GLASS CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS

 Most float glass is a durable product that can be maintained in satisfactory condition by regular cleaning
using accepted good glass cleaning practices. Glass should be washed at frequent intervals, particularly
during the project construction when the possibility of dirt, debris, and potentially harmful exposure to
corrosive materials is high.

 Recommended Glass Cleaning Practice

For all glass surfaces, except certain reflective coated glasses (i.e. PPG Solarcool):

 • Use a wash solution that includes a mild soap of detergent, or a slightly acidic cleaning solution.

DO NOT use any additives that contain hydrofluoric acid, or have the possibility of
forming hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid will quickly and permanently damage the
glass surface.

DO NOT use harsh cleaners, abrasives, or alkaline materials.

DO NOT use oil based solvents which may attack the insulated glass seal.

• Cleaning of tinted and reflective glass surfaces in direct sunlight should be avoided. The surface
of the glass may be too hot to achieve satisfactory results and, in extreme cases, contact with cold
water could lead to glass breakage.

• Use clean, grit free cloths, together with the wash solution, to clean the glass. Sufficient wash
solution should be used to ensure that debris can be removed without causing abrasion related
glass damage. Remember, in addition to being a solvent for cleaning dirty glass, the wash solution
acts as a lubricant to “float” loose debris off of the glass surface.

 Care must be taken to ensure that gritty dirt particles picked up by the cloth do not
scratch the glass.

 DO NOT use metal scrapers or tools to attempt to remove stubborn materials or stains.
In extreme cases, a combination of the appropriate cleaner and a PLASTIC scraper,
carefully used, may work.

If the glass is heat strengthened or tempered, even a plastic scraper may dislodge very
small surface debris that has fused to the glass surface during the heat treating process
and cause glass damage.
 You are encouraged to refer to GANA publication TD-02-0402: Heat-treated Glass
Surfaces are Different and GANA publication TD-01-0300 for a discussion of heat
treated glass surfaces and for a more detailed discussion of the cleaning of heat
strengthened and tempered glass.

• For best results, clean the glass beginning at the top and working down.

• Immediately follow the washing with liberal amounts of clean rinse water.

• Promptly remove excess rinse water with a clean, good quality squeegee. Squeegees must be in
good condition, clean and undamaged. In particular, any debris must be removed from the
squeegee to prevent possible glass damage.

Cleaning Reflective (i.e Solarcool) glass:

Solarcool reflective coated glass can be cleaned using the previous recommendations except for the
following:

• Acidic cleaning solutions are NOT recommended. Use only mild soaps or detergents.

• Abrasive cleaners, fluoride salts, or hydrogen producing compounds are NOT recommended.

In addition, because fingerprint stains, smears, dirt, scum, sealant residue, scratches, and abrasions are more
noticeable on reflective glasses than on non-reflective glass, take extra care in handling and cleaning the
glass.

Finally, reflective coated glasses that are glazed with the coating exposed to the outdoors should be cleaned
more frequently (a minimum of 3 to 4 times per year). Materials such as rundown from metals and
masonry, concrete, stucco, etc. should be cleaned from the glass as soon as they occur so that they are not
permitted a long residence time on the coated glass surface. If such rundown is not quickly removed,
permanent staining and/or glass damage may occur.

 It should be understood that while such rundown residue will be more noticeable on reflective glass, it can
also occur with uncoated glass, resulting in similar permanent staining and/or glass damage.