Window cleaning

katprice · Post by **katprice** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:40 pm

I've searched through the forum and didn't see any threads for how to get the caked-on, baked on grime off my F-32's windows. What (besides elbow grease) will remove the scale?

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 3:40 pm

whats on them ?

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:04 pm

is it scale or is the glass delaminating from the safety layer?

katprice · Post by **katprice** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:12 pm

I'll go take pics tomorrow and post them, so you can see what I'm talking about.

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:16 pm

If it's on the outside, such a adhesive residue from tint film. Use Brake Clean in an aerosol can, available at parts stores. It won't hurt the glass, spray on to clean soft cloth, not paper towels... Then when done, use your favorite glass cleaner or a mix of vinegar and water.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:53 pm

WD or similar and a razor blade is great for old sticker residue and the like. A green nylon 3M scrubbie and some serious detergent will handle most grime and scale. Simple Green if its in the water, laundry soap if its on land and not close to sensitive ecology.

What folks were saying about the safety glass delaminating is quite true. If its foggy and you cant feel any surface grime, or its foggy and still shines real well after a good cleaning its probably an internal delamination of the safety glass. The only way to fix that is new glass.

My center windshield is totally delamming on the bottom left corner. So far the haze has crept in about 6-8 inches from both the bottom and left side edge of the pane. Its totally going in the trash next summer as soon as I find a competent glass guy who I like that will also make a house call. My major concern is getting the top tint done properly. If the new pane looks majorly different once its installed I have already resigned to replacing all 3 and the bottom vent as well. Hey man, its only money, you can always make more.

Struts and Rudders · Post by **Struts and Rudders** » Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:41 pm

if it is scale from hardwater spots try Lime Away or CLR, keep it off your window frames and paint.
has worked for me, test before you try it yourself.

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 4:14 pm

having sold and used melaleuca products for years, i've found that using 'tub and tile' bathroom cleaner gets rid of the hard water and lime scale. 'no work', also a melaleuca product, works great on the fiberglass decks. after i wash the windows with the 'tub and tile', i then use a shamwow to clean off the waterspots, and follow up with a coat of wax, then buff to a shine, to keep the schmutz off. the water beads off when it rains.
just a suggestion.
tri cabin aaron, baltimore, md.

katprice · Post by **katprice** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:09 am

Here's a link to a picture of the messed-up windows:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34191597@N08/6381474461/

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:17 am

are they glass or plexiglass ? from the photo they look like plexi....

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:54 am

Look like the stock Trojan Glass windshield to me , mine have the same tint at the top . But over the years someone could have changed it .

katprice · Post by **katprice** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:48 am

They are glass. It says "Saftee" in the bottom corner of the panes.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:08 pm

then I'd say moister has gotten between the panes.. thought maybe plexiglass and someone cleaned it wrong. but you most likely need new ones. Have you taken the photos to a glass shop and showed them ?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:08 pm

It looks like it could be glue from old tint . you can see rub marks in it , try a window cleaner and a razor blade , I have seen tint film do that also when cleaned with the wrong cleaners . ( hard to remove the film. )

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:33 am

can you feel anything on the glass ? if there is glue on them try acetone and a lint free cloth in one corner don't get it on anything else...see how that works out..but if it's between the panes nothing's going to clean them..