[QUOTE=mistersqueegee;34841]A heat gun, you say. As long as you didn’t try it in the winter, sure. In the winter I’d worry about the drastic thermal change shattering the window. QUOTE]
A drastic thermal change that shatters the window may just be the answer! lol.
That’s funny! 
And it’s probably going to cost them more than a dollar.
Here’s another rub w/ any alternative method. Cost. Some will say “I don’t mind FD because I can charge much more to clean the same pane of glass”. Ethical? Hardly. But the truth is you have to charge considerably more to clean this crap if that’s the course you choose. I encourage my customers that have had issues w/ this stuff to go after the builder and manufacturer to replace it. If the glass has been in a while and they don’t know if that’s feasible (and it’s tempered and not heat strengthened) look for the tempering stamp and talk to the fabricator.
Has that worked for anyone you know?
Nope. It would probably be a better idea to start a national register of clients that have had issues w/ FD and the temperer involved. Problems like to hide in the dark.
So as the customer I am supposed to retain counsel and go after the builder and manufacturer. Man all I wanted was a few letters off my door!!!
And all Ford Pinto owners wanted was to not blow up when rear ended! If you ignore a defective product it will cost you in the end.
Come on Tony! Apples to Oranges. No lives are at risk here.
Tony brought up an interesting point on another thread. I want to repeat my response here.
Most of the stores I clean were built many years ago. Way back to maybe the 1920’s, I don’t really know, I’m guessing. I live in Masacusetts, close to Boston. It is a very old part of the country. Many of the store windows here in Hingam are well over 50 years old, probably closer to 100. I’ll have to ask around, I belong to the Historical Society. Anyway there is very little scratching on this old glass, almost none.
[B]I wonder what the windows in the newer sections of town, with the fancy new glass, will look like in 75 to 100 years?[/B] :(
That’s true Mike. No lives just livelihoods. The point is, as in any case dealing w/ defective products the manufacturer won’t do anything about it unless someone makes them. This may seem an extreme case but any of the “options” for cleaning this garbage are also extreme.
I knew as soon as I posted that was your response “No lives just livelihoods”
I dont differ as much as you may think with you on this but this case is where it gets real cloudy when its current customer and old glass. Its an easier fight when the glass is new and your dealing with a general contractor. I posted this over at AUWC and even some of the hardest core waiver guys said they would use oil flo, a heat gun, or ammonia in this scenario.
So when is it OK to use alternative methods and where isnt it? Its rhetorical you can answer if you want however I have thoroughly enjoyed this dialog with you, Sir
Respect
You absolutely make valid points Mike. It’s easier for me I guess since I strictly do residential now. It allows me to be more picky on those rare occasions when this situation comes up.
One of the reasons I left storefront is the difficulty when encountering this problem. It’s worse because so much of the glass is heat strengthened so no tempering stamp most of the time. Kind of a crap shoot. I guess I get somewhat overzealous on this matter at times. Respect to you as well.
