[Dick]

I previously posted a question regarding cleaning Pilkington K glass. My customer asked me not to clean her vertical conservatory glass as it had been specially treated, but I could clean the roof glass. I've had the following reply from Pilkington. hope it's of use.

Thank you for your response. Pilkington K Glass™ is a hard coated Low Emissivity glass used within a double glazed unit to improve the thermal performance. The coating faces into the cavity between the 2 panes of glass so cannot be accessed for cleaning. The external and internal face of the double glazed unit can be cleaned as per standard glass cleaning guidelines, please see attached. I trust this is of assistance to you. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact our Pilkington Technical Helpdesk.

Cleaning of Glass
Glass should normally be cleaned with a clean cloth and a clear non-abrasive cleaner, such as clean soapy water or a proprietary window cleaner.  For glass with a patterned, etched or sandblasted surface, a stiff bristle or nylon brush can be used to remove dirt from the recesses in the surface.
 
If the glass does not become clean using the above methods then the following can be tried.
 
Use a mild acid (e.g. vinegar) or a mild solvent (e.g. methylated spirit), taking care not to spill any of these on other surfaces or materials.
 
If neither treatment works then the glass will need to be abraded and re-polished.  This is likely to be expensive and should be left to experts.  The process may result in some optical distortion where the glass surface has been removed.
 
Special Notes on Cleaning
Organic solvent cleaners should be avoided on mirrors since they may attack the backing paint.
 
Leaded Glass should only be cleaned with a clear non-abrasive cleaner.  The cleaner should be of a type that does not remove the patina (aged surface finish) of the lead.
 
Patterned glass, acid etched glass and sandblasted glass should only be cleaned with a clear non-abrasive cleaner.  Any insoluble material in the cleaner may deposit in the recesses of the etching or sandblasting and may be very difficult to remove.


I'll print it and take it when I next intend cleaning.

 

 

[[GQC] Tim]

Very good reply, I'll print that out as well.

Patterned glass, acid etched glass and sandblasted glass

Really wonder what they mean with acid etched glass and sandblasted glass?

[Mike 108]

Dick

Well done for looking into that and for sharing the information.
Thanks

Mike

[alanwilson]

we have a huge list of customers who were sold self cleaning glass - is it still self cleaning if someone else does it?  maybe thats what Pilkington meant!!

[Squeegee Clean blackpool]

I used to apply a chemical coating to existing windows o make them self cleaning (easy clean) and for a 3 bed semi it would be around £1500 or more depending on the rep. The chemicals labour and commision wouldhave come to around £350, Not bad hey!!!!

[frames to panes]

Several of my customers have self cleaning glass - it's crap because in the dry sunny periods when you want it looking clean it's covered in dust and grime. The only chance it has to be cleaned is during a downpour which ironically is when most of the dirt gets deposited anyway so there seems to be no logic to it.

[frames to panes]

Lot of conservatory roofs have it.

[Sanity]

Several of my customers have self cleaning glass - it's crap because in the dry sunny periods when you want it looking clean it's covered in dust and grime. The only chance it has to be cleaned is during a downpour which ironically is when most of the dirt gets deposited anyway so there seems to be no logic to it.

Rain actually removes dirt (hence the overhanging eaves of a house sheltering the top of windows, which are always the dirtiest part...)

If rain made windows dirty, considering is is between 000 and 004 TDS it is essentially using pure water to rinse...

Wind actually deposits dirt (have you seen the red dust on cars when we get a south wind?  Dust from the desert...)

[frames to panes]

You may be right, but most of the time the rain seems to be accompanied by the wind.

[Simon_King]

Pilkiington K glass and self cleaning glass are separate products I think.

In the winter, with a low sun, K glass always looks as though its not properly clean due to the coating.

Self cleaning glass on the other hand is great to clean cos its super smooth and the water just sheets off. Pilkiington call it Activa.
Apparently if a sheet of Activa glass was as thick as the Empire State Building was tall the coating on the glass would be as thick as a 50p piece sat on its side on the roof.  :

I think Pilkiington are stretching it a bit to call it self cleaning glass. Low maintainance would be a better name.
Theres a building near us thats all self cleaning glass but if one of the local sea gulls leaves a dump on the window youve still got to wait for rain and sun in the right amounts to get rid.
Most people there have a window cleaner as a result!

[Squeegee Clean blackpool]

Check out these websites :

http://www.vistecltd.co.uk/contact.html

And google "ritec clearsheild"