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OXIDATION REMOVAL
Oxidation removal for chalky siding in Ham Lake
Chalky siding brought back to the color still underneath, with a product made for oxidation, a soft brush and a UV-protective finish.
Oxidation is the white chalk that comes off siding onto your hand: the vinyl, paint or aluminum itself breaking down in the sun. Glass House removes the dead, chalky layer with a product made for it and a soft brush, then reconditions the wall with a UV-protectant restorer so the result lasts.
Much of the siding in Ham Lake, Andover and Blaine went up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and it has now weathered decades of summer sun. Every job starts with a wet wall test and a test spot, and a clear answer on whether restoration is worth your money.
OUR OXIDATION POLICY
We test first. If paint or new siding is the better use of your money, you will hear it from us before you spend a dollar.
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Insured to $2M
Owner-operated
Based in Ham Lake
WHY SIDING CHALKS HERE
Our summer sun and our 1990s building boom
Oxidation appears on many homes here, and two local facts explain most of it: when the homes were built, and how much sun they receive.
45%
of Ham Lake homes were built between 1990 and 2009, as were 49% of Andover homes. Much of that siding has now weathered 20 to 35 summers of sun.
UV 8
The average July UV index in the Twin Cities. The EPA rates 8 as very high, and UV is what uses up the protection in siding and paint.
2,700+
hours of sunshine a year in the Twin Cities, with about 350 of them in July alone.
165°F
Roughly where vinyl begins to soften. A dark wall in full summer sun comes closer to that than most people expect.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates (year structure built); Climate of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, NOAA normals and average UV index.
WHAT IS HAPPENING
Three materials, three reasons, one chalky result
Vinyl, paint and aluminum all oxidize, each for a different reason, which is why one product and one process do not suit every wall.
Vinyl siding
Vinyl is PVC plastic with pigment and a package of UV stabilizers mixed in. That package is used up over time as it absorbs UV. Once it is spent, sunlight breaks the plastic down at the surface into a loose powder, so the chalk on your hand is the siding itself.
Painted siding and trim
Paint is pigment held in place by a binder. UV breaks down the binder and leaves the pigment loose, with nothing holding it to the wall. Painters call this chalking, and the industry even has a standard test for measuring it, ASTM D4214.
Aluminum siding and gutters
Aluminum grows its own oxide layer, and the alloys used for siding and gutters grow it faster and rougher, as a chalky gray film. That oxide is hard and bonded to the metal, and scrubbing only strips the factory finish around it, so it must be dissolved chemically.
IDENTIFY BEFORE YOU TREAT
Oxidation or algae: how to tell them apart
Each needs a completely different treatment, and the wrong one wastes your money. Here is how the common look-alikes sort out.
WHAT YOU SEE
WHAT IT USUALLY IS
WHAT TAKES IT OFF
White or yellowish powder on a wet white rag, no green
Oxidation: the siding or paint itself breaking down
Oxidation removal, then reconditioning
Green, gray or brown smear on the rag
Algae, mildew or other organic growth
A soft wash house washing, at a fraction of the cost
A chalky south wall and a green north wall
Both problems, common on homes past about 18 years
Two separate treatments
Chalky gray film on gutters and fascia
Aluminum oxidation
Dissolved chemically, never scrubbed
Black vertical streaks on the face of gutters
Tiger stripes: shingle residue bonded to oxidized aluminum
Gutter brightening, not a house wash
Color stays dull even when soaking wet
The pigment is gone
A paint or replacement conversation, not cleaning
THREE HOME TESTS
Three tests you can do this afternoon
These are the same checks Carson runs on a walk-around. All you need is a white rag and a garden hose.
01
The wet rag test
Wet a clean white rag and wipe the wall firmly. White or yellowish powder with no green is oxidation. A green, gray or brown smear, or yellow with green in it, is organic growth such as algae, mold or mildew.
WHY SOUTH AND WEST WALLS GO FIRST
In Minnesota the midday sun sits in the southern sky all year, and west walls take the hottest afternoon sun. Algae does the opposite: it starts on the damp, shaded north side.
02
The sun test
Compare a south or west wall with a north wall, or with one tucked under a deep eave. If the exposed walls are chalkier and more faded while the sheltered ones still look right, the pattern points to oxidation.
03
The wet wall test
Hose the wall down and look at it while it is wet. If the color comes back rich, the pigment is still there and it can be brought back. If it stays dull even when soaking wet, the color is gone, and no product will return it.
