Products For Non-Routine Window Cleaning

Whenever an applicator and a squeegee are not enough to do the job, it becomes non-routine window cleaning.  It will require a waiver for protection.  Concrete, concrete sealant, paint, wood stain, stucco, silicone caulk, mineral deposits, and aluminum screen stain do not come off with a brush and soapy water.  So what will take them off?  But do it safely without doing harm to the glass, yourself, or the environment?  This problem is compounded when the glass surface is defective.  Meaning when you lightly drag a metal razor across a soapy window you can hear that familiar sound of hissing and popping.  So what might have been an effective answer to the problem before is not now.  A razor for example just cannot be used.  Possibly even steel or bronze wool.  I have even used plastic razors and ended up with scratches!

So if we eliminate razors and metal wool what do we have left?  Simply put chemicals and abrasive powders.  The chemicals include organic solvents, acids, and alkalies.  

 



Regarding solvents we need to find those which are not extremely dangerous to your health or the environment.  We don't want those which are explosive.  Nor do we want those which have a rather high evaporation rate such as acetone.  Smell is important too.  We can't use a product that smells really bad inside.  The purpose of a solvent of course is to either dissolve what we are trying to remove or soften it so that it can be more easily "chewed off" with the correct abrasive powder.  Regarding acids we need one that is effective but will not attack the glass, or the aluminum framework of the window.  It would be good too not to choose one that is harmful to our health.  Next when choosing an alkalie the same thing applies.  Some alkalies will harm glass surfaces, especially if the window has a coating.  Next we come to abrasive powders.  This is very complicated.  First off we need to look at the hardness of the particles.  Anything with a hardness approaching, equal to, or in excess of glass can scratch.  It is best when choosing particles larger than three microns to find those that are softer than glass.  Especially if they are very much in excess of this size.  The shape of the particles will also make a difference.  Round particles have very little effect on what you are trying to remove.  Those with a sharp angular shape are much more effective.  The material makeup is important too if we intend to mix them with a liquid such as water or an organic solvent.  If the material is a type of wood or other organic compositional,  the particle might absorb the liquid and become soft.  If too soft it will not dig into what we are trying to remove.

There are literally hundreds of different combinations of abrasive and superabrasive powders along with organic solvents, acids, and alkalies.  I will be showing you some of these combinations at the Glass Smart Seminar in Fishkill.  The products can usually be purchased from chemical suppliers.  As for the abrasives they also have specialty suppliers.  For example optical grade microcrystalline silicas with an average particle size of three to four carry a rather heavy liability because they can be easily breathed in when working with them.  They are known to cause cancer in dry powder form.  For this reason they are usually sold by only a few different manufacturers.  It is also suggested that the powders be mixed with water or some other liquid.  Which is why I have chosen glycerin.  Recently it has dropped substantially in price.  From fifty bux a gallon down to as little as thirteen.

The purpose of this first seminar is to explain exactly what non-routine window cleaning is, and to reveal some different products for this type of work.  In a perfect world I am sure we could prevent these problems.  While we might have some success in doing this we will still end up having to deal with them.  So for that reason this matter must be addressed.  Of course there is nothing wrong with just walking away from certain jobs that are just too problematic and loaded with liabilities.  That might be the most wise course!

Written by Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com

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