CLEANERS

C.J.'S Recipe:  Bob and RodMan are NOT fans of pressure washing. In the hands of the uninitiated, a pressure washer is a deadly weapon. It can ruin siding, decking or any other surface it's used on and/or injure the operator. Even in the hands of a pro, a pressure washer tends to drive water into and/or under exposed wood and cause problems.

The best technique I know for cleaning siding in particular is using a garden hose, a garden sprayer and a good cleaning mix. We’ve found that a “secret formula”, kindly shared with us by a listener, works great in painting prep as well as cleaning grunge off aluminum and vinyl siding.  Note from Bob: Like C.J. says, this is powerful stuff you wouldn't want to use on a painted surface unless you intend to repaint that sucker.
The recipe is:

3 QUARTS WATER

1 QUART CLOROX

1 CUP TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE - "TSP" - PAINT OR HARDWARE STORE. HANDY HARDWARE IN TUCKER, A TERRIFIC RESOURCE, HAS TSP SUBSTITUTES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK AS WELL AS THE ORIGINAL BUT DON'T HAVE PHOSPHATES WHICH ENCOURAGE MOST ANYTHING TO GROW AND FLOURISH. 

2 TBSPS “LIQUID SOAP”

MULTIPLY THIS BY 4.5 TO FILL A 5-GALLON GARDEN SPRAYER

WARNING: WEAR GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND YOUR WORST CLOTHES WHEN YOU USE THIS MIX. AS FOR FOUNDATION PLANTS; WATER THEM THOROUGHLY BEFORE USING THE MIX, COVER THEM DURING THE WASHING PROCESS, THEN RINSE THEIR LITTLE LEAVES AFTER YOU’RE FINISHED.

Spray the mix on the house in small sections, let the mix sit on the surface for a few minutes and do its job, then rinse with a hose outfitted with a sprayer nozzle. For the stubborn spots, scrub lightly with a long handled brush.

CAUTION: AFTER WASHING YOUR HOME WITH ANYTHING CONTAINING PHOSPHATES, YOU MUST PAINT WITHIN 3-4 WEEKS BECAUSE PHOSPHATES WILL PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF EVERYTHING!

GOOEY STUFF REMOVER - BIG JOHN ADAMS, MAN OF MEANS AND READY FOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE ON MATTERS RELATED TO R.E. INVESTMENT / MANAGEMENT, SAYS GOOF OFF - THE ULTIMATE GOO REMOVER IS THE BEST EVER WAS OR EVER WILL BE.  HE BASES THIS CLAIM ON THE FACT THAT SUBJECT PRODUCT "EVAPORATED" A CHEWING GUM MESS DEPOSITED ON NEW CARPET IN HIS GET AWAY ON ST. SIMON'S ISLAND.  BIG JOHN ADAMS SAYS IT, WE BELIEVE IT AND, AS THE SAYING GOES, THAT'S THE END OF IT. 

CARPET - REMOVING STAINS. THIS INFORMATION IS COURTESY OF THE CARPET AND RUG INSTITUTE.  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - 1-800-882-8846.  IF YOU'RE IN THE ATLANTA AREA AND WANT TO HIRE YOUR CARPET CLEANED, I'VE HEARD   IF YOU'RE IN THE ATLANTA AREA AND WANT TO HIRE YOUR CARPET CLEANED, I'VE HEARD   CHASTAIN ChemDry, (404) 355-8480 DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB. COURSE THAT DEPENDS ON THE MECHANIC YOU HAPPEN TO GET ASSIGNED.  IT'D BE A GOOD IDEA TO STRESS THAT YOU WANT THE AREA AROUND YOUR BASE MOLD GIVEN SPECIAL ATTENTION.

APPLY THE CLEANING SOLUTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE ORDER SUGGESTED. IF YOU DON’T SUCCEED, CALL A PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS ACCESS TO MORE POWERFUL, SOPHISTICATED CHEMICALS.

