Rust
Any areas made with aluminum, iron, or steel may experience corrosion and rusting, giving shopping centers an unattractive look. To remove minor rust stains, apply lemon juice on the affected area and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. To remove major rust stains, use a rust remover that contains oxalic acid for a stronger solution. Take a brush and scrub the solution before washing the area down with water. Washh uses five different rust removers for maximum effectiveness.
Tire Marks
Tire and skid marks can make any parking lot look old and weary. To remove these marks, apply a degreaser and allow it to soak for 30 minutes without letting it dry out. With a stiff brush, scrub the area to help loosen the marks. Then, use a pressure washer to effectively remove the tire marks for good. For a better outcome, consider re-striping the parking lot as well.
Bird Droppings
Bird droppings may seem harmless at first, but they can actually damage various materials in addition to being downright unappealing. Dried droppings can easily be scraped off. If there are any remnants or stains, take a soft cloth soaked in a mixture of water and dish soap and use it to blot the area. Switch to a dry cloth to dab the same area, letting it absorb the cleaning solution. Repeat the process until the stain disappears.
Graffiti or Vandalism
To remove graffiti, it’s important to tailor the cleaning method according to the surface material. Some materials, like brick and concrete, don’t require any special cleaning products, needing only the sheer force of a pressure washer (at 2,500 to 3,000 PSI and a 25-degree nozzle). Other materials need more help.
For painted or stained wood, mineral spirits will typically work. Older wood is more fragile and can suffer from discoloration. In that case, it’s best to paint over the graffiti instead.
Metal surfaces, on the other hand, require paint thinners or a chemical graffiti remover. Masonry is more porous, so a chemical solvent works best. Finally, to remove graffiti from vinyl surfaces, acetone is usually effective.
It is important to remember, though, that many factors can influence what type of technique and detergent to use. This includes the age of the surface material along with the type of paint used.