Coated Glass Can Be Restored

 

So most people think that Low E Coated surfaces cannot be restored.  Well we here at IGSA beg to differ.  Check out this video featuring Peter Thomas from Australia.  Using our first product/ingredient he will show you how quickly metallic Low E surfaces can be restored.  There is so much more to learn about working on Low E!  You will get it right here on the Glass Smart Blog, YT Channel, GS FB Group, Instagram and other social media featuring IGSA Products.  Poly-Skrub is a one of its kind product.  A superabrasive plastic powder.  Available in powder form so it can be used to create a variety of solvent based compounds for removing construction residue from defective glass surfaces, and Low E surfaces.  It can be used as an additive for other compounds too for added power.  You be the creator!  Want to be a member of the International Glass Smart Association (IGSA)?  Just send me an email.  Copy and paste my email.  GlassSmart@ProtonMail.com

Written by Henry Grover Jr

Can We Abolish the Razor ?

There are three different types of surfaces that a metal razor absolutely cannot be used on.  There are other surfaces too.  I am just focusing on these three in this post.  To directly address the question raised in the title of this post I need to say very straightforward;...NO!  I do not believe we can accomplish this.  I really believe there will always be a place for razors in window cleaning.  However it is becoming more and more difficuly to use a razor safely.  For reasons that will become very obvious in this post.  It is therefore critically necessary that we learn how to identify these surfaces and discover and develop products that can be used safely on these different surfaces in place of the metal razor.  Such as micronized plastic abrasive powders.  Which I am starting to develop and show in videos on the Glass Smart YouTube Channel.  Which you can subscribe to.  Right now!  The link is below.  PLEASE subscribe.  When enough people do that I will get more benefits that will help me to help you.

As it stands right now the float glass manufacturing industry is putting out glass products worldwide that have defective surfaces.  Surfaces which we absolutely cannot use a metal razor on.  Check out these two videos which plainly demonstrate what defective surfaces sound like.

This is a very common defect that is usually found on at least one side of most tempered glass.  The sound varies because the density and size of these aluminosilicate embedded particles differs from one plate to the next.  When the psrticles are dislodged and dragged by a metal razor the particles scratch the glass.  Not the razor.  Nonetheless the pattern of the scratches tell more about the identity of the particles too.  Meaning the size and density.  Listen close to the sound in these two videos.  You will learn that the particles are not very dense and are of a variety of different sizes.  I used a penny in these videos.  I would never use a razor.

Another surface we would never want to use a razor on is coated glass.  That being TiO2 (low maintenance), antireflective coatings on solar panels, Low E reflective first surface or inside surfaces, mirrored surfaces, and many other metal coats.  For whatever the reason metal blades cause scratches either directly or indirectly.  Metal surfaces are becoming almost invisible.  So they are very difficult to ID.  So I made a couple videos to show how simple it can be.  Not always.  But many times.  Check it out.

Yet another surface that metal razors cannot be used on are plastic films and glazing materials.  That being mylar solar film, acrylic surfaces, and polycarbonate surfaces.  Plastic is all around us.  I mean everything is plastic.  And yes I have scratched acrylic and polycarb with a blade before too.  I have also used a blade on some really pricey mylar solar film and almost had to change my pants when I found out what I had done.  Just collected my check and hoped the customer did not see any scratches when the sun came out the next day.  I was not able to see any that day.  Fortunately I never got any calls.  But.  My point is this.  ANYONE can make these mistakes at any time.  So we need a simple, quick, nondestructive testing method to determine if a window has any type of plastic film or plastic surface.  So we DO NOT use a razor.  Here you go.

So there you have it.  The only surface I have not touched on yet is frictive glass surfaces.  But I will.  The point I am trying to make here is we MUST be more aware of the different surfaces we are working on.  So that we do not lose our businesses.  No one wants to pay out thousands for replacement glass.  And no one wants to have to deal with a sickening lawsuit.  But something else is going on here.  Something that is much bigger than even this.  PAY ATTENTION PLEASE.

