Cleaning air conditioner coils

[Slownsy]

I remember reading about spraying something on coils before hosing down for cleaning and can not remember what. Any ideas thanks.
Frank.

[sayoung]

ScottG wrote:
I would use the coil cleaner but my AC guy also said Simple Green is good.

Never ever use regular simple green on aluminum. There is a simple green extreme I think is the name that is approved for aircraft aluminum. Whatever you use don't flatten the fins.

[jplante4]

Simple Green Extreme is recommended for aluminum based coils.

[Slownsy]

Ok thanks all.
Frank.

[SidecarFlip]

dom101 wrote:
You can just use warm water or even cold water if you don't have warm. Mostly you are just dissolving dirt. 38 years Refrigeration mechanic

People always want to make a task harder to accomplish and then rely on some 'miracle cleaner'. Been using water (garden hose_ and compressed air for the stubborn stuff the years.

Aqua Regia works the best. Cheapest too.

[Big_Katuna]

Simple Green makes an AC friendly cleaner.

The manufacturer recommends 409 so that’s what I used.

[dom101]

You can just use warm water or even cold water if you don't have warm. Mostly you are just dissolving dirt. 38 years Refrigeration mechanic

[down_home]

ScottG wrote:
I would use the coil cleaner but my AC guy also said Simple Green is good.

Simple Green is caustic based. The Air Force used for a while, long ago, no, but stopped when they saw the damage to aircraft aluminum alloy and plain aluminum, titanium etc.
Don't use the Purple Cleaner either nor on your graphic and paint. Place in Deming New Mexico did after me telling them not to and it ruined the plated parts of the Roadmaster tow bar and washed the white graphics right off. It says to use to clean grease etc off concrete floors etc. The reason is caustic cleaners work well on grease but will damage concrete too.

[ScottG]

I would use the coil cleaner but my AC guy also said Simple Green is good.

[SidecarFlip]

I use compressed air and a garden hose myself.

[Big_Katuna]

Coil cleaner is not cheap. 409 and elbow grease. I used a $1 throw away paint brush cut off half and a hose with a sprayer on it. Plastic on the floor and towels around the sides. Spray, brush, rinse. Repeat as necessary.

[wolfe10]

Yup, make sure to get a commercial cleaner (most any box store) that specifically mentions EVAPORATOR CLEANER. It can be used on both the evaporator and condenser fins.

And, it is non-toxic to humans (since it is formulated to be used on home A/C evaporators where the fumes will also enter the living space.

[hypoxia]

Chris Bryant wrote:
non acidic coil cleaner.

Pay close attention to what Chris said......

[2naEagle]

I have been using this. I get it at Lowe's

[Chris_Bryant]

Coleman recommends Formula 409, but you can buy non acidic coil cleaner at Lowe’s and Home Depot.