Hey guys im fairly new I the business and I have yet to come across this. I just back from doing an estimate and came across a white stain on a Olive colored vinyl siding particularly on the west side of the house and under the shutters. I assumed it was oxidation but when I wiped my fingers across only dirt came off. From what I’ve reasearched on here only thing I can find is possible white hard water stain/calcium stain? Any recommendations on getting it off? Or should I just walk away?
House looks super scuzzy. any chance that’s just where rain water is running making it less dirty and showing the siding colors? If you have doubt set your customers expectations lower but I’m sure the house as a whole will look much better after a wash.
It’s oxidation runoff from the shutters. I’ve yet to tackle one like that, but I know it can be removed. You’ll most likely disturb any oxidation on the siding when attempting to remove the streaks, though.
My two chems I would try are OneRestore and F13 gutter grenade, mostly because those are the only specialized cleaners I carry right now 
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Thank you guys for your response! @Jwind I don’t think it’s rain water showing true colors because theres parts of the vinyl that show the true green color but there seems to be this white haze all around the siding especially on the west side. @Infinity I bet that is what is under the shutters but even above the shutters there is a white haze on the siding.
In this picture you can see a spot where its darker green. That’s the color the whole house is supposed to be. Anyways i’m going to get a few 40 oz handheld pump up sprayers with solution and try a small area and see what happens. I’m going to try: normal HW, f13, and EBC. We’ll see what happens
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So from the picture it does look like run off oxidation from the shutters.
If you are seeing white lines other then those, get out your tape measure. If they are 18inches apart then they are oxidized lines caused by the studs. Not the studs themselves but from the nail heads heating up the siding and the heat transfers from nail head to nail head causing lines like that in the siding. I’ve had success removing oxidation from siding, but not those lines caused from the studs. Those in my experience will not come out…the damage to the vinyl has already been done.
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Its not really white lines it’s just a white film like stain that is covering the entire siding it looks exactly like oxidation but there isnt any chalky substance that comes off when you rub your finger across it.
Let them know about the issue and tell then it might be time to repaint
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Yes you have to be very careful with oxidized siding. Make sure to use your soap tips to rinse…the rinse tips on a J-rod have to much pressure and can disturb the oxidation layer making it look worse. I always explain to people up front…especially if I looked at the house when doing the estimate that a house wash will not remove the oxidation or any marks, streaks, or the typical stud lines from heated nails mentioned above. I usually compare a house wash to washing a 20+ year old car that’s been out in the sun. The paint on the hood and top oxidize turning into a white haze. A car wash won’t renew the car or make the paint look better…it only cleans it. Same with a house wash. Most people seem to understand after telling them that. As stated already set expectations with them and don’t oversell or promise anything
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