It’s that time of year again when you can see your breath in the morning, and the leaves are changing color. It’s also time to start thinking about what colors will look best on your house this fall. If you’re looking for an excellent color for your home, consider aluminum siding!
Durable and long-lasting aluminum is an excellent choice if you live in an area where storms often bring high winds or hail. However, you may be wondering how to remove deck stain from aluminum siding; luckily, I’m here with some tips!
If you want to take away any unsightly stains on your shiny new purchase, it might help to know how they got there in the first place. There are two common causes: algae growth and staining due to fence sealer. Algae growth is generally no cause for concern, but it can be unsightly and unappealing.
Step to Follow on How to Remove Deck Stain From Aluminum Siding
Step One: Prepare the Area, Materials, and Tools
You will want to check with your manufacturer or installer to see what type of protective coating was applied to your aluminum siding. Some coatings are oil-based, while others are latex-based. If you know that latex drip guards were used as a protective coating, skip this step as it is unnecessary.
If you can’t be sure what protective coating was used, then go ahead and apply the latex-based drip guards. Ensure that you clean the entire surface down with a good cleaner such as TSP or Lysol so that no residue is left behind.
Step Two: Mixing Soap Water
In a bucket, mix soap and warm water in a ratio of 1/4 cup to one gallon. Gently scrub the surface down with the soap water using a soft bristle brush like an old toothbrush or dishwashing brush. You want to keep this mix well agitated at all times when you are not brushing it into the siding.
You don’t need to be exact with this mix but make sure that you use enough soap to create suds when you are brushing it on. This will help to break the bond between the deck paint and your siding.
Step Three: Scrubbing and Agitating
When scrubbing the surface of your aluminum siding, always use a soft bristle brush like an old toothbrush or dishwashing brush. You want to scrub in small circles and keep this mix well agitated at all times. You will want to scrub the entire surface of the siding and underneath, where you can see the paint has collected.
Remember that patience is key here; allow this mixing time to work and do its job as it separates the deck paint from your aluminum siding. Keep scrubbing and re-soaking as needed until all of the paint is removed.
Step Four: Cleaning the Surface of Your Siding
When you have finished scrubbing and re-soaking your siding, use clean water to rinse it all off until there are no more soapy bubbles coming from the surface of your aluminum siding. Make sure to keep rinsing until all soap residue is removed.
Then, use a pressure washer to remove any remaining debris from the surface of your siding to keep it looking clean and well-maintained. That’s it! Your aluminum siding should be ready to go back to looking fabulous for years to come.
Step Five: Using a Clear Protective Coating
When you have re-cleaned your aluminum siding, always use a clear protective coating. This will help prevent it from being stained by oils and other materials from outside your home. It’s also a good idea to clean the surface down once or twice a year with TSP or Lysol to keep it free of any juices or oils that may come in contact with your siding.
Contact your local hardware store for more information on how to remove deck stains from aluminum siding and other materials. They should help you find the resources you need and can sell you anything else that you may require before tackling this job. Good luck! This will help in how to remove deck stain from aluminum siding.
Step Six: A Decent Brush
You will need to purchase a soft bristle brush like an old toothbrush or dishwashing brush. If you do not have either, it’s also possible to use a foam paintbrush, though this is more expensive than the other options.
When scrubbing, you want to use a circular motion, but not in perfect circles. This will give you the best results when removing deck stains from aluminum siding. You should be able to work in small sections and then come back later when that section is completely dry.
Step Seven: A Good Cleaner
You will need an excellent cleaner to remove the deck stain from your aluminum siding. TSP is an excellent choice for this, but Lysol may also work well. Whatever you use, make sure it does not have any residue or grease in it because that can come back to haunt you later when trying to clean the surface of your siding.
Once this is complete, scrub off the surface using small, circular motions. If needed, rinse with warm water and repeat as necessary until all of the deck stains are removed from your aluminum siding.
Step Eight: Using a Pressure Washer
If your siding is very stained up, you may want to use a pressure washer as well. These can be rented from most hardware stores and come with several different nozzles that allow the force of the water stream to be varied. Remember that you should never use a high-pressure stream on aluminum siding.
Even if you think the stains are gone, it is possible that they could return in just a few months from all of the fibers on your siding being pushed back into place. Go with lighter pressure, and make sure always to use clean water when rinsing off your siding afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Power wash Ruin Aluminum Siding?
Powerwashing aluminum siding can damage the surface of the metal and remove the protective coatings. If you powerwash aluminum siding, you will want to make sure that your washing machine is correctly calibrated for pressure and temperature not to cause any permanent damage.
The effects of a powerwash on aluminum are often irreversible. However, if done correctly, most aluminum surfaces should withstand this treatment without too much harm.
Is Vinegar Safe for Aluminum?
Yes. Vinegar can be used to clean and remove tarnish from aluminum as well as copper.
You should also know that vinegar does not contain any chemicals or other harsh ingredients that could damage the surface of your aluminum, copper, or brass. However, you need to make sure that the vinegar you are using is pure and has no added sugar.
Can You Use Baking Soda and Vinegar on Aluminum?
No. Baking soda and vinegar will not clean aluminum.
It’s important to note that baking soda is just a weak base, which means it won’t react with aluminum. On the other hand, vinegar is an acid, so if you try to use it on your aluminum pans, the acid will eat away at the metal over time.
Does Baking Soda Clean Aluminum?
Baking soda is a substance that is used in cleaning many surfaces. It can be used to clean everything from dishes to windows, but it should not be used on aluminum because it will damage the surface. To avoid this, you can use vinegar or salt to clean your aluminum.
Conclusion
Removing deck stain from aluminum siding is a tricky process that requires patience and an eye for detail. As you can see, there are many steps involved in the process, which means it may be more time-consuming than other ways to remove stains on your home’s exterior.
But don’t worry! Products available at any hardware store or paint shop make this job relatively straightforward. We recommend starting with these before trying anything else, even if they seem like too much of a hassle. Also, after reading this blog, you should know how to remove deck stain from aluminum siding.
You can also check it out: 10 Ways To Make Your Deck Stand Out
