Glass seems impervious but in fact there are numerous conditions that make it susceptible to damage. Among the conditions that can harm glass and window frames are: Alkalai Attack – Alkalis leached from concrete panels by rain or fluorides in the wash-off from concrete floors can stain and etch glass if allowed to remain for even short periods of time. Damage From Acids and Pollutants – Glass is resistant to most acids but acid rain, which contains sulfuric and nitric acid, and occasionally others, can produce compounds and reactions that damage glass. Oxidized Metals – Iron oxide from rusting steel and aluminum oxide can etch and stain glass. Chlorides form what are called Surface Reactive Salts (SRSs) that damage glass and many organic and inorganic materials can become chemically bonded to glass and very hard to remove. Vandalism – Vandals will scratch glass with sharp, hard tools and knives and use hydrofluoric acid, sometimes tinted with shoe polish, to “tag” storefronts. This practice may have been the original impetus for creation of many glass restoration products and systems.
3M Glass Polishing Compound
A precision-milled cerium oxide-based micro-abrasive paste
American Building Restoration Products
Stain removers, deck and siding wash, wood rejuvinator, strippers, masonry, stone and concrete cleaners, rest removers, graffiti prevention and removal products, efflorescence and lime dissolver, metal prewash and brighteners, stone polish, sealers, metal and fiberglass polish, glass restoration products, liquid (acrylic) masking, window frost and black out material
Cleaner Glass is Greener Glass
This article by Stephen Byers of Ritec International advocates for the application of durable surface protection. Without it glass is susceptible to corrosion and damage from alkaline solutions, chemically bonded dirt, air pollutants, limescale from hard water from sprinklers and other sources, chlorides, oxides, and alkali attack from building materials such as precast concrete and lubricants from gasket and locking strip installations, oxides and physical damage from welding sparks.
ClearShield Online
ClearShield is a subsidiary of Ritec International. The ClearShield system includes products that seal and protect new and restored glass in architectural, decorative and marine applications and showers.
Glass Polish Unlimited / GlassPolishShop.com
- DIY GLASS REPAIR
- PROFESSIONAL GLASS REPAIR
- PLASTIC, ACRYLIC RESTORATION
- METAL RESTORATION
- LEATHER, VINYL & FABRIC CARE
- AUTOMOTIVE
- CONSUMABLES
- POLISHING MACHINES
- ACCESSORIES
GlassRenu
GlassRenu packages a grinder, disks for the grinder of varying abrasive grades, a thermometer, polishing compound and other ancillary items like a spray bottle in a kit. The tools and materials, in the hands of a trained or skilled technician, are used to restore scratched or damaged glass in doors and windows, display cases, table tops and other glass surfaces. Their “Glass Restoration Service Network” consists of glass technicians and shops qualified to use their system and products.
GlassRenu Demo on YouTube
In this video a deep scratch in a storefront is removed using the GlassRenu system. UnscratchTheSurface.com claims to be the innovators of “The Original Dry Grind Glass Repair System” and to offer the only “No Distortion” Guarantee.
International Glass Review Article
This article by Serge Perkoff & Stephen Byers of Ritec International Limited, England describes the physical mechanisms that bring about the degradation of glass surfaces and the materials that can be applied to resist them.
J.Racenstein
Window cleaning and building maintenance equipment and supplies fill this catalogue. Their window cleaning and glass protection products are here.
Presto Restoration Products
Presto Restoration Products & Services provides materials and tools for glass and architectural metals restoration and waterproofing. They also provide restoration services and consulting.
Ritec International Ltd
Ritec is a pioneer in glass treatment and hydrophobic coatings. Their ClearShield® and ClearShield Eco-System™ are for new glass and glass restoration and they are used on commercial and residential architecture, decorative glass, showers, ships, railcars and factories. ClearShield products are used to protect glass installed in harsh environments. One such project was restoring and protecting glass on North Sea oil rigs. Their product catalog includes all the products in their “systems” including pre-cleaners, their “Glass Renovator” product, neutralizers, hydrophobic coatings for shower glass, architectural glass, factory glass and marine applications, products for glass surfaces subject to high temperature, glass maintenance chemicals, “Silicone Eater” sealant remover, a mildly abrasive glass polishing solution, spray equipment and accessories such as squeegees, scrapers, towels, wipes, microfibre cloths and synthetic sponges. Marketing materials are in the catalog too. These are glass item treated with Ritec products to demonstrate their effectiveness.
Protective Film
GlassCare Protective Film
GlassCare Inc., supplies and installs very strong and effective safety and security films for existing glass surfaces. They substantially strengthen glass windows and doors, retaining broken glass intact in its frame. Their film for graffiti prevention serves to discourage the vandal and provides a protective and sacrificial layer that can be fairly easily replaced should damage occur.
International Window Film Association
The International Window Film Association (IWFA) is devoted to the interests of window film dealers, distributors, and manufacturers and facilitates the growth of the window film industry by providing research, effecting policy and educating interested parties on window film. Service to their membership is the mission of the IWFA.
The Protective Glazing Council
PGC was formed in 1997 to provide resources for those engaged in the development of protective glazing systems for the General Services Administration and other US government agencies and construction generally in the United States. The Protective Glazing Council merged with the Glass Association of North America In 2014 as a standing council. Segments of the industry such glass fabricators, suppliers of materials and accessories, window film manufacturers, curtain wall and window manufacturers, sealant suppliers, test laboratories and the fenestration industry are represented on the Council.
Shatter Shield Window Security Film
Originally this film was for bomb blast protection and it has been applied to windows on over 200 U.S. Embassies worldwide and on many federal office buildings. Today it is also marketed for residential security. The film is treated with a chemical developed and manufactured by Dupont. This combination makes the product incredibly durable and when adhered to glass surfaces it becomes nearly unbreakable.
Self-cleaning glass on WikipediA
The field of self-cleaning coatings on glass is divided into two categories: hydrophobic and hydrophilic. These two types of coating both clean themselves through the action of water, the former by rolling droplets and the latter by sheeting water that carries away dirt. Hydrophilic coatings based on titania, however, have an additional property: they can chemically break down absorbed dirt in sunlight.
Soaps and Chemicals for Glass at WindowCleaningResource.com
This distributor carries scores of building maintenance products including tools and cleaners of all kinds.
Technical Bulletin by JVSBS on Architectural Glass and Frame Cleaning and Protection
Although this Technical Bulletin is intended to provide general information on glass cleaning and maintenance parts of it could serve as the basis for a building’s window cleaning specification that can be added to the service contract.
