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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: sunshine windows on March 04, 2016, 03:24:41 pm

Title: Self cleaning glass
Post by: sunshine windows on March 04, 2016, 03:24:41 pm
What if any, chemicals are safe to use on self cleaning glass?

I know that if you leave caustic chemicals on any glass for too long it will do damage, but can you speed up the cleaning process on self cleaning glass with anything similar providing you don't let it dwell too long?

Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: tonycarr on March 04, 2016, 03:42:22 pm
Pilkington`s site

tony
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smurf on March 04, 2016, 04:54:55 pm
What if any, chemicals are safe to use on self cleaning glass?

I know that if you leave caustic chemicals on any glass for too long it will do damage, but can you speed up the cleaning process on self cleaning glass with anything similar providing you don't let it dwell too long?

I tend to use just hot purified water or if need be give the frames & glass a soak and scrub with some mild soap mix like ecover first.

Question for kempy is that 3rd version of vision ok to use on self cleaning glass?

Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: sunshine windows on March 04, 2016, 05:02:35 pm
Spot on Tony, thank you!

I have in the past used unger cleaning fluid on self cleaning glass and it worked a treat.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: kempy on March 04, 2016, 05:07:39 pm
Not got a third
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smurf on March 04, 2016, 05:28:21 pm
Not got a third

Have you forgotten kempy you sent me a sample to trial which is a mix of the original and V2?
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smurf on March 04, 2016, 05:33:31 pm
Spot on Tony, thank you!

I have in the past used unger cleaning fluid on self cleaning glass and it worked a treat.

"unger cleaning fluid"  ???
I've just been on ungers global site and no such product comes up with that name.
Is this what you mean? http://www.ungerglobal.com/uk/default/unger-s-liquid
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: sunshine windows on March 05, 2016, 05:38:35 am
That's the badger!

Wasn't talking product names my old fruitcake, just referring to ungers trad wet stuff
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: dazmond on March 05, 2016, 08:06:48 am
What if any, chemicals are safe to use on self cleaning glass?

I know that if you leave caustic chemicals on any glass for too long it will do damage, but can you speed up the cleaning process on self cleaning glass with anything similar providing you don't let it dwell too long?

i dont use any detergents/chemicals  on self cleaning glass.just hot pure water and a soft flocked brush so i dont scratch the coating.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: sunshine windows on March 05, 2016, 08:19:14 am
Quote
i dont use any detergents/chemicals  on self cleaning glass.just hot pure water and a soft flocked brush so i dont scratch the coating.

This is all I would generally use Daz, but I've got a quote on a massive conservatory that I'll be pricing at £££ so want to get it spotless as quickly  as possible. 2 sloping sides drop towards the property as it was built to take up the whole of the courtyard. I need to make sure I can clean it all with an extended reach of approx 20ft
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smurf on March 05, 2016, 09:07:35 am
What if any, chemicals are safe to use on self cleaning glass?

I know that if you leave caustic chemicals on any glass for too long it will do damage, but can you speed up the cleaning process on self cleaning glass with anything similar providing you don't let it dwell too long?

I'm wondering now if the likes of algoclear or algone would be safe to use on self cleaning glass ?

If the roof frames are white plastic sounds like will be a PITA to try and scrub at that sort of reach especially the blind side bits to try and get them spotless.

At least treating the roof with something like that would start to kill the algae, lichen and moss that grows on plastic frames trim, in groves/joints, between rubber seals etc which can be very time consuming to try to remove properly. Big BUT is it safe to use/get on self cleaning glass though?
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smudger on March 05, 2016, 04:28:51 pm
No you can't

Darran
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smudger on March 05, 2016, 04:50:38 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1457196618_image.png)

PVC cleaners can be used on frame but must be washed off with soap and hot water

Solvents ok for any silicone contamination but local/specific use only

Darran
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: sunshine windows on March 05, 2016, 05:05:26 pm
Nice one Darran
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Shane sharples on March 05, 2016, 06:52:09 pm
What happens if you use virosol on self cleaning glass ( spray , then clean off straight away) ?
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smudger on March 05, 2016, 09:33:11 pm
Good chance of damage I would think

Darran
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Tadgh O Shea on March 06, 2016, 12:26:33 am
First off there is no such thing as self cleaning glass this is just bullpoop from large manufacturers with big marketing budgets, yes their so called self cleaning glass has a special coating which can be cleaned safely with any neutral pH 7 cleaning detergent. Self cleaning glass me arse thats nearly as bad as SeanK trying to tell us that additives will make glass and frames become more shiny.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smurf on March 06, 2016, 01:01:32 am
Put it this way sod self cleaning glass but if they come up with self cleaning plastics and it actualy worked I would be a very happy bunny as I'm peed off having to keep cleaning the white plastics on my conservatory roof.

