By Watts Removal Products.

Check out these seven case studies showcasing how Watts Removal’s Cleansweep® and Crossover® products were critical to success.  

Those working with metal roofing and siding can face maintenance issues involving cleaning. There are a range of natural and man-made problems that come up, including but not limited to: dirt, smog, tree sap, mildew and other biological growth, smoke damage, oxidation/chalking, removal of strippable film, over sprayed paint and adhesives, paint spills, surface rust stains, tiger-striping and exhaust staining.

In response to this need, Watts Removal Products has developed their Cleansweep® and Crossover® lines. These products clean and remove debris that builds up on metal roofing and siding. The best part? All the products in these two lines were tested and approved by Sherwin-Williams' labs. Whether it is a newer Sherwin-Williams coating or an older one, these products clean without damaging. Check out the seven case studies below to see these products in action!

Cast study 1: Steel plant rust stains

Customer: TC Industries, Crystal Lake, Ilinois.  

TC Industries is the worldwide industry leading manufacturer of cutting edges, wear parts and fabrications, as well as the premier commercial heat treat services provider, in North America. Family owned and operated, with over 80 years of experience in the industry, taking care of some of the most demanding customers in the market. Strategically located globally to meet customer needs with locations in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Issue: Accidental release of steam filled with tiny metal particles created rust stains all over the exterior of steel plant.

Solution: A phone call and a couple of emails between Watts Removal and the end-customer resulted in an order of a Watts Removal product called Crossover®. Workers on-site were able to use the product as specified on its label to effectively removed all the rust stains on the building.

Result: The customer thought they were going to need to re-side the entire building. The simple cleaning product and application saved them tens of thousands of dollars and countless man hours.

Case study 2: Adhesive remains creating sticky mess

Customer: NAI Elliott, Portland, Oregon.

NAI Elliott has four decades of experience in commercial real estate, thriving and growing in our roles as advisors, brokers and managers. NAI Elliott is a partner in the largest, most powerful network of independent commercial real estate firms in the world. Our NAI Global affiliation provides access to expert partners in markets across the country and around the globe.

Issue: Adhesive was left on all the panels of this new construction. Dirt, dust and pollen stuck to the surfaces making the new building look unappealing. This brand-new building was under-occupied, costing money every month, and the property management company needed a solution.

Solution: A few emails between Watts Removal and the property management company resulted in a maintenance call from Watts Removal to apply our specialty product called Cleansweep®. In two days, a crew came in and effectively removed all sticky, dirty grime from the building.

Result: With the building cleaned up, the property management company filled the vacant spaces and the building is now fully occupied.

Case study 3: Impossible to remove old strippable film

Customer: Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation, Spokane, Washington.

Metal Sales™ Manufacturing Corporation — the nation’s largest manufacturer of metal roofing, wall and building systems. Founded in 1963, Metal Sales operates manufacturing facilities in 21 locations throughout the United States and Alaska. Today, our metal building products and systems are used in all building sectors including commercial, institutional, light commercial, industrial, agricultural and residential markets. Metal Sales is firmly committed to helping build and re-build America’s infrastructure with truly innovative, higher quality, longer lasting and more environmentally sensible products.

Issue: Strippable film was left on longer than expected and could not be removed properly.

Solution: Direct contact between Metal Sales rep and Watts Removal resulted in a maintenance call from Watts Removal to apply our specialty product called Cleansweep® then rinsing using a pressure washer. A demonstration effectively removed all stuck-on strippable film.

Result: Metal Sales team now knows that this issue is no longer an issue as it can be rectified with a simple order to Watts Removal

Case study 4: Exhaust stains mar tesla plant

Customer: Kingspan Insulated Panels: Tesla Project, Reno, Nevada.

Issue: Email from Kingspan Regional Sales Manager to Kingspan Purchasing Manager: “On the Tesla project in Reno they have an area that is staining where the truck exhausts are getting on the panels. They tried cleaning it off, but it seems stained. Can you check with painters on how to remove something like that?”  

Email from Kingspan Purchasing Manager to SW/Valspar Reps: “What do you suggest they do to clean the truck exhaust from the panels without ruining the paint system? I do not know which color is having the issue, but I listed the three paint codes we used for the project. Colors: Regal White 431R444, Gray 432B3065 and Tesla Red 384A802.”  

Email from SW West Coast Coil Sales Rep to Mark MacDonald: “Please see below: any recommendations?”

Solution: Mark MacDonald (SW Sales Rep) reaches out to Watts Removal. Watts Removal contacts original Kingspan Regional Sales Manager. Problem is diagnosed. Our Cleansweep® product was shipped.

Result: All correspondence was completed, and Watts Removal product shipped on the same day. Once the product arrived on location staining was removed.

Case study 5: Dirt and grime? Now good as new

Customer: Hilltop Collision Center, Beaver Creek, Oregon.  