I have about a hundred stores on my window route.  Twenty of these are restaurants.  All independents.  They are more frequent, pay more, pay fast, and usually pay cash when I am done.  Restaurants are closing up now.  It might be that those of us that rely on route work will have to change to a residential customer base.  But not just any residential customer base.  One with big paying wealthy individuals.  Then this kind of knowledge as I have demonstrated in these videos coupled with high tech specialty products that I am currently developing will be invaluable.  Use these videos to sell to this group of potential residentials.  No Wendys, or CVS, or Dunkin Doughnuts is going to care about scratched or acid damaged windows.  But a wealthy homeowner with a multimillion dollar home will!  Yet you have to SHOW them.  I have now done what I told you I would do.  I have put that power in the palm of your hand.  Just take out your cell phone and play them the one to two minute video.  Go to the link below and subscribe to the videos you have watched above.  I will be making many more. Currently I have about 18.  So you will receive a link to each one when it is published.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKzhmAWtlsHJiwRd6WrgGyA/videos?view_as=subscriber

Written by Henry Grover Jr

GlassSmart@ProtonMail.com

You Too Can Be A Consultant;...Seriously!

Over the last 25 years I have been called in to consult on buildings by window cleaners, janitorial companies, construction companies, real estate companies, lawyers, property maintenance management companies, and even insurance companies.  This has made me more money in a day than I have made cleaning windows.  But in only a fraction of the time.  I have always believed that many other window cleaners could do the same thing.  And I would like to help you become a consultant too.

I learned much of what I know by using brand new glass samples.  For example what of the different types of etch that are caused by different acids?  What acids do not cause etched glass?  To come up with the answers I literally wasted window glass and took it to the dump.  Then when I seen different conditions in the field I knew immediately what I was looking at.  Sometimes I would see certain conditions out there that I surmised were caused by acids, but didn't know.  So I went back home and used the sample products and chemicals that I had there to duplicate what I seen in the field.  Once I succeeded I had the answers that I needed.  A case in point was a building down in PA.

The building had two different conditions.  It had a kind of clear orange peal effect.  Also a clear banding that followed straight up and down.  The building had been sealed with a liquid siloxane concrete waterproofing sealant.  Which ran down over the dark glass.  It also was covered with hard water spots from concrete efflorescence.  The kicker was the sealant ran down the glass and so it was removed simultaneously with the hard water spots with a hydrofluoric acid based "restoration" product.  As it turned out the acid had eaten into the glass showing the pattern of the banding from the siloxane sealant and the spots which showed up as a clear orange peal.  There was no clouding but both the moderator and builder matrix of the dark glass had undergone complete dissolution.  So I went back to my little makeshift grassroots lab.  And was able to easily duplicate both of these conditions using both the restoration product that was used on the building in PA, and a pure water based solution of 1 and a half percent hydrofluoric acid.  I was first called in to look at this building by the restoration company that was looking to come up with some way to "fix it".  There was no fix.  Then I was called in by the company that did the damage, the insurance company they had, and the lawyer that the building owners were using. I actually demonstrated how easy it was to cause the damage using this acid.  Each time I was called in I was paid.

There were many other consulting jobs that I was called into over the years.  Which I will talk about on this blog.  I think if anything you will find them interesting.  At the same time it will lead you into how IGSA will be making courses available to help train our members to become consultants too.  Hope you find it enjoyable.

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

GlassSmart@ProtonMail.com

The Destructive Power of Defective Glass Surfaces

 Defective glass is very easy to scratch.  But not as easy to identify.  Simply because the scratches can be so small that they can only be seen in the direct sunlight at just the right angle.  Or they can be so large that they can be seen at night with a dim flashlight.  This is very simply because the size of the ghost particle is learned by the depth and size of the scratch.  The number of ghost particles is also determined by the number of scratches per square inch or as I like to say the scratch density.

It is very easy to mistake frictive glass surfaces for defective surfaces.  This is because defective particles can be so incredibly small.  As small as nanometers.  I have included here an example of 50 nanometer sized aluminum silicate particles.

Here is an example of just exactly the type of scratch I am talking about.  These were created by a short four inch edged razor.  I took the picture with my IPhone in the direct sun.  Gotta love these phones and digital technology!

Frictive glass can be quite rough and yet show no scratches when a razor is used.  I know this is counterintuitive but I have observed it.  Then there exists defective glass with ghost particles so small that they feel like frictive glass but do in fact cause scratches from a razor.  Now with this being said we should not get the idea that frictive glass is not totally safe.  When we polish glass to remove hard water spots with a cerium oxide slurry we end up creating a frictive surface that will scratch much easier than most glass surfaces that feel very smooth with a penny.

