Oxidized Vinyl Siding - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

Oxidized Vinyl Siding

Chris Madden · Lead Tech Certified

The houses I wash are newer homes so I do not run into this.

Has anyone used a Green wash or Bleach wash solution to remedy this condition

of the vinyl. Interested in everyone personal experience with this.

Chris

Ray Burke · Community Member

Chris....best info I can give is "Sometimes". First time I used GW on an oxidized vinyl, it cleaned up nicely and put a little shine to it. I felt I could conquer the world! Next house, didn't work so well and wound up brushing the whole thing. It was more heavily oxidized.

Since those first two, I've had some more successes, some average results and another failure. I think it "just depends" on a whole host of variables: type of vinyl, age of vinyl, level of oxidation, has vinyl been attacked and brutalized with a pressure washer before, etc.

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

spray wash wrote:
Chris....best info I can give is "Sometimes". First time I used GW on an oxidized vinyl, it cleaned up nicely and put a little shine to it. I felt I could conquer the world! Next house, didn't work so well and wound up brushing the whole thing. It was more heavily oxidized.

Since those first two, I've had some more successes, some average results and another failure. I think it "just depends" on a whole host of variables: type of vinyl, age of vinyl, level of oxidation, has vinyl been attacked and brutalized with a pressure washer before, etc.

That's what I thought. My experience was that the only way to get it off is by brushing it. By the way I found out using Purple Power works great without having to deal with brush marks. Obviously more labor intensive but works great.

-- Edited by Peter Blau on Saturday 6th of April 2013 08:40:36 PM

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

If you they want me to remove the oxidation by brushing it then that service is extra( way extra). If they want me to clean then its normal pricing. So far no one has gone with the brushing. To me that is considered restoration and we charge just like a deck restore.

Bill Booz · Junior Member

You will need a solvent or other oxidation attacking chemical to remove it. Most of the time we do not remove it either. When removing oxidation from metal siding, it's usually a prep for paint job and we coat it with solvent, melt the finish off then etch it with tsp.

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

michael derose wrote:
If you they want me to remove the oxidation by brushing it then that service is extra( way extra). If they want me to clean then its normal pricing. So far no one has gone with the brushing. To me that is considered restoration and we charge just like a deck restore.

Agreed. Great way to cover yourself and still get the job.

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

If you are just doing a spray and rinse with the SH, GW mix any streaking problems because of the oxidation? Or do you get an even clean?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

michael derose wrote:
If you they want me to remove the oxidation by brushing it then that service is extra( way extra). If they want me to clean then its normal pricing. So far no one has gone with the brushing. To me that is considered restoration and we charge just like a deck restore.

Gosphel Truth in this statment!

AC

AC Lockyer · Administrator

CEC wrote:
If you are just doing a spray and rinse with the SH, GW mix any streaking problems because of the oxidation? Or do you get an even clean?

West and south sides of the home will be the worst and the customer needs to understand that this is not dirt but UV damage. It is much like using rubbing compound on a car then. Same products, same tools. Get some compound and a buffer.

AC

Gregg Austensen · Lead Tech Certified

Since the vinyl is oxidized just like tiger stripes are in the oxidized layer of paint on gutters I wonder if the gutter grenade or similar products would have an impact? Just thinking.

Peter Blau · Sophmore Member

I think at this point when I get my soft wash rig up and running I will just have to experiment. If people want the oxidation removed they will have to pay for the extra labor. Take it or leave it.

Ryan Freidline · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Eachochem's OneRestore will work here, but....uh......you must know what you're doing- slinging acid around, even though its buffered and low concentrate- too much dwell and the siding is a different color, beware if spot cleaning vinyl. My experience with it on aluminum was fantastic.