Since 1999, Hilltop Collision Center has served customers in the Portland Metropolitan area with a high level of commitment and excellence. As a local business serving local clients, they support other local businesses and local charities. Relationships are not superficial, they are long-term and loyal, something that is reflected in overall customer satisfaction.

Issue: Dirt and grime had built up over time on garage doors. As the “front door” to their business, it is imperative these doors stay spotless and looking new. This company can’t afford to have the face of their business looking unkempt and grimy.

Solution: Connection between manufacturer rep and Watts Removal resulted in a maintenance call from Watts Removal to apply a specialty product called Cleansweep® then wiping off with a clean cloth, the dirt and grime is simply removed.

Result: With product from Watts Removal, the business maintains a spotless facade, supporting their mission of the highest level of service available.

Case study 6: Chalking erased

Customer: Hilltop Collision Center, Beaver Creek, Oregon.

Issue: At one point, the garage doors of this body shop were an intense blue — representing the Hilltop Collision brand. These garage doors are the customer’s first impression of the business. They need to be clean, bright and always looking new. A body shop won’t survive if the first impression is looking dull and dingy.

Solution: A manufacturer rep’s knowledge of Watts Removal results in the deployment and application of our Crossover® product. Using as instructed on the product’s label, the chalking is removed and the doors are vibrant and renewed once again.

Result: With one product order from Watts Removal, the body shop’s “face” is spotless and vibrant once again, supporting their mission of the highest level of quality workmanship and service available.

Case study 7: Tree sap and biological growth are no problem

Customer: Various warehouses, agricultural buildings and homes.

Issue: Tree sap drops onto roofs and siding from pine trees or lumber in close proximity to buildings of all kinds. Tree sap first creates sticky areas that attract dirt, dust, pine needles and other materials. Once tree sap hardens it is difficult to remove without scraping and scratching the metal surface it has adhered to. On the north sides of buildings and roofs also grow blue green algae, mold and mildew. This biological growth creates unsightly stains on the shadier sides of dwellings, barns and outbuildings. Metal roofing, siding and gutters can all be marked and stained leaving dirty, dingy looking structures.

Solution: Watts Removal has two products that work well at removing tree sap and biological growth from metal surfaces. The products are Cleansweep® and Crossover®.

Result: Using these products as instructed on their labels results in simple-to-use, apply and wipe off application with highly effective removal of tree sap and all biological growth. The metal surfaces are rid of markings, dirt and stains and look renewed.

Original article and photo source: Watts Removal Products

By Jesse Sanchez.

Smart cleaning solutions that don’t void warranties are now just a bucket away.

Contractors often face a tough question: how do you clean a metal roof or siding without voiding the manufacturer’s warranty? In this episode of MetalCast™, host Karen Edwards sat down with Paul Watts, founder of Watts Removal Products, to unpack how his specialized cleaning kits are solving that exact problem — and a lot more.

The conversation shifts from product history to real-world use, revealing exactly why Paul’s solutions are gaining traction in the roofing and soft washing industries. One key takeaway? Contractors can now clean roofs from the ground using equipment like the AR-45 or Moflo, avoiding liability risks and insurance headaches. “Getting up on the roof nowadays, it’s a liability,” Paul warns. “If you’re just cleaning it, there’s really no reason to get up on the roof.”

Two flagship products in Watts Removal Products’ maintenance arsenal: Clean Sweep and Crossover. Clean Sweep is built for removing stubborn issues like overspray, adhesives and scuff marks — without damaging the finish. “It won’t even damage the sheen on the paint,” Paul says. Crossover, meanwhile, targets bio-growth, oxidation and pollution buildup, extending the life of panels over time.

Paul also introduces listeners to his all-in-one Contractor Mitigation Kit. The five-gallon bucket includes gloves, glasses, wipes and both Clean Sweep and Crossover. “You’re going to back up. You’re going to knock over a paint can. It’s going to be a big old spill,” he says, describing why the kit is more than just helpful — it’s essential. “Being proactive is stabbing the kit in your truck.”

A surprising benefit? The products are biodegradable and non-toxic, safe enough to wash down gutters and into landscaping with no harm. “It biodegrades right there,” Paul explains. “There’s not a lot of chemicals you can actually do that with.”

He even teases a new innovation in the works: a scent-masking agent for the bleachy smell that comes with Crossover. He shares, “We’re working on that right now — bubble gum or hot butter popcorn.”

Whether you're a roofing contractor, a soft wash pro or just someone tired of paint spills and warranty headaches, Watts Removal Products offers a simple, safe and scalable fix. The Contractor Mitigation Kit isn’t just a convenience — it’s peace of mind in a bucket. With Sherwin-Williams now carrying the full lineup, access is easier than ever. But the real value lies in Paul Watts' problem-solving approach and the smart chemistry behind each product.

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar learn more about Watts Removal Products, field-tested solutions and how they’re reshaping the standards for roof and surface maintenance!

By Anna Lockhart.  

Here’s what has been trending on the MetalCoffeeShop® (MCS) newsroom this past month.