Admittedly this discussion can be rather confusing.  But i think all that is required is the reader to spend a few years cleaning glass for a few years to know that all glass is NOT the same.  There is a great difference.  Sometimes on the same plate!  Just beware.  Defective glass is more abundant now then it every was.  And it is waiting to cause a lawsuit.  You do not want to have to face such a thing.  Your insurance will not cover it.  And it could destroy your entire business.  

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com

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The Insider, Frictive, Defective & Coated Glass

 

Poly-Skrub

  

 Poly-Skrub an IGSA Product Line

The very first of this product line, and the first IGSA product, is a dry plastic powder.  It was developed exclusively for hard metallic coatings such as TiO2, frictive glass surfaces, and defective glass surfaces.  The idea behind its creation was to locate a plastic particle that was small enough, had the correct shape, and was softer than glass and low e, and antireflective coatings.  The purpose is to be able to remove paint and other debris from such problematic surfaces without leaving scratches.  So it is NOT intended to use on every window.  In order to increase the effectiveness of these products I am currently tesing Poly-Skrub with different solvents.  Some of these solvents are on the market.  The idea here again is to not scratch glass.  When you join the best of both worlds (solvents and soft but course abrasives) you end up with custom products that are much more effective at removing paint, wood stain, etc., without creating scratches on frictive, defective, or coated glass.  I have demonstrated here in this video how effective Poly-Skrub 1 is at removing paint using only soapy water.  By using a soft cotton cloth only, soapy water does not even budge the paint.  You can see here how it doesn't even come off the glass just a little.  Which would show up as a very slight red color.  But using the same effort, the same time, the same cloth, the same soapy water, but a buff of PS it is quite possible to scrub off the paint.  Can you imagine how much easier it would be if you were to add the correct solvent?  That is the direction that I am going with this.  My future videos featuring the Poly-Skrub Product Line will demonstrate the effectiveness of adding specific organic acids and organic solvents.  Also I will be looking at different ways of building compounds based on these abrasive powders, and affixing them to scrubbing pads that can be attached to our poles for high windows.  This will dramatically reduce the amount of powder needed for the job.  Which will also allow us to use much higher "tech grades" of plastics.  These Glass Smart Products will NOT be sold in high volume amounts by IGSA.  Simply because they are specialty products.

I have written many posts on the science of particles.  But have focused mostly on cerium oxide, aluminumoxide, silican carbide, silicas, and others.  Not plastic particles.  But the truth is that plastic particles will likely prove to be a large part of the answer we are looking for when working on "Scratch Sensitive" window surfaces.  When searching for a specific plastic particle/powder I am looking at hardness (glass and low e surfaces are rated 7 Mohs), particle size, particle size distribution (PSD) curve, chemistry (for solvency resistance), and morphology (is the particle round, oblong, cubic, or amorphous?).  All of these properties will affect the overall performance of the product.  Lets take size as an example.  Very small particles will not chew through paint very well at all.  But they are very effective at eating up almost invisible thin residues of cured silicone caulk or concrete sealant.  Very large particles are rather effective at removing globs of silicone caulk and even shot gun fungi.  The only real way to know what works best on what is to do the test.

Particle science will always play a very large part of the Glass Smart Products that IGSA brings to market.  What is also going to be very exciting about these products is that the affiliate members of IGSA will be able to assist in developing these products as IGSA beta testers.  If you would like to purchase any of these products and get your name and email on the IGSA mailing list just send it to glasssmart@protonmail.com  IGSA (The International Glass Smart Association) has been initiated for the purpose of developing and selling specialty products for non-routine window cleaning.

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

The Insider, "The Hydroxide Ion"

 

The Insider "An Interview with Phil Alexander The Creator and Owner of the "Simpole"

 

The Insider "SurfaShield" A hydrophylic Sealant

 

The Insider "Jack Attack"

 

Problems With Hydrophobic Glass

These pictures will demonstrate one of the most intense problems with hydrophobic glass.  It tends to create a severe fogging effect when the inside of the building is rather cool relative to the outside air.  This happens usually in the hot weather when the AC is cranked and it is very hot and humid outside.  This is why you should be very careful before sealing with a hydrophobic sealant.  One of the main functions of IGSA is to develop products to be marketed all around the world.  But the other purpose is to educate.  Because products are completely useless if no one understands them, and how to use them.  So unlike other manufacturers IGSA is very very much focused on education.  The logo alone should prove this.

