On Wed, 7 Sep 2005 22:13:13 -0700, in alt.home.repair "patrick mitchel"
wrote:

FACE wrote:
Question to Pat: Do you use the Big Orange citrus cleaner full
strength or
in a dilution? I am also using Zep housewash.
I use it full strength for overnight soaking (after turning the brush upside
down and massaging the solvent into the ferrule to deg to the paint that has
gotten that far) then clean with warm water and repaeat till i get the
flexibility that I want. The citrus cleaners are still solvents so you might
want to use a waterproof glove. I didn't and did not suffer any skin
problems. Now, as to my liver - who the heck knows. Pat


Thanks. The Zep was actually the more inexpensive available. The previous
housewash I was using said on the label on some types of surfaces to rinse
immediately to prevent etching and that sent me a big flag that said ACID.
The Zep does not say that on the label and has similar dilution instructions
for various jobs but I called the 800 number to the manufacturer inquiring
as to whether I could mix hypochlorite(clorox) with it and they told me no
that it was acidic. The Zep I have gives a 64:1 dilution for pressure
washing, down to 10:1 for intense cleaning jobs. I will be using it at 28:1
and applying with a scrub brush and letting it dry -- I consider that the
old paint in the sun-baked front has enough oxidation to take into
consideration. The color is Blue Slate but it is a lot lighter than it
originally was.

I will first try the white vinegar treatment and if no joy will go to the
Zep at full strength.

FACE