C - CLEANING FLUID. NON-FLAMMABLE TYPES ARE BEST. CAUTION - DON’T POUR DIRECTLY ON CARPET AS SOME CLEANING FLUIDS CAN SOFTEN SOME CARPET BACKINGS. USE RUBBER GLOVES AND PROVIDE PLENTY OF VENTILATION.

D - DETERGENT. SEVERAL DROPS OF DISH (NOT LAUNDRY) SOAP IN A CUP OF WATER.

V - VINEGAR. ONE CUP OF WHITE VINEGAR IN TWO CUPS OF WATER.

A - AMMONIA. TWO TABLESPOONS OF HOUSEHOLD AMMONIA PER CUP OF WATER.

W - WARM WATER RINSE. APPLY WITH A SPRAYER.

N - NAIL POLISH REMOVER / PAINT, OIL & GREASE REMOVER. INSURE PLENTY OF VENTILATION.

Common Stains

  • ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES D A V W
    •
  • AMMONIA V D W
  • ASPHALT C D
  • BLOOD A D W
  • BUTTER C D A V W
  • CATSUP D A V W
  • CHEESE C A D W
  • COFFEE D V W
  • COFFEE W CREAM & SUGAR C D V W
  • COLA D A V W
  • CRAYON C D
  • EGG D A V W
  • FOOD STAIN, GENERAL D A V W
  • FOOD STAIN, GREASY C D A V W
  • FURNITURE DYE N C D A V W
  • GRAPE JUICE D V W
  • GRASS N C D A V W
  • PEN INK N C D A V W
  • IRON / RUST V D W
  • KOOL-AID D V W
  • MILK C D A V W
  • OIL C D A W
  • LATEX PAINT D A W
  • SUNTAN LOTION C D W
  • URINE, DRY D W V A
  • URINE, WET D A V W
  • VOMIT D A V W
  • WINE D V A W
    •

CONCRETE - OIL - OIL & AUTOMOTIVE FLUIDS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM CONCRETE SINCE THEY PENETRATE THE SURFACE OF THE CONCRETE UNLIKE GREASE.

PRODUCT - FADE - MANUFACTURER - SAKRETE - 1-800-892-5078. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $17.95 / GALLON.  WE TALKED TO DENISE.

TOM SAYS A PRODUCT CALL "SWAB" MADE BY THE GUNK ENGINE BRITE FOLKS WILL DO THE JOB.  IF YOU'LL CALL HOPE AT HANDY HARDWARE, (770) 939-6842, SHE'LL GET YOU SOME.

CONCRETE - DIRT / STAINS - USE HOUSEHOLD BLEACH, LET SIT 10 MINUTES, RINSE THOROUGHLY.

COUNTERTOP PLASTIC LAMINATE - GREASE AND FOOD STAINS

PRODUCT - COUNTERTOP MAGIC - MAGIC AMERICAN CORP. 1-800-321-6330

DECKS / FENCE / SIDING / ANY WEATHERED WOOD SURFACE - REMOVE DIRT, STAIN, MOLD, & MILDEW TO LEAVE SURFACE LOOKING LIKE NEW.

1. DEKSWOOD BY MINWAX AVAILABLE WHERE PROFESSIONALS BUY PAINTS.

2. DECKBOSS BY BOSSWORKS, INC. PHONE - 1-800-933-8043

FOR OUTDOOR UNFINISHED WOOD CLEANERS & SEALERS.  MIKE GLENN KNOWS HIS STUFF!!!

EXTERIOR STUCCO AND BRICK - RUST STAINS

PRODUCT - IRON OUT - ACE HARDWARE

PRODUCT - DO IT - 1-800-788-DO IT

FIREPLACE - BRICK FACADE - RUB SOILED AREA WITH LARGE GUM ERASER AVAILABLE AT ANY LARGE OFFICE SUPPLY STORE.

FINGERS / HANDS - LEMON JUICE IS GREAT FOR REMOVING GREASE, LUMBER (LIKE OAK) STAINS, ETC.