Below you will see a series of pictures that I took one very hot and humid day with my phone.  This was at the local Dunkin Donuts that had very good air conditioning.  They are always cold inside.  No one has applied a phobic sealant to the outside of these windows.  Which are all insulating glass units.  They have a double wall of glass with a partial vacuum and nitrogen gas.

This last picture was NOT taken at this Dunkin Donuts.  It is rather a picture of some naturally ocuring (no sealant) hydrophobic glass that I have converted to hydrophylic.  You can see the center where it has been converted.  No chemicals were used.  I used an IGSA product which is a highly concentrated silica compound.  This demonstrates how effective phylic surfaces can be over phobic in improving visibility!  IGSA will have both phobic and phylic sealants.

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com

IGSA Logo

 

The International Glass Smart Association was started for the purpose of gathering window cleaners around the world to act in the capacity of on site consultants for other window cleaners, real estate agents, lawyers, insurance companies, general contractors, home owners, and much more.  These individuals will also help in the development of products used in the Surface Maintenance And Restoration Technology of window glass.  Including the distribution worldwide of such products.  With the goal of creating as many as possible that are in fact Green/Earth Friendly.

A bit about the logo.  The letters of course stand for the name.  They are the color of nature that being green.  This is a diagram of the bohr atom which is silicon.  The basic element of what is called the builder matrix of soda lime glass.  I chose purple for the electrons because it used to be the color of royalty in Bible times.  Which is how I view our association.  Then of course I have inserted a small Earth at the center to denote the international nature of IGSA.  The Earth however is very small denoting its size relative to the rest of the universe.  It is also placed in the center where it rests where the protons and neutrons are.  These hold the atom together just like the Earth holds all life together in one place.  

So there you have it.  IGSA is a worldwide association of professional consultants.  Created for the purpose of raising the status of the window cleaning industry to a brand new level.

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com

Plastic Abrasives For Sale

 This is the very next step for IGSA.  The sale of specialty products for the safe maintenance, restoration, and preservation of different glazing surfaces.  There are many plastic abrasive products out there.  Which I have been working on over the last several years.  There is one in particular that I am offering to the window cleaning industry.  It is softer than glass and most coated glass surfaces.  The angular cut is very good for digging through silicone caulk and paint.  It can be blended with different organic solvents that help by chemically softening silicone.  It is available at 15 USD and shipped by USPS.  I will be doing several videos on what I am calling P-Polish 1, or PP1.  If you want to try this out just send me your email address since I bill by PayPal right now.  Also your mailing or shipping address.

There are many different abrasive products out there.  They are based on several different types of plastic.  The shape of the particles are different too.  Some are round and quite smooth.  Some are angular and course for cutting.  The different plastics are of different harnesses too.  Some are very hard, whereas others can be rather soft.  The greatest advantage of plastic over organics such as walnut shell or corncob is that they will not absorb water and certain other fluids.  Water will soften organics making them very ineffective.  So plastic is definitely the better choice.  It is softer than glass and so is much less likely to scratch the window.

Another interesting product is what is called synthetic steel wool.  It is made from plastic fibers instead of steel or bronze fibers.  So again it is less likely to scratch!  I would classify the green, red, white, brown, and other colored pads as synthetic wool.  They are all different because of the design of the filaments, the size of the filaments, the type of plastic used, and especially whether or not the plastic filaments have been "loaded" with various mineral abrasive particles such as silica, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, and even diamond.  If these particles are too large then the pad will scratch the glass.  Further if you use a pad that has not been tested with a restoration product, and scratches result, you will have no idea what caused the scratches.  The loaded particles or the superabrasive particles in the commercial hard water spot removal product.

All this is really just a continuation of other articles in this blog.  The major difference is that I will be doing much more testing and making available special products/ingredients that you cannot get from any other source.  Since I will not be identifying such products if a manufacturer decided they would like to pickup any of these products to sell they will be able to.  Since they will be able to own what we have discovered.

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Written by Henry Grover Jr.

 henrygroverjr@gmail.com

    

Commercial Products Verses "Home Made" Products

 The very first failing some have identified with commercial products is bias.  Everyone that has a commercial product believes they have the best.  They also usually never see any direct or potential problems with their product.  The latter can be quite dangerous for the user.  Simply because such a product can easily cause harm to the glass or health issues.  Both could result in lawsuits that could cost the company tens of thousands of dollars.  I have run into both of these issues many many times.