04
Send us a photo
Text us a photo of the wall wet and dry. We will tell you plainly whether it is worth cleaning, or whether that money is better spent on paint or new siding.
WORSE ON SOME HOMES
Four things that speed it up
Dark colors
Dark panels carry more pigment to lose and absorb more of the sun's heat, and both work against them. More pigment means more color to fade, and more heat brings the surface closer to the temperature at which vinyl begins to soften.
Builder-grade siding
Thinner panels with a weaker UV package were common in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when much of Ham Lake, Andover and Blaine was built. Those panels are far less durable than what is made today, and by now many of them are showing it.
Flat paint
On painted homes, a flat finish chalks before satin or gloss, because it carries more pigment relative to the binder holding it together. With less binder to lose, a flat finish reaches the loose, chalky stage sooner.
Wide-open exposure
A wide-open southwest wall takes the most UV and the most heat, so it oxidizes long before a wall shaded by trees or a deep eave. That is why two sides of the same house can look like two different houses.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates (year structure built); Cardinal Glass Industries, Vinyl Siding Distortion technical bulletin.
HOW WE REMOVE IT
The right product, from the bottom up, judged dry
A regular house wash mix does not remove oxidation. It runs down a chalky wall in streams and moves the chalk around, leaving the wall streaked and blotchy. Oxidation needs a product made for it.
WHAT GOES ON YOUR HOUSE
For removal we use OX-KNOX most of the time, or Clonsol-BC from EacoChem. For reconditioning we use Vinyl Renu Pro from SealItGreen. Carson is glad to answer any question about them.
01
Test a hidden spot
The product is tried first behind a downspout, a shrub or a corner nobody sees. That test proves it is safe and effective on your particular siding before it touches the whole wall.
02
Wet everything down
The wall, the windows and every plant around the work are soaked with water first and kept wet throughout, so any overspray lands on a wet surface and is diluted to the point of being harmless.
03
Apply from the bottom up
We work in sections about 10 feet wide, starting at the bottom. Applied from the top of a dry wall, the product runs down in narrow streams that clean hard where they land, leaving stripes that cannot be blended out. Each section dwells a few minutes and is misted again if it begins to dry.
04
Brush gently along the laps
A soft flagged-bristle brush works along the lap lines, the horizontal seams where one course of siding overlaps the next. There is no hard scrubbing: the chemistry does the work and the brush lifts the chalk. In our experience, products sold as brushless fall short on real oxidation.
05
Rinse low, then judge it dry
The rinse runs top-down at low pressure with a wide fan, carrying the loosened chalk off the wall. Every wet wall looks restored, so the real result is judged only once the wall has dried.
WHAT WE OFFER
Two steps: removal, then reconditioning
Removal and reconditioning do two different jobs, so we quote them as two separate steps, and you choose whether to include the second.
Step 1: Oxidation removal
Removal lifts the dead, chalky layer and brings back the color that is still underneath. It is the step that makes the wall look right again. On its own, it leaves a clean surface whose UV protection is still spent, which is why the second step exists.
Step 2: Reconditioning
A UV-protectant restorer is applied over the clean, dry wall, putting back the finish and the UV protection the sun used up. The siding then holds its color longer before it chalks again. It is quoted separately, so you can decide whether to include it.
Restorer manufacturers claim up to 10 years of protection on a properly prepped wall. That is their figure, not our guarantee, and a wall in less than ideal condition should expect a few years less.
HOW PRICING WORKS
Quoted in person, after a test spot
YOUR OXIDATION JOB, AT A GLANCE
QUOTE IN PERSON
Wet wall test and test spot
Always first
On a hidden area, before any product touches the whole wall
Oxidation removal
Quoted
Priced after Carson sees the material, the chalking and the sun exposure
Reconditioning
Quoted
Quoted as its own step, so you can choose it
If the color is already gone
Honest answer
You will hear it before you spend a dollar, with a recommendation for paint or replacement
Every wall is different
Test spot first
Oxidation removal is quoted in person, because the price depends on the material, how far the chalking has progressed and how much wall there is. It costs more than washing the same house because it takes considerably longer. Carson runs the wet wall test and a test spot, then tells you plainly whether it is worth doing.