As we ring in the new year, there are new trends and news just around the corner to shake up the metal industry for 2025. This month our readers showed a great interest in topics pertaining to the best metal upkeep tips, honoring the memory of industry leaders and so much more!  

Early this month, The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) honored the memory of Tom Black, the organization’s first executive director and founding member. Having served the industry and his organization for over a decade, Tom left a tremendous impact on each. The article showcased his accomplishments and the MRA’s gratitude for his legacy.  

Another one of our January top articles highlights the curb appeal of horizontal metal panels, and how brands like McElroy Metal are changing the game when it comes to modern design. Offering sleek modern aesthetics while simultaneously providing unparallelled durability, horizontal metal panels can give any structure the best visual appeal while simultaneously delivering ultimate functionality.  

The most popular MetalCoffeeShop article so far this year unveiled the best kept industry secrets to extending metal roof lifespans without driving up costs. Recapping the best moments from the recent episode of MetalTalk™, the article shares valuable advice from industry experts Tim Overstreet of Gaco and Tom Portaro of NTEC Systems.

Read the top 5 articles:  

5 - Breaking the mold in metal cleaning

4 - MRA honors original founder member, Executive Director Tom Black

3 - Restore and rejuvenate metal surfaces

2 - The perfect balance of style and strength

1 - Unlocking longevity with proactive care

By Jesse Sanchez.

One company’s journey from offering graffiti removal to creating  metal roof cleaning products is revolutionizing the industry.

Everyone in the roofing industry has a story about how they found their way into the business, often by accident. In this episode of MetalCast™, host Karen Edwards spoke with Paul Watts, the founder of Watts Removal Products, about how his background in graffiti removal led to him developing innovative solutions for cleaning metal roofs without voiding warranties.

Paul’s journey began in 2008 when he started a graffiti removal company, working with cities and agencies to tackle urban cleanup challenges. He later transitioned into creating specialty cleaning products for tougher jobs like overspray and oxidation on metal surfaces. His products have since become essential for contractors nationwide. As Paul explained, “The mitigation kit has the product in it you need to mitigate any problem that's on site, fix it or remove it.”

Watts Removal Products grew out of Paul’s passion for problem-solving and his collaboration with Sherwin-Williams was a game-changer. After demonstrating how his product could clean graffiti off a company car without damaging the paint, Sherwin-Williams adopted it as part of their global specification. Many industry professionals have taken notice of their remarkable product. Paul shared, “We just did a trade show here in Portland at their industrial location, showing them the product and how it works and everything. And they were amazed.”

The heart of the conversation centered on the company’s two flagship products: Clean Sweep and Crossover. Clean Sweep tackles tough issues like adhesive residue and scuff marks, while Crossover focuses on general maintenance, extending the life of metal panels. “Crossover will do that for you,” Paul said, noting its ability to combat bio-growth and pollution.

Paul’s innovative delivery methods, like soft washing systems that allow cleaning from the ground, highlight the importance of safety and efficiency in the field. As Paul explained, “I can have my guys from the ground shoot it from the ground, shoot the product up there, let it sit for a couple minutes and then just rinse it off.”

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about Watts Removal Products and their collaboration with Sherwin-Williams!

By Dani Sheehan.

Experience the power of Watts Removal Products for yourself – simply spray on and wipe off the challenges posed by everyday environmental factors.

Designed with ease of use in mind, Watts Removal Products are the only ones approved by Sherwin-Williams for cleaning metal products finished with Sherwin-Williams coil coatings. When you see how effective and simple they are, you’ll understand why contractors and other maintenance professionals are making these products an essential part of their toolkit.

With the Metal Maintenance Sample Kit, you’ll have everything you need to maintain metal building products and keep their surfaces shining like new. The kit includes Cleansweep® and Crossover® cleaning solutions, Cleansweep wipes, a microfiber cloth, a brush, safety goggles, gloves and a bucket – all carefully curated to help you see the best results.

Some of the common issues Watts Removal Products can address include:

• Graffiti

• Over-sprayed paint and adhesives

• Surface rust stains

• Removal of strippable film

• Oxidation and chalking

• Mildew and biological growth

• Tige-striping from dirt or smog

• Smoke damage and exhaust staining

These products are like the magic eraser for roofing contractors to restore and rejuvenate metal surfaces without damaging their Sherwin-Williams coil coatings. Their effectiveness is backed by thorough testing, guaranteeing they meet the highest industry standards.

For new installations, finishing the job with Watts Removal Products means you’ll leave the site spotless, eliminating costly callbacks and impressing your customers. If you provide cleaning and maintenance for previously installed projects, these products are a must – you and your customers will have peace of mind that you won’t void any warranties.

Need help getting started? Watts Removal Products offers a series of “How to” videos on their website to guide you through their simple application process. Add their products to your arsenal today and guarantee your work shines every time!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Unveiling the science and stories behind revolutionary metal cleaning solutions. 