Another glaring inadequacy is the matter of cost.  I do remember discussing this issue with manufacturers over the years.  Most window cleaners do know about the "formula".  That is all of the expenses to bring a product to market must be added up and multiplied by a factor of 4.5 to 6 to get to the end retail price.  So a product that cost 2 dollars to bring to market would cost the customer 12.  But if you could get that product for 1.50 you would save a lot!  This is why I am always looking at material safety data sheets under ingredients.  It is also why manufacturers try very hard to cover up this information.  Water is the greatest "filler" and way of hiding the main ingredient.  If the product can be made at 99 percent water, then the main ingredient does not have to be listed by law.  It can rather be explained as a proprietary ingredient.  I have seen this many times.  Laws are being passed now to make MSDS's much more transparent.  Which does make it much more difficult for manufacturers of chemical based products.

Don't get me wrong however.  If it were not for manufacturers we wouldn't have most of the products that we do.  Never underestimate the power of greed!  So many times I have located via the MSDS the key ingredients of certain products but could not source them.  Simply because the chemical was so rare that the companies that sold it would ONLY SELL quantities that were way too large for anyone to buy.  Lets say you only needed a quart a week.  But the company "needed" to ONLY sell four 55 gallon drums at a time.  It then becomes unavailable.  That same company might sell to another that sells to smaller companies.  But such smaller amounts might still be way too much.  Also the cost in these smaller amounts might be SO extreme that it cannot compete with any other chemical or product out there.  So again it is not available.  This is a VERY large problem when trying to source specialty chemicals of even powders.  So the manufacturer steps up and purchases the greater quantity to get the price down.  Knowing they will be selling to thousands and thousands of very small companies through their very large distribution networks.  Some companies have worldwide networks.  They buy the chemical, bottle and label it, then send it out.  It is also insured.  Plus they must write up an MSDS for it to comply with OSHA law.  And more.  So YES we do need manufacturers!

This is a very complicated problem.  Added to it is the further concern that manufacturers have of other manufacturers discovering their "formula" and "stealing" it.  Such companies will come up with their own product based on this formula, cut their cost somewhat, and sell it at that reduced cost.  But only for a short time until they can bring you over to their side.  Then they will jack the price until it is way over the original number.  Tricky yes.  But it does work!

When I discover a particular product and tell everyone what that ingredient is and where we can all get it, I actually take this away from the manufacturers.  Because none of them will be able to own a product based on that ingredient.  They cannot keeep the formula secrete so they cannot own it.  They will not put out the money or spend the time on such a product.  This is something I absolutely MUST consider when I do my research in developing products.  If I start bringing you a certain product at a cost, and do not tell you what exactly it is and where I got it, just know that I am protecting it FOR YOU.  At a future time a manufacturer might pick it up and begin selling it at a reasonable price.  But if they cannot own it they will not even want to touch it!

So many angles, so many problems, and so much greed.  The bottom line is that product development and manufacturing is not simple.  It takes much hard work.  Further those who are in this business deserve what they get for their efforts.  I certainly don't work for nothing;...do you?!

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com

 

Product Development and Availability

     Products are really the key to accomplishing non-routine window cleaning.  Whether that be stain removal, scratch removal, or concrete, silane, silicone, paint, or wood stain removal.  Especially if we are working with a coated surface.  They are products already available on the open commercial market that need to be explored for different applications.  So they need to be further "developed".  These products I definitely need to look at for this purpose.  I will be writing about these different applications and endorsing such products.  A case in point is Water Spot Pro by EnviroSafe.  Mike created this product for removing hard water spots from glass.  But did you know that it is also a safe product for most coated surfaces if used correctly?  It is an excellent product for converting phobic glass to phylic too.

There are other products available that are not too well known.  These need to be discovered, tested, and revealed.  Then there are others that are pure ingredients whether these be powders or chemicals.  But they are very difficult to get.  The manufacturers sell them in lots of ten 55 gallon drums at a time to sales companies that only sell one drum.  So if a window cleaner only needs a gallon how does he get it.  My plan is to find a way to make these available at a reasonable cost.  

Products need to be tested against other products to see which ones are best.  Two other considerations must be longevity and cost.

Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com