[Afterglow Window Cleaners]

Hi all,

One of my customers is having major problems with her leaded windows.

When they get wet, the leading residue runs down the glass, causing white streaks.

I read about using hydrochloric acid to clean off the lead residue streaks; and my customer has tried using a strong version of domestos with hydrochloric acid (for toilets) and this removes the lead residue, but when they get wet again the lead just runs again.

Is there anything available to prevent this, it does not happen on some of her leaded windows which were fitted at a different time but by the same company.

Is it possible that a substandard lead has been used and is causing this issue.

Cheers, Gary

[Andrew Griffiths]

Try Patination Oil  cheap as chips from toolsation screwfix etc its a white spirit based liquid that helps prevent white carbonate (that can occur on newly fitted Lead) from staining adjacent materials and provides a pleasing finish to new Leadwork.

[CleanClear]

Hi all,

One of my customers is having major problems with her leaded windows.

When they get wet, the leading residue runs down the glass, causing white streaks.

I read about using hydrochloric acid to clean off the lead residue streaks; and my customer has tried using a strong version of domestos with hydrochloric acid (for toilets) and this removes the lead residue, but when they get wet again the lead just runs again.

Is there anything available to prevent this, it does not happen on some of her leaded windows which were fitted at a different time but by the same company.

Is it possible that a substandard lead has been used and is causing this issue.

Cheers, Gary

Without knowing the full history of how old the windows are and actuallly looking at the lead i'll hazard a guess.......
 You cannot prevent what is happening. Its lead oxide staining the window. This may be caused by the way the lead is fitted to the window leaving a small capture area behind it for water to sit and then slowly run off. To confirm this you'll have to stay there and accertain what is happening. Too remove lead oxide, you could try one of the sprays sold for shower cleaning and hard water marks, Lime lite or some such stuff. That might clean it but not prevent it coming back. You should toss the research and cure firmly back to your customer.

[Matt.]

I don't know the answer mate but I have been wfp my patio doors for last year and I have noticed on the bottom of some of the sections there is some light staining starting to appear below the leaded section, wife not noticed yet but I will try some vinegar on it tomorrow - reason I done a car show room yesterday and where the lads wash the cars the water on the windows had left major heavy lime staining and I couldn't get nothing at all at the time so I bought 10 bottles of vinegar from corner shop and I was quite amazed the lot is gone. ??

[Clever Forum Name]

Are the windows new?

[Matt.]

My ones are 3 1/2 years old paid £2500 for doors with this fancy lead the wife wanted

[rosskesava]

If the lead residue isn't cleaned regularly, the acidity of rain reacts with it to form lead carbonate which is as hard as diamond and bonds to the glass.

That patination oil mentioned above is the stuff to use to helps to stop it in the first place.

Vinegar as an acid is probably too weak to do anything.

If it's very recent staining a brillo pad should remove it using a mild acid like patio cleaner - diluted at least 1 to 4. Wearing rubber gloves is a must and rinse down afterwards with plenty of water from a hose pipe.

Generally though, if the stain has gone white and powdery on the surface, it's a specialist job.


Also, Domestos is an alkaline. Alkalines should not be mixed with acids. One can neutralise the other and when mixed some nasty gases can get given off.