Condenser Cleaning.

[Deere Dude]

I need, or want, some liquid that works good for cleaning the fins and tubes of an AC condenser and evaporator coils. Also needs to be effective for cleaning tractor radiator and truck radiator. Any idea of what brand would be a safe and effective but easy kind of cleaner where I can spray in or on, let is sit for a few minutes and garden hose off. Thanks.

 

[Gunny]

I don't have a specific brand to mention, but I usually run down to the HVAC supply and ask the owner what the majority of contractors in the area usually get. He's always been very honest and upfront - whatever he sells me always works.

 

[MossRoad]

I've had good luck with just going to the hardware store and getting a spray can of foaming coil cleaner. Spray it on, wait 5-10 minutes and either hose it off, or, if the unit can produce a decent amount of condensate, just run the unit and it'll wash itself off.

 

[MossRoad]

I should clarify that's for my home.

At my job, I use two different bulk cleaners that come in gallon jugs, and you have to mix it and use a pump sprayer. One is approved for kitchens and food prep areas. The other is not allowed to be used indoors.

So if you go a bulk liquid route, be sure and read the instructions and where you can and cannot use them.

 

[Stimw]

Some RVer's with Diesel Pushers say they use Simple Green on their radiators. ??
I would go with a commercial coil cleaner which I think has mild acid too.

 

[Deere Dude]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I'll hunt down an AC repairmen and see what they get.

 

[Shaneard]

I have a friend who works for an hvac company and I ask him if I could get some coil cleaner this week. He brought this partial gallon by. It’s some good stuff. You may can take a squirt bottle with you to a hvac place and they may give you enough to do what you need to do. It’s says to mix it with water so it doesn’t take a lot.

 

[Sigarms]

Triple D is what I've been using the last 10 years or so.

For HVAC coils, you want a non acidic as you want to ensure you don't remove the metal that's there to get it "clean looking".

 

[Thomas]

I use coil clean spray foam from NAPPA store.

 

[MossRoad]

I've had good luck with just going to the hardware store and getting a spray can of foaming coil cleaner. Spray it on, wait 5-10 minutes and either hose it off, or, if the unit can produce a decent amount of condensate, just run the unit and it'll wash itself off.

I was down in the basement getting Halloween decorations and noticed the can of stuff that I've been using for a long time at home. It's this stuff by WEB. Works good. Dust, cat hair, etc... gets dissolved.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/WEB-Green-...MIoYWQncL03QIVGLjACh0qqADeEAQYASABEgIPyPD_BwE

 

[Deere Dude]

Even though spray cans are good I would rather have a concentrate to mix and spray as needed. I have a tendency to use it then let it sit for a few years then hit it again and OI woud think spray cans would loose their propellant IMO.

 

[MossRoad]

Even though spray cans are good I would rather have a concentrate to mix and spray as needed. I have a tendency to use it then let it sit for a few years then hit it again and OI woud think spray cans would loose their propellant IMO.

I use one full spray can on my furnace A frame coil. There's nothing left over.

At my job, there's jugs of half used coil cleaner sitting around. And several sprayers with gosh knows what in them. Some of the jugs have been poked with holes, and are now leaky messes.

Anywho, I find the spray can convenient, as there's no mixing, no sprayer to clean. No leftover sauce to dispose of, and no half-full jug to store. The only reason I had the can in the basement is that I set it on the side behind the furnance, and forgot to toss it out. It's empty. And it's gone now, too! :laughing:

 

[kenmac]

I've had good luck with just going to the hardware store and getting a spray can of foaming coil cleaner. Spray it on, wait 5-10 minutes and either hose it off, or, if the unit can produce a decent amount of condensate, just run the unit and it'll wash itself off.

that condenser ain't gonna a produce any condensate. He'll have to hose it off
I have always used the foaming cleaner for the condenser then hose it off. There is a different type you use for the evap. coil that you can just leave on and let the condensate wash it off

 

[MossRoad]

that condenser ain't gonna a produce any condensate. He'll have to hose it off
I have always used the foaming cleaner for the condenser then hose it off. There is a different type you use for the evap. coil that you can just leave on and let the condensate wash it off

The link to the product that I use IS a foaming cleaner and you can hose it off if it's not a unit that produces condensate.

 

[MossRoad]

Here's the description... you can use it on any type of coil.

"Cleans Air Conditioner, Heat Pump, Condenser and Evaporator Coils"

 

[kenmac]

when I was in the business. I bought the stuff by the pallet in gallon containers.

 

[MossRoad]

when I was in the business. I bought the stuff by the pallet in gallon containers.

Yep. So does my employer. Two kinds. One is for outdoor use only. The other can be used inside or outside and is food prep area approved. One is self rinsing on a unit that produces condensate. The other requires hosing off no matter what type of coil you put it on.

For homeowner use, I find the spray can much easier. Let's face it. Most home owners aren't going to do this cleaning very often, and even if they did, they'd likely not use up a gallon of that stuff in 3-4 seasons. So you have to store it somewhere, and empty the sprayer after use, or pour that mixed into yet another jug labeled as pre-mixed, and wash out the sprayer.... for $8 I can buy the spray can every couple of years, use it, and it's all gone.

 

[jaxs]

I have tried out many condenser cleaners, and I have to tell you that most of those cleaners are pretty trash. I mean, most of them are not effective at all.

There are sorry examples of any product but I would have thought after trying many one would have worked for you. What did they fail doing that you were expecting? I can tell you straight up that no condenser cleaner is worth using unless hosed off regardless what mfgr says. Manys a coil has been ruined by using improper cleaner and/or not rinsing. Such a shame to because keeping condenser clean and filters up to date are 2 things homeowners can do ,,,,,IF,,,,,they are shown proper way. The other shame is that most pros hesitate showing their customer how.

 

[RalphVa]

I need, or want, some liquid that works good for cleaning the fins and tubes of an AC condenser and evaporator coils. Also needs to be effective for cleaning tractor radiator and truck radiator. Any idea of what brand would be a safe and effective but easy kind of cleaner where I can spray in or on, let is sit for a few minutes and garden hose off. Thanks.

I'd try some Dawn Powerwash. Works great in my kitchen. Often times, you spray it on, and the foaming action is enough to clean things without any scrubbing at all.

 

[jaxs]

For anyone that must ask what to use,I reccomend laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent for any and all coil cleaning. Reason I say that is both tractor and home systems have been discussed in this thread. Specialized cleaners are available for various situations and they require various proceedures and the wrong proceedure can cause disaster. You might compare coil cleaning to people taking baths. There are bath products for all kinds of skin conditions and beauty enhancement but accross the board nothing beat's a bar of bath soap. Fortunatly there's little risk of disaster if the wrong one is used. Not using any at all is another story.