A general guide for cleaning & handling glass

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS:

• Use only solutions manufactured for the express purpose of glass cleaning. Other chemicals may damage or stain the glass surface.
• Domestic grade detergents diluted in warm water can be used in instances where there is an excessive buildup of dirt & grime.
• Soft lint free cleaning cloths are ideal for cleaning & drying glass surfaces.
• Steel wool (Oil free, Grade 0000 only) for extreme cases such as paint overspray or tin blemishes.

AVOID:

• Contact with steel & hard surfaces.
• Abrasive materials, including scouring pads, cleaning powdered or creams with an abrasive component.
• Exposing the edge of laminated glass or mirror to cleaning chemicals.
• Cleaning in direct sunlight
• Untested Adhesive tapes & films
• Razor blades & sharp objects

ON SITE:

Many activities common in building construction are potentially detrimental to glass products. Once glass installation is complete, consider how to protect your glass until the building is occupied.

Tips:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to Adhesive tapes & films
• Protect the glass from welding or grinding activities.
• Store glass with suitable interleaving away from dust, moisture & chemicals.
• Concrete, plaster, paint, chemicals & other building materials can adversely affect installed glass products. Provide a barrier to prevent contact from these substances.

MIRRORS:

• Mirrors require extra care; To clean mirrors, wipe the surface (glass side only) with a domestic glass cleaner or methylated spirits diluted in water. Clean & dry with a soft cloth.
• Clean edges with water only & dry immediately afterwards.
• Mechanical fixings are preferred and recommended for mirror installations.
• Use only non-acetic Sealants.

ACID ETCHED GLASS:

• Extra care should be taken when handling & cleaning Acid Etched Glass, we recommend you wear gloves & avoid exposure to oils & abrasive materials.
• Apply glass cleaner uniformly to the surface, clean using a soft cloth, then rinse with hot water & dry with a soft lint free cloth.

PAINTED GLASS

• Painted glass products require extra care; to clean painted glass, wipe the surface (glass side only) with a domestic glass cleaner or methylated spirits diluted in water. Clean & dry with a soft cloth.
• Clean edges with water only & dry immediately afterwards.
• Use only non-acetic Sealants
• Use Steel wool (Oil free, Grade 0000 only) for cleaning paint overspray.

TRANSPORT:

FGS Glass recommends that all glass should be separated by a protective layer during transport. To reduce the risk of chips, scratches, shells & rub marks. Cardboard, protective film, paper & cork pads are all suitable products for this purpose.

STORAGE:

FGS Glass recommends that all glass should be separated by a protective layer whilst in storage. To reduce the risk of chips, scratches, shells & to prevent the buildup of moisture between panels. Cardboard, paper & cork pads are all suitable products for this purpose.

Note: prolonged exposure to moisture, chemicals, sealants, concrete, paint, plaster, adhesive tapes & adhesive films can leave permanent stains on the glass surface.

OBSERVING FAULTS IN GLASS:

Australian/ New Zealand Standard 4667 ‘Quality requirements for cut-to-size & processed glass’ provides a nationally recognized framework for assessing faults or defects in Architectural glass products.

Topics covered by ANZ 4667

• Dimensional Tolerances
• Flatness Requirements
• Guideline for Allowable imperfections
• Edge & surface Quality

 

 

This information is intended as a guide for cleaning domestic installations. For large scale commercial or industrial applications advice should always be sought from an accredited Glazier or professional window cleaner.

Please click here to download a PDF version of the FGS Glass – Cleaning and Handling Guide