If you want to learn about mineral acids go here. Mineral Acids Wikipedia You will learn exactly what a mineral acid is and what are some of the strongest ones. As window cleaners we have used certain ones like hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, nitric, and sulfuric. These are four of the strongest. We also have products intended to remove mineral deposits (hard water spots) that are based on some of these very powerful acids. They are all dangerous. They can blind you, burn and strip your skin from your hands, and do extreme harm to your lungs. Just read the MSDS (SDS) for any one of them. What you can't easily learn is which ones will do little to no harm to glass surfaces. Which ones will have no effect at removing hard water spots from glass. Which ones can potentially do very bad damage to glass surfaces under different circumstances. And which ones have been blended into commercial products for removing hard water spots from window glass.
Now none of us want to chance doing harm to our own or another persons body. So we would want to stay away from powerful acids like these for this reason alone. Regarding the potential harm that an acid or an alkali (base) can have on glass however, this is something that many window cleaners wonder about. The reasoning they follow is rather simple. If I can protect myself from any physical harm of a certain chemical or product, and know in advance that there is no chance that it will destroy the windows I am attempting to restore, then why not use it. I would say of course the choice would be yours.
On this last note about knowing that the chemical or product absolutely could not and would not do any damage to the glass surface;...this is something that you should always ask yourself. How do we know?
When I started down this road many years ago I got out the books and started doing research. I asked different manufacturers. And quickly discovered there were no absolute answers. So I started buying acids, products, and new glass test plates from the local glass shop. Then I started doing my own experiments. I let my imagination run. What I learned from these flights was amazing! Things that no other window cleaner or book could tell me. Then I started traveling to buildings that had been chemically wasted. Went home and was able to duplicate the damage using the same products and chemicals. It was fascinating.
The bottom line is that I was able to develop many different tests and standards that could plainly tell me in advance exactly which products and chemicals were "safe" and which were not. With these tests and standards I didn't need any other knowledge from any source. The tests served as my own personal compass.
With this knowledge you would never have to ask anyone any questions about any new product. YOU become the authority. That Is what I am now working on with the IGSA Tests and Standards Publication. I am working on developing an internal consulting group within the window cleaning industry worldwide. IGSA stands for International Glass Smart Association. And Smart stands for Surface Maintenance And Restoration Technology.
If you would like to know more about the IGSA writings just send me a question at henrygrover222@gmail.com
Written by Henry Grover Jr.
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