In a recent MetalCast episode, host Karen Edwards sat down with Paul Watts, the innovative mind behind Watts Removal Products. Known for tackling everything from scuff marks to graffiti on metal surfaces, these products have gained significant traction, with a stamp of approval from brands like Sherwin-Williams. 

Paul, a painting contractor with decades of hands-on experience, shared the journey of his products and their critical role for contractors and homeowners. Reflecting on the science behind his solutions, he said, "People say our products work like magic, but it's really chemistry." 

Throughout the conversation, Paul shared some eye-opening stories. One particularly memorable tale involved a contractor who faced a dilemma with fingerprints on an expensive copper installation. "The homeowner was holding up a $60,000 check. He said, 'Clean it or replace it.' With a little elbow grease and our products, we did a test spot, and the homeowner said, 'If you can do that on the whole project, I'll write you a check.'" 

Watts Removal Products are also part of the MetalVue program, an initiative by Sherwin-Williams designed to support contractors from start to finish. Paul praised the program, saying, "MetalVue gives contractors everything they need to be successful in metal. It's great that we're part of it, helping them finish projects and get paid." 

Watts Removal Products was in the spotlight at the Sherwin-Williams booth during the 2024 International Roofing Expo where attendees could tag and write on a metal wall and witness the magic of removal. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about the history of Watts Removal Products and how to add metal to your roofing services. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Experts discuss specialized products that offer reliable and safe solutions for tough cleaning jobs on metal surfaces. 

In this episode of MetalCast™, host Karen Edwards sat down with Paul Watts, owner of Watts Removal Products, to discuss a critical challenge for contractors working with metal surfaces: how to clean metal without voiding warranties. Paul’s company has developed a range of cleaning solutions that not only handle tough jobs like removing overspray and oxidation but do so without risking the integrity of the metal or voiding manufacturer warranties. 

One of the main topics covered in the conversation is how Paul’s products have passed rigorous testing, including 2,500 hours of laboratory trials and earned approval from Sherwin-Williams. This allows contractors to confidently clean metal roofs and other surfaces without fear of damaging the panels or voiding warranties. “If you use QFOP or acetone or thinner, it’ll void that panel or that whole roof,” Paul explains, expressing the importance of using the right cleaning agents. 

Paul also shared the fascinating backstory of how his company, which initially started as a graffiti removal business, evolved into a metal cleaning product innovator. After a chance conversation with a Sherwin-Williams representative, Paul demonstrated his product’s effectiveness by tagging a company car with spray paint. The results? Remarkable. “I took it off,” Paul recalls, leading to a global specification for his product within Sherwin-Williams. 

For contractors, Paul states that keeping a specialized cleaning kit on hand is essential. His company’s contractor mitigation kit includes everything needed to address issues like scuff marks, adhesive residue and other minor blemishes before they become significant problems on-site. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the Webinar to learn more about how Watts Removal Products can significantly benefit your next project! 

By Emma Peterson. 

Don’t miss the Training Zone and your chance to find community, training and expert advice all in one spot! 

It’s time to finalize your travel plans to make sure you get to Atlanta, Georgia for METALCON at the end of October! This is the place to be for all things metal, with an incredible trade show taking place October 30-November 1 showcasing everything from solar to substrate to management services and more! Further, the show hosts a variety of educational opportunities and is a great space to meet members of the industry and learn from experts like John Sheridan. John owns Sheridan Metal Resources LLC, which focuses on selling tools and training professionals in the field. He is well-known in the industry for being a master of all things training.  

John’s journey started in the 1990s, when a friend started repping VMZINC, a French company. He explained, “VMZINC and RHEINZINK were the first two from Europe to come to the U.S. They had a totally different philosophy of different systems, different installation methods, tools, etc. So they started to do trainings in the U.S. in the early 2000s and I started going to them.” By 2003 John was one of their trainers and he hasn’t looked back since, sharing, “Over the years through training I created this monster of a network and from that network more diverse trainings about different products, different groups of people, different disciplines, all kinds of things grew.” 

One part of the network that John has surrounded himself with is the Sherwin Williams MetalVue program. This program connects manufacturers, contractors and other industry professionals to promote and support the metal business. He explained, “It's a pretty involved program by Sherwin-Williams and we are just a small part of that program on the training side of things. So we try to promote training and Sherwin-Williams likes the idea of that because you can raise sales all you want, but if you don't have qualified people to do the work, then your sales won’t work.” That philosophy is why Sherwin-Williams is sending John to host their Training Zone at METALCON 2024! 

This is the second year that the Training Zone has been run at METALCON. The space is sponsored by VM Building Solutions, Dri-Design, Helix Metals, Roofinox, Malco Tools and Mazzonetto. John shared, “We were fortunate enough last year to do the Training Zone in Las Vegas. It went so well that they're giving us a space that's twice as big.” This is a can’t miss part of METALCON, with a whole list of industry heavy weights like Drexel Metals and Watts Removal Products at the booth ready to help visitors with everything from demos to questions. John explained, “Anybody walking by can stop in and check out whatever they want to check out. We'll have several different manufacturers in that space and all of those are going to be hands on. So, anybody who wants to jump in and join us when we're installing something, they're welcome to come in and poke around and play with the tools, ask us questions, etc.” There will even be representatives from National Roofing Contractors Association there as part of a cross-training/promoting initiative! 

