Toolboxes: Glass Restoration
“How smart you are is an accident at birth, how educated you are is a choice.” – Lynn Peden
Products to have in your Glass Restoration Toolbox
OneRestore®: Restores glass and removes hard water deposits. Also cleans anodized aluminum frames to prepare before A.R.T. goes on.
Graf-Ex: Removes graffiti, ink marks, and window sticker adhesive from glass.
A.R.T.: Anodized aluminum treatment used after OneRestore®.
Glass Restoration 101
Introduction to Glass Restoration Products
OneRestore®
OneRestore® provides remarkable versatility, cleaning power, and safety all in one. It is appropriate for single or multiple surface restoration. OneRestore® is capable of removing the deepest stains. It can also be used to safely remove deposits on glass and anodized aluminum. OneRestore® is a great choice for cleaning and restoring college campuses, government facilities, hospitals, and office buildings.
OneRestore® removes …
- Atmospheric staining
- Paint wash
- Concrete leaching
- Caulk bleed
- Mineral stains
- Water hardness
Advantages of OneRestore®
- Excellent for removing virtually all stains, including mineral oxide stains, environmental pollution stains, and rust.
- Spray-on/rinse-off application process improves productivity. No scrubbing required.
- Restoration using one product simplifies the process and reduces protection requirements.
- No harm to plants from rinsed product when used as directed.
- Safe on glass and anodized aluminum when used as directed.
- Ideal for deep stain removal from porous substrates.
- Safe for non-colored horizontal concrete, such as driveways and sidewalks.
- Biodegradable unpolished natural stone and cast stone. (see complete list under suitable substrates)
- For use on vertical and horizontal surfaces.
- Effective way to remove large scale efflorescence.
- Biodegradable
- Top-down application allows more product coverage on lower elevations.
Limitations of OneRestore®
- Do not allow product to dry on the surface. Always rinse thoroughly.
- Do not use on polished stone or oxide films used for tinting glass or self-cleaning glass.
- Not suitable for certain low-fire tiles when using extended dwell times.
- Not recommended for colored horizontal surfaces.
- Do not allow to puddle and dwell on horizontal surfaces.
- Do not use on galvanized metal.
Surfaces Safely Used On
Brick, Limestone, Concrete, Precast, Exposed Aggregate, Granite, Unpolished Marble, Synthetic Stone, Terrazzo, Anodized Aluminum, EIFS, Uncoated Stainless Steel, Stucco, Glass
Stain Removal
OneRestore® can remove a multitude of stains including:
vanadium, manganese, mineral oxide stains, pollution stains, concrete leaching, caulk bleed, hard water stains on glass, sealer overspray on glass, sealant stains, fresh tar stains
How to Apply OneRestore®
Dilutions
OneRestore® is always used undiluted.
Coverage Rates
Coverage rates with OneRestore® will vary from 75-250 sq. ft. per gallon depending on the surface porosity, texture, ambient temperature, craftsmanship, and severity of staining.
Application Instructions
- Pre-wet the surface (do not saturate) with water before applying OneRestore®.
- For the best results, apply OneRestore® with a low-pressure sprayer (brushing is not necessary).
- For most instances, a single application with a 5-to-10-minute dwell time will remove many of the stains.
- For deeper stains or very porous surfaces, a double application with 5 to 10 minutes in between applications will provide the best results. Do not rinse between applications.
Rinsing
Proper rinsing techniques determine the final look and quality of the job. A thorough rinse job is always recommended; however, our chemistry never requires flooding the surface. OneRestore® can be rinsed using cold water. Pressures that mark the surface should be avoided. When in doubt, follow the manufacturers recommended P.S.I. for the substrates.
Do not use a zero-degree nozzle
Caution: Do not allow the product to dry on a surface.
As a professional-grade window and multi-surface restoration product, OneRestore® contains a high level of proprietary components that include solvents, acids and soaps. This blend enables it to perform in situations that require industrial-strength cleaning capabilities. As with any powerful restoration product, care must be taken to use it as directed.
Since OneRestore® is a water-based product, the water portion of the blend will evaporate quickly on hot surfaces. This will leave the highly concentrated chemical behind.
OneRestore®’s high concentration of soaps must be thoroughly rinsed with water from any surface it is used upon. It is not designed to be wiped or squeegee-ed off the surface without a water rinse.
Principle Points Regarding OneRestore®
- OneRestore® ships and is considered non-hazardous/non-corrosive in its concentrated form. That is, it does not damage glass, paint, skin, or other substrates undiluted.
- Chlorine, the principal engine of OneRestore®, it is present in all water that is treated for consumption in the U.S.A.
- Neutralization has not been left to chance in this instance. OneRestore® is acidic and once you have applied the product to alkaline materials such as (limestone, mortar, aggregate, etc…), the two run over each other creating neutralization before the chemical runs off. Cleansol BC is used as a second step prior to rinsing to assure neutralization of any remaining residues.
