Wood lap siding - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

Wood lap siding

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Im thinking sodium hydroxide with very light (200psi) pressure washing. SH will eat that wood up. Then Neutralize with oxalic acid.

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

Thanks, what is the regular name for it? All I can find in an online search is msds sheets

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Regular name for what part. The chemical name is sodium hydroxide you must find a chemical supplier near you.

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

I found out that the normal name is Lye. The description said it draws moisture out of the air, I wouldnt think that would be a good thing for wood.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

1% Soft Wash Mix then neutralize with Bleach Wash.

AC

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Trust me when I say hydroxide is the best thing for wood restoration. Ask any wood guy.

Ray Burke · Community Member

Here's another important thing to consider too....after you finish with a Softwash there you'll be left with unprotected wood. It will eat the stain off, so PM should be prepared to reseal/restain wood quickly after cleaning job. This is not a maybe, or it might....it will. Trust me.

You can use either SH or SHy. I think the SH is easier to work with, but you'll need rinses....a lot....and then rinse some more..... And the when you think you've rinsed enough, go back and rinse more. rinse until the water runs clean and doesn't foam any more.

I'd go With 1% with a 10 minute dwell. Adjust up if needed, but don't think it will be needed.

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

Well, I was thinking of adding the siding but being brand new to this I think Ill just stick to the roofs for now. I wouldnt have a clue how to bid the siding cleaning and resealing, however it would look great after, Thanks for the input

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Ray i like the shy becuase it give you more flexability and you dont have to use alot of pressure to actually clean the wood. with SH sometimes with the rinse you get some markings to show up plus it tears up the fibers.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Sodium Hydroxide is what commercial bleach is made from (and is also a by product of the process) and is just as corrosive as bleach and also eats the ligimen. It is my belief that the hydroxide / hypochlorite battle was forged because powerwash companies can package and ship hydroxide in a bulk powder and they cant ship hypochlorite. So they demonized it as a solution so they could sell hydroxide which they can ship nationwide. Kinda like the roof o cide and scrampoo attacks. Just my .02 Ive never seen a light topical solution of SH hurt wood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hypochlorite

AC

-- Edited by AC Lockyer on Monday 1st of October 2012 08:48:39 PM

Josh Scavetta · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

This is a mixing stick we used to stir our mix tank. This particular stick is a broom handle. It has stir around 400 tanks and looks like this. Yes the SH ate the crap out of it but this stick was never rinsed off after it was put in the solution. Does SH eat wood yes, will it hurt the siding if done properly no. Do what AC said and you will be fine. We always use 2% on decks and clapboard siding works great and works fast. I hate having to many different chemicals in the truck. I just like one that does it all.

And yes recommend a wood sealer after

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

or you could do it the right waay and use sodium hydroxide with very lite pressure to rinse.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

The reason to use hydroxide is becuase that siding probrably more than likely has some type of sealer still on it. So in order to do a full restoration you will need to remove the sealer or stain first. the hydroxide will allow you to do that. If you wanna just clean and walk away then use a light sh solution.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

michael derose wrote:
The reason to use hydroxide is becuase that siding probrably more than likely has some type of sealer still on it. So in order to do a full restoration you will need to remove the sealer or stain first. the hydroxide will allow you to do that. If you wanna just clean and walk away then use a light sh solution.

Agreed on the sealer. Good call.

AC

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

They feel the siding needs replaced also. Its either covred in algae, or just light grey from age. Is there any way to restore an old plank of wood?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

John Smith wrote:
They feel the siding needs replaced also. Its either covred in algae, or just light grey from age. Is there any way to restore an old plank of wood?

You can get sealers that have semi transparant stain in them.

AC