How to clean glass after construction » StrongPedia Article Directory - Free article directory. Find free articles in our dofollow article directory http://www.theredskinsfansclub.com/Blac … us-Jersey/ , get free website content and submit your own articles for free.
Many people out there would have horror stories of receiving a newly constructed house that has scratched windows…. Many builder’s would have horror stories of window cleaners who have come in and scratched the windows… And many window cleaners refuse to clean windows after construction because they have either witnessed the scratches or caused the scratches in the past. This does not have to be they way. By following some simple rules relating to the properties of the glass and being cautious, scratches on glass can all but be eliminated.
To understand the types of glass and their properties is to know what method can be used to safely clean the glass. I have listed the major glass types and properties with some techniques that may help.
Toughened glass (can also be called tempered glass):
One really easy thing is to look in the corners of the glass for the “toughened” symbol. In most instances, if you can feel this symbol, it means that that side of the glass can be scraped without leaving scratches as long as you scrape carefully. If you have been using your blade to strip barnacles off a boat http://www.theredskinsfansclub.com/Blac … on-Jersey/ , of course the blade will be no good and probably scratch the glass. The same rules apply if you hit the melted dots that sparks from an angle grinder leave when they hit glass. Keep freshening up your blade and try not to use them on the bad side of toughened glass. Concrete etc needs to be scraped with the blade moving in one direction so as to not rub the grit into the glass and scratching the glass (like a sandpaper effect and nothing scratches glass quicker than sandpaper). If the concrete is on the wrong side of the glass, you need to use hydrochloric acid or a 1 inch blade to “chicken pick” the concrete off without leaving visible scratches . An ultra fine steel wool such as 000 can be used but this will leave fine “spider-web” like scratches that may just be visible when the light hits it. I am anti steel wool but still use it at times.
As far as I know Moen, GE James and Viridian all make glass with this raised symbol. It will quite often not be present on shower screens and pool fences etc but trust me, these will be toughened glass. To test which side can be scraped http://www.theredskinsfansclub.com/Blac … ed-Jersey/ , get a small 1 inch scraper with a new blade and test both sides when wet. The “bad side” will have a grainy feel and sandy sound whilst the side you scrape will feel smoother. To test this out, try it on a shower screen. There is also one type that behaves differently and it is like the symbols has been melted or branded into the glass this type will scratch on the side where you can feel the symbol.
Toughened glass will generally appear in door ways or windows that could be potentially dangerous if broken.
Laminated glass:
Scrape to your hearts content as you will not scratch laminated glass. When you put a blade on it it will feel smooth. Generally does not have a give away label but during construction may have a sticker that says “grade a laminated” etc. Strong like toughened, will be found in most shopfronts but also in houses. Is great to work with.
Low e glass: Comfort plus, solar e http://www.theredskinsfansclub.com/Blac … ns-Jersey/ , solect etc… An oxide coat is attached to laminated glass. This means that the inside will scratch (or mark but I will get to that) just looking at it. The outside can be scraped! A dead giveaway is the drag test. Run your finger on one side and then check the other. Alternatively, wet one side up and run a squeegee on it. You will see the difference straight away. This is great because if you scrape the outside first, you can see what is on the inside which makes things slightly easier as you can’t use much on it. Internally no scrapers. steel wool etc can be used as anything metallic will mark the coating. Acetone or glue off (from rapid clean) is fantastic for water based paint, and glue residue. Paint stripper can be used edges where gloss paint has been slopped on to great effect and most importantly http://www.theredskinsfansclub.com/Blac … nn-Jersey/ , without damaging the glass. This type of glass gets black scratches on it if blades etc are used. These can be removed using Hydrochloric. Low e has a bad rap and can be cleaned quite easily. Despite manufacturers claims, you can use a squeegee… Always be on your toes as sometimes glaziers will glaze these back to front. If you are co