How's this for clean gutters?

[Aplus]

So many times I have customers tell me that no one has been able to get their gutters to look good again. I can tell they are apprehensive when I tell them I can do it.

Well as they say, the proof is in the pudding.....have a look see.

[Aplus]

Squeeky clean gutters.

Even though I pre-wet everything before I began, I still got super clean spots on all the aluminum trim. So after the gutters were clean, I went ahead and sprayed cleaner on the trim and did it all. The homeowner could not believe her eyes.

[Littlefield]

Tony, Gutter Zap???

[Aplus]

Yes, mixed at 50/50, applied with a pump up sprayer. For second story applications, I use a 12" brush on an extendable pole.

[Aplus]

I've also found that if I mix a little HD-80 along with the gutter zap, it works even better!

Actually I mixed the gutter zap at 1 part per 3 parts water, and added a dash of HD-80.

Gutter zap is pretty expensive compared to HD-80, so why not take advantage of cost savings?

[Beth n Rod]

Cool! Nice looking gutters!
Beth

[Aplus]

I think the gutter zap is primarily sodium hydroxide with butyl cellusolve.

Before I knew about gutter zap, I was using a truck degreaser that the sales person at the local power wash supply store recommended. It was KO, and I mixed it 1 part to 3 parts water. It worked ok, but required extensive brushing. It was the only solution I had.

I tried simple green, and that worked a bit, but also required brushing.

If it weren't so darned expensive, I wouldn't even fool around with home brews.

[Lenny Schrec]

Tony,
They look good. I use gutter zap also and I mix it 3 to 1 and then apply it with the x-jet to second story. On a single story I mix it weaker and use a brush on it to cut the cost.

[the_GUNN_man]

Tony you say you add gutter zap 1 to 3 with water and then a dash of HD-80. Say I had 1/4 gallon gutter zap and 3/4 gallon water equaling one gallon. How much HD-80 would you now put in that? Yesterday I had a standard size spray bottle mixed 50/50 with gutter zap and water. I put a dash of HD-80 in that and the gutters turned out beautiful. The only problem I seemed to have was that is was a aluminum sided house and that mix would leave spots on the siding. Did I add to much HD-80 to it? I added a dash to about 1 quart of solution. When you say you add a dash, to how much gutter zap/water are you adding it to?

[Aplus]

Steve,
The gutter zap itself is made up primarily of sodium hydroxide and a butyl degreaser. It can damage aluminum siding finish by itself if exposed for too long.

It's important to keep constantly rinsing the aluminum siding.

The last mix I made, I used about 1/2 gallon gutter zap to about 1.5 gallons water. It wasn't quite strong enough, so I added about 1/4 cup hd-80, and it worked like a charm.

The reason I added the hd-80 was because I didn't have enough gutter zap on my trailer at the time. I had an order in for a 15 gallon barrel, but it wasn't here yet. Improvising became suddenly necessary.

You will probably need to experiment with what works for you on any given job. Start out with a small amount, and add more until you get the desired results.

[Beth n Rod]

Tony,
Looks like you installed new gutters!
WOW!
Beth

[Earl Johnson]

When you X-jet the ZAP to the 2nd story, Don't you have to use a brush? I've got a strip mall to do and I tested a area (metal) and spray and rinse won't do it, have to brush it. Wish I could find something that would just rinse off. Mall is 800ft. Time consuming to brush all of that Earl

[Aplus]

Earl,
Try boosting the amount of gutter zap. I've found that if I have to brush, then I probably haven't mixed the cleaner strong enough. Sometimes just a few more ounces of gz makes all the difference. It's especially noticeable using the xjet, because you're diluting a mix that's already too weak.

The hardness of the water, air tempurature, and other factors can affect the way products work. I always figure the directions on a product label to be a starting point. Then, I can adjust as necessary for each job.

[Earl Johnson]

Do you mean boost the GZ with HD-80? If so, will this hurt painted surfaces and, will it hurt Tin roofing that is colored. You know, the new type of tin used on alot of commerical blds.

Earl

[Aplus]

Earl,

Add more gutter zap to your mix. I tried to explain to you that sometimes you need to mix it a little stronger for certain jobs. You need to go out and do some testing, and learn from that.

Painted surfaces can be damaged by either gz or hd80. You need to prewet the surface and keep rinsing it as you go.

As for tin roofs, we don't have those here in Michigan, so I can't tell you from experience. Gut feeling tells me you need to keep them wet too so you don't get any discoloration.