Air conditioner coils

[BrianinMichigan]

In the past all I have done is use a power washer on a fan spray to clean the coils. Is there something else I should be using to "clean" the coils? Like dawn soap or the alike.

[rgatijnet1]

Big Katuna wrote:
You don't want to use Dawn. It will affect how the water drips.

Coleman recommends 409 spray. I cut a throw away paint brush short and spray, brush, rinse.

Colman may recommend 409 but the 409 MSDS sheet says that 409 should not be used on aluminum UNLESS you can wipe it off immediately. Naturally with aluminum coils, you cannot wipe it off completely.
409 MSDS sheet

It says: Not recommended for use on
soft vinyl, varnishes or aluminum. If sprayed
on these surfaces, rinse and wipe dry immediately.

[Big_Katuna]

You don't want to use Dawn. It will affect how the water drips.

Coleman recommends 409 spray. I cut a throw away paint brush short and spray, brush, rinse.

[wolfe10]

Yes, needs to be aluminum friendly, so most commercial coil cleaners or Simple Green EXTREME. Extreme was developed for de-greasing aluminum aircraft. Also good for cleaning the CAC/inter-cooler on diesels which are also aluminum.

[rgatijnet1]

They make a special spray just for AC coils. You can buy it at Home Depot or Lowes. It cleans them and leaves no corrosive residue that can attack the aluminum coils.