And if you’re interested in becoming a part of the incredible MetalVue network, this is the place to get all your questions answered! John highly recommends prioritizing spending time in these community and networking spaces, sharing, “We don't very often get into the same space and have a chance to share information. You know, take your time, walk the show, stop and talk to people and gain some knowledge and use that knowledge to build a network.” 

If you haven’t already registered for METALCON 2024, do so today!  

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with Paul Watts of Watts Removal Products. You can read the interview below, listen to the podcast or watch the recording.

Intro: Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of Metal Cast from Metal Coffee Shop. I'm your host, Karen Edwards. Today we're going to be talking with Paul Watts from Watts Removal Products to talk about how you can clean metal without voiding your customer's warranty. Paul, welcome.

Paul Watts: Great, and thank you very much. I'm glad to be here.

Karen Edwards: This is going to be a great conversation. I would just like you to introduce yourselves to our listeners and tell us a little bit about you.

Paul Watts: My name is Paul Watts. I own and operate Watts Removal Products. We manufacture basically a cleaning product that can help from anything from overspray on a metal roof to chalking, oxidation, bio-growth. And these specialty products have been approved by Sherwin through their laboratory testing of 2,500 hours and put on a global specification to clean anything off a metal roof. If it's a boot mark, if it's a stuff mark, if it's adhesive like the strippable that contractors are trying to get off, we can help with that.

Karen Edwards: Wow. You and I have talked before and I think you have a really unique history and background. Tell us that story and how Watts Removal Products came to be.

Paul Watts: Probably about in 2008, I started my own graffiti removal company in 2008. I was working for the City of Sacramento as a painter at the time and just felt like I didn't fit the city mold. I took everything, rolled the dice, started my own graffiti removal company and after a couple of years, started actually contracting with cities and agencies down there. We grew over the course of 2008, which a lot of businesses did not. We grew pretty good. We had a fortunate opportunity to be on Shark Tank on ABC the first year when Shark Tank was out. I was on Shark Tank the first year there. Can't believe it's still going. That's been quite a while.

And then just kept building the business. I grew up in Oregon, Talent, Oregon, close by Ashland. I came back up to Portland Oregon to run one of my satellite offices up here for graffiti removal.

I actually run two businesses. One is Graffiti Removal Services, we're the city contractor, the largest graffiti removal contractor west of the Mississippi. And then we manufacture and make our own graffiti removal products, cleaners, degreasers. We now have a pigment enhancer that just came on board. We have a rust remover that came on board, stain remover. Some pretty amazing things. I knew Mark McDonald from CrossFit, him and I CrossFit together and met him one day at the box and we were talking. I knew he worked for Sherwin, and I said, "Hey, I got this great product. I think it'd be really fun to introduce you to some of your people." And I didn't really understand the inner workings of Sherwin. I knew there's different divisions, but talking about somebody blowing somebody off, boy, let me tell you, even though we were friends in there, whatever, he got this small little company I work for Sherwin, don't worry about it.

I'm like, "Okay, that's cool. We'll go out to lunch sometime." About six months later, he went to a big trade show and I guess one of his largest customers came up to him and said, "Look, you're going to lose my account. You're going to lose all my metal if you don't figure out an anti-graffiti system." Because a lot of cities like LA, you build a new building, you got to have an anti-graffiti coating or system up 10 feet around the building everywhere. On the show floor, I still remember the day, Mark McDonald calls me in a panic going, "Hey Paul, you're now my new best friend. Let's go out to lunch."

Came into the shop one day, we went out to lunch, drove his company car like everybody does, pulled this company car in and I took red oil-based spray can and rattle can and tagged the whole front of his car. He was freaking out. Let me tell you, at that point, he was going to try to figure out how to get it off. Said, "Don't worry about it. Let's go out." It was during the summer, let's just go out, just do some removals, let that sit for three or four hours and half a day and let it cure up and get really nice and hard. And he was really freaking out. Came back, I took it off. Sherwin-Williams had been in an R&D program for probably two years now and hadn't figured out an anti-graffiti coating post paint.

I said, "All you're missing is a good cleaner. Your coatings, the way you manufacture them, the way you make them, the incredible amount of chemistry that's gone into them, your panel's already graffiti resistant. You just don't have the right product." Stopped them dead in their tracks. Cancel the R&D program, shut that down. I sent them product, they tested it, wrote it off, tested it, a bunch of 20 other products, just not mine and said, "Okay, we're writing this into a specification. It's a global specification." If you use anything besides water, usually on a roof, if you use QFOP or acetone or thinner, it'll avoid that panel or that whole roof.

