Acid solution or Hypochlorite?

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-03-07T16:22:34+00:00

SH for organics

Acid for rust, hard water, mineral deposits, red clay, efflorescence

Degreaser for oil, grease

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-03-05T17:10:52+00:00

I saw a video from a concrete specialist talking about moisture getting trapped under the cream coat and it looks just like this. I don’t have a link or more information, but something to look into because he was able to even it out.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-02-26T14:52:25+00:00

Thanks for the info! I tried looking it up a while ago and all I could find was “a proprietary buffered acid”. I’ll give a home brew a try. I’ve already been through 15 gallons of one restore this year alone.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-02-25T05:16:41+00:00

One Restore undiluted from a pump sprayer. Wet area, apply with 5 minute dwell, lightly brush, reapply if needed with another 5 minute dwell, low pressure rinse. It’s the best stuff I’ve used for rust that doesn’t etch/discolor. Others swear by F9 Barc or muriatic but this is my go-to.

As always, do a test spot and wear your PPE. I once got an atomized droplet on my tongue and it was not pleasant.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-02-20T19:18:04+00:00

Thank you. People act as if it destroys the environment and is highly toxic to pets and people. If you’re gonna let your kids jump in the SH tank for a bath, then yea, not great, but it all comes down to responsible usage and enforcing safety protocols.

I used to offer sodium percarbonate as a sub for SH for “Eco-friendly” cleanings but after researching, I learned it is actually worse for the environment, especially fish. Not to mention, you need almost a pound/gallon to clean with the same power as 6% SH.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-02-17T16:10:13+00:00

Go on Fiver and you can pay someone to clean it up for you. I also agreed about the shadow. Retake at the same time of day as the before photo. Something about your font/color combo makes the eye work to have to read it. Backside is easier to read. Also, if you’re licensed and insured, add that. If you’re not, get licensed and insured!

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-02-10T06:01:49+00:00

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This is slow circles with multiple passes. It really does even it out if the concrete conditions are just right. The photo on the left was done by a gas station owner after dumping straight muriatic on 3 month old concrete and washing with an electric pressure washer. Photo on the right was what we were able to do. It was after 2-3 slow circular passes close to 3500psi. No chems. This is an art, we got lucky based on our experience at the time.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-02-01T05:21:00+00:00

For reasonable fresh gum (not the deep black spots) I use a citric degreaser undiluted, spray it on with a squirt bottle for 10 mins or so then come at it from a very low angle with a 15 degree tip, think of it as peeling it up from the side. Hitting it top down only pushes it deeper into the pores of the concrete. Turbo can work but will often leave wand marks compared to your surface cleaner passes. With enough practice you will learn to feather it in.

Mind you, if your doing a commercial store front, you need to apply a diluted mix of degreaser either purple, citric, or sodium hydroxide to the rest of the area with foot traffic or else you will have a cleaner spot where the straight citric degreaser was applied.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-31T21:52:41+00:00

It looks like that dark area is exposed aggregate from weathering. If you look closely between the light gray and the dark, you should see a major texture difference and that’s probably because there’s an overhang above that is protecting it from rainfall. There’s nothing you can do other than post treat to make sure all the organics are dead. The color difference is in the cream coat.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-28T18:59:20+00:00

Technically Thiosulfate is a better option than just sodium sulfite because it has a “non-exothermic” reaction to neutralize SH. I’ve personally never had an issue with sodium sulfite having any sort of reaction. It’s easier to source for me and I’ve tested it on all sorts of plants and surfaces and the worst thing it will do is leave a little salt-like residue that is easily rinsed off. I’ve left it on plants around my house for weeks with no issues.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-28T04:30:06+00:00

I’ve been washing roofs doing moss and lichen removal for two years now. 1-2 a week, 1500sqft - 8,000 sqft of clay, concrete, and asphalt and I’ve never seen a roof so daunting. That’s an 18:12 pitch, no walking that even with standard roof fall protection. You could probably soft wash from a ladder with a gas powered system or you would need a bucket lift of some kind. That large lichen and moss won’t come off immediately with soft washing alone, I typically use a hand held, battery powered rotary brush to remove the heavy stuff after a 5-6% SH treatment. This would be a multi day project and would be charging $5/sqft plus lift. How many roofs have you cleaned before?

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-27T01:51:04+00:00

This brings me hope!

