how to clean aluminum siding stains off of brick?

[bruce]

does any one know? i tried power washer, acid, vinegar, and something a paint store sold me with no luck, there has to be a way

 

[senorFrog]

Not sure, but I'd try posting over at oldhousejournal.com or oldhouseweb.com. Either site usually pretty good advice re restoration.

 

[Hogwildz]

Did you tri Tri Sodium Phosphate?
You may have to use muriatic acid.

 

[bruce]

yes i tried acid, but no tsp, just a tsp substatute they sold me called MEX

 

[Corey]

What exactly from the siding made the stain? I've never really known aluminum metal itself to leave a stain - at least not like a rust trail from steel. Is the paint on the siding starting to chalk up and bleed off or something else?

 

[bruce]

yes the paint has left chalk stains all down the brick

 

[Corey]

That is going to be a tough one. I'd say the first thing to do would be to eliminate the source of the problem - either repaint, replace or seal the siding. Once the source is stopped, Dutchboy recommends:

"Brick areas that are stained by “chalk run-down” should be scrubbed with a stiff brush and detergent. Professional cleaning may be required to remove this staining."

http://dutchboy.com/projects/troubleshooting/stains-chalk-mildew/

Also note that it may weather away on it's own once the source of the problem is stopped.

Corey