Karen Edwards: Wow.

Paul Watts: You have to be really, really careful what you do.

Karen Edwards: And how did you figure it out?

Paul Watts: Well, I'm not a chemist by trade. I'm a journeyman painter by trade, but I knew a gentleman that had the product overseas and I was able to work with him and come up with an understanding of how we're going to make the product. And every year we come out with new products and new lines of cleaning and things like that. And we just hit the road running and started developing new products and working with the lab there. It's been really good, so we've had a really good success rate with contractors calling in, giving them advice. Sherwin-Williams is an expert in some things, but they're not an expert in removals, so they just push them to me. I service their customers, take care of their customers. I had a job in Salt Lake City for Carlisle. Went out there and they had 700 panels that they couldn't take the strippable film off of. It's crazy.

Karen Edwards: Wow.

Paul Watts: It was a lot. Went out there, showed them how to do it. It turned out really well for taking the strippable off. They have some other things on the back end that they were working out, but wherever I needed to go, whoever I needed to talk to support the Sherwin-Williams customer I do.

Karen Edwards: What are some of the reasons that someone might need to keep your cleaner in their arsenal when they're installing a metal roof? You mentioned a scuff mark, or what are some common things?

Paul Watts: It's really for every contractor that's putting on a roof. I know we're talking about metal here, but when a contractor gets up on the roof and he's wearing the wrong shoes or there's some not really, really thick, but some thin, maybe silicone caulking that shouldn't be in a spot where it needs to be or there's overspray, the roofer comes in, sprays the gutters and catches a gust of wind and it lands up on the roof and then you can see the whole overspray on the roof.

If you go to either my website or Sherwin's website, there is a video that we just made in collaboration with Sherwin-Williams for all our collateral. And it's a contractor kit, it's a contractor mitigation kit and that mitigation kit has the product in it you need to mitigate any problem that's on site, fix it, remove it, as long as it's small enough before the homeowner or the property owner or the GC, the project even ever sees it, so if he didn't see it didn't happen. If we can clean it, it's good to go. As long as it's a mark, which if it's a mark on a surface, we can remove it. If it's a scratch or a dent or something, obviously we can't. But if it's a mark, we can remove it.

Karen Edwards: Wow. That's cool that you put everything together in a kit. Tell me about that. What's included in that kit?

Paul Watts: The kit has two products that are specified for Sherwin-Williams. One is Clean Sweep. Clean Sweep is for your overspray, your paint, your adhesives, your really, really stubborn marks, something that you need to get off. Even we've had transfers of the strippable have ink on them, and then they stack them together and that ink will transfer to one panel, to one panel to one all the way through. Whatever issue that is, that Clean Sweep will take care of that. It's only designed to go in after a thin layer of paint or adhesive or sticky residue or boot mark and remove it. It's not meant to penetrate into the paint and remove the paint. It won't even damage the sheen on the paint, and I can put it out in a hundred degree weather and just pour it on the panels and nothing would happen.

It would just dry. Crossover is our cleaning and maintenance product. Bio growth, oxidation, restoring the life of the panels a little bit. I think a lot of times panels are put up, roofing is put up and the general maintenance behind them is maybe lost a little bit after the panels are up because they look so good, but we still have to remember, we still have to wash those panels. We still have to rinse them off. We should put something on there to keep the life of those panels going. Even though there's maybe a 30 year or 50 year on those, the pollution, the bio-growth, the acid rain, whatever's on that, you want to wash those off usually every year and Crossover will do that for you.

Karen Edwards: I am imagining coming back to clean that roof after a couple of years and get rid of some of that stuff. What size is that? Is it sprayed on? Is it wiped on? What does that look like for a contractor?

Paul Watts: If we're cleaning it, whether it be a roofing contractor and a roofing contractor, a lot of the times they'll actually come back for a maintenance, see if there's any screws loose, get up on the roof, see if the caulking is good and the joints are good, whether it's a roofer or a soft wash company, soft washing out there has become a big industry now, they can do what's called a chemical injection with the Crossover. Crossover is water-soluble, so is Clean Sweep, but we don't mix water with Clean Sweep. We use it straight. Crossover, we dilute that a little bit because we can put that on the roof and spread a larger area. Some contractors use an X-Jet, so then it mixes the chemical in the water and can spray it 40 feet if you wanted to.

Karen Edwards: You don't have to get up on the roof.

Paul Watts: No. You don't even have to get up on the roof a lot of the times. And that's one of the things we want to stress is it's a product. It's a chemical. Wear your PPEs, wear your proper gloves and glasses and everything and also tie off to the damn roof when you're up there, please. There's a lot of times roofers just want to get up. I understand they want to get the job done, but the product's a little slippery, so get up there and tie off. The soft wash industry now had some interesting equipment out there now. One is they call it AR-Forty-Five, which is fun and there's another called the Moflo, they'll probably shoot product and water at about a hundred PSI, but at a 10 to 13 gallon a minute rate, probably 70 feet.

