mildew on aluminum

[Barry Loy]

I have not good results when working with aluminum siding. I have given an estimate on an aluminum siding home that has a medium build up of mildew. The siding is white aluminum, some dust and dirt. The home owner has presiously tried to remove the mildew himself before calling me. I use all cold water and I don't like acid's. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks folks !!
Barry Loy

 

[DanKes]

Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite) kills all mildew.

 

[ron]

turn tail and run.
alum sideing suck's.
The paint come's off way too easy.
I wont wash alum unless i sell it as PAINT PREP.
Just not worth the trouble.

 

[EXTREME]

I won't was allum anymore unless I am painting the house.

 

[Mikespowrwash]

Aluminum can be tough. I use mostly 12.5% chlorine with some dish soap and cold water. I mix it about 50 / 50 with water and add my soap. I downstream at around 20% and let dwell. I keep hitting it with the bleach until its as clean as it will come then rins very low psi and keep a really good distance away from the surface. This will keep from removing the finish as bad as other soaps. I cleaned 12 Aluminum houses this year and only one was a paint prep the others all came clean with no loss of finish. I always apply wax to the siding when finished.

 

[Barry Loy]

Mike, What kind of wax do you apply ? and how ?
Barry

 

[Mikespowrwash]

Barry, I use Plex Master and apply it through the pressure washer via downstream injection. I then rinse it concentrationg on the windows. I rinse them 2 times sometimes 3 to make sure no spots. I do not apply if prepping for paint.

 

[Barry Loy]

Hi Mike, Thanks for responding to my post. Do you charge extra for the wax and what are the results you see from applying the was ? Thanks !
Barry

 

[Mikespowrwash]

Barry the benefit I see is that applying the wax on the surface helps keep fading to a minum for up to year. I try to sell this as a yearly maintenance program for the aluminum and I offer the next years wash at 10% off if done within 1 year. I charge about 25.00 to apply the wax to a rancher 50.00 on the bigger jobs.

 

[Brighter Imag]

Barry . . . I love to pw . . . with my "5 by 5" (5,000 psi/5 gpm) . . . but, you know what . . . when it so often fails, I use my foamer, take out my telescopic pole with 3m doodle bug pad holder, a 3m white pad . . . and magic . . . off the stuff comes!

John