Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Chris Mozick · Approved Exteior Cleaner

Red dirt and aluminum siding

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Hey Chris,..what acid did you try on the red dirt? Acids are usually a requirement for removing these type of stains. They need to be chemically altered so to speak. Typically oxalic will remove red clay stains,..or even diluted hydrochloric acid. May take a few applications and extended dwell times. If the aluminum is badly oxidized,..I would do a test area,.and try and stick with oxalic at about 4-6 OZ. per gallon,..applied direct.

Jeff

Dave O · Retired Member

It was recommended to me on another thread to use Aluminum Brightener either with or without HF acid to remove grime and oxide from aluminum siding. I decided after all to pass on the job so I did not try the stuff.

www.advantageroofcleaning.com/soft-washing-exterior-siding-cleaning/

Chris Mozick · Approved Exteior Cleaner

Thanks guys for the info I tried this red dirt remover a customer mine gave me for a demo. It's was a very week acid and as you see a lot of areas we're very stained. I think I'll try oxalic next time. The customer was still happy because I did inform him prior that sometimes the red dirt won't come out all the way. The house was really bad but is kinda hard to see in the pics.

Fred W · Guru

Chris, Check with Michael Wedge. Good guy and he lives in HI. He has several posts about the red clay and knows what works best.