Brick is a very porous material. Many paints and coatings “soak in” to brick or concrete, and this can make them difficult to remove. If the paint is primarily on the surface, a good scrubbing with a mildly acidic cleaner works best. But if the paint has penetrated, you will have to do a heavy etching with muriatic acid to remove it. Working with Muriatic acid can be dangerous so make sure you read all the instructions so you don’t hurt yourself or the bricks.
There are some specialized coating removers that come in a paste form that work well for this type of application, but they are not widely available at this point in time. The Hydrostrip line from ICI or a product called Masonry Strip available from Napier Environmental Technologies are the products to look for. They are also sold under the Biowash.com brand name found in paint stores like Sherwin Williams, Cloverdale Paint, and major home centers like Home Depot etc. check www.Biowash.com for a 1-800 to locate the product near you.
Rust stains from a driveway
Our driveway (concrete) has rust stains from the radiator of my husband’s truck….what would be the most effective way to remove these unsightly stains?
Mary
I recently came across a product that I think might be of help to you. It is called “Rusty”. Check our their web site at www.ironout.com . They have an excellent store locator, so you can find where to purchase this product in your area.
Body oil from Hot Tubs
Tips & Timesavers:
Body oils can be bothersome in hot tubs. This is lessened by regular cleanings of the tub, but you can buy a specialty product called a Zorbie which can be placed directly into your hot tub. It floats and it absorbs body oils which results in keeping your tub much cleaner looking.
Cloudy Pool Water
Here is a question from Angelina;
I can’t get the little particles out of my pool, they just go through the net.
Pool season is once again upon us, which is great except all the work to get the pool going. What would help you a great deal is a clarifier which helps maintain the sparkle by coagulating small particles into larger masses which will enable your filter or skimmer to remove them. You should add clarifier as part of your start up procedure. You should read the directions of the brand you buy however since there are many chemical makers with different concentrations etc.
Watch the filter pressure and back wash as necessary since the particulates will fill the filter (which is what you want in order to have sparkling water).
A pool supply store is a great resource, they usually test your water for free and they test everything from ph to calcium hardness etc. which is essential if you want your pool components to last. Have Fun!
Hot Tub Filter
This question was submitted from George S.
“Any suggestions how to clean a hot tub filter?”
I use an enzyme chemical. There are so many manufacturers of pool chemicals the name really could be anything. The enzyme is also used directly in the tub or pool to prevent scum build up by breaking down organic material.
Try these techniques :
When cleaning my filter I pour this enzyme over the filter let it sit for one hour and proceeded to rinse with a hose. The results have always been better than just rinsing with water alone.
In really bad cases place the filter in a large bucket and mix warm water and the enzyme for a more effective pre-soak.
Hot Tubs
Tools & Techniques:
The proper cleaning of a hot tub begins with proper chemical treatment. Follow your manufacturers instructions, or see a pool or hot tub dealer for advice on treating your hot tubs with the appropriate chemicals. Remember to clean your filter on a regular basis. For example, clean the filter when you are cleaning your hot tub. Manufacturers would recommend filter cleaning more frequently, however it maybe more realistic to do so when cleaning your tub. To properly clean your hot tub you drain it completely so you can use a soft cloth or sponge to thoroughly clean the inside of the hot tub.
Use a manufacturer recommended product or mild detergent (Most tubs are acrylic, do not use anything abrasive). Rinse your tub before refilling to prevent soap suds when turning on your tub. The frequency of cleaning depends on the frequency of use, a general rule of thumb is once every three months.
Tips & Timesavers:
Body oils can be bothersome in hot tubs this is lessened by regular cleaning of the tub. You can buy a specialty product called a â€Zorbie†which can be placed directly into your hot tub, it floats and it absorbs body oils keeping your tub that much cleaner.
Brass Door Knocker
I have a laquered brass door knocker that has been exposed to weather for many years. What is the best way to clean it without damaging it?
