GLASS CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE 1/3 The Glass Association of North America (GANA) has published the attached glass cleaning recommendations titled “Proper Procedures for Cleaning Architectural Glass Products.” The recommendations in this publication can be used for both commercial and residential glass products. These recommendations should be followed to reduce the opportunity of damage to glass surfaces during cleaning. One excerpt from this publication specifically recommends that glass not be cleaned by use of sharp tools such as large razor knives or razor blades. “The glass industry takes extreme care to avoid glass scratches by protecting all glass surfaces during glass manufacturing and fabrication, as well as during all shipping and handling required to deliver the glass to the end user. A large percentage of damaged glass results from nonglass trades working near glass. This will include painters, spacklers, ironworkers, landscapers, carpenters and others who are part of the construction process. They may inadvertently lean tools against the glass, splash materials onto the glass and/or clean the glass incorrectly, any of which can permanently damage glass.” SIMPSON’S RECOMMENDATIONS One of the common mistakes made by non-glass trades people, including glass cleaning contractors, is their use of razor blades and other scrapers on a large portion of the glass surface. Using metal blades to scrape a window clean carries a large probability for causing irreparable damage to glass. Simpson recommends that metal blades never be used to remove materials from glass surfaces. Any use of a metal blade or other inappropriate or destructive cleaning techniques is at the risk of the owner/window cleaner and Simpson’s warranties do not cover glass scratching caused by the use of metal blades. GLASS PROCESSING – MANUFACTURING HISTORY During manufacturing and processing, glass surfaces are exposed to a number of processes and materials, which can leave a residue on the glass surface. During the manufacturing of float glass, coated glass, tempered glass and insulating glass, the glass surfaces are exposed to vacuum cups, rollers, packaging materials (paper, cardboard, foam, cork, hot melt, etc.), glass production labels and the window manufacturer’s labels. These materials that come in contact with glass surfaces during glass processing, window fabrication and installation can leave a residue on the glass that is not visible under normal viewing conditions. These residues may become visible when moisture is present on glass (i.e. rain water, condensation, etc.) and is not considered to be a glass defect and glass should not be replaced because of this condition. By following the recommendations in this publication, scratching of glass products should be significantly reduced and the cleaning recommendations listed will ensure that the glass will be cleaned according to industry recommendations. Glass Information Bulletin GANA 01-0300 Proper Procedures for Cleaning Architectural Glass Products Architectural glass products play a major role in the comfort of living and working environment of today’s homes and commercial office spaces. By providing natural daylight, views of the surroundings, thermal comfort and design aesthetics, glass usage and condition often affect our selection of where we live, work, shop, play, and seek education. Architectural glass products must be properly cleaned during construction activities and as a part of routine maintenance in order to maintain visual and aesthetic clarity. Since glass products can be permanently damaged if improperly cleaned, glass producers and fabricators recommend strict compliance with the following procedures for properly cleaning glass surfaces. As dirt and residue appear, interior and exterior glass surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned. Concrete or mortar slurry which runs down (or is splashed on glass can be especially damaging and should be washed off as soon as possible. Before proceeding with cleaning, determine whether the glass is clear, tinted, or reflective. Surface damage is more noticeable on reflective glass as compared with the other glass products. If the reflective glass surface is exposed, either on the exterior or interior, special care must be taken when cleaning, as scratches to the reflective glass surface can result in coating removal and a visible change in light transmittance. Cleaning tinted and reflective glass surfaces in direct sunlight should be avoided, as the surface temperature may be excessively hot for optimum cleaning.