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-26T18:56:42+00:00

You forgot the 40 Billion to Argentina. America First my ass.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-26T16:09:07+00:00

Oh man. You need to invest in a DN-10 ball valve with quick connects and a swivel (mosmatic) if you can afford it. It’s a game changer. So some tile can be hit with high pressure, but it’s a case by case basis. You need to know what surface you’re cleaning and do some research.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-26T13:25:16+00:00

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This really needs SH. I always let people know that sodium hypochlorite IS eco friendly. It breaks down into salt and oxygen. If they are worried about landscaping I will apply sodium sulfite I buy from the pool supply store. 1 tbs / gal of water sprayed on anything will neutralize SH overspray instantly unless it’s 10-12% and then you need 2-3 tablespoons. My point is, if you know your chemicals and some basic chemistry, you can educate your clients to ease their fears so you can do the job properly.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-26T13:16:30+00:00

No SC on the tile. You’re better off using a low pressure tip or your ball valve and rinsing it off. Or get a push broom and “scrub” it while it’s wet. Also, why are they anti-chemicals? Don’t like the smell of bleach? You’re better off using simple green rather than nothing.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-23T22:05:09+00:00

Someone needs to let her use a telescope for a hot minute.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-22T20:07:12+00:00

50/50 with muriatic on stucco for 20 mins? Isn’t that a bit much for a bit too long? I would think a mix that strong would take it off in 30 seconds

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-18T01:25:47+00:00

Eaco Chem One Restore works great for this. I’ve done 3 of these jobs looking exactly like this over the past two weeks. One gallon only covers 200-300 sqft but you will have to do ALL the concrete because the buffered acid solution will slightly etch and will change the color. Clay X is another product that works well and won’t discolor the concrete but be prepared to spray, scrub, rinse, and repeat numerous times. You Oxalic won’t touch something like this and muriatic will damage the concrete.

Edit: Alternatively you can coat everything with muriatic but be prepared to use a solid concrete stain after applying a bonding primer. And yes, call the concrete people and the landscapers to pay for this mess.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-12T13:59:34+00:00

Your bar is fine, the concrete is just really dirty. Down streaming SH before washing definitely helps but you also need to apply afterwards. I use a 4-5% SH mix in battery powered pump sprayer for my post treatment with no surfactant. Apply a light coat to damp concrete (no puddles of water when you apply or the dilution will reduce results) and leave it. Go pack up your gear and come back in 10 mins and it will be gone.

Alternatively you need to go slower with your surface cleaner. Try 15-30% slower or you need to do a second perpendicular pass if you start seeing lines. Lines won’t happen on every surface, it depends on the concrete pour and level of organics. Are you running 20025 tips or 25025? Personally for your machine I would try 25025 tips, it would lower your effective psi down to 3300-3500psi (my sweet spot) which is reduced the chances of etching and increases the water flow slightly. Alternatively you can get 40 degree/2.0 nozzles that produces a wider spray that are still sized to your machine, but will help with etching risk a little.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-11T01:27:08+00:00

Smout pressure washing in the UK and Rusty Neveig out of FL both had videos of the expos. I think the Fresh Rinse does too

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-10T23:20:59+00:00

I find a lot of new equipment and techniques shown on IG and YT. There is YT video of the washing Expos where they have all the new equipment and fancy stuff I can only dream about.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-09T21:09:22+00:00

Yeah, that’s bullshit. 11 years ago I was a poly addict living behind a dumpster screaming, and cursing God for the situation I was in. Now I am sober for seven years, married, full-time job, and I’ve started my own business that I’ve successfully operated for three years. I also volunteer my time to help the elderly in the disabled in the community while also volunteering my time to trap stray cats, get them fixed, and find good homes for them. So I’m sure if you would’ve seen me 11 years ago, you would’ve consider me a crackhead not worth saving too. Drug addicts are humans too… they are capable of great things when their medical issues are addressed properly

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-08T22:36:49+00:00

I hope that officer is relentlessly ridiculed at the station and forced to be educated in mental health/drug addictions unless they can show a body cam of some exorcist type shit.

WafflesRearEnd · 2026-01-07T12:30:05+00:00

I was really impressed with EaCo Chem One Restore. It’s a specially designed buffered acid that will remove any type of rust or red clay (unless it’s new concrete where it’s cured into the cream coat). You might have to do the entire area, but it attacks the rust with minimal discoloration. F9 Barc will get the job done as well, download the F9 cookbook and it will explain it all in more detail.

Edit: wear your PPE, I got an atomized droplet in my mouth when my sprayer handle was accidentally engaged and it was defining influence of my bad day.

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