[Slash]

I done a four weekly clean on Friday afternoon and got called back yesterday as the cleaner spotted out scratches all over three large patio doors,these windows measure roughly 4 X 6 and is done traditional way as I also clean the insides,I went back as I say yesterday and could'nt see any problems and the woman said it's more visable when the suns shines on them.
I told her I'm in the area for a few weeks and today she called me as it was sunny,without hesitation I went around there as I was working up the road a bit and when I got round there  parts of the glass seemed to have whirrly scratches where either the mop head or squeegee had grit in it,I'm not sure if I'm to blame  but she always sits by the window as she is disabled and told me they have always been perfect so I guess the blame is on me,however I will take responabilty on the matter but do I replace all three sections or is there another medhod of getting scratches out,like I say the lady sits by the window every day and her view to the garden means quite alot to her,thanks in advance.

[Moderator David@stives]

dont forget its low sun at this time of year and you see things that you wouldnt normally at other times of the year.

they have probably always been there

[colin purewater]

Sounds like somthin on your mop did it mate!

Just replace them as you will not  get shut of the scratches
And back to perfect!

Or just don't go back lol

[matthewprice]

think if you are taking responsability best to replace if they are double glazed unites they are not that expensive

[Slash]

dont forget its low sun at this time of year and you see things that you wouldnt normally at other times of the year.

they have probably always been there

My thought exactly Dave but I've been doing these windows for almost seven years and not a mention of scratches.

[matthewprice]

has any other work been done eg slabing cement work ect builders somtimes dont have a clue,enen painters can at times scratch glass

[Slash]

No work been done what so ever but is there anything else I can do without replacing the glass,the woman is not angry with me just  concerned,shes a very loyal customer and always appreciates my visits.

[Neil Gornall]

If the scratches are light, buy some cerium oxide off ebay, set aside an hour, and work on them.
I have had similar problems in the past and often the scratches can be got rid of easily.

[Neil Gornall]

This is what I use. Mix with a little water and work in with a cloth, then polish out.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-50g-Cerium-Oxide-Regipol-FREE-POSTAGE-/251047211571?pt=UK_Collectables_RocksFossils_Minerals_EH&hash=item3a73947233

[Dave Garrett]

Very good esp if you cant feel with finger nail
http://www.glassscratchrepair.co.uk/how-use.htm

[davids3511]

Are these not going to be toughened glass seeing as they are patio doors? If they are I think a) you aren't going to be able to polish them out and b) they aren't going to be cheap to replace. Get a rough price before you accept responsibility or you might get a bill bigger than you were expecting.

[AuRavelling79]

Slash, something doesn't add up here, especially if you are trad.

When I was trad I know that if I scratched glass I'd feel if there was grit in my applicator and certainly on my squeegee. I mean where would it have come from, especially inside?

You say the cleaner noticed the scratches? Does she ever clean the insides? I've known diamond rings scratch glass. Has brick dust ever got there from drilling a hole in the wall and been wiped away by a builder/installer?

Were you asked to do the insides specially and why; had some dusty work been done?

Like DMSI says - the sun is very low in the sky this time of year - have the scratches always been there?

Do some investigating before accepting liability. Be prepared to walk away and stand your ground if you feel you are being wrongly blamed.

[Rogue Trader]

i agree with above Slash - dont accept responsibility ust cos she is a nice old dear. i had a similar problem with a custy and they were similar swirly scratches on patio doors on the outside. The hous was a newish build so the windows had been in for 18 months or so . I thought i had picked up grit on the brush . When i went back i could categorically say that it wasnt me cos we clean patio door up and down to 2/3rds of the way down then left to right on the bottom third so save bending over - same as a lot of you im sure , this did not match the scratches as they were in the same direction all the way down , definately not us.

I agree the sun is low you see things that you dont normally , has the old dear got a new pair of glasses that are the right prescription and now she can see better? are the windows newish and this fault has always been there from the glazers?

If you scratched the glass while cleaning it you would know about it slash certainly if you were tradding it ,

[robertphil]

i saw some really bad scratches on a few windows at a customers , filled a few with toothpaste just in case i got blamed. that improved them a tad .

Strange thing is ,i still go there a year later and cannot see the scratches now,im sure its down to the light that only is angled so low in November - as others are saying on this thread

[Slash]

Slash, something doesn't add up here, especially if you are trad.

When I was trad I know that if I scratched glass I'd feel if there was grit in my applicator and certainly on my squeegee. I mean where would it have come from, especially inside?

You say the cleaner noticed the scratches? Does she ever clean the insides? I've known diamond rings scratch glass. Has brick dust ever got there from drilling a hole in the wall and been wiped away by a builder/installer?

Were you asked to do the insides specially and why; had some dusty work been done?

Like DMSI says - the sun is very low in the sky this time of year - have the scratches always been there?

Do some investigating before accepting liability. Be prepared to walk away and stand your ground if you feel you are being wrongly blamed.

Cheers Gold,I do the whole house WFP but I find it easier to do these three patio doors traditional as I also do the insides and always did from day one,the son recently replaced the curtain rail  above the windows in question involving a bit of drilling but nothing major and the cleaner is married so the ring  might be a possibility but then again she always told the cleaner not to touch the windows as I always did a superb job and not to ruin them with smears and windolene.

[AuRavelling79]

Sherlock Holmes says several possibilities then -

"Ah, the plot thickens - curtain rail replaced - holes drilled, brick dust, wiped away (by cleaner?), glass scratched."

As above - belt buckle on son's trousers scratched against glass!

Metal curtain rail scraped against glass!

You're free and clear me old fruit - tho' you might have lost a custy, ho hum.