Will pressure washing work, if it wont, what will?
Spike asked:
I was out last night with some friends, and we decided to mess with a teachers house for homecoming. I had some window chalk ((The paint type stuff)) and we put it on his garage door. We found out it was vinyl and the window chalk stained the garage door. Do you think pressure washing it will get it clean, if it wont, what chemicals would get it off. If we dont get it off, we have to buy him a new garage door for about $4,000.00. Thanks in advanced for the answers.
Kristin
I was out last night with some friends, and we decided to mess with a teachers house for homecoming. I had some window chalk ((The paint type stuff)) and we put it on his garage door. We found out it was vinyl and the window chalk stained the garage door. Do you think pressure washing it will get it clean, if it wont, what chemicals would get it off. If we dont get it off, we have to buy him a new garage door for about $4,000.00. Thanks in advanced for the answers.
Kristin
Tags: Homecoming, Paint Type, Pressure Washing
January 30th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Jacinto
Sorry to say, once vinyl is stained, it’s stained in my humble opinion. You may want to try a professional cleaning service and see if there is anything they can do.
I would get a guarantee in writing that they can remove the stain, or you may end up paying for the cleaning service as well as a door.
Also, if you have to replace the door panels, get a few estimates. $4000 sounds a lot high just to replace some panels.
January 31st, 2009 at 2:58 am
Aleisha
Pressure washing will probably work. Spray the door down with dilute chlorox first and let it sit. Mix 1 part chlorox in 9 parts water.
You could also buy a spray bottle of Chlorox bathroom cleaner, and give the door a good scrubbing.
February 1st, 2009 at 2:16 am
Maurine
There are cleaning solvents available that will clean the paint, or anything else, off of vinyl. Check with your local home store for products used to clean vinyl siding. Only use a pressure washer if you are experienced. The combination of the cleaning solvents and improper use of the pressure washer may permanently damage the panels. If that happens, you may have to buy him a new garage door.
Good luck.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Arlyne
#1: Doesn’t it make sense to rent a pressure washer and try it? For between $25 and $75 (depending on where you are and how long you keep it) you can find out. Even if you wind up using a chemical to remove the window chalk, the p/w will clean off any residue.
#2: where did you buy the window chalk? why not call them or go back there and ask them what removes that stuff from a vinyl surface.
#3: look on the container: a lot of manufacturers have an “800″ number somewhere on their label.
#4: $tart $aving your pennie$.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Evalyn
Is it chalk or caulk?
February 6th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Cortney
try a few different things in a test area first, to see what works. Try the magic eraser, its in the household cleaner section. Its a sponge with a special treatment that is primarily used to clean shower glass and things like that. very effective and shouldn’t damage the vinyl.
Also, if you don’t already have a power washer, soap up a test area really good, and then take a normal garden hose with one of those cone shaped fittings on the end and really blast a hard stream of water on a test area to see if that helps. soap’s purpose is to make a surface more slippery so dirt can slide out. it doesn’t really change the dirt, it just gets in and under it and slides it away. to get rid of something that soap won’t help with, you have to use a solvent that will dissolve the material. Avoid a solvent on this problem because it will probably change the sheen of the vinyl, and that window chalk ought to respond to pressure soap anyway.
So, if some soap and then a hard stream of water seems to work, then go ahead and rent or borrow a pressure washer, but be sure to get one that will shoot some soap on when you twist the nozzle or it will be a big pain in the butt to keep stopping to soap it up again.
Be patient and test in an inconspicuous area first.
I think you will get it off eventually, that chalk is not likely to leave permanent stains or they would have big warning signs all over the bottle
February 9th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Gale
First, you are lucky that he didn’t have you arrested for vandalism or destruction of property, and even trespassing. He can still decide to press charges if you don’t act promptly to remove the words, and repair any lasting damage.
That said, you have a responsibility to get this cleaned up as quickly and completely as possible.
I would suggest that teenagers NOT use a pressure washer, because it is VERY easy to over-pressure and damage the surface (leaving dents, stretch marks, removing layers, etc.) An adult experienced in using one may be able to help you, or at least supervise the work.
Alternately
1) wash the door by hand using simple dish soap and scrub brushes. This will be hard work, but has the lowest potential for permanent damage.
2) if the door color is white, you can use bleach diluted in the dishsoap water.
Don’t expect to be able to simply spray off the paint, and be absolutely sure to rinse off all cleaning products if you try something and it doesn’t work. Mixing cleaning products can be very dangerous.
Also, $4000 seems very high for a garage door, unless it is oversized, insulated, or has fancy windows. He may be using the $4000 amount to frighten you.
If you end up paying to replace the door, call a few installers and get written estimates. The teacher should be given the opportunity to choose the contractor, because it is his home.
When the damage is repaired to his satisfaction, you may ask him for a statement in writing that says he won’t press criminal charges against you. Be prepared to sign one that says that you promise not to do anything else.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Tyrell
Try mineral spirits.
February 12th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Hassan
get a little gas and remove the stuff
scrub it with Goop and rinse well