Metal Roof Cleaning

[sloeffle]

I have a 40x80 barn with a metal roof. The current roof was installed about 15 years ago, and has a Kynar 500 finish. A few of the articles I found online say to spray the roof with detergent and then use a brush to clean it. I have thousands of square feet of roof so that probably won't work. I have a pressure washer and thought about pressure washing it from a man lift.

Anybody have any experience in this arena, and if so, can you share your thoughts and experience. What about spray and forget type products ?

 

[JRHAWK9]

The best stuff I have used (outside of HVAC coil cleaners) at cutting dirt and grime is Davies DC-99. Spray it on, let it do it's thing for a bit and then power wash it off.

"DC-99"

DAVIES "DC-99" is a heavy-duty cleaner, degreaser and wax stripper. It is non-toxic, non-flammable and safe to use on all surfaces.

dwdavies.com

Zep's Truck & Trailer wash also does a good job. It's what I use to wash my ATV to get the dirt film off.

ZEP PROFESSIONAL 5 Gal. Truck And Trailer Wash Pail, Clear, Wash (1041566) | Zoro

Order Zep Truck And Trailer Wash, Pail, 5 gal Concentrate, Liquid, Mild, 1041566 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

 

[brenndatomu]

A few of the articles I found online say to spray the roof with detergent and then use a brush to clean it.

Substitute "push broom" (not a real stiff bristle) for "brush" and you are good to go...just make sure you don't step where there is soap/detergent...it tends to be a lil slick, the right shoes help with that though too.
If you use a nice wide broom, it doesn't take long to get a fairly big area done...I assuming this is a roof that is not too steep to walk on when its wet.

 

[Woodspliter]

Wet it and forgot works good for most stains and it supposed to keep mold and mildew from re forming as well

 

[sloeffle]

If you use a nice wide broom, it doesn't take long to get a fairly big area done...I assuming this is a roof that is not too steep to walk on when its wet.

The side next to the road is pretty steep, and is about a 20' from the gutter to the ground. My plan is to rent a lift and work from that. It will probably take longer that way but I think it's much safer route.

 

[sloeffle]

The best stuff I have used (outside of HVAC coil cleaners) at cutting dirt and grime is Davies DC-99. Spray it on, let it do it's thing for a bit and then power wash it off.

I've read some stories about some of these cleaners dis-coloring paint, any issues you've noticed with either of the cleaners you mentioned ? Called Davies this morning and they did say they ship to OH.

 

[JRHAWK9]

I've read some stories about some of these cleaners dis-coloring paint, any issues you've noticed with either of the cleaners you mentioned ? Called Davies this morning and they did say they ship to OH.

The Zep stuff, no, but I can't say on the Davies. I don't think I've ever used it on anything painted, and if I did I did not notice any staining. I'd definitely work one small area at a time, regardless of what cleaner you use.