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Graffiti Off a Garage Door (Aluminum)

This question was submitted from LK.

“Someone has written not so choice words on my aluminum garage door with permanent marker. I need to remove them quickly. The people who bought our house take possession in the next couple of days. How do I remove the marker?”

You will need to buy a general purpose solvent designed for graffiti removal. You can buy this product at any janitorial supply or hardware store. If the graffiti is fresh it will come off easier.

Try these techniques :

It is a simple as putting the solvent on a good terry cleaning rag and wiping. Be sure to have a few rags on hand since as the rag gets saturated with the ink you will want to reverse it or use a new one to be sure you are not just redistributing the ink.

As always, remember to test a small area first when using techniques or chemicals you have not used before on the surface you are cleaning.

Best of luck; it sounds like as good idea to get out of the neighborhood!

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Grease Stains off Wood Deck

This question was submitted from Richard G.

” How do I remove grease stains caused by a barbecue from a wooden deck?”

If the wood has been treated (stain or paint) you will have a bit of a chance. Unsealed wood will simply absorb the grease and it will discolor permanently.

Try these techniques :

Wood is very porous. Stains and paints, however, will partially seal these pours and form a bit of a barrier.

If this is the case you will need to remove or clean the stained surface, and refinish the wood.

You can remove the finish mechanically (sander, scraper) or chemically. Most home centers carry excellent wood cleaning products.

After you remove the stain (or as much of it as possible) be sure to reapply new paint or stain for continued protection from the elements (and BBQ grease!)

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Gutters and Eaves

General Information:
Cleaning gutters or eves regularly will help increase the life of the gutters and prevent back-ups and overflows.

Tools & chemicals:
Rubber gloves, hose, bucket and multi-purpose chemical. You may also want a scoop or old slotted serving spoon.

Technique:
Start by scooping out leaves, debris etc. with your hands using rubber gloves or with a slotted spoon or cat litter scooper. Clean gutters at least once a year. Scoop out leaves etc. more frequently to prevent back up and overflow. Once you have removed the large debris, hose out the gutter. Use a mild soap and warm water and a brush to clean off the gutters. If your gutters are very dirty or havent been cleaned in years, you may have to use a more aggressive chemical. After cleaning is a good time to inspect for damage and facilitate repairs. Use ladders according to safety standards.

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Hard Water Stains from Glass

Here is a question from Panda.

How can I clean dried on, very hard water from windows, both house and car ?

The professional auto detailer on our forum suggests that you use super fine steel wool and water to remove the stain itself, and then clean the window as you normally would with glass cleaner.

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Granite Tombstone

This question was submitted from Bob D.

“How do I remove black marks, probably mould, from a polished granite tombstone? How do I clean up a tombstone generally?”

Usually, you don’t want to use harsh chemicals on stone like granite or marble.

Try these techniques :

If the problem is mildew, a mild solution of 1 part bleach and 4 parts water will kill the mildew. I am not a stone expert and am unsure if granite will have a negative reaction to bleach – I expect it would not, but it would be best to test a small area first.

Otherwise, use a neutral detergent (dish soap and water) or any other neutral cleaner (Ph of 7; this would exclude ammonia or acid based chemicals).

You can use superfine stainless steel (#0000) if the stains are stubborn, or a plastic scrubber.

If you are going out to a cemetery bring a large Tupperware container with your soap solution mix with hot water – so if it takes sometime to arrive it will at least be warm.

If possible bring a container with clean water for rinsing.

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House Exterior Spring Check List

General Info:
Spring is the time most people tackle cleaning and maintenance chores.

  • Chimneys:
    Clean and inspect flues.
  • Siding & Trim:
    Wash siding, touch up damaged paint, repair loose siding.
  • Eves, Downspouts & Drains:Clean gutters, straighten and repair damaged downspouts and gutters. Flush Downspouts.
  • Roofing:
    Repair damaged shingles and flashing.
  • Windows:
    Clean windows and screens. Inspect for damage and repair.
  • Pests and birds etc:

    • Check vents, chimneys and other cracks and crannies for bird and insect nests.

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Paint from Brick

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.

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Brooms

Descrption:
Normally, brooms are not thought of as requiring cleaning. However, a clean well-maintained broom will not only last longer than one that is not looked after, but it will do a better job when sweeping.

Technique:
One key to extending the life of your broom is to store it with the head of the broom off the floor or ground, (which means it either gets hung on the wall or from the ceiling) or stand it up on its handle. This will help prevent a buildup of dirt or moisture on the broom head. Also, the broom will not deform which (when this happens) restricts the brooms ability to sweep efficiently. If your broom is dirty or moldy from moisture, try hosing off the broom head, then scrub lightly to remove debris or mold. If there is lots of debris in the broom head, try combing it out with an old wide-toothed comb or with your fingers.

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Driveways

General information:
Sweep up large debris first. Absorb any oils or gas with commercial absorbents or cat litter.

Tools & chemicals:
Medium to stiff broom, degreaser or heavy duty cleaning chemical, hose or pressure sprayer.

Technique:
Sweep up the absorbent before proceeding. Then hose off the driveway. The less debris that is left on the driveway, the easier it is to hose off. A broom and hose can be used for any kind of driveway (concrete, stamped concrete, brick, asphalt, aggregate stone). You can use specialized products, which narrow the water stream from a regular hose in order to give a stronger directional spray. For stained or heavily soiled driveways, use a stiff or deck type brush and general detergent and water to scrub the driveway before hosing. You can use a stronger ammonia type detergent and water or for extra heavily soiled driveways, or you can use a TSP mixture.

Environmentally friendly method:
Use a pressure sprayer, which will eliminate the need for soap or at least reduce the need. It should be noted that the higher the pressure from the sprayer, the higher the possibility of removing the driveway sealant. Using less than 1500 PSI on the pressure sprayer should be adequate to clean the driveway without removing the sealant. Also, watch that you don’t further damage any crumbling concrete by using the pressure sprayer directly on the area.

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