WHAT MAKES A GREAT VINYL SIDING CLEANER?
One of the best ways to improve the curb appeal of your home is with new vinyl siding, which has been available since the 1950's. However, whether you reside in a humid or chilly region, your vinyl siding may start to show indications of oxidation after a while. The issue is that oxidation causes the siding's surface to lose its luster and become drab.
As soon as it is put on your home, every siding starts to deteriorate and fade. Everything including a $350,000 Maybach car fades and ages when exposed to nature's elements. Because of this, I advise taking protective measures during the first five years after installation in order to maintain its aesthetic value and considerably impede the natural deterioration process. This phase of the installation procedure is crucial. If you enjoy doing your own repairs, stay safe. It's easy. If you must hire someone, you must decide if the expense is justified. I think it is. We can discuss how to pick a solution that will protect and maintain vinyl siding now that you are more knowledgeable about what it is and how it is placed. When selecting a product, there are several factors to take into account.
CHOOSE A PRODUCT THAT:
- Can withstand the significant expansion and contraction of vinyl siding. Look for something with at least 250% “elongation.”
- Is specifically developed for vinyl siding and not just “ok to use on vinyl siding.”
- Is applied at less than 400 square feet per gallon coverage rate. Product applied more thinly than 400 sf/gal will not last long-term; microscopic holes in weathered siding absorb the product, so “skimping” only reduces the longevity of results. If siding fully absorbs the product, there is nothing left on the surface to protect it. It’s a trick used by some coatings manufacturers to make consumers think their products are inexpensive. Watch out for this trick!
- Contains UV blockers/inhibitors. UV blockers/inhibitors are very expensive and will be highlighted in the manufacturer’s literature or on the label.
- Contains chemistry to help resist the growth of ugly green stuff on your siding. These chemistries are also quite expensive and will be highlighted on the label. Look for this.
- Has been on the market for at least 7-10 years or whose manufacturer provides extensive test results showing its effectiveness. Remember, it’s your time, so do it once... not every few years...at least that’s my philosophy.
Unfortunately, everything outside fades and weathers. As a rule, the more you paid for your siding the longer it takes to fade, but it all fades. The good news about vinyl siding is that it mostly fades evenly and gradually so it isn’t obvious. Want to know how much your siding has faded? Then do the lick test. Don’t go around licking your siding or other outdoor items or someone may have you placed in a room with padded walls. The lick test is simply putting water on faded surfaces to see how much they have faded. Saturate a sponge and wipe it on your siding. This nice, deep color is the original color of your siding, and is what it will return to if you apply a restoration product.
Renu Cleaner Concentrate, which satisfies all of these requirements, is advised. In order to guard against future oxidation, you need additionally apply a protective coating. Vinyl Renuhelps revive the color of faded and oxidized vinyl siding in addition to providing protection against further oxidation.
HERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR SIDING
1. VINYL RENU
Vinyl Renu is a water-based, clear protective coating that helps extend the life of vinyl siding. It contains aerospace and marine grade UV blockers, polymers and ingredients that resist the growth of algae/mold/mildew. It will protect your siding for 10 years or more. It can expand and contract up to 300% (several times higher than vinyl siding). It is colorless and does not contain dyes or pigments.
2. PAINT
Paint will not protect the color and sheen of your siding because it will cover it up, of course. While paint will help retard the natural degradation process, I don’t recommend spending the money or time on paint at this stage in the life of your siding.
3. CLEAR VINYL SIDING TREATMENTS
While there are several clear coatings on the market, none meet our strict guidelines. There are one or two others that are good products but are missing one or two of the key components that I laid out above. You can call us to find out more about these other products, but since they lack key components, it’s best to have a detailed discussion about how you should use them.
BEST VINYL SIDING CLEANER
Before using a restoration product, ensure that your siding is in good shape, and clean. If there are cracks or holes in the siding, replace those planks with left over planks from the installation. If you do not have any, there are sites from which you can purchase extra planks. Lastly, make sure it is clean and free of oxidation, pollen, stains, etc.
Vinyl Renu restores color and shine to faded vinyl siding, aluminum siding, cement board and pretty much any faded outdoor surface. It also protects against future fading and will last for a decade or more. It’s easy to apply and clean up. There is no taping, sanding or priming needed. It was originally developed for, and tested and used by, major siding manufacturers. Vinyl Renu is the only restoration product that can make this claim.
Paint allows you to protect your siding, make the color look new, or even change the color. Paint itself will last for 10 years or more, but the color begins to fade in as little as 2-3 years, so we recommend painting your vinyl siding every 3-5 years to keep it looking new. When choosing paint, remember that you get what you pay for so buy the most expensive paint you can afford. Sherwin-Williams makes excellent paints, as does Cabot. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! The paint you choose must have “vinyl safe pigments.” If it does not, it will absorb heat and look warped or buckled (it’s called oil canning).
If you don’t want to paint every few years, use premium paints with vinyl safe pigments, AND, after it is dry to the touch, apply a treatment of Vinyl Renu. Vinyl Renu will keep the paint’s color looking new for 10 years or more. For a little extra work, the return is well worth it.
To keep your vinyl siding in great shape and to maximize curb appeal, it is important to do periodic maintenance on your siding. We recommend cleaning it yearly and applying a protectant or restoration product every 10 years or so.