Surface Cleaning Preparation and Maintenance
This is a broad category and a very important subject. It’s also an aspect of many others. Surfaces have to be prepared before they are painted or waterproofed. Removing efflorescence from masonry is a cleaning operation. If glass isn’t cleaned it will degrade. There is an optimum amount of wetting for the surface of a brick as it is “buttered” before it is placed. Exposed, unprotected steel will flash rust in hours if not protected. Surface profile, moisture content, temperature, surface energy, porosity, cleanliness and other factors are considered when those surfaces are coated, waterproofed or otherwise sealed. The articles and sources of information that are linked to on this page address many of the points that contractors, designers and specifiers have to consider as they go about their tasks associated with preparing and maintaining the surfaces of buildings.
American Building Restoration Products
Stain removers, deck and siding wash, wood rejuvinator, strippers, masonry, stone and concrete cleaners, rust removers, graffiti prevention and removal products, efflorescence and lime dissolver, metal prewash and brighteners, stone polish, sealers, metal and fiberglass polish, glass restoration products, liquid (acrylic) masking, window frost and black out material
California Products, Inc. “Storm System” Mold & Mildew Solution
California Products produces Storm System Mold & Mildew Solutions, 3-step product line designed to clean, kill and control mold and mildew. Although used by contractors this product is also marketed to homeowners as a DIY solution to mold and mildew remediation.
Cathedral Stone Products Cleaners and Stains
Efflorescence remover, stains, rust removers and pad mark remover. Their latex products are liquid, natural rubber that are spread on dirty surfaces and then peeled off, taking the dirt with it.
Chemique, Moorestown, NJ, USA
Chemique produces cleaning and restoration products for residential, commercial and industrial applications. The product categories are Bath & Kitchen Care, Marble & Granite Care, Deck & Wood Care, Paver, Brick & Stone Care, Stone & Masonry Restoration, Paint & Coating Removers and Anti-Graffiti
From Bond Breakers to Sealants: Anathema to Painting of Concrete
Form release films and other agents can interfere with the adhesion of paints, coatings and sealers. This December, 2015 Design + Durability article discusses the effects that such materials have and why. It also covers how to know if they are on the surface to be painted, coated or sealed and how to remove them.
D/2 Biological Cleaner
Masonry, wood, vinyl, canvas and other surfaces can be safely cleaned with this solution. It’s widely used for cleaning mold, mildew, lichen and algae from gravestones.
Densil ZOD Antimicrobial by Lonza
DensilTM ZOD Antimicrobial is an additive for paints, wood stains, masonry coatings, joint cements, caulks, sealants, mastics and stucco and roof coatings for use particularly in tropical environments, where mold, mildew, algae and other contaminants deface and damage painted surfaces
Efflorescence
Brick Industry Association “Brick Brief” on Cleaning Brick (Tech Brief #20)
Brick Industry Association “Brick Brief” on Efflorescence (Tech Brief #23A)
How efflorescence forms and the probable sources of soluble salts and moisture. Also presented are the conditions necessary for efflorescence to appear and design recommendations and practices that reduce the potential for efflorescence.
Concrete Slabs / Floors and Efflorescence
“Contractor’s Guide to Efflorescence” on concretenetwork.com
Tile and Efflorescence
The causes of efflorescence on tile by Scott Carothers on the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation Blog
EIFS Cleaning and Maintenance
Master Wall Inc. Technical Bulletin # 112-010112 “Topic: Owner’s Responsibilities for Cleaning and Maintenance of Wall Systems”
Manufacturers of recommended cleaning products and paints are provided at the end of the paper.
Galvanized Metal
Preparing Hot Dip Galvanizing for Painting was written by Ken Timbler, KTA Tator’s President. KTA is a consulting firm that specializes in coatings quality control and engineering.
Glass Cleaning
J.Racenstein
Window cleaning and building maintenance equipment and supplies fill this catalogue. Their window cleaning and glass protection products are here.
Soaps and Chemicals at WindowCleaningResource.com
Glass cleaners, glass stain removers, glass sealant, screen cleaners, awning cleaners, metal cleaners, pressure washing chemicals, solar panel cleaner, graffiti removal products and general cleaners
Masking & Overspray Protection
ABR Liquid Shield
A clear acrylic coating designed to mask door and window glass.
A&I Coatings Peel ‘n’ Seal
Peel ‘n’ Seal is a water-based, strippable coating for protecting non-porous surfaces including architectural elements such as glass windows and doors. It is also applied to construction equipment such as aerial lifts during the construction or restoration process to protect them from cement and mortar splash, paint overspray and similarly destructive materials. Protecting powder coated surfaces, baked enamels and other coatings is another application.
Ram Board Floor and Wall Protection
Ram Board manufactures durable sheet and roll goods and tapes used to protects floors and walls during construction and restoration projects.
Prosoco
PROSOCO is a US company with very extensive experience and success as a manufacturer of products for cleaning, protecting and maintaining concrete, masonry and tile; making building envelopes air and water-tight; and cleaning, protecting and restoring new and existing masonry buildings.
PROSOCO EK Select
Short October 2016 Durability + Design article on Prosoco’s new phosphate-free interior cleaner for use on soiled stone, tile, masonry and metal panels.
PROSOCO’s Sure Klean VanaTrol on Ground Floor Precast
This March 2014 Durability + Design Magazine article describes how Masonry and Precast Specialty Services, of Lincoln Nebraska cleaned 50,000 square feet of ground level, vertical pre-cast concrete with PROSOCO Sure Klean VanaTrol to prepare it for an anti-graffiti coating.
Rust Stain Remover
Alpha RSR 2000 Rust Stain Remover quickly removes common rust stains from natural stone surfaces and other hard, porous surfaces such concrete, brick, terra cotta and Mexican tile.
Sherwin-Williams acrylic latex paint – Harmony
This Durability + Design Magazine article is about this zero-VOC antimicrobial paint at Palomar Medical Center which actually attacks and reduces organic type smells such as sweat and urine.
Shurhold Clean-N-Simple
Premium boat, RV and auto maintenance and care products including specialty items and chemicals such as buffing pad cleaners, rope handle buckets, PVA and micro fiber towels, scrubbing pads and polishers.
Surfkoat Surface Koatings, Inc. Cleaners and Strippers
Acid based etcher, efflorescence cleaner, concrete remover, citrus based degreaser, rust remover, glue and mastic stripper, environmentally friendly stripper, solvents: acetone, xylene, mineral spirits
Strippers on JVSBS.com
UltimateWasher.com
Materials / Chemicals for graffiti protection and removal as well as pressure washing detergents, rust removers, oil stain removers, mold and mildew removers, and all purpose cleaners.
