Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: andy2847 on September 19, 2010, 01:45:26 pm

Title: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: andy2847 on September 19, 2010, 01:45:26 pm
HI guys and Gals
wondered if any of you kind people could help. I have been asked to do a clean on a fairly substantial house which has supposedly self cleaning glass!! The owner realises (I think) that this is quite possibly a salesmans dream  but nevertheless she has gone down that route and had them installed. She is now worried that as there is a film or coating over the windows that my pure water (as I am waterfed pole) will damage the windows and take this film off. She is initially worried about the brush scratching which I have informed her that in the last 18 months i have had no complaints and that I cant possibly see how that would be but also she is worried I may take off the film with the pure water!! Could any of you guys clarify that she may be right as the last thing i want to do is wreck her new windows. She is not being fussy just concerned I think and wants to be assured that none of this will happen. Does anybody know anything about this?? your comments wopuld be much appreciated.
kind Regards
Andy
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 19, 2010, 01:54:50 pm
Ask her to ask her supplier how they recommend cleaning in "those unusual conditions where they need it."

Mrs. lady (On blower to supplier) "Oi supplier! those self cleaning windows don't work very well so how do I clean them? - And another thing - the frames need a good old scrub so if I use detergent on them and it gets on the glass will it cause any damage?"
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: Jeff Brimble on September 19, 2010, 01:55:47 pm
Ask her for the manuf instructions of how to clean the glass and then discuss it with her and get her to sign a waiver to protect yourself, Pilks have instructions, make sure you use a flocked brush. I do a few as self cleaning glass is the wrong term it should be low maintainance glass.
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: mark mann on September 19, 2010, 01:56:33 pm
jad a conny roof to do that had sel;f cleaning glass and the customer actually specified that wanted pure water as thats what they had been instructed to only use by the supplier.

not had one with self cleaning glass on windows tho - but guessing so long as right brush used shouldnt be an issue - but like you would be double checking.

 :)
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: the bfg on September 19, 2010, 01:58:24 pm
I have done 3 1st cleans on self cleaning glass,  it needs to be cleaned to activate it and as l;ong as you use a soft bristled brush it will be fine.
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: Smudger on September 19, 2010, 03:53:28 pm
Had the same as above custy ONLY happy if using pure water NO DETERGENT of any kind,

have washed several with pure only - no probs.

Darran
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: andy2847 on September 19, 2010, 04:17:08 pm
I use the gardiners super light brush guess this would be ok??? not sure if it is flocked or not though!!!
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: Smudger on September 19, 2010, 04:26:55 pm
superlite is OK
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on September 19, 2010, 04:31:02 pm
ive got a bungalow i do with s.c.g, i do it trad no probs so far after 12 months! so... ???
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: john tomkins on September 19, 2010, 10:45:43 pm
I've been doing self cleaning glass on one house for at least 4 years and to be honest if they hadn't said it was self cleaning glass then I'd have been none the wiser. I've always used a mono brush on it, where has it ever said use flocked?
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: Londoner on September 20, 2010, 07:05:52 am
Its when you forget yourself and get the scraper out to a bit of bird poo that the trouble starts. The glass is coated with a thin film of something like teflon that supposedly makes it non stick.

It only works with windows that are washed by the rain anyway so why they put them on a house is a bit beyond me.
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: A@R WINDOWCLEANING on September 20, 2010, 08:18:20 am
i do a few jobs with self cleaning glass and to honest i cant tell the difference it looks no cleaner than normal glass (what a gimmick)
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: sarahbelleee on September 20, 2010, 10:07:00 am
I agree there is no big difference between self cleaning and ordenery glass.  Maybe the only thing is self cleaning window stays clean longer
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: Perfect Windows on September 20, 2010, 10:14:18 am
Its when you forget yourself and get the scraper out to a bit of bird poo that the trouble starts. The glass is coated with a thin film of something like teflon that supposedly makes it non stick.

It's a coating of titanum dioxide.  From their website:

"The first stage of the cleaning process is "photocatalytic". In this stage the coating reacts with daylight to break down organic dirt.

The second stage is "hydrophilic". Here, instead of forming droplets, rainwater hits the glass and spreads evenly, running off in a "sheet" and taking the loosened dirt with it, also drying quickly without leaving streaks."

It only works with windows that are washed by the rain anyway so why they put them on a house is a bit beyond me.

I agree, who has ever seen rain on a house's windows?

Vin
Title: Re: self cleaning glass!!!!
Post by: Llaaww on September 20, 2010, 07:42:12 pm
I was at one today. A beautiful big house with loads of filthy glass. The woman stood there in front of her manky windows and assured me that they were self cleaning and that I needn't bother. If you can't get the deal when they are standing in front of a dirty window what can you do. These people are weird, just because they spent thousands on magical self cleaning glass, they are totally convinced that the place is clean.  ::)

I usually tell them that self cleaning means that you have to clean it yourself :D