Make sure to avoid cleaning with harsh cleaners which could dissolve the zinc oxide in the galvanized coating and reduce the lifespan of your steel.
Cleaning galvanized sheet metal.
Cleaning wet storage stain from galvanized steel.
Preventing wet storage stain is accomplished in two ways.
Removing standing water from newly galvanized surfaces.
Before you wash the galvanized metal simply rinse it off with a hose or some clean water.
An initial cleaning with a rag dipped in fresh water will remove any dirt or streaks on your galvanized steel.
If the galvanized is showing signs of red rust then it is best to clean it with a phosphoric acid cleaner to remove that first.
Wipe down your galvanized steel with a damp rag.
Clr a widely available household cleaning product can also be used to clean galvanized metal.
If there are significant amounts of it it may not be possible to recover this product.
Step 1 rinse with water.
This will get rid of the large debris and most of the smaller rocks sand or other pieces of particulate that can scratch the metal.
Use another lint free cloth to buff the galvanized steel to a high sheen.
The white corrosion product can be removed with a weaker organic acid such as acetic acid.
Regular maintenance will reduce the amount of dirt and chemical buildup that forms on your steel over time and will make cleaning easier in the future.
Scrub metal with liquid laundry detergent.
Providing adequate air flow to newly galvanized surfaces.
The best way to treat wet storage stain is to prevent it.