Ellie
Brass begins to develop a patina within hours of being exposed to the elements. Brass is a alloy of copper and zinc, and although when cleaned and polished it can have a brilliant shine, if it is not protected it can tarnish and actually pit the surface. Most brass architectural hardware, such as your door knocker have a protective coating applied to them. These coatings prevent immediate damage, however almost all fail after a few years of exposure. This said, there are some new technologies in coatings which are much more durable than those applied even a few years ago.
If your door knocker has had one of these coatings, you will be able to tell if it appears the surface is protected in some areas, yet damaged in others. Some of these coatings appear to flake off of the protected surface. You can try cleaning the piece yourself, however if the damage has pitted the surface, or if the protective finish is only partially intact, you will likely not be very happy with your efforts.
If the surface is completely intact, washing with a mild detergent (such as dish soap) is enough to remove the grime that accumulates over the years. It is a good idea to protect the lacquered surface with a couple of coats of high quality paste wax. This will prevent the elements from damaging the lacquer finish itself, and effectively provides another barrier to the brass itself.
If the piece does not appear to have a protective coating, you can try a metal polish. Metal polishes have a very fine pumice suspended by detergents and sometimes a wax. You apply the cleaning polish, and rub, and rub, and rub. And finally to polish the piece, you buff some more with a clean dry cotton cloth.
Once the piece is polished, you need to protect it with a lacquer that is suitable for outside elements. I have also heard of using several coats of automotive paste wax, to prevent elements from reaching the brass, although you cannot control the glossiness of the piece when using wax (lacquer’s at least come in different gloss levels).
For serious damage, a professional will take your piece, and possibly sandblast it to remove pitting and the remaining protective coating. They will then polish and apply a protective coating.
Double Glazed Windows
This question was submitted from Caitriona C.
“How do I clean the interior of double glazed windows”
If you are referring to the inside of a double glazed window the answer is you can’t clean it.
If the window has dirt or moisture, etc. on the inside it has been compromised and must be replaced since it no longer has a seal and the effectiveness of the window is completely negated.
Egg from exterior house siding
The exterior of my 20 year old aluminum sided home was egged. I did not notice this until mid winter when it turned black. How do I clean the egg stain from the siding without causing damage to the siding finish?
Peggy
Happy Halloween!
The best solution is to use a pressure washer, but use caution because a high pressure unit can also damage the surface of the siding. The pressure washer can actually remove the paint from the surface.
It is a big expense to rent a pressure washer, so unless you have other areas (siding, patio, driveway, etc) to clean, it likely isn’t worth it. We have had some success in mixing an equal amount of vinegar, hot water, and a few drops of dish soap (1 cup of each) and soaking a thick terry towel. Hold this towel on the egg for an hour or so (a 2X4 can be leaned against the wall to hold up the towel). Agitate with a stiff scrub brush and hose down with your garden hose. This works great on auto finishes and we have had responses saying it worked from vinyl siding, however the stain was relatively fresh.
Exterior Gutters
This question was submitted from Louis M.
“How can the ground-in dirt and stains on an exterior gutter be removed?”
Ground-in dirt can be cleaned with success, however stains may be more of a challenge. The best thing to try for stains is a general purpose solvent or paint thinner. However if the stain has been there a long time exposed to the elements it may not come off easily.
Try these techniques :
When cleaning gutters, the main thing to be concerned about is safety. Be sure you are using the proper safety gear and if you have access to some kind of construction scaffolds it would be helpful.
Most good general purpose cleaners will be effective at cleaning gutters.
The key is to have a washing pail with warm water and either a sponge or a stiff brush. Preferably, use a sponge with a scrubber on the reverse side for stubborn stains.
Also have a pail with clear water or your garden hose handy for rinsing. Wash and rinse as you go; if the soap and dirt dry on the gutter before you rinse it off then you will have a greater challenge. Since dirt attaches itself to soap residue, the gutters will stay cleaner, longer if they are properly rinsed.
If the soil on the gutter is super bad you can use a stronger chemical called TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) available at any hardware store. Be sure to read the instructions on the container and follow all safety recommendations.
If you want to make the job a little easier, pre-spray the gutter as you are working to allow a little time for the soap to break down the in ground dirt.
