Care and Cleaning Tips for Stained Glass

Today glass products of various types play a major role in providing comfort and aesthetic appeal in the living and working environments of homes and commercial establishments. Over the years the use of glass for architectural purposes has increased in the form of stained glass and other glass products, as they provide natural daylight, thermal comfort and design aesthetics. Over the years the glass used in building construction has become safer, more energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing, leading to increased use of architectural glass in buildings.

The wide variety of glass used also requires a variety of caring and cleaning procedures. The varieties include crown glass, sheet glass, rolled plate glass, figure rolled glass, polished plate glass, float glass, annealed glass, laminated glass, toughened glass, Heat-strengthened glass, chemically strengthened glass, low-emissivity glass, self-cleaning glass, insulated glazing and evacuated glazing. They may either be stained or non stained. Architectural glass products used in buildings must be cleaned properly during construction as well as a part of routine maintenance so as to maintain aesthetic and visual clarity.

Care and cleaning tips for stained glass and other types of architectural glass must include all pre and post construction and maintenance stages. Glass products used in buildings can get permanently damaged if they are not properly cleaned or cared for during construction. They can also be permanently damaged if proper care is not taken during everyday cleaning. Thus glass manufacturers and fabricators recommend some procedures for cleaning glass surfaces and these must be strictly adhered to.

As soon as residue and dirt are seen, the interior and exterior surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly. During construction activities concrete or mortar may get splashed or run down on glass an should be cleaned immediately, before they get hardened. However before cleaning it should be determined whether the glass is clear, tinted or reflective. In reflective glass the surface damage is easily noticeable as compared to others. Thus if the exterior or interior surface of reflective glass is exposed than special care must be taken while cleaning it. Scratches on reflective glass can remove the coating and there will be a visible difference in light transmittance.

It is better to avoid cleaning reflective and tinted/stained glass in direct sunlight as the high surface temperature may not be suitable for best cleaning results. It is advisable to always start cleaning from the upper levels and continue down to lower levels as otherwise cleaning solution residue may remain at lower levels giving it an ugly look. Also cleaning must be avoided under windy conditions as cleaning solution may get blown onto already cleaned portions. It is prudent to start cleaning a small area and examine it thoroughly for any scratches after complete drying, before proceeding further with the cleaning process. The examination should be carried out in direct sunlight as the slight scratches may not be visible in less lighted conditions. Scratches which are not visible when the sky is cloudy or when the sun is low, become prominent in bright sunlight.

For cleaning when construction activities are going on at first the glass surfaces must be soaked with clean water and then soap solution to loosen the debris and dirt. With a brush, strip washer or any non abrasive applicator, uniformly apply a non abrasive and mild commercial window cleaning solution on the glass surface to be cleaned. Immediately after the cleaning solution is applied, before it starts drying, all the cleaning solution should be removed from the glass surface with a squeegee. While cleaning it adequate care should be taken so that the surface does not get scratched by any metal parts from the cleaning equipment or any abrasive particles that have got trapped between the cleaning materials and glass. Finally all cleaning solution residue and water should be dried out from frames, sealants and gaskets to prevent their deterioration.

As the glass industry workers are acquainted with proper care and handling of glass most damage is done during the construction or repair period by painters, landscapers, ironworkers, carpenters, plumbers and others involved in the construction or home repair and maintenance process who may unknowingly lean their working tools against the glass, splash materials or improperly clean it causing permanent damage. These people must be made aware of preventive measures to be taken, like avoiding the use of razor blades or other metallic scrappers, and also about proper cleaning procedures. If at all it is necessary to use a razor blade to remove hardened deposits a new 1 inch razor blade must be used on small spots only. Scraping should be done in one direction and not back and forth. In case of doubt always seek the supplier’s advice.