[Aqua Power Solutions]

Hi Guys, Did a one off clean for an estate agents a month ago. Cut along story short ,asked to go back because the windows are still "dirty" !  Went back to have a look and explained that the "dirt" on the bottom of the windows is not dirt but the glass has oxidation from the lead. IMO this property had not had the glass cleaned for years .
My question is , Can this oxidation be removed off the glass ?
Thanks In Advance
Ed

[KLEENAWAY]

http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/index.php?option=com_aceshop&route=product/product&product_id=4138

Iv used this before and it's good but you need to plenty elbow grease!

[kurt]

I used white vinager on a conservatory roof with the same prob . It came of no prob .

[rosskesava]

If it's come from lead flashing etc, no it cannot be removed as it has bonded with the glass to form lead carbonate. Recent deposits that havn't bonded to the glass can be removed but if it's been there years...... run Forest run.

Various acids like vinegar may remove some of it but once it's bonded to the glass, basically, forget trying all the off the shelf promises from various companies. The chemical reaction caused by rain, lead and glass creates a bonding that is very very stable and trying to reverse it is highly specialise work usually involving nitric acid and very expensive which is fine for 200 year old listed leaded glass but for ordinary windows in a house, etc.....

[Marc Stock]

If it's come from lead flashing etc, no it cannot be removed as it has bonded with the glass to form lead carbonate. Recent deposits that havn't bonded to the glass can be removed but if it's been there years...... run Forest run.

Various acids like vinegar may remove some of it but once it's bonded to the glass, basically, forget trying all the off the shelf promises from various companies. The chemical reaction caused by rain, lead and glass creates a bonding that is very very stable and trying to reverse it is highly specialise work usually involving nitric acid and very expensive which is fine for 200 year old listed leaded glass but for ordinary windows in a house, etc.....

100% Correct. Lead staining will not come off. Its down to poor maintance. You have to coat the lead in Patination Oil to stop it staining other surfaces. If the lead was installed and this was not done, then lead will bond into anything it comes into contact with, as soft metals easily form mettaliods with other substances. The staining on the glass is the lead forming a metalloid on the surface which is permanent.

This is called Ligand Formation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligand

This is what you need to prevent Ligand Formation.

http://www.britishlead.co.uk/patination-oil.htm

[Aqua Power Solutions]

Thankyou very much for your replies , as always very helpful and a great forum to gain other's experience and knowledge. Regards Ed

[PoleKing]

If it's come from lead flashing etc, no it cannot be removed as it has bonded with the glass to form lead carbonate. Recent deposits that havn't bonded to the glass can be removed but if it's been there years...... run Forest run.

Various acids like vinegar may remove some of it but once it's bonded to the glass, basically, forget trying all the off the shelf promises from various companies. The chemical reaction caused by rain, lead and glass creates a bonding that is very very stable and trying to reverse it is highly specialise work usually involving nitric acid and very expensive which is fine for 200 year old listed leaded glass but for ordinary windows in a house, etc.....

100% Correct. Lead staining will not come off. Its down to poor maintance. You have to coat the lead in Patination Oil to stop it staining other surfaces. If the lead was installed and this was not done, then lead will bond into anything it comes into contact with, as soft metals easily form mettaliods with other substances. The staining on the glass is the lead forming a metalloid on the surface which is permanent.

This is called Ligand Formation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligand

This is what you need to prevent Ligand Formation.

http://www.britishlead.co.uk/patination-oil.htm

Blimy lads-you 2 know some stuff!
Good to know. Ta.