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Mar 19, 2009

Englewood,Fl Rotonda,Fl Venice,Fl Port Charlotte,Fl - all have rust stains on the houses

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

Thats a great upsell. Is the sulfuric safe, ever have any concrete etch or burns ??
I use a powder that sits for 15 minutes and takes it off quite well, I forget the chemical name off hand (don't use it often), will post if someone needs it later after I check my chem library.
The sufuric may be cheaper, can you share a dilution ratio so I might try it out ?

Mar 20, 2009

Bill, you must be talking about Oxalic acid. Yes, it also works good on rust.

Phosphoric acid is also a good choice.

Mar 20, 2009

I used to use oxalic acid and I imagine that's what you are using? It comes in a powder form, but does not work instantly.
Sulfuric Acid works almost instantly on stucco walls and you rinse it right bak off instantly too, with water.
{Muriatic acid works too, but it's overkill and goes nuts and smells killer bad!}
I tell my customers, that it will remove 90-100% of rust stains from walls and it comes cloe to 100%
On driveways, it's a lot tougher to remove rust and the entire driveway must be done, otherwise, you will have extra clean areas and it just does not look right. The only etching i've had is on driveways. Some cement on driveways will just be more pourous than other areas [some parts look a bit rougher=pourous and other parts almost slick-not pourous. This I point out and warn the customer about. Still, it look 100% better than dark orange rust weaving in and out of the sides of the driveway and smattering the center.
My problem is, I NEVER REMEMBER TO TAKE A CAMERA WITH ME! Dang it!
Otherwise, i'd have some very impressive pictures to show!
In fact, starting today [if I ever get out of the office!] i'm putting a camera in the truck I work out of and leaving it there!!!!
As to my son's work, i'll just have to stop by more of his jobs and get pictures!

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 wrote:

Thats a great upsell. Is the sulfuric safe, ever have any concrete etch or burns ??
I use a powder that sits for 15 minutes and takes it off quite well, I forget the chemical name off hand (don't use it often), will post if someone needs it later after I check my chem library.
The sufuric may be cheaper, can you share a dilution ratio so I might try it out ?

�

Mar 20, 2009

I'll have to try sulfuric acid. Sounds good. Does it work better than Phosphoric acid?

Mar 20, 2009

This makes 31 years of cleaning roofs and houses [first as a painter, then since 1989 as an advertised pressure cleaner, then since 1994 as an advertised "No Pressure" roof cleaner too.]
I have tried everything through the years on rust and sulfuric acid is best, but you need to be ready to rinse it off, within a couple of minutes of application [When you see it is clean]

Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 wrote:

I'll have to try sulfuric acid. Sounds good. Does it work better than Phosphoric acid?

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-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Friday 20th of March 2009 09:27:26 AM

Mar 20, 2009

Thanks Chuck! Learn something new everyday.

RCIA Founder

I have used Muriatic Acid before, simply because many homeowners have it for use in the pool.
I pre wet the rust with water, and sprayed it on 60/40 cut with water.
It worked pretty good.
This is an excellent roof cleaning�up sell Chuck.
Thank you for bringing it to our attention biggrin

Now, if we can just get rid of Acorn Stains ...

Mar 20, 2009

RE: Chuck Bergman Roof Cleaning - Homes in Englewood,Fl Rotonda,Fl Venice,Fl - all have rust stains on the houses

Roof Clean USA Georgia 229-227-0000 · guest

RE: Englewood,Fl Rotonda,Fl Venice,Fl Port Charlotte,Fl - all have rust stains on the houses

Mar 22, 2009

That's true. For starters, I suggested that sulfuric acid be applied for a minute or 2 [or sooner if it shows cleaned] and then rinsed off with water.
Like any other work, beyond that basic statement, it's pretty much a learning process. {I sometimes use Muriatic acid, but it's a faster, harder working acid and requires acid work experience}
The most caution is required on driveways and walks, with uneven textures througout.
A smooth troweled garage floor, on the other hand, is hard to overdo, sometimes requiring more than 1 acid coat to properely etch the surface to accept paints and stains.
I usually just shoot for rust removal from stucco walls, it's fast and easy. Driveway rust, is tricky and takes more experience to get a reasonbly uniform appearance, after removing rust-if you can get such results at all?
I always tell customers all the possible cons [uneven left over rust appearance, -if it goes deeply into the concrete- or signs of etching on parts of the cement] �of rust removal from driveways and as a licensed painting contractor, give them an advance cost of a 2 coat paint job on the driveway, should the appearance, after rust removal, not be satisfactory.
However, if done properly, it is always 90% better than the ugly rust stains!

Chuck Bergman

Roof Clean USA Georgia 229-227-0000 wrote:

Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:

�
This makes 31 years of cleaning roofs and houses [first as a painter, then since 1989 as an advertised pressure cleaner, then since 1994 as an advertised "No Pressure" roof cleaner too.]
I have tried everything through the years on rust and sulfuric acid is best, but you need to be ready to rinse it off, within a couple of minutes of application [When you see it is clean]

Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 wrote:

I'll have to try sulfuric acid. Sounds good. Does it work better than Phosphoric acid?

�

-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Friday 20th of March 2009 09:27:26 AM
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Chuck, Good point. I just posted on this subject in another thread before seeing this one.

As you mentioned, Acids can be used to great effect but the KEY is to KNOW when to rinse and then when to flood with clear water until the chemical reaction is completely diluted and neutralized.
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The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"