Karen Edwards: Oh, my.

Paul Watts: Getting up on the roof nowadays, it's a liability. It's a lot more insurance. If you're just cleaning it, there's really no reason to get up on the roof as long as it's a general cleaning. I can have my guys from the ground shoot it from the ground, shoot the product up there, let it sit for a couple minutes and then just rinse it off.

Karen Edwards: Even on a two-story roof?

Paul Watts: Absolutely. You don't need to get up there and you don't need to worry with the crossover. You don't need to worry about overspray on the windows or the mullions or the wood on the windows or maybe some decking. There's some steps you have to go through. Water down the plants, even though all the products are biodegradable, nontoxic, DOC compliant.

Karen Edwards: I was going to ask you about the landscaping and the flowers and just to wet them first.

Paul Watts: Just wet them first. If you're in Texas, you're in Florida, you get some pretty hot days out there. So you want to make sure because it's chemical, just wet the plants down and then wet them down afterwards. But even with the roofs, when it's running down on the roof into the gutter and that maybe the downspout is running into the landscape or it's just let it run into the landscape. It biodegrades right there. There's not a lot of chemicals you can actually do that with.

You'd have to recapture it or recover it or make a big old brown spot in your yard, and that's not what we want. The overspray with the Crossover, don't worry about. With the Clean Sweep, do it sections that you need, because if you're removing paint like overspray, you have to remember it's somewhat of a paint remover, so don't overspray it on your deck because it's a little bit... Just be careful what you do. Don't X-Jet that, put it on with a pump sprayer or a bug sprayer and take it off. Crossover is going to be your best friend because it's really going to keep the life of your panels and your roof extended for a long period of time.

Karen Edwards: How often does a metal roof require a cleaning? It probably varies based on location, wouldn't it?

Paul Watts: Oh my gosh. If you were up here in Portland, Oregon, where I am right now and I know Heidi's in Bend, at least once a year. With the pine needles and the sap and the birds up there and the squirrels and everything up on that roof, do it once a year, at least. If you're in LA, if you're in Chicago, bigger cities, you're going to have a lot of pollution. The pollution, the smog, the dirt, the grime. Maybe in Nevada or Phoenix, you have a lot of dust out there. We don't call them mud rings out here, but in the Midwest they call them mud rings. It's a bore water that when the sprinklers go off, it creates a ring around the house with the water stain, we can address that too, very, very easily. That can go right into the landscape.

It always depends, but I would say maybe once a year, maybe in the drier climates, maybe once every two or something like that, but make sure you're using the right product and you're doing your research. It doesn't take very long to open Google and say, "How do you clean a metal roof?" And we pop right up, especially with Sherwin-Williams has done a great job and I just looked it up this morning. How do you clean a metal roof with moss removal? It's a big old long paragraph, and it leads you right to the product.

Karen Edwards: Metal siding is a thing now. It's growing in popularity, so I imagine it can be used on that, but can it be used on other types of roofs?

Paul Watts: Oh, absolutely.

Karen Edwards: Asphalt? Concrete? Clay?

Paul Watts: Yeah. We have amazing concrete cleaner that, let's say, gets overspray or paint spill on concrete. If you go to our website, we have maybe 10 videos that we've produced in collaboration with Sherwin-Williams on specific removals of strippable, overspray, graffiti and we've just gone right down the line. We have a metal maintenance kit that you can get from us and just try it, what it'll work on and what it won't work on. The last thing we want to do is damage anything. Damage control is really important. That's why we have PDS sheets. That's why we have videos. That's why we have QR codes on the product. Everybody knows how to use a QR code now, right? Just go to it. Video pops up. You don't even have to read. You don't even have to read it. It's really easy nowadays to learn how to use the product.

Karen Edwards: We were talking about what's in the kit, and we talked about the Clean Sweep and we talked about the Crossover. What else?

Paul Watts: And that kit has wipes in those kits. We have individual handy wipes that are in those kits. Those kits are really great for throwing them in your glove box or keeping them in your trucks. They're hermetically sealed. If you just have a small little spot again on our video, maybe a painter is inside and he walks through paint and he tracks it all the way across the hardwood floors.

I know it happens. It totally happens. Or adhesive on some decking or something. But the hardwood floors, take one of those wipes, pop it open. It'll stay wet forever in that pouch once it's not unsealed, and just take that little wipe, take off those little boot marks and throw the wipe away and it's really, really easy. That kit also has gloves and glasses and everything else you need in there too. I know the contractors probably won't wear them, but they should. And then they'll have that little kit and they can just keep it in the truck. The contractor kit has the brick cleaner in it. The metal maintenance kit does not, because that's not specified for Sherwin-Williams, but the contractor kit has all the products you would need to fix running over a paint can in the driveway. In one of our videos, we put a spray can underneath my truck tire in the video and we just ran it over in a friend of mine's brand new house, brand new driveway. Big old paint can just splattered everywhere.