HARDWOOD FLOORS - MINWAX HARDWOOD FLOOR CLEANER - MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THIS PRODUCT CLEANS HARDWOOD FLOORING WITHOUT STREAKING OR DULLING BUILDUP.

GUTTERS - 409 AND THE LIKE WON'T TOUCH STREAKS ON GUTTERS BUT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WILL GET THOSE BUGGERS, Y'ALL.  BLACK STREAK REMOVER MARKETED BY MOST RV DEALERS COMES IN A VARIETY OF STRENGTHS FROM VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS.  THERE'S ALSO STUFF CALLED "SPRAY 9" YOU CAN GET IN THE PAINT SECTION OF GREAT HARDWARE STORES LIKE HANDY HARDWARE IN TUCKER, GEORGIA, WHERE HOPE (THAT'S HER NAME)  REIGNS SUPREME.

RINGS ON TABLETOPS - IF WATER STAINS DON’T EVAPORATE WITHIN A FEW HOURS, RUB THEM WITH TOOTH PASTE AND A SOFT COTTON CLOTH. IF NO JOY, RUB RINGS WITH A DAMP CLOTH AND A DAB OF AUTOMOBILE FINISH POLISH FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE. WHEN RING DISAPPEARS, DRY AREA WITH A SOFT COTTON CLOTH.

SCREENS (FIBERGLASS) - REFRESH APPEARANCE OF FIBERGLASS SCREENS BY SPRAYING WITH AN AUTOMOTIVE VINYL PROTECTANT LIKE ARMOR ALL / SON-OF-A-GUN. HOLD SPONGE BEHIND SCREEN AS YOU SPRAY AND WIPE BOTH SIDES DOWN.

SHINGLES - DARK STREAKS ARE CAUSED BY A BLACKISH-GREEN ALGAE - GLEOCAPSA MAGMA.

- CARRIED TO THE ROOF BY THE WIND

- PHOTOSYNTHESIZES & GETS NEEDED MINERALS / NUTRIENTS FROM DUST.

- CAN’T GROW IN PRESENCE OF METAL IONS.

PRODUCTS - CLEAN WITH SAFER MOSS & ALGAE CLEANER BY RINGER CORP. (612) 941-4180.  INFORMATION - KERMIT STAHL, DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY, CERTAINTEED (215) 341-7000.

INHIBIT INFESTATION WITH SHINGLE SHIELD BY CHICAGO METALLIC (800) 638-5192.  METAL STRIPS THAT RELEASE ZINC OXIDE IN RAIN.  Z-STRIP WORKS LIKE SHINGLE SHIELD.

STRATEGY: THERE ARE OTHER CLEANERS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL HARDWARE STORE OR YOU CAN USE A MIXTURE OF 1 PART BLEACH TO 2 PARTS WATER MIXED WITH SOME AMMONIA FREE DETERGENT. (1 GAL. BLEACH TO 2 GALS. WATER WITH 1 CUP DETERGENT)

CAUTION: WHEN CLEANING ROOF REMEMBER IT WILL BE VERY SLIPPERY.

CAUTION: DON’T USE MUCH PRESSURE OR SCRUBBING ON SHINGLES TO AVOID DAMAGING THEM.

CAUTION: WET GROUNDS / PLANTS UNDER EAVES THOROUGHLY BEFORE AND AFTER CLEANING TO DILUTE BLEACH AND AVOID DAMAGE.

