Siding stain stumps Dad

THIS IS A HAMMER

Q: I have a stain on my white vinyl siding. I’ve tried numerous cleaning chemicals to remove it, including bleach, without success. My daughter may have spilled some type of beverage from her window, but denies it. Do you have any cleaning tips? — Bryce B.

A: Give your daughter the benefit of the doubt: Vinyl siding is fairly resistant to liquids, so I don’t know if a spilled beverage would have caused that stain. Then again, one can never underestimate the power of Kool-Aid.

This type of siding does crumble before acids, solvents and heat. Well, not really “crumble.” It gets a bit melty in most cases, enough to let a solvent adhere permanently to its surface. Chemicals that can damage the siding’s surface include nail polish, nail polish remover (darn it), certain glues, liquid grease remover, furniture polish, organic solvents, herbicides, fungicides and undiluted bleach.

However, some household cleaners can be used directly on vinyl siding without causing damage, including glass cleaner (ammonia-based), oil soap or all-purpose cleaner. These work well on crayon, marker, grass stains, oil or rust. Pencil or paint marks can be removed by polishing with a gentle abrasive cleaner like Soft Scrub. Test these items in small spots first to see if they have any effect.

Cleaning solutions recommended by the Vinyl Siding Institute ( www.vinylsiding.org) for larger areas include a 30-70 mixture of vinegar and water, or a solution of 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent, 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner, 1 quart of household bleach and 1 gallon of water. Use a soft cloth or a soft bristle brush to scrub the area.

The worst-case scenario is if none of these cleaning solutions work. Painting over the stain may not be possible. Some manufacturers will void the warranty if this is done, so check with them first.

The ultimate solution is to replace those stained or damaged vinyl siding panels. If you have spare panels stored in the house from the initial installation, great; otherwise, you’ll need to consult the manufacturer. If you don’t know who the manufacturer is, head to the nearest home-improvement store to find matching panels and detailed instructions on replacement.

Home Tip: Keep barbecue grills away from vinyl siding; temperatures above 160 degrees Fahrenheit will warp the siding.