WAYS TO SAVE
Service Plan members
25% off any other work, holiday lighting included
Veterans
10% off any service
Same-day neighbors
15% off for both households
Preferred day
Another 5% off on top of any other saving, up to 25% in all
Seniors 65 and older
$50 off
Three projects together
10% off
Discounts don't combine — you receive whichever single saving is largest. Then a Preferred day can take another 5% off, up to 25% in all (Service Plan members aren't capped).
This season’s flash sale is shown at the foot of every page.
GUARANTEES
What backs the work, word for word
These are printed word for word on your quote, your work order and your invoice.
INCLUDED
Reapplication Guarantee
All stain removal services include a reapplication guarantee: when a stain needs more than one application, the follow-up application is part of the job, not an extra charge.
INCLUDED
Workmanship Standard
If we miss an area or leave normal cleanable residue, tell us and we'll re-clean or touch it up. Our guarantees cover the cleaning result — not repairs, replacements, permanent stains, or conditions that can't be safely corrected through cleaning.
Every stain job still begins with a spot test, and we charge only for work we can complete.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
What oxidation removal includes, and what it does not
Oxidation removal brings back the color that remains. It cannot bring back color that is gone, and the wet wall test shows which you have.
INCLUDED
In every oxidation job
• A test spot where nobody will see it
• Walls, windows and plants kept wet throughout
• Remover applied bottom-up in sections about 10 feet wide
• Gentle brushing along the laps, then a low-pressure rinse
• The result judged dry, not wet
• A restorer coat, if you want the result to last
NOT INCLUDED
Outside oxidation removal
• Pigment that has faded out of the material
• A like-new match to a brand-new panel
• High pressure, which can etch the surface
• Painting, siding repair or replacement
EQUIPMENT AND METHODS
Made-for-it products and a soft brush
Removal: a dedicated oxidation remover applied from the bottom up in sections about 10 feet wide, a soft flagged-bristle brush along the laps and a low-pressure, wide-fan rinse from the top down. Reconditioning: a UV-protectant restorer applied to the clean, dry wall once removal is complete.
SAFETY AND CARE
Gentle on siding that is already fragile
Oxidized siding is already breaking down, so it needs a lighter touch than almost anything else on a house.
FRAGILE SURFACES
A waiver when it matters
Heavily oxidized or loose siding, aged paint and failing coatings can be fragile. On those surfaces we may ask you to sign a damage waiver first, and we will explain exactly why before any work begins, so the risk is clear to both of us.
NO PRESSURE
Low pressure, never a wand
High pressure does not remove oxidation. It can etch the surface, leave wand marks and drive water behind the panels. The chemistry and a soft brush do the work instead, and the rinse stays at low pressure with a wide fan.
BEFORE WE START
Tell us about special finishes
Please mention powder-coated surfaces, aluminum finishes, dark metals, cedar or specialty wood before we arrive. Each responds differently to chemistry, and knowing what is on the house lets the mix and the method be adjusted before anything is applied.
PROTECTION
Protective gear, right conditions
Protective gear goes on for every removal product. Like most of our stain chemistry, these products are used above 50°F and out of direct hot sun, and a section is never left to dry before it is brushed and rinsed.
THE OWNER
Why Carson says when siding is past saving
Glass House is owned and run by Carson Brenny, with no crews, subcontractors or handoffs. He grew up in Ham Lake, went to Blaine High School and has worked full-time in exterior cleaning since 2020. He looks at your siding in person before saying what is possible, and walks the finished wall with you.
Everything else Glass House cleans sits on a house; oxidation is the house itself. Homeowners deserve a straight answer before they spend money on it. If a wet wall comes back rich, there is color to recover. If it stays dull, Carson will tell you it is a paint or replacement conversation instead.
IN CARSON'S WORDS
“It's my neighbors' homes: their biggest investment, one of the places they spend the most time, and where the people they care about most live. It's something everyone should enjoy, and I believe that.”
Carson Brenny, owner
✓
The wet wall test before any quote
✓
Removal and reconditioning as two separate steps
✓
Never a promise of factory-new color
WHAT TO EXPECT
What oxidation removal can and cannot do
It restores the remaining color
Removal brings back the color still under the chalk. On most walls that is a large, visible improvement, and the house stops leaving white chalk on hands, clothing and anything else that brushes against it.
It cannot replace lost pigment
On a wall that has been oxidizing for 15 or 20 years, removal makes a considerable difference and still will not match a brand-new panel. Anyone promising like-new results without looking at the siding first is guessing.
