Hard Water Stains…

A very helpful window cleaning/hard water stain removal tip provided by tom spitz:

Hi Steve,

I was reading your blog post on 5/5 and was intrigued about the question of hard water stains. I recently did a house that had a glass sun room attached. The back wall of glass had been hit with sprinklers for over 20 years and it was ugly. I have used Mineral Shock in the past and it is an excellent product, but have come across another product called Magic Al's Glass and Metal Magic. The web site is http://www.groundfloor.org. I used this along with a buffing machine and was able to get the glass clear. I have attached some pictures to show the results. Some of the areas took 6 or 7 passes with the machine but they came out clear, as you can see. I charge by the hour for this process and the people were thrilled with the final result. I also use this with great success on shower doors before I seal them. The best part of this product is that it does not contain acids. Just some info I wanted to pass along.

Tom

Here is a follow up email by tom with more information:

Hey Steve,

It is best to use a variable speed buffing machine. I bought a Makita that cost a little less than $200. I wouldn't go cheap on the machine.

On glass with screen damage from metal screens (such as Andersons) you can apply the cleaner to a white scrub pad and scrub it out. Immediately wipe off the glass then wash it. If you do part of the window and then show the customer, they can't help but tell you to continue, because it doesn't come off with soap and water.(I charge $10 extra per window for removal of the screen damage)

On glass with hard water stains (depending on how long they've been there) you can use a white scrub pad but using the buffing machine will be quicker and easier on the window washer. Believe me I learned the hard way. Also it is easier on your customers pocket book (I charge $75.00 per hour for the hard water stain removal). Just apply the cleaner to the glass, covering the area you will be working on, and let the machine do the work. Depending on the severity of the staining, it can take multiple passes of the machine but the results are awesome. I seal shower glass and have to get it clear before sealing it. People are happy that they have an alternative to replacing the glass, whether it be windows or shower doors.

Feel free to use whatever you need for the blog. Whatever information we can share with each other to help us make more money, is always a plus. Use the photos also. Fortunately I am a much better window washer than I am a photographer. If you have any other questions, let me know. Enjoy the weekend.

Tom

Photos of a hard water stain removal job that tom did from beginning to end: