Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Copper Roof

Barry R · Veteran Member

My first thought was those Tarn X commercials where they dropped a penny in a glass and pulled it out shiny and new. If there is some preservation chemical interfering with the natural oxidizing process, stripping it would seem to be the first step.

here's the MSDS for Tarn X... http://lakefrontsupply.com/MSDS/Jelmar_TarnX/TarnX%20Tarnish%20Remover.pdf

Are they looking for the copper to "patina" (green)?

Dave · Approved Exterior Cleaner

In order to get copper back to its original color you will need to clean the entire roof by hand. And then you can seal it. It will still turn color, but not as fast. On a roof that size I would say you are looking at two to three weeks to finish the job. If you have not done any copper roofs yet this would not be one I would start on. If it is not done right, the copper will change color as you clean above or below where you have cleaned already.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Brett:

I've used a product call "One Restore" on copper and copper staining with very good results. Its a buffered HCA soap. It stings a tad but, wear protective gear. Runs about $100 per 5 gallons

Here are some copper stains we removed from concrete by softwashing!

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Contractor Hosting wrote:
My first thought was those Tarn X commercials where they dropped a penny in a glass and pulled it out shiny and new. If there is some preservation chemical interfering with the natural oxidizing process, stripping it would seem to be the first step.
here's the MSDS for Tarn X... http://lakefrontsupply.com/MSDS/Jelmar_TarnX/TarnX%20Tarnish%20Remover.pdf
Are they looking for the copper to "patina" (green)?

I have also thought about Tarn X. He doesn't care what the end color is as long as it's one color... like what it "should" look like when it turns black.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Dave wrote:
In order to get copper back to its original color you will need to clean the entire roof by hand. And then you can seal it. It will still turn color, but not as fast. On a roof that size I would say you are looking at two to three weeks to finish the job. If you have not done any copper roofs yet this would not be one I would start on. If it is not done right, the copper will change color as you clean above or below where you have cleaned already.

We did have some good luck with some of the Winsol products. They cleaned well but that strange discoloration returned. What would you seal the copper with Dave?

Dave O · Retired Member

Up here in the Chicago land area we don't have that problem with copper roofs. If someone installed a copper roof, it will be stripped away by thieves before it has time to discolor...LOL!

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

SprayWash wrote:
Brett:

I've used a product call "One Restore" on copper and copper staining with very good results. Its a buffered HCA soap. It stings a tad but, wear protective gear. Runs about $100 per 5 gallons

Here are some copper stains we removed from concrete by softwashing!

One Restore was one of my first attempts since it does about everything. It didn't do much at all.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

BlueRidge wrote:
SprayWash wrote:
Brett:

I've used a product call "One Restore" on copper and copper staining with very good results. Its a buffered HCA soap. It stings a tad but, wear protective gear. Runs about $100 per 5 gallons

Here are some copper stains we removed from concrete by softwashing!
One Restore was one of my first attempts since it does about everything. It didn't do much at all.

Dang...I'm surprised. That stuff usually works miracles. I wonder if thats the wax coating failing? Maybe try a wax floor stripper?

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Marcus had a problem with copper. I think he used Trany fluid to get the green tarnish off the gutters from the bleach from when he cleaned the roof

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Art O wrote:
Marcus had a problem with copper. I think he used Trany fluid to get the green tarnish off the gutters from the bleach from when he cleaned the roof

I really wish it was that easy Art. There is some kind of environmental thing going on. I'm hoping to find out what the sealer is that Dave mentioned.

Dave · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Brett, I sent you a message. And you are right, it is "environmental" thing that is going on. But, probally not what you think. It has to do with the type of cleaner and the water you are using.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

So hows the copper cleaning going?

Fred W · Guru

Dave wrote:
In order to get copper back to its original color you will need to clean the entire roof by hand. And then you can seal it. It will still turn color, but not as fast. On a roof that size I would say you are looking at two to three weeks to finish the job. If you have not done any copper roofs yet this would not be one I would start on. If it is not done right, the copper will change color as you clean above or below where you have cleaned already.

Mind you I have only cleaned one copper roof piece but what Dave said was it. It needed to be done by hand and was a painstaking chore. I tried many products and ideas.....mostly to see what worked best. The amazing thing was that a certain product would work on one panel but not another and vice versa. Also, if you let a cleaned piece sit for a day it will start to tarnish no matter how much you rinse. Then a little splash of cleaner on your already clean section can leave a streak.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Art O wrote:
So hows the copper cleaning going?

I have a product and a method that I will be using to clean and seal only the front of this home since it will be expensive. I am sworn to secrecy on any public posts due to competition of my secret source. We will do one more test with these new products, then he gets the price and we bust our tails for about a week. I will update when we finish.

Doug Rucker · Vender

Good Luck Brett

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Copper is always wanting to turn to a patina state,..gonna be hard to keep it from happening,...especially on a roof, where the Sun and rain pelt it continually. Most, if not all the people I know prefer the "Old World" look of the patina rather than the shiny copper look. But, if I were asked to clean it to a copper color,..one of my first choices would be hydrofluoric,.. it will brighten metals, where hydrochloric tends to darken them,..I think One Restore is hydrochloric based,..and oxalic can't be mixed strong enough. Or hand buffing,..which is almost inconceivable considering all the longer it would last,...especially considering the cost.

Jeff

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Jeff Wible wrote:
Copper is always wanting to turn to a patina state,..gonna be hard to keep it from happening,...especially on a roof, where the Sun and rain pelt it continually. Most, if not all the people I know prefer the "Old World" look of the patina rather than the shiny copper look. But, if I were asked to clean it to a copper color,..one of my first choices would be hydrofluoric,.. it will brighten metals, where hydrochloric tends to darken them,..I think One Restore is hydrochloric based,..and oxalic can't be mixed strong enough. Or hand buffing,..which is almost inconceivable considering all the longer it would last,...especially considering the cost.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. He isn't looking for shinny and would be real happy with the patina look or even black. This roof has some strange colors going on so we will try to get at least one side looking good. It's in a big time "Jones" neighborhood.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

If you want black throw on some Sodium Hydroxide. That'll make it black.

Jeff

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Yesterday was the final test with good results. Many thanks to Dave Dykstra for sending me in the right direction!

It was fairly easy to get the results in the pictures. Just took a soft bush on a pole, applied the solution, waited... tested a spot to see how well it was cutting through. Then, a bucket of water and brushed off the solution. Needless to say, the customer is thrilled. Now he wants to apply some sodium hydroxide as Jeff suggested and see what the black color will look like. We were going to add a sealer but he really wants on color, black roof.

Thanks to everyone for your help and input. Once we finish the job I will make a new post with before during and after pictures.

Dave · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Brett, glad to help. Looks like it is turning out great.

Chris Mozick · Approved Exteior Cleaner

Love the coper cleaning