In hindsight I should have had a proper extention built instead of that poxy thing  ::)roll
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Tadgh O Shea on March 06, 2016, 01:28:18 am
Put it this way sod self cleaning glass but if they come up with self cleaning plastics and it actualy worked I would be a very happy bunny as I'm peed off having to keep cleaning the white plastics on my conservatory roof.
Believe it or not Smurf there is a nano coating you can apply to white plastics while it won't make them become self cleaning as this technology isn't available yet, but it will allow you to clean plastics after it has been applied for future cleaning  just using water with trad or wfp.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: the king on March 06, 2016, 08:36:14 am
ive had to custmers tell me not to use any soap of any kind on  there self cleaning glass as it can take the protective coat off i just use pure on all glass any way now so sutes me fine
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Tadgh O Shea on March 06, 2016, 08:28:58 pm
ive had to custmers tell me not to use any soap of any kind on  there self cleaning glass as it can take the protective coat off i just use pure on all glass any way now so sutes me fine
  That's probably because Pilkington  recommend not to allow any acidic or harsh alkaline solutions to come in contact with the special coating on their self cleaning glass.
For a company who promote self cleaning glass they have plenty of information available on how best to clean their self cleaning glass, anyway i would think using any neutral pH cleaning solution would be fine.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smudger on March 06, 2016, 08:33:28 pm
ive had to custmers tell me not to use any soap of any kind on  there self cleaning glass as it can take the protective coat off i just use pure on all glass any way now so sutes me fine
  That's probably because Pilkington  recommend not to allow any acidic or harsh alkaline solutions to come in contact with the special coating on their self cleaning glass.
For a company who promote self cleaning glass they have plenty of information available on how best to clean their self cleaning glass, anyway i would think using any neutral pH cleaning solution would be fine.

+ 1
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: rosskesava on March 06, 2016, 08:33:40 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1457196618_image.png)

PVC cleaners can be used on frame but must be washed off with soap and hot water

Solvents ok for any silicone contamination but local/specific use only

Darran

Why would they have a list of approved glass cleaning products if the glass is supposed to be self cleaning?
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Tadgh O Shea on March 06, 2016, 08:36:53 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1457196618_image.png)

PVC cleaners can be used on frame but must be washed off with soap and hot water

Solvents ok for any silicone contamination but local/specific use only

Darran

Why would they have a list of approved glass cleaning products if the glass is supposed to be self cleaning?
  That's what i say Ross, self cleaning me arse.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: rosskesava on March 06, 2016, 09:09:16 pm
That's what i say Ross, self cleaning me arse.

Couldn't agree more Tadgh.

I suppose it depends on the term 'self cleaning' and whether it can be defined legally.

I live 14 floors up not far from the sea and the windows here are self cleaning. A week ago they were covered in salt from the sea and now they aren't because it's rained since then. The rain caused a reaction to occur with the salt to clean it off the glass and hey presto, self cleaning glass. It's rather like WFP but without the WFP.

Maybe I should market the idea.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smurf on March 07, 2016, 10:37:23 am
So say self cleaning glass on the whole don't really work as most cleaners have cleaned enough of it to know it's darn useless.
Funny enough solar panels also have so say self cleaning glass too and you can see the state they can get into ;D
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on March 07, 2016, 12:41:59 pm
Quote
I live 14 floors up not far from the sea and the windows here are self cleaning. A week ago they were covered in salt from the sea and now they aren't because it's rained since then. The rain caused a reaction to occur with the salt to clean it off the glass and hey presto, self cleaning glass. It's rather like WFP but without the WFP.

I live in a mid terraced 3 bed house with 18 year old double glazing, not self cleaning, but a similar thing happens. Obviously not with salt as I live inland, but general dirt buildup. One good downpour and most of it is gone. Never looks like a proper clean with WFP though.

My experience with self cleaning glass in my area is that it turns grey with broken down dirt that doesn't get washed off because most of our rain is not heavy enough and upper windows are partially shielded from any rain by the roof overhang.

As far as cleaning is concerned I just use pure water, hot or cold to  good effect.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Shane sharples on March 07, 2016, 06:00:38 pm
How do you know if it's damaged? I used virosol on one the other week (regular customer) so if it's turned green or something, I'll be expecting a cancellation!
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smurf on March 07, 2016, 06:12:33 pm
How do you know if it's damaged? I used virosol on one the other week (regular customer) so if it's turned green or something, I'll be expecting a cancellation!

Most will know that the glass is self cleaning and also not to use harsh chem on it so you have to be very careful as the last thing you want is a claim put in against you.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Shane sharples on March 07, 2016, 06:30:45 pm
Yeah but I'm saying, what happens to the glass if a Chemical is used? does the glass turn a different colour or does it just start getting dirty?
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Smurf on March 07, 2016, 07:42:58 pm
Yeah but I'm saying, what happens to the glass if a Chemical is used? does the glass turn a different colour or does it just start getting dirty?

I have no idea but so say self cleaning glass don't work anyway so who's to say  ;D
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: SeanK on March 07, 2016, 07:56:16 pm
Yeah but I'm saying, what happens to the glass if a Chemical is used? does the glass turn a different colour or does it just start getting dirty?


Not sure how true this is as I was told it by a customer who has them, he said the coating on the glass can go cloudy if certain chemicals are used to clean it.
Title: Re: Self cleaning glass
Post by: Shane sharples on March 07, 2016, 09:17:32 pm
Cheers Sean , just wondering what to expect but il update later in the month if anything happened