[steven ainger]

a builder friend of mine has asked me about a tinted self cleaning conservatory roof he has fitted for a customers, and he wondered if it was ok to clean with wfp as he didnt know if the coating was in the manufacture or if it was a spray on finish. he also added that he had to use special sealants that wouldnot react with the glass and was just being cautious as he didnt want to give the customer wrong information, i said i couldnt see a problem but i would post a question on this forum for people with experiance of this type of glass,  thanks steven

[East coast window cleaning Services]

Rain water is pure and thats what activates the self cleaning so pure water is fine.

[aztec]

no such thing as self cleaning glass!!

[Pat Purcell]

some self -cleaning glass needs an initial wash with a diluted vinegar solution to activate it, tell him to call the manufacturer and ask them or it should be on the care and maintenance sheet that came with the glass

[TennetClean]

I've got a few commercials with self cleaning glass.  Tread carefully, because if you damage the coating you will be liable for re-glazing (at least on commercial, domestic probly dont care?wont notice that much) and your insurance wont cover you.  Managers are sometimes very anal about it because its like twice the cost of ordinary glass and they think they know it all and window cleaners know nothing. 

WFP is usually fine but DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE A SCRAPER.   That WILL damage the coating.  Also make sure only the bristles touch the glass, never the brush head and NEVER the jets in the brush.

Does it work?  Hmmm yes to be honest it does, the water tends to sheet off the glass rather than form droplets, which does make it easy to clean.  But because you have to be extra careful it takes a bit longer, so charge more.  Also charge a bit extra because they have had the audacity to install it in the first place.

[steven ainger]

thanks tennetclean, great answer just what i was looking for, so in summery, wfp is fine but be very carefull and nothing abbresive. thanks again

[tompoole]

So

Please someone tell me why someone pays extra for selfcleaning glass, then , get a window cleaner to clean it whats the point of paying extra for it in the first place? 

[Feen]

tompoole, the best description I have read was that "the only thing that's self cleaning is the cat".  Does that answer you question

[jeff1]

Its more than likely down to sales reps telling them how fantastic it is and  how much they will save by not having to employ a w/c :

If you check out what some manufacturers are now begining to call there self cleaning Glass? They now call it low maintenance glass. :

[Captain Scarlet]

Of course its safe to clean using wfp, how would they expect people to clean off heavy soilage etc etc without some how touching it? The coating is quite thick and care should be taken not to scratch it with the brush stock, but brush bristles wont cause any damage, Luke

[tonylee]

hi
I've got a self cleaning oven that work too, my eye
 got one on my round with the biggest bird poo on it (would have been proud to call it my own) that has been there for 7 months
customer is so worried that i may danage the coating they will not let me touch it.
self cleaning glass. my arse.
tony

[Moderator David@stives]

WFP will not damage self cleaning glass , just think of the corosive effect of dry matter hitting glass in high winds.
Sand blasting springs to mind.

Dave

[philboy]

no such thing as self cleaning glass!!

Absolutly right! I have over 20 customers who had "self cleaning glass" sold to them when they bought their conservatories, I've also cleaned the dirt off all of these conservatory roofs within 6 months of the conservatories being erected, much to the disapointment of the custie! Shame on the salesmen who sell this stuff!!