[solar]

We have a site where approx 30 windows have been scratched whilst being cleaned, there are a lot of scratches all over the windows does any one know of a specialist firm to take these out.

regards solar

[Mike_G]

It is possible, and its a subject thats been on here recently, have a look at previous posts, you should find it.

[Ian_Giles]

It may be possible to scratrch windows while you clean them, but in 22 years of window cleaning. even on some really mucky initial cleans I haven't made any noticable scratches on the glass.
The most likely culprit by a military mile is the builder or decorator.
The brickies or plasters get sand and cement on the glass, result=scratched glass

Decorator using sandpaper  and with even the briefest of touches the result yet again is scratched glass.

The window cleaner using a used and rusty stanley blade for his scraper and not wetting the glass before he attempts to remove sand and cement will possibly make the odd mark. But if he is using the right type of razor scraper and wetting the glass it should be next to impossible.

It is sure as hell impossible to scratch it with your applicator, ditto your squeegee or scrims.
Very rarely you might make some mark or other, but now way in hell will you scratch window after window.

As for removing scratches, forget it, you won't do it, the only way is to replace the window pane itself.

Ian

[Mike_G]

You can definately scratch glass with your squeegee, I use the back of handle to scrap of birds muck etc and if your handle has any little knicks (most likely from dropping it ) then it can scratch the glass, also if your applicator has any little bits of muck on it, that can also scratch the glass. Basically if you drop it make sure you give it a good rinse, if you are doing a builders clean a little bit of cement or a bit of grit can really do damage.  But I do agree with Ian, you surely could not of scratched 30 windows, go and have a look at the others, they have probably been scratched as well, but not by you.

[Ian_Giles]

Mike,
Your squeegee handle is made of plastic, no matter how mauch you drop or damage it, it just isn't hard enough to scratch glass!
It might scratch your hand but the glass...not a chance!

In fact, if you dip your applicator in a bucket of sand and wash a window you'll haveto work hard at scratching the glass.
Honestly, give it a try on a garage or shed window of your own, it'll take real effort to mark the glass.

The metal part of your squeegee is capable of scratching glass, and of course you may pick up debris on your applicator that has the potential to scatch the glass, but you will feel it through the handle, you might even hear it!
But as Mike says, there is almost no way you will be able to scratch window after window in a way that is in any way remotely noticable.
Whatever you do, unless you have really really got it way wrong in some almost impossible scenario, don't be bullied into thinking you are responsible for the scratches!!!!!

Ian

[windolene]

Hi,

Mike,   
             scraping birds poo of the window with your squeegee handle is a new one to me, I must give it a try sometime but am happy just to give it a good rubbing with my applicator usually.

By the way Mike, how does Ian-Giles know use use plastic handles & not brass or stainless steel, do you know each other?  .

Kevin WINDOLENE.

[JohnL]

 . . In fact, if you dip your applicator in a bucket of sand and wash a window you'll haveto work hard at scratching the glass.
Honestly, give it a try on a garage or shed window of your own, it'll take real effort to mark the glass.

I definitely would not try that! Some sand is incredibly hard and is what is used to grind down glass before using more finer products to gain the finish and shape required. Admittedly the pressure required to achieve a scratch would have to be pretty excessive but knowing sods law etc etc etc   

JohnL

[sunshine windows]

It is sure as hell impossible to scratch it with your applicator, ditto your squeegee or scrims.
 

I beg to differ Ian. I scratched a couple of customer's windows a few months ago trying to get birds poo off the panes. All i did was scrub the poo with the side of my applicator. There must have been something abrasive in the poo or stuck in the side of applicator because it didn't take too much scrubbing for me to realise that something wasn't right.

Now i'm extremely careful when scrubbing windows with the side of my applicator. Using the applicator in a normal manner though i've had no problems at all.


Sunshine

[petetaylor56]

 :)solar have a look here http://www.glassrenovation.co.uk/ if ever i do a builders clean i get them to sign a waiver do to the fact you might not have been the person who scratched it and check out this site http://www.scratched-glass.net/

[dai]

I have seen windows that have been scratched by contractors removing stickers on new builds. I don't know how they did it. I have not managed to scratch glass these last 13 years. As Ian says, A good sharp blade used at the right angle will never scratch glass. Dai

[Mike_G]

My squeegee is unger and it is stainless steel and it can and did scratch the glass, I was not sure at first so tried it on a dodgy old pane somewhere and it scratched it, like I say if the back of the handle is good with no marks on it, it is great for getting off stubborn birds muck etc (some of the newer handles dont seem to scrap so well) but be careful after all unless it is made of plastic there is a chance of an accident. Of course the best thing to use is a proper scraper or just rub hard with the applicator of course.

[Ian_Giles]

I was of course refering to the plastic handles
Though quite how you rub the stainless steel or brass on the glass baffles me a little
Using the applicator to scrub of some stubborn bird poo, yep, I'll give you that one too, if you are using the end of the appicator the pressure per square inch is going to be far higher and if you trap a piece of grit between it and the glass you may well mark the glass.
And as for the sand on applicator and trying to scratch your glass....well I did say to try it on an old shed window!!

But the one thing you will not so is to scratch window after window, if you have a piece of grit in your applicator that would scratch the glass, should it so so you will feel it instantly.
Using Stanley blades is risky, the blades can get damaged or kinked.
The razor blade ones can snap, but they won't kink like stanley blades will.
Don't use blunt or rusty blades either, if you do then you are a muppet and are asking for trouble!!

Ian