How to remove Oxidation on a Metal Roof (No Brushing Needed)

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What’s up, guys? Cody from Southeast Softwash here! This week, we're rolling out a new chemical in our lineup—Ox-Knox. This is a powerful oxidation removal chemical that works wonders on metal roofs, vinyl siding, and other surfaces prone to oxidation.

Ox-Knox is already moving fast, so if it’s out of stock, don’t worry—it’ll be back soon. If you’re in the exterior cleaning business, this is a must-have chemical to add to your arsenal.

What Makes Ox-Knox Special?

Let’s get something straight—Ox-Knox is not magic in a bottle. It won’t fix failed paint, but it will restore the original look of surfaces that have oxidized over time.

For example, my father-in-law’s truck shop is severely oxidized. But here’s the issue—the paint has failed, too. In cases like this, Ox-Knox can still clean up the oxidation, but the customer must understand that it won’t restore a surface if the paint itself is damaged.

That being said, for surfaces where the paint is still in good condition, Ox-Knox will bring back the original color and make it look brand new.

Where Can You Use Ox-Knox?

Ox-Knox is versatile and works on multiple surfaces:

✅ Metal Roofs & Siding – Perfect for restoring oxidized green, red, blue, or other colored metal roofs.
✅ Vinyl Siding – Can be downstreamed and rinsed off easily, making it a fast and effective option.
✅ Painted Hardy Plank – Works well if the paint is in good condition, but won’t fix failing paint.

Understanding how to properly assess oxidation is key. If a surface is beyond saving, explain it to the customer so they know what to expect. If they need to repaint, Ox-Knox will still be necessary to remove oxidation before applying new paint.

Real-World Application: Metal Roof Restoration

We recently worked on a severely oxidized green metal roof. Over time, oxidation turned it yellow, making it look nothing like its original color.

Here's the process we used to bring it back to life:

Step 1: Identify the Severity of Oxidation

We noticed that a small section of the roof had been unintentionally cleaned by tree branches rubbing against it. This confirmed that the green color was still there under the oxidation layer.

Step 2: Application Method

We prefer using a pump-up sprayer for direct application, especially for severe oxidation cases. If the oxidation isn’t as bad, downstreaming Ox-Knox through an 8 GPM system works fine.

👉 For this project, we used a 50/50 mix of Ox-Knox and water.

Step 3: Pre-Wet & Apply

Before applying Ox-Knox, we pre-wet the surface to cool it down and prevent premature drying. Then, we sprayed on the solution and let it sit for 6-8 minutes.

Step 4: Rinse Off

After letting Ox-Knox do its job, we rinsed it off using a ball valve (no need for high pressure). The oxidation lifted right off, revealing a bright green roof underneath—no brushing required!

How Far Does a Case of Ox-Knox Go?

A common question we get is: “How much Ox-Knox do I need for a job?”

🔹 One gallon makes two gallons of usable solution when mixed 50/50.
🔹 For the roof we cleaned in this video, we estimate it would take less than a case of Ox-Knox.
🔹 On vinyl siding, you can dilute it even further, making one jug go a long way.

Every job is different, so play around with dilution ratios to see what works best for you.

Why Should You Offer Oxidation Removal?

🔹 High-ticket service – We charged $2,500+ for this one roof.
🔹 Quick turnaround – This project took under 2 hours including setup.
🔹 Easy application – No pressure washing or brushing required.

Oxidation removal is a huge money-maker for pressure washing businesses. Selling it properly to your customers is key. It’s not about just cleaning—it’s about restoring the original look and value of their property.