Karen Edwards: Oh my gosh. I'd be scared to death.

Paul Watts: That's real life. Something's going to happen. You're going to back up. You're going to knock over a paint can. It's going to be a big old spill. You can mop most of it up, but a lot of times it gets into the little nooks and crannies, but you have to be able to get it out. And that's what this contractor kit's for. Contractor kits really good.

Karen Edwards: I see. In different social media groups, sometimes contractors will be like, "I spilled this," or, "I stepped into this. What do I do to clean it up?" It sounds like this is what you do, right?

Paul Watts: We're always the problem solver. Yes. Everybody comes to us for problems, which is great. We want to be known for... It's more reactive, our business with products, unfortunately. But being proactive is stabbing the kit in your truck.

The contractor kit is in a five gallon bucket. Just put a lid on it and keep it in your truck. I don't care if it rains. It's fine. The metal maintenance kit is in a cardboard kit because it's meant as a sample, but the contractor kit's great. Keep your dirty towels in there, rags or things like that. And that has a Crossover in it too. Let's say they're cleaning bio growth or algae on a roof and they want to clean it, the Crossover has SH, which is bleached in it because it's a cleaning element. They can put that on that roof and remove the moss, remove the algae.

I think it's really sticky when soft washers go out and they talk about killing moss, killing algae, all these things. But we have to remember that the bleach that's in Crossover will do that. We just don't say it does that because it's not specified by the EPA to do that. It has bleach in it. You'll have a little bleachy smell. It's funny, I'm working with a lab right now on a masking agent for that bleach. Bubble gum or hot butter popcorn or something like that so it doesn't smell like a swimming pool when you're doing it. We're working on that right now.

Karen Edwards: Awesome. Looking forward to seeing that when it comes out. For everybody listening that now is like, "Man, I need this in my life," how do they get it?

Paul Watts: They just go directly to our website, or the best thing that's happened within a couple months is Sherwin-Williams now can order it for you directly from their stores. Don't have to order from us. In fact, don't order it from us. Go to the stores. It's just easier. You're in your hometown.

You probably have a relationship with Sherwin in your hometown, especially the industrial, commercial, industrial stores for Sherwin-Williams that specialize in the epoxy floor coatings. And we just did a trade show here in Portland at their industrial location, showing them the product and how it works and everything. And they were amazed. But it's available through local Sherwin-Williams, neighborhood store commercial. We're getting a lot of calls for now for marine and automotive, because we can help some of those boat stains on some of those boats or a car runs over tar in a driveway or on a street and gets tar flipped up on the car. We can help with that.

Karen Edwards: Who hasn't had that, right?

Paul Watts: Yes, exactly right. Or who hasn't gone into a shopping center and hit one of those Ballards and you get a paint transfer, but it looks like a scratch on your car. The Clean Sweep wipe all day long will take that paint transfer out without damaging your car. Sherwin-Williams has skew numbers. You can get the kits. You can get Crossover, Clean Sweep, Clean Sweep wipes through your local Sherwin-Williams. If they can't find it in their system because it's fairly new, just give me a holler or give me a shout. I'm the only one that has technical advice in the cities for wash removals.

Karen Edwards: Paul, thank you as always for being here and for sharing with us about this incredible solution that does not void warranties.

Paul Watts: It does not void warranties. Remember people. Yes, exactly. Everything else will. Don't do it.

Karen Edwards: Don't do it.

Paul Watts: Don't do it.

Outro: Lots of removal products all the way. Thank you all out there for listening to this episode of Metal Cast. Be sure to follow us on social media. We don't want you to miss a thing, and we hope that we see you on a future episode of Metal Cast. Thanks for listening.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how the environmentally friendly Watts Removal Products cleaning supplies helped during the development of the Tesla Gigafactory.  

The Tesla Gigafactory in Reno, Nevada has made headlines for pushing the production of electric semi-trucks for well-known companies like Pepsi-Co. But, even before production began at this location, it needed to be built to very unique specifications to support the amount of battery production it needs to handle. This is where Kingspan Insulated Panels came in, providing advanced insulated panels to make the factory’s building envelope highly efficient with superior thermal performance and a reduction of energy consumption overall. This project is a huge step forward for sustainable building practices, but it did hit a few bumps along the way.  

In an initial email from a Kingspan regional sales manager to Kingspan purchasing manager, they explained that there is an area being stained during the construction process, saying, “They tried cleaning it off, but it seems stained. Can you check with painters on how to remove something like that?”  

One of the key factors in this was cleaning the staining without ruining the paint system. The solution came in the form of Watts Removal Products contacting the original Kingspan regional sales manager. Through their correspondence, they were able to diagnose the problem and the Cleansweep® product was sent out. This product is highly effective and economical, designed to remove everything from adhesives to graffiti without negatively impacting the original paint. It is also important to note that Watts Removal Products are all environmentally friendly, furthering the sustainable nature of the entire project! Once the Cleansweep arrived in Reno, the staining was successfully removed.