How to Clean Paint Chalk Off of Mobile Home Siding

Paint chalk is the powdery residue that occurs when the paint on the siding of a mobile home begins to break down. This breakdown is caused by ultraviolet sunlight and weathering. It is a natural process that occurs when the paint breaks down and releases the color pigment. The type and quality of paint used are also contributing factors to the chalking process. Cheap paints break down sooner than high quality paints. Alkyd or oil base paint will chalk faster than acrylic and latex paints. Pressure washing and priming the surface are the solutions to cleaning and sealing the chalk.

Painter's plastic
Pressure washer (1,500 to 2,000 psi)
Pressure washer hose
Pressure washer spray gun
Garden hose
Rain gear
Protective eye goggles
100 percent exterior acrylic primer
5-gallon bucket
Paint roller screen
Nylon bristle paintbrush
1/2-inch nap roller cover
9-inch roller frame
Extension pole
Mini roller

Instructions

- 1
  Lay painter's plastic around the entire perimeter of the home.
- 2
  Assemble the spray hose and gun and attach them to the pressure washer. Attach a garden hose to the pressure washer.
- 3
  Put on a rain coat, rain pants, rain hat and rubber rain boots. Put on a pair of eye goggles.
- 4
  Pressure wash the siding of the mobile home from top to bottom and from side to side. Do this until the loose chalking paint has been removed from the surface. Allow the surface to dry for 24 hours and then test the surface by wiping your hand across the siding. If chalk appears on your hand then pressure wash the siding a second time and allow the surface to dry for another 24 hours.
- 5
  Pour 100-percent exterior acrylic paint into a 5-gallon bucket and hang a metal paint roller screen from the bucket's inner lip.
- 6
  Slip the 1/2-inch nap roller cover over the spindle of the roller frame and screw the extension pole into the roller frame's handle.
- 7
  Dip the bristles of the paintbrush into the primer and paint all of the edges and hard-to-reach areas of the mobile home siding. Use the brush to paint around window, door and roof trim.
- 8
  Dip the roller into the primer paint and roll all of the open surfaces of the siding. Use a mini roller to roll out the smaller areas.

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