Recommended Disposal of Spent Product
OneRestore®’s DOT shipping classification is non-hazardous liquid, not regulated by the DOT. The product does not contain any known hazardous ingredients that would be rejected or deemed inappropriate in its waste stream by a municipal sanitary treatment plant. Prior tests have shown this product can have a neutral pH after use on a masonry surface followed by the subsequent rinse.
If the product is not neutral, test spent liquid with either pH strips or a pH meter to determine the pH. We recommend neutralization with natrium perborate monohydrate, which may be available locally or can be purchased from EaCo Chem Inc. If the spent OneRestore® product has been collected, the next step should be to dispose of it to a sanitary sewer outlet.
It may be appropriate to check with the sanitary treatment plant in question if prior approval is desirable. (The SDS for OneRestore® can be used to indicate the hazards present in the product when contracting the water treatment plant to make this prior determination.)
Graf-Ex
Graf-Ex is a liquid stripper that removes ink, marker and graffiti from interiors, painted surfaces and fiberglass. Graf-Ex will also remove decal adhesive, silicone caulk and sealer from sensitive surfaces.
Advantages of Graf-Ex
• Will not harm most substrates
• Mild on skin
• Non-flammable and biodegradable
• Will not raise the grain of wood or cause flash rusting on metal
Limitations of Graf-Ex
• Will not work on epoxy or urethane type coatings
• Do not use on Plexiglas.
Surfaces Safely Used On
• Removes ink, marker and graffiti from interiors, painted surfaces and fiberglass.
• Removes decal adhesive from trucks, ATMs and sensitive surfaces.
• Removes silicone caulk and sealer from sensitive surfaces.
How to Apply Graf-Ex
Dilutions
Use undiluted (straight).
Coverage Rates
Minimum expected converage per gallon is 3,000 – 5,000 linear feet of anodized trim. Application to a flat surface would produce 1,500 – 2,000 sq. ft.
Application Instructions
Apply to a dry surface with a low pressure spray unit or wipe on using a cloth. Spray product on from the top down in an overlapping, side to side motion. A damp cloth is often all that is necessary to remove paint or ink. The material works better at an ambient temperature of 70° Fahrenheit range. Occasionally two applications (one following the other after a short soak time) will outperform a single application and mechanical removal. The material penetrates very quickly. Dwell times will vary with the thickness of the coating to be stripped. Graf-Ex can remove most materials in fifteen minutes.
Rinsing
Craftsmanship determines the appropriate pressures for rinsing. A thorough rinse job is always recommended; however, our chemistry never requires flooding a wall. Pressures that mark or damage the surface should be avoided. When in doubt, follow the manufacturers recommended P.S.I. for the substrate on which you are working.
Note: Proper ventilation should always be used when working indoors. It is recommended that skin contact be kept to a minimum and at least a water rinse after contact.
A.R.T.
A.R.T. is a solvent-based resin system designed for treating the surface of anodized aluminum to renew satin luster that has been damaged by environmental or chemical pollutants. A.R.T. remains on anodized aluminum for extended periods of time without cracking or peeling and is easily removed for re-treatment.
Advantages of A.R.T.
• Non-hazardous and non-flamable
• Renews anodized finish
• Protects for long periods of time
Limitations of A.R.T.
• Will not restore pitted anodized aluminum
Surfaces Safely Used On
Sandstone, brick, limestone, concrete, precast, exposed aggregate, granite, unpolished marble, synthetic stone, terrazzo, anodized aluminum, EIFS, uncoated stainless steel, stucco, cast stone, glass
Stain Removal
Vanadium, manganese, mineral oxide stains, pollution stains, concrete leaching, caulk bleed, hard water stains on glass and concrete, sealer overspray from glass
Dilutions
A.R.T. is always used undiluted.
Coverage Rates
Minimum expected coverage pre gallon is 3,000 – 5,000 linear feet of anodized trim. Application to a flat surface would produce 1,500 – 2,000 sq. ft.
Application Instructions
1. Once the surface has been properly cleaned and completely dry, apply A.R.T. with a soft, lint-free cloth.
2. Apply enough A.R.T. directly on the cloth to spread over at least one whole window or door segment; ring out the excess liquid.
3. Wipe on a thin coat in one direction – do not go back over A.R.T.
4. When the cloth no longer provides adequate coverage, re-wet with A.R.T.
Note: If A.R.T. gets on adjoining surfaces, wipe free. Product applied too heavily will remain tacky and attract dust and airborne particles. A.R.T. should not be applied over previously applied coatings. If coated, remove it with the appropriate stripper. This system will not restore pitted anodized aluminum. Once pitting has occurred, exposting bare metal, only repainting will fix the surface.
Rinsing
A.R.T. does not get rinsed off.