I have a commercial job that has not been done in 2 years, and they want me to take this beast on. The windows are hydrophobic for starters…
The windows are smoked glass, tinited…the water stains are pure white and what I am using wont even lighten it up. Has anyone ever encountered this on this type of commercial window and what have you found to be the easiest and fastest method to remove the stains?
If it’s on a after market tint surface then removing the tint might be your only hope. If it’s a factory tint you’ll need to start light and work your waqy up to more aggressive chemicals. Always try a test spot though as certain chemicals can play havoc w/ the tinting.
Yep its factory tint. I have had this problem before, and I have used that ugly brown paste from Ettore with a car buffer and it didnt do much good at all. Any tips for chemicals to use?
Check out the Presto Restoration line of products. I think WCR carries them:confused:
Also you could try SafeRestore. I know some guys use Winsol CC550 but that would be a last resort for me.
I would try safe restore. I have been using it lately and works great. On tougher stuff i apply it with steel wool, rinse well.
I have used the brown stuff before, no comparison.
Wayne
Sorry Salvatore, I just remembered that no one has SafeRestore out in Cali. Check w/ WCR and maybe they can get some to you. If I would have remembered I wouldn’t have dangled that carrot!
You might want to give this a try, although, I don’t know how bad it is & tint may prove a problem. Spot test first.
Thanks guys…I called Chris and got some Winsol 5050, and some other stuff. One way or another that stuff is comming off.
I hope you know about Winsol 550 & tin-etch & all that mullarkey?
I wouldn’t use CC550 on mirrored glass - at least without a waiver and testing – it’s likely has a pyrolytic coating and will ruin it.
We just did some major restoration on some mirrored windows last week – and have a couple hundred more to restore. Give me a call or pm if you’d like to find out more how we did it.
Jason…do you mind giving me some tips for pricing a job like that? using cc550
Sooooo what did u use? Your process?
The owner of a local janitorial supply company here in Portland was not aware that he carried CC550 at his store until I asked for it. He also happens to be a chemist and he told me “There is no good enough reason for this product to be in your garage.” Apparently the hydrofluoric acid will be absorbed though your skin and, among other things, eat at your bones. Needless to say, wearing protective clothing is an understatement when using this product. I prefer an alternative but I have yet to find something that works as well. Maybe I’ll try this “SafeRestore” some of you have mentioned.
You are absolutely correct!! Hydrofluoric is some hot, nasty sheeot. 550 also contains Hydrochloric acid. It does not easily dilute in water, so if you get it on you, it will not “just rinse off” and can produce nasty chemical burns. Also, it will attack you through the ends of your fingers (under the nails) and it will damage/destroy your bones. It is a cancer causer and should be used VERY carefully. Breathing the vapors will also roast your lungs. it is also super strong and will F up glass quickly and will ruin painted surfaces. Make sure you wet the area around where you are working to help act as a barrier if you spill
Read the MSDS and you will see that it is a nasty chemical that needs to be handled with extreme care and not used unless absolutely necessary
http://windowcleanerproducts.com/msds/msds_winsolcrystalclear.pdf
[QUOTE=bumblebee;91829]You are absolutely correct!! Hydrofluoric is some hot, nasty sheeot. 550 also contains Hydrochloric acid. It does not easily dilute in water, so if you get it on you, it will not “just rinse off” and can produce nasty chemical burns. Also, it will attack you through the ends of your fingers (under the nails) and it will damage/destroy your bones. It is a cancer causer and should be used [B]VERY[/B] carefully. Breathing the vapors will also roast your lungs. it is also super strong and will F up glass quickly and will ruin painted surfaces. Make sure you wet the area around where you are working to help act as a barrier if you spill
+1 I would try nanophase as well. we have had really good results with the nanophase on some really hard water stains.
ThorSG1, U forgot the frames !! I would do it like sparking clean. But would try Saferesto too !! Take pic" s before and after for show and tell !!Then get them to do this on a yearlly basics thing !! Maybe for 3-5 year deal. This hard work !! A little easyer with just one year or so or Just the frount of buld. They change mgr of the buld or owner u have to sell this again. But with pic’s its easy sell. Post pic for all of us see !! Good luck Stan, Pro Window Kleening for 27 years and Proud Sorbo user
Ok this is an old job. So were all interested what did you use to clean it how long did it take what did you charge. Dont leave me hangin man!
For those who have used both, how does nanophase compare to saferestore
Just seen this thread, sorry…long day today.
I remember this job, it was rough. I used Saferestore and CC550 and it didn’t even dent it. It was REALLY bad. I got alot of the sillicates off the glass but it was just corroded really bad. So I recommended someone that does scratch removal, Chris gave me the number to a company that sells the machines and I called to see if they could recommend someone here in San Diego and they did. He was one of the first to buy the machine many years ago.
So he went out there, and HE couldn’t get it off. The glass just needs to be replaced. All from neglect and those sprinklers hitting the glass. I still have that account too. Just getting the dirt off the windows. Pays well too.
Last time we use 550 on mirror finish it cost us $8,000.00 in claims.
