I did a construction cleanup last fall where I peeled film from the panes on the outsides and insides. The insides had a square manufacturers sticker also. They were squeegee clean last fall but now lines and squares are appearing. I returned a few weeks ago and in the shower area, where the lady had pointed out that the lines and squares show when the room is steamy, I cleaned them like normal but ran bronze wool across the panes several times to see if it would work. She said that it didn’t.
keep in mind that this is a 10,000 square foot house with liberally placed windows and I’m going to have to use the same process on ALL the glass. What do you suggest using on this film???
Chemical - Oil Flo?
Process - bronze wool with more elbow grease? That’d be a chore man!!!
It’s possible that the film and stickers on the glass have altered the surface permanently. I’ve heard of suction cup marks appearing on glass when it gets condensation on it. If the film was on for a long time and applied early after the glass was manufactured the lines may be there permanently.
OH NO! I’m desperate to find out whether that is the case. I was actually shocked to hear that the bronze wool hadn’t worked. Of course we initially bladed all the non-tempered panes too and they all appeared very, very clean but now they are showing the lines and squares.
What you said Tony could definitely be the case because the windows were in for many months before I removed the film and cleaned them.
I agree with Tony, I nicknamed this type of glass "memory glass’ as it seems to remember everything that ever touched it, Quite often you will see fingerprints, sticker marks, suction cup marks etc, every time the windows steam up. If you use GG3/4 when washing you will see them when you apply your solution. I tried a few things years ago to stop them re-appearing but never succeeded, although white spirits seemed to help. Tell the lady to change the filters in her HVAC system more often and they will take longer to appear
What are white spirits?
I talked to the guy at the window store that sold the windows and he is going to get with the manufacturer and back to me in a couple days. He too was puzzled by the squares etc. He referred to the film that covered the glass as a “preserve film?”. The square stickers were on top of the preserve film too but they are still evident.
Rain-X has worked for me in the past.
Apply to affected area, then buff.
white spirits could be another name for mineral spirits
I tried the mineral spirits, bar keepers friend and bronze wool. With a lot of effort I was able to make a small difference on 3 panes but the owner and I are taking it up with the installer and manufacturer because it would me a mammoth job to restore this glass.
We are running into the same problem. From our research we have found it called “sticker shadow.” As we all know glass is a liquid and a pourus one at that. If the stickers are left to long on the glass they can actualy remove some of the moisture in that area…kinda like the suction cups do…and the pours can, over time, absorb the sticker residue. Sometimes this happens when the house doesn’t get finished or doesn’t sell and the winodws sit with the stickers to long. And sometimes this happens when glass sellers cant move a product and the glass sits forever with the stickers on. They offer the glass at a discount and contractors will either use it for their own homes or on a high dollar house to save costs. Next thing you know we are going out to the house 3 or 4 times with no results and the contractor things your an idiot. Its part of the glass and it is not the windows cleaners fault.
Honestly I think we are all are going to be seeing this more as homes are starting to be built again and window company’s have a lot of old product to move…but thats just my opinioin.
As for fixing it, we found there are a few different products that “claim” to be able to fix it. One of them requires a $300 specialized buffer. Another was a $3K dollar product that would fix cracks in the glass as well. We don’t have the capital or these solutions right now. If anyone has an effective and cheaper option I would love to hear it!
+1 … I use it for the suction cup marks.
Cardinal IG TSB #22 Glass Processing Manufacturing History1 (1).pdf (73.1 KB)
I know for a fact its permanent. I had a similarly huge house I did this winter and used EVERY method possible. I finally spoke to an incredibly helpful lady at Marvin Windows who sent me some brochures on the glass. I’m attaching it, and especially look at the 2nd paragraph. I showed the homeowner this paper, explained what it meant, and although they were disappointed, they understood. I hope this is helpful!Cardinal IG TSB #22 Glass Processing Manufacturing History1 (1).pdf (73.1 KB)
That is helpful. I just cleaned for the gal and she’s happy so far. I have to admit that it’s pretty incredible that a substance as hard as glass can have defects as the result of stickers. That just boggles the mind.
I see this all the time on newer homes, and once the people realize that it is permanent it’s a good angle to sell them window cleaning on a more frequent basis !
I’ve never have been able to remove it and like Pat has said it’s a memory that returns with dirty windows or hazing from moisture…
I think what Melody pointed out is a good response to the customer and helps to sell more frequent cleaning !
DangerousDange
Eric,
I think when you try the different processes that are suggested here, to let us all know what worked to remove the ghost shadow if at all.
I sure would like to hear you give us all a update !
Dange
Ive used the same method I’ve used for HW stain, foam cutting pad with a polisher and A1, followed by a coating of Invisible Shield, the ghost square has not come back in 1-1/4 year…I think it’s gone for good myself. After A1 and before sealing, while washing with GG4, no square was evident before I squeegee’d.
