Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Fred W · Guru

Advice on how to remove jomax and bleach

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Doug I moved your post to the window cleaning section. Tony should we around sooner or later. I'm sure he will help you out.

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Jomax is acid based and might have etched the windows. If One Restore did not do it, you should try to find a professional window cleaner who does restoration or a window restoration guy. I referred one to a customer a few years ago, because I told her we do not do that type of work, and he came out and used a paste, like Amaz, and a buffing wheel to get the etching off. If you go at it too hard you will crack or damage the window. It was not cheap, I think she paid him around $200.00 per window, but that was cheaper than replacing the windows. Hope this helps.

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

Check JRacenstein for ultra fine steel wool and their paste.

Hank

Fred W · Guru

John Aloisio wrote:
Jomax is acid based and might have etched the windows.

I suggested to him that the windows may have been etched. I'm going to try some Diamond Majic and also steel wool as suggested on UAMCC FB. I want to see if it works and how difficult it will be. I want to learn, but yeah, if it does not look good my next option will be to have him hire a glass pro.

Hiring a professional is always a great option!

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

If you can find bronze wool it goes a long way. We had a similar job, used 0000 super fine steel wool with a 50/50 mix of One Restore. It got everything off the windows. I have no clue what was on the windows so I don't know if this will help you.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Be careful using steel wool if they are uv protective coated windows. I've worked with Pyrolyitc coated glass and manufacturer said do not clean with metal even razor blades since the coating is harder than metal and can imbed finite metal shavings that then will rust and discolor glass. These are called "hardcoats" but older cheaper uv coats are known as "softcoats" which steel wool will definitely damage.

Mostly used on newer high end homes.
Have a 20+yrs old customer that every year we do maintenance on a $10 million french mansion with probably 500+ panes that either were defective or affected by a cleaner. And took on a rainbow look. All had to be replaced at a extremely costly amount.
So check out the glass manufacturer first before aggressive cleaning process if questionable or at least do a sample pane first.

Hopefully Tony has some insight into specialized glass cleaning.

P.S.

We did not do the cleaning that may have damaged the coating.

Also manufacturer of the Pyrolyitc coated glass (think pilkington) also stated some tapes can leave adhesive oils in glass that also can discolor such as silicone based adhesive. Acrylic based 3m painters tape is OK though.

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Tuesday 17th of January 2017 10:20:45 AM

Fred W · Guru

Maverick Contracting wrote:
Be careful using steel wool if they are uv protective coated windows. I've worked with Pyrolyitc coated glass and manufacturer said do not clean with metal even razor blades since the coating is harder than metal and can imbed finite metal shavings that then will rust and discolor glass. These are called "hardcoats" but older cheaper uv coats are known as "softcoats" which steel wool will definitely damage.

Mostly used on newer high end homes.
Have a 20+yrs old customer that every year we do maintenance on a $10 million french mansion with probably 500+ panes that either were defective or affected by a cleaner. And took on a rainbow look. All had to be replaced at a extremely costly amount.
So check out the glass manufacturer first before aggressive cleaning process if questionable or at least do a sample pane first.

Hopefully Tony has some insight into specialized glass cleaning.
P.S.
We did not do the cleaning that may have damaged the coating.
Also manufacturer of the Pyrolyitc coated glass (think pilkington) also stated some tapes can leave adhesive oils in glass that also can discolor such as silicone based adhesive. Acrylic based 3m painters tape is OK though.

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Tuesday 17th of January 2017 10:20:45 AM

Good stuff

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Doug,

I just remembered the KISS rule

Keepin it simple

Maybe just baking soda well rinsed but first try a magic eraser or 3M scotch-Brite nylon scrubbing pads at softest abrasion first. The soft white ones do have a softer than glass mineral Nepheline Syenite embedded in the nylon wool but at least it won't rust.

Any paint or hardware store will have them. White is softest I believe.

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Tuesday 17th of January 2017 10:54:02 AM

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Tuesday 17th of January 2017 12:16:49 PM

PowerShine Property Services · Veteran Member

I used to work for window cleaning company years ago. We always carried 0000 steel wool with us. All we would use is Dawn Dish, soap steel wool and a squeegee. Always make sure window is wet with soapy water when using steel wool on a window. We would deal with a lot of calcium deposits, works great it just takes a bit of time.

mistersqueegee · Approved Window Cleaner

I'd suggest Unger Rub Out scrubbed on with a strip washer and then clean then with a water fed pole.

Admin · Head Quarters

mistersqueegee wrote:
I'd suggest Unger Rub Out scrubbed on with a strip washer and then clean then with a water fed pole.

https://ungercleaning.com/p-1334-rubout.aspx

Pinky · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I've used Glass Cook Top cleaner.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I'd go to the site with a handful of options and test each one to find the fastest, most simplistic method to get in and out!

And for future situations do the same. No 2 jobs always require the same solution.
If dry cleaning with magic eraser or plastic scrub pad works then great. If it requires more extensive elbow grease thats fine!

Report back please. I suspect We're all curious.

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Wednesday 18th of January 2017 12:07:22 PM

Fred W · Guru

Probably a week or two before we go back but i'll get pics and report.

Fred W · Guru

In the end we got nothing.....we were able to lighten a few spots but that was it. We tried only on one window and after a ton of buffing I surrendered. We tried Diamond Magic, and Rub Out by Unger. DM really did nothing and RO looked like it was working but wasn't.

In the end I contacted Tony Evans to see if he could find someone to help this guy. I'll be contacting Agent Clean again today as well.

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Why would you contact Agent Clean? Do they sell window cleaning products?

-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Monday 13th of February 2017 06:52:29 AM

Fred W · Guru

Diamond Roof Cleaning wrote:
Why would you contact Agent Clean? Do they sell window cleaning products?

-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Monday 13th of February 2017 06:52:29 AM

No, I was told they clean windows and have the experience....maybe they could assist in finding the right contractor or helping me do the job right.....if it can be done.

mistersqueegee · Approved Window Cleaner

Did my guy Charlie get ahold of you Doug?

mistersqueegee · Approved Window Cleaner

Diamond Roof Cleaning wrote:
Why would you contact Agent Clean? Do they sell window cleaning products?

-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Monday 13th of February 2017 06:52:29 AM

Between them Jon Welker and Andrew Snyder have about a half century of window cleaning experience. Great guys who are always willing to help.

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Diamond Roof Cleaning wrote:
Why would you contact Agent Clean? Do they sell window cleaning products?

-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Monday 13th of February 2017 06:52:29 AM

Andrew started out cleaning windows and ran a very successful business.

Fred W · Guru

mistersqueegee wrote:
Did my guy Charlie get ahold of you Doug?

Haven't heard from him.....

Fred W · Guru

Just got the call....His name is soooo familiar to me but can't place why. Sounds like a great guy and will know how to help my client. Thanks so much Tony!

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Sounds like a lot of agent clean love going on.

Fred W · Guru

Never met them. Just trying to help a client. I have heard good stuff about their soap.....same as all the others but I will be giving it a try.

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I heard the opposite about their soap. In my eyes soap is soap.

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Wasnt really talking about you doug. It was just funny to have 3 people qoute me to tell me why.

Fred W · Guru

LOL....:}

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Diamond Roof Cleaning wrote:
Sounds like a lot of agent clean love going on.

Andrew and Jon are awesome guys! A lot of love for them. Man love that is!

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Would it be safe to assume if a razorblade can't remove the contaminant then no cleaner can either?