Washing helps slow it down
UV cannot be stopped, and a house cannot be moved into the shade, but washing every year or two helps. Dirt and airborne pollutants left sitting on siding accelerate the breakdown of its surface, so a clean wall holds up longer.
Reconditioning slows the clock
After removal, a restorer coat is the one thing that meaningfully slows the next round of chalking. It is the difference between a result that lasts and one that is back in a season or two.
DOING IT YOURSELF
Tackling a wall on your own
A wall you can reach from the ground with a pole is a reasonable do-it-yourself job. Here are the gear, the cost and the rules that keep you safe.
01
Gather the gear
You will need a 2-gallon pump sprayer, a soft flagged-bristle brush on an extension pole, a garden hose, rubber gloves and eye protection. The pole is what keeps the work on the ground, where it belongs.
NEVER MIX BLEACH WITH ACID
This applies to gutter brighteners, vinegar and every other acid. Together with bleach, they produce chlorine gas. If you have washed with a bleach-based mix, rinse everything thoroughly and let it dry before any acid product comes out.
02
Budget for the product
A dedicated oxidation remover is sold as a concentrate, and most dilute, so a little goes a long way. For light chalking, a TSP substitute from the hardware store can do the job for a few dollars.
03
Add a restorer coat
Restorer coatings go on over the clean, dry wall and put back the finish and UV protection. Expect to pay about $100 to $150 a gallon, with each gallon covering roughly 350 square feet.
04
Follow the same process
Use the order described above: test a hidden spot, keep everything wet, apply bottom-up in 10-foot sections without letting it dry, brush gently along the laps, rinse top-down at low pressure and judge the wall dry.
05
Stop at the ladder
Ladders injure far more homeowners than chemicals do. If a wall cannot be reached from the ground with a pole, that is the point to call a professional.
WHERE WE WORK
Oxidation removal across the north metro
Glass House is based in Ham Lake and restores oxidized siding, trim and gutters throughout Anoka County and the Twin Cities north metro.
Each city page covers local conditions. The surrounding north metro is served as well, and we travel farther for a small trip fee.
OXIDATION QUESTIONS
Oxidation removal FAQ
Why does my siding leave white chalk on my hand?
That is oxidation. Sunlight has used up the UV protection in the siding or paint and broken the surface down into a loose powder. It is not dirt sitting on the house; it is the material itself, which is why a regular wash does not fix it and a product made for oxidation does.
Will a house wash or pressure washing fix it?
No. A house wash removes what is on the siding, and oxidation is the siding. A standard wash mix can leave a chalky wall blotchier than before, and high pressure will not remove oxidation but can etch the surface, leave wand marks and drive water behind the panels.
How do I tell oxidation from algae?
Wipe the wall firmly with a wet white rag. White or yellowish powder with no green is oxidation. A green, gray or brown smear is algae or mildew, which a soft wash removes at a fraction of the cost. Oxidation usually appears first on south and west walls, while algae prefers the shaded north side.
Will my siding look brand new?
It will look much better, but removal brings back only the color still under the chalk. It cannot replace pigment that is gone, so a wall that has faded for 15 or 20 years will not match a new panel. The wet wall test shows whether there is color left to recover.
Should I clean it, paint it or replace it?
Start with the wet wall test. Hose the wall down and look at it while it is wet. If the color comes back rich, the pigment is still there and can be recovered. If it stays dull even when soaking wet, the color is gone, and paint or replacement is the better use of your money.
Why does it cost more than a house wash?
Because it takes substantially longer than washing the same house. Oxidation comes off section by section, about 10 feet at a time, worked by hand with a soft brush and a product made for it, then rinsed with care and judged once the wall is dry.
How long does reconditioning last?
Restorer manufacturers claim up to 10 years of protection on a properly prepped wall. We treat that as a best case and not as our guarantee. Walls in rougher shape usually see a few years less, and washing every year or two helps any wall hold its color longer.
Can you remove oxidation from gutters?
Yes. Aluminum oxidation on gutters and fascia is dissolved chemically, never scrubbed, because steel wool and scouring pads strip the factory finish and make the metal oxidize faster. Black vertical streaks on the face of a gutter are a different problem, tiger stripes, which our Gutter Brightening service removes.
Fully insured to $2M
Owner-operated
Locally owned in Ham Lake
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