Which Stain/Scratch Removal System is the Best?

Is there a best window cleaning kit on the market?  Is there a best squeegee on the market?  Is there even a squeegee that you would use for every window?  The obvious answer to these questions is no.  Further it does require skill to use any squeegee.  The same is true for the tools and commercial systems available for stain and scratch removal.  One person might actually damage a window with the same tools and system that another might do an excellent job with.  It is also possible that someone skilled in this line of work or technology could do the same quality of work with two different systems.

There are many stain/scratch removal systems on the market right now.  Some are more user friendly than others.  Some are more inexpensive than others.  Some are multi-step whereas others are just a one step.  Some use different compounds such as cerium oxide, silicon carbide, or diamond.  Some are dry except for the last step, whereas others are wet.  Some use a dry pad with a wet slurry (not a compound).  There are grinders and polishers which are rotary machines and operate at different rpms.  Then there are random orbitals, and random oscillators.  The pads can be leather, wool, synthetic wool, polyurethane, and many other different materials.  Some even use steel wool or bronze wool pads.  

I have a favorite squeegee that has an Unger handle with an Ettore Channel and a Black Diamond rubber.  Go figure.  I also run a zero degree angle.  This is my go to tool.  I might not be as fast as Alex Lacey and some others.  Never did the speed competition at the IWCA annual.  But I am very good.  Now there are restoration professionals out there that are truly amazing!  Like Marc Tanner.  I can take out scratches and remove stains.  Have used all the different compounds including diamond with great success.  But I can't come close to what Marc can do.  He is the King of Glass Restoration.  When he was beginning  years ago he started buying the commercial systems.  Spent a lot of money.  But ended up developing his own personal system.  Which he is very content with.  But is always looking for different products to add to his box.  I have talked with him a great deal about this technology and he always tells me every job is different.  Even one window can be very different from the one you just did.  For different reasons even.  So you will need to use different pads, compounds, polishers, and grinders.  These are the reasons why he developed his own system.  I do believe that anyone who wants to get into this line of work and do it right, will ultimately end up doing the same thing.  

Window glass restoration is a technology that requires a great deal of learning and training.  It doesn't come fast.  It is also loaded with dangers that absolutely must be learned.  Marc always says when you are starting out practice on your own glass.  Never practice on your customers windows.  My suggestion is to find someone who knows exactly what they are doing and pay them to train you first.  Before you put out any money for tools.  If you can too, find someone that has developed their own system.  My belief is that there really are no systems out there that are complete and free from glitches.

So after all that I have written I will answer the question which is the title of this post.  No!  There is no "best stain/scratch removal system" out there.  And you will waste a lot of time and money trying to find it.  What you will likely end up doing is taking from several different systems and companies to put together your own personal system.  If I can help you along the way just send me an email.

Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com