Organic Solvents, Acids, Alkalies, Superabrasive Powders, and Surfaces

There are so many different chemicals and abrasives out there.  I really believe it is impossible to identify every one.  There are also new ones created every day.  If we completely ignored all of the chems and superabrasives there would still be a nonending line up of different window coatings and types of glass and plastic fenestration materials.

The Glass Committee of the IWCA is approaching this truth. I do applaud them for this.  Also they are working at moving through this confusion.  Which is also quite commendable.  My position on this is that we need to take things one step at a time.  Chemistry and physics will help a great deal along the way.  But testing will really be the most effective way to learn which combinations will damage which surfaces, and in what ways, and under what conditions.  Testing will also teach us which deposits, paints, and stains can be safely removed with the safe chems and superabrasives.  BUT  The tests MUST be performed on brand new surfaces.  Further as diverse as the ASTM is I really think they will not have the tests we need to learn what we need to know.  So we have to attack this work collectively but in a very logical scientific way.  Using new window surfaces.  This will mean many trips to the dump with wasted glass.  It will also mean the use of some interesting diagnostic tools.  Like a digital hand held lighted microscope for taking pictures of scratches and point indent fractures (PIFs).  There is so much to learn!

I am looking to work with other window cleaners in New England this year more than last.  The focus will be on getting the products I have discovered and others maybe that you are already buying from the WCR;...out into the field.  To use them on houses and stores.  Especially the preservation and inspection products.  I am very excited about these.  I always love it when I can show a customer something they have never seen before and wait for that look in their eyes.  It always satisfies!

So send me an email and we can meet up.  Either over the phone, zoom, or in person.

Henry

henrygrover222@gmail.com

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