PT
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Post by PT on Nov 14, 2016 21:11:21 GMT -8
Hey all -
Can you get the vintage glass on your windows semi crystal clear? I've tried and tried (windex, brillo pad, CLR, mineral spirits, etc.) but it seems my windows have been sand/whatever blasted to the point where the glass itself has been frosted and won't come clean. Sound familiar?
Thanks
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msgoehring
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Post by msgoehring on Nov 14, 2016 21:16:22 GMT -8
I've never heard of such a thing like that happening. I would ask someone at a glass shop if they have any idea. Or maybe try one of those kits made to polish car headlights. It couldn't make them any worse.
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Post by danrhodes on Nov 14, 2016 21:31:04 GMT -8
Are you sure it's not privacy glass? If not, maybe some clr if it's mineral deposits
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Dad Rambles
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Post by Dad Rambles on Nov 15, 2016 3:29:42 GMT -8
Not to be stupid, but I have one of those panes well. It just dawned on me the other day that it's plexiglass
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msgoehring
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Post by msgoehring on Nov 15, 2016 5:40:14 GMT -8
Well if it's plexiglass then if you can't buff out the scratches with the headlight restoration kit, the only thing (and actually the best in my mind) is to take one of the panes to a glass shop and have them cut you new ones. We had to replace the glass in a window and it didn't cost more than $30 for them to remove the glass from the frame then cut us a new one.
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PT
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Post by PT on Nov 15, 2016 7:14:03 GMT -8
Nope - it's definitely glass and not privacy- there are a few clear spots here and there. I tried CLR at full concentration previously with no luck. If no one else has seen the actual glass compromised on their trailer then I probably just need to keep looking for the magic solvent to get whatever it is off. I'll try a dab of paint remover and see what happens. Maybe it's the finest overspray ever and the mineral spirits weren't strong enough....
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Post by rogerthedodger on Nov 15, 2016 8:31:18 GMT -8
There is a product called A-MAZ for water stains. It is a white paste and comes with a pad. I got it at a local glass shop. It really works well on glass if you have water mineral stains.
Roger
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msgoehring
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Post by msgoehring on Nov 15, 2016 8:34:31 GMT -8
PT I bet it isn't something that will come off with a solvent or cleaning solution. Seriously, try a headlight restoration kit. It comes with very fine buffing compound and buffs to use. Since you've already tried all of these different cleaners and solvents it's probably cloudy from years of sitting outside. Just like the headlight on cars get cloudy from years of use. At this point I think it's your best bet and if it doesn't work you may need to replace the glass. I'll try to find the receipt for the new glass we had to get so you have a fair idea of the cost, I'll even measure the window to help you judge.
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Dad Rambles
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Post by Dad Rambles on Nov 15, 2016 9:44:13 GMT -8
PT I bet it isn't something that will come off with a solvent or cleaning solution. Seriously, try a headlight restoration kit. It comes with very fine buffing compound and buffs to use. Since you've already tried all of these different cleaners and solvents it's probably cloudy from years of sitting outside. Just like the headlight on cars get cloudy from years of use. At this point I think it's your best bet and if it doesn't work you may need to replace the glass. I'll try to find the receipt for the new glass we had to get so you have a fair idea of the cost, I'll even measure the window to help you judge. What about a razor blade turned at a very shallow angle. Will it scrape any of it off? Yeah, replacement glass might be the easiest thing at this point. |
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Post by vintagebruce on Nov 15, 2016 10:54:28 GMT -8
It is always nice to keep as much original glass as possible but if you are referring to your jalousie windows, the cost to replace a pane or multiple panes might be less expensive than the "polishing"/cleaning kits.
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PT
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Post by PT on Nov 15, 2016 20:51:34 GMT -8
Thanks for all the ideas. Paint remover did nothing - it's not overspray - razor blade also a no-go. Prior to the hassle and cost of glass replacement I'm going to try the A-Maz. Need to get the new roof skins on first so probably circle back to this next week!
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Post by pilcrowlit on Nov 16, 2016 12:49:29 GMT -8
I just spoke to my son who's a window specialist for a cleaning company (he does the windows that require climbing gear). He says either the haze is mineral deposits on the glass, in which case 000 steel wool and white vinegar should help, or the glass has been etched chemically or abrasively (like with blowing sand). If it's etching, the only solution to get clear windows is glass replacement. Also, he cautions that using a window scraper or razor blade can scratch the glass and make it worse unless the glass is prepped with the steel wool/vinegar. This information may not help you at this point, but I'm filing it away for when I get around to my trailer windows.
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PT
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Post by PT on Nov 26, 2016 18:58:18 GMT -8
Hey Gang - Reporting back... The nice people from UPS and Amazon got the A-MAZ to me and I started with this:  and ended up with this:  Looks like A-MAZ has the right combo of abrasives and chemicals to get the job done. A good 5 minutes+ of scrubbing per pane to get nice results but it was the only thing that worked. Thanks for the hot tip Roger! |
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Dad Rambles
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Post by Dad Rambles on Nov 26, 2016 19:27:51 GMT -8
Hey Gang - Reporting back... The nice people from UPS and Amazon got the A-MAZ to me and I started with this: and ended up with this: Looks like A-MAZ has the right combo of abrasives and chemicals to get the job done. A good 5 minutes+ of scrubbing per pane to get nice results but it was the only thing that worked. Thanks for the hot tip Roger! Holy cow! That looks great. Might be worth gettin some of that just to polish up all the windows. A it really as crystal clear as it looks? |
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msgoehring
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Post by msgoehring on Nov 26, 2016 19:53:24 GMT -8
O.k. I'm sold. I'm gonna have to get some and try it on my house windows that nothing I've tried has cleaned, and maybe I can finally get the hard water off my shower door. Heck with the trailer, the glass in my house is horrendous. Thanks for the update and being the guinea pig 😁 I forgot to ask what you used with the paste, steel wool, cleaning pad, what?  ? |
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