like you can a car to the shade but you can use common sense to attack this issue.

1. Pre-wet the roof in sections cooling the roof and making the mold, mildew and bacteria more receptive to the chems. (Small 500 square foot sections)
2. Treat the roof in these sections.
3. Rinse the roof to remove dead algae in sections.
4. Use bleach wash to neutralize and wax the roof.
5. Don't move on to the next section until you are finished with the last.

Treating large areas of the roof or the entire roof during warm days is not advised when cleaning metal roofs.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Double checking

1. Pre-wet the roof in sections cooling the roof and making the mold, mildew and bacteria more receptive to the chems. (Small 500 square foot sections)
I pre wet with normal water

2. Treat the roof in these sections.
500sq ft sections
How long do i let it sit..?
Do i keep coating it so it does not dry up on me?
Should i expect to see it becoming clear?

3. Rinse the roof to remove dead algae in sections.
Rinse with normal water?
If it is to become clear would it release its bond from the surface?
If it just comes clear what do i do?

4. Use bleach wash to neutralize and wax the roof.
Mix up my bw and spray the section i just washed off.
In another post i think you said to let the bw sit for 5min and rinse with cold water, is that correct?

5. Don't move on to the next section until you are finished with the last.
Complete each part with thoes following steps.

Do i have it correct?

In my experience after spraying the sh and gw it just get kinda orange and does not release its bond..Do i spray more?
At that point i select my surface cleaner...I am Stuck i Know that...SOS

AC Lockyer · Administrator

All Aspects Ltd wrote:
Double checking

1. Pre-wet the roof in sections cooling the roof and making the mold, mildew and bacteria more receptive to the chems. (Small 500 square foot sections)
I pre wet with normal water
Yes with normal water.

2. Treat the roof in these sections.
500sq ft sections
How long do i let it sit..?
Do i keep coating it so it does not dry up on me?
Should i expect to see it becoming clear?
Yes do not allow it to dry.
Yes you will see the algae bleaching clear.

3. Rinse the roof to remove dead algae in sections.
Rinse with normal water?

Yes normal water here as well.

If it is to become clear would it release its bond from the surface?

Yes.

If it just comes clear what do i do?

Rinse the roof so that the chems dont dry and cake on.

4. Use bleach wash to neutralize and wax the roof.
Mix up my bw and spray the section i just washed off.
In another post i think you said to let the bw sit for 5min and rinse with cold water, is that correct?

Yes.

5. Don't move on to the next section until you are finished with the last.
Complete each part with thoes following steps.

Do i have it correct?
Yes.

In my experience after spraying the sh and gw it just get kinda orange and does not release its bond..Do i spray more?
That means your SH percentage is too low for that roof. Increase 1% in SH solution.

At that point i select my surface cleaner...I am Stuck i Know that...SOS

Ans in red above.

AC

Laurie Benjamin · Lead Tech Certified

Hey ac.. This is how I think I should post my stuff from now on....I am sure anyone just browsing would find this format very informing...thanks again

AC Lockyer · Administrator

All Aspects Ltd wrote:
Hey ac.. This is how I think I should post my stuff from now on....I am sure anyone just browsing would find this format very informing...thanks again

Anytime Laurie!

AC