PREVENTION: 

1. INSTALL ZINC ALLOY "Z-STRIP" ON RIDGE OF ROOF. 3" WIDE STRIPS RELEASE ZINC IONS WHICH KEEP ALGAE FROM GROWING.

2. INSTALL SHINGLES IMPREGNATED WITH COPPER GRANULES WHICH OPERATES ON SAME PRINCIPLE AS "Z-STRIP". THE 3M ALGAE BLOCK SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO KEEP ALGAE (& THE FUNGUS THAT FEED ON THEM) FROM BLACKENING YOUR ROOF. 3M PRODUCES PATENTED COPPER GRANULES & SELLS THEM ONLY TO SHINGLE MANUF’S. WHO MEET 3M’S QUALITY REQUIREMENTS  1. GRANULES MUST BE APPLIED EVENLY
2.MAKE UP AT LEAST 10% OF SHINGLE’S SURFACING. MANUFACTURERS USING THE ALGAE BLOCK SYSTEM:  
ATLAS ROOFING CORP. (800) 933-2721 U.S. INTOC INC. (800) 231-4631
CELOTEX CORP. (800) 235-6839 MALARKEY ROOFING CO. (800) 545-1191
CERTAINTEED CORP. (800) 782-8777 PABCO ROOFING PROD. (800) 426-9762
GLOBE BLDG. MATERIALS (800) 456-5649

TOOLS / METAL - CLEANING OFF RUST.

RUST CAN BE CLEANED OFF COMPLETELY WITH:

1. A WIRE BRUSH IN A DRILL

2. A RANDOM ORBITAL SANDER STARTING WITH A 40 - 60 GRIT SANDING DISK PROGRESSING TO HIGHER (FINER) GRITS AT THE RUST IS REMOVED

3. ELBOW GREASE UTILIZING - WIRE BRUSH SANDING BLOCKS SANDING CORDS STEEL WOOL SANDING SPONGE

4. DISSOLVING WITH NAVAL JELLY

CAUTION: BARE METAL MUST BE PRIMED WITHIN 24 HOURS OR RUST WILL AGAIN BEGIN TO FORM.

5. SOAKING IN VINEGAR

RUST CAN BE "CONVERTED" WITH PRODUCTS THAT CHEMICALLY SEAL THE RUST SO NEW RUST CAN’T START, THEN THE SURFACE CAN BE PRIMED AND PAINTED.

REMEMBER TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS!!!

NOTE: AVOID RUST ON TOOLS IN TOOL BOX BY LINING TRAYS WITH RUST PREVENTATIVE PAPER, AVAILABLE FROM GARRETT WADE CO. 1-800-221-2942.

TUBS AND SINKS ACRYLIC / ENAMEL / PORCELAIN - RUST, IRON, HARD WATER STAINS

PRODUCT - IRON OUT - ACE HARDWARE

"THE WORKS" - K-MART

TUBS AND SINKS ACRYLIC / ENAMEL / PORCELAIN - GENERAL CLEANING PRODUCTS - SINCH, X-14, BUBBLE SCRUB, TILE-X, FANTASTIC.

WINDSHIELD - CAR - CLEAN INSIDE WINDSHIELD FILM FROM SMOKERS / VINYL-PLASTIC GASES WITH BRASSO METAL POLISH AVAILABLE AT GROCERS OR HARDWARE STORES. REMOVE BRASSO WITH AUTOMOTIVE GLASS CLEANER OR WINDSHIELD WASHER SOLVENT. 

OILY GOLDEN YELLOW RESIDUE - IF YOU GOT YELLOWISH TOBACCOEY LOOKING STUFF RUNNING DOWN YOUR WALLS, USUALLY IN A LONG HALLWAY, A  BATH, A KITCHEN OR ANY OTHER HIGH HUMIDITY LOCALE IN YO' HOME, GO TO http://www.devoepaint.com/NUSDPP/home/faq.jsp#Q19.  SCROLL DOWN AND YOU'LL FIND AN EXHAUSTIVE EXPLANATION / REMEDY.  THIS FROM OUR GOTO CONDITIONED AIR RESOURCE, MIKHAIL 'MICHAEL' BRITT, SHUMATE MECHANICAL, (678) 584-0880 X 3017.  IN SHORT, THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO "SURFACTANT LEACHING" ASSOCIATED WITH LATEX PAINT.  WASHING WITH SOAP & WATER A COUPLE OF TIMES, INCLUDING A THOROUGH RINSE EACH GO-ROUND, WILL OSTENSIBLY RESOLVE THE CONDITION.