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Technical Information                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ATS-169   2008/05/12 PILKINGTON Activ™ Self-Cleaning Glass GLAZING GUIDELINES   Pilkington Activ™ Self-Cleaning Glass has a thin, clear, permanent, pyrolytic Titanium Oxide coating on one of its surfaces.  The coating has a hydrophilic property with makes raindrops spread out, or sheet, across the surface to wash away dirt particles. It also acts as a catalyst, when activated by daylight, to break down organic dirt into water vapor and CO2 gas.  Pilkington Activ glass needs to be glazed with the coating on the #1 (outboard) surface. It should be located where it will can receive daylight because the coating utilizes the sun’s ultra violet light, either direct or diffuse indirect, to activate its self-cleaning action and destroy organic material on its surface.  There is sufficient indirect UV light to activate the coating, even on a north elevation (in the northern hemisphere), underneath overhanging roof eaves and behind an insect screen. When glazed beside a light of clear, non-coated glass the Activ Glass will appear slightly brighter.   RECOMMENDED GLAZING GUIDELINES Wet glazing tapes, such as “preshim” with a neoprene rod core enclosed in a high viscosity butyl, are designed to remain pliable and flexible over their design lifetime. These tapes may contain a significant percentage of oil that can migrate onto the glass surface.  This oil can sometimes be seen on the coated surface and can be difficult to remove without damaging the coating. Silicone sealants can also exude silicone oil or plasticisers while they cure, and long afterwards.  These very thin layers of silicone oil are very difficult to remove from glass or coatings.  They are usually only visible when the glass is wet, and even then they are only noticeable by the different water droplet formation when compared to clean glass, but they do cover the coating and effectively inhibit the self-cleaning action. ATS-169 2008/05/12 Page 2   Neoprene gaskets are often coated with extrusion oil or a lubrication liquid to assist installation.  This will usually be removed during the first glass cleaning, provided the lubricating liquid does not contain Silicone. It is for these reasons that the following glazing materials are deemed compatible with Pilkington Activ Glass. 1.      Use a clean, oil-free, dry gasket system against the Pilkington Activ surface       Or 2.      Use silicone oil free, one or two component, curing, glazing sealants such as polysulfides and urethanes, Or 3.      SMX 505 by Soudal Inc. Contact: Mr Glen Kallgren, National Sales Manager. 682 553 1173.  gkallgren@soudal-inc.com 8888 Governors Row, Dallas, Texas 75247 Or 4.      Manusbond 35MP by Manus Products, 866 Industrial Blvd. , West Waconia, MN 55387 . Contact: Mr. Brian Henjum, Dir. Sales, Tel 952 442 3323  brianh@manus.net Or 5.      Sonolastic 150 by Sonnerborn. Supplied by Chemrex, MN . 800 433 9517  (Avoid direct UV exposure) Follow the manufacturers’ recommendations and insure that the sealants have adequate UV and weathering stability.   Identifying the Activ Coated Surface The coated glass surface should be identified by the location of a lable on the non-coated glass side.  A special hand-held detector is available from EDTM, Toledo, Ohio , tel. 419 861 1030, www.edtm.com to positively identify the coated surface. The fine scale roughness of the coating can be detected by added friction when it is rubbed with finger tips or finger nails. Note: the coating emittance is the same as non-coated glass and so standard Low-E detectors cannot be used to identify the coated surface. ATS-169 2008/05/12 Page 3     Maintenance and Cleaning Activ Glass See ATS Bulletin #166 for details.  It is on the web at: http://www.pilkington.com/the+americas/usa/english/building+products/ats+bulletins/default1.htm     The information contained in this bulletin is offered for assistance in the application of Pilkington North America Inc. flat glass products, but IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  Actual performance may vary in particular applications.	Tempering Division The Tempering Division's Construction Subcommittee presented an update of its ongoing communication with the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA) (CLICK HERE for related story). Greg Carney, GANA technical director, met with the association at the end of last year to "talk about things like evaluating other means of cleaning glass other than [metal] scrapers." Among ideas coming from the IWCA was the suggestion of putting together a "best practices" document for the operation of heat-treating ovens to at least address the accusations of some window cleaners that many scratches arise from the presence of fabricating debris on tempered and heat-strengthened glass that is pulled along the surface of the glass.  The group also continued an effort in the other direction: the creation of a sticker discouraging the use of metal scrapers. An image of what the small cling stickers would look like--with a simple graphic and text in English and Spanish noting that "metal scrapers damage glass"--was presented to the group. The stickers, if interest is expressed in purchasing them, would be available to individual members to use at their discretion, rather than coming with recommendations from the association.  In addition, the group expressed its interest in working across other divisions to begin to research more appropriate ways of cleaning glass.  CLICK HERE to read about the meeting of the GANA Fire-Rated Glazing Council. CLICK HERE to read about the meeting of the GANA decorative division. Need more info and analysis about the issues? CLICK HERE to subscribe to USGlass magazine.