Chalk is oxidized paint. The binders that hold the pigments and other paint components together are broken down by UV radiation. Most paint and coatings offer some level of UV protection which wanes over time which is why periodic clear coating with a product like Door Restore is desirable to renew the protection and restore a 'like new' appearance.

Pollutants, chemicals, grit and mechanical wear can all contribute to the breakdown of the door's paint as they breakdown and wear the doors protective coating allowing the ultraviolet to oxidize more of the paint.

Washing self storage doors is common sense from a curb appeal perspective. Your doors represent you business and send a message to prospective customers about the quality of your facility.

What you may not have considered is the effect dirty doors may have on the frequency of repainting.

While UV radiation is the primary cause of fading and chalking paint, the ‘dirt’ on your door is actually composed of things like abrasive grits, salts, chemical pollutants and organic materials which can all contribute to a premature weathering of your door.

• Grit particles can create surface dulling micro abrasions as the doors are raised and lowered. This makes your door’s coating more porous allowing further penetration. Your door's outer coating is like a shield protecting the color pigment and beneath that the actual metal surface. Poke enough holes in a shield and your proection is gone.

• Salts on the door are corrosive and will degrade paint over time. They also tend to expand and contract with moisture in the air which may further stress the door’s coatings as they get into scratches and micro abrasions.

• Pollutants on the door’s surface can degrade the door coating chemically.

• Salts and other pollutants may also get ‘baked’ into the paint by the sun resulting in a rough stippled surface especially on top of the door ribs (corrugation). In many cases this cannot be removed -certainly not without damaging the coating - and must be stripped or painted over.

This is happening to your door now - even if you can’t see it!

The net effect is that over time a dirty door’s surface will break down much faster than one that is regularly maintained.

• Garden sprayer or other pump sprayer. 
• Very soft “RV” or auto cleaning brush on a 4 ft extension pole (deck or stiff bristle brushes are not effective in removing chalk). 
• Extra Fine or non-abrasive synthetic steel wool pads, sometimes referred to as “Scotch Brite” pads. (Use when refinishing with a clear coat or for general cleaning). Microfiber pads may also be used.
• Medium grit synthetic steel wool pads, sometimes referred to as “Scotch Brite” pads. This may remove paint so use only when refinishing with paint or a pigmented coating.
• Power washer or garden hose with a high-quality nozzle for rinsing the doors.