Repair and maintenance
After repairs, cleaning windows is quite difficult. Plaque, parts of tape and plaster remain on all surfaces. Any contamination requires cleansing using separate products. After cleaning the main contaminants, they begin to wash the frame, glass and plastic windows. The main problem is the choice of detergent.
The cleaning agent is selected for cleaning PVC surfaces. It is not recommended to use the composition without appropriate labeling. How to clean windows after renovation in a new building is discussed later in the article.
Cleaning process
Protective film
After installing plastic windows, a protective film remains on the profile. Leaving it until the renovation is complete is a wise decision, but risky because it may change its properties, making it more difficult to remove. Instead of film, it is better to use masking tape.
The dried film is removed:
- Heating device and scraper.
- Use a knife and rubber band to remove any remaining film.
- Alcohol and a stiff brush (without metal fibers).
- With adhesive tape, by gluing it to the profile and removing it after a while.
It is recommended to wash off the remaining adhesive after removing the film with soap and water. The inscriptions are washed off with a special solvent for polyvinyl chloride. An excellent option is Cosmofen 20. The composition is similar in properties to polish.
Removing tape
How to clean windows from tape?
It is recommended to remove protective polyethylene from window systems after installation. Sometimes this is very difficult to do. The film is firmly fixed to the surface; it is extremely difficult to clean PVC from the glue, but it is possible. Try removing the glue by wiping the surface with a dish sponge dampened with hot water. Place the hard side of the sponge at the bottom so that it is in contact with the plastic. Can't clean the surface? Scrape off the dirt with a PVC spatula, after soaking the stains:
- 100% medical alcohol, vodka,
- tea tree oil,
- nail polish remover.
There are other ways to remove tape stains:
- Warm up the coating with a hair dryer and remove any remaining polyethylene with a cermet scraper.
- Scrape off the glue and film with a stationery knife, and remove the remains with a stationery eraser.
- Soak the crumbled film in White Spirit, and after a few minutes, wipe the surface with a stiff brush (not made of metal!).
- You can stick regular wide tape onto small pieces of tape, and after an hour, tear it off the surface.
Removing paint
Any paint that gets on the profile or glass is removed with a rag soaked in solvent. Removing dried paint depends on its composition.
Oil paint
- Remains of oil paint from the frame are removed with a special solvent. "Solvent" and "White Spirit" cope with fresh traces.
Cleaning process for heavy stains
- Dried marks are carefully scraped off with a blade.
- Attempting to clean windows and frames with acidic or alkaline substances is prohibited due to possible damage to the surface.
- Abrasive substances and sharp tools will have a bad effect on the outer coating of the frame.
Water-based paint
- Fresh traces are washed with clean water or soap solution.
- Dried drops are removed with a spatula.
- Dried water-based or acrylic paint is wiped off with soap and a brush.
What they advise on the forums
On the forums I found interesting advice on how to free a plastic frame from glue if it has become old, and a warning regarding the Cosmofen product mentioned above.
Source: forumhouse.ru
Mike K:
The manufacturer himself recommends COSMOFEN for cleaning film as a last resort option, since it corrodes plastic too much. Caution won't hurt here
Pashid:
Construction hair dryer on low setting and a scraper for ceramics. Removes with a bang without leaving any traces, if your hands are not out of your hands. I shot 5 year old film with no problems.
How to remove glue from plastic windows and how to wash glass without streaks:
- Before washing the glass, first wash the frame and window sill;
You should not wash glass in direct sunlight: the water will dry faster than you can wipe it off the surface.
- use different sponges and napkins for the inside and outside of the window: the outside of the glass is much dirtier.
Video: how to properly clean plastic windows with Cosmofen
Removing traces of liquid nails
There are 2 types of sealant: water-based and solvent-based. Before choosing a cleaning method, be sure to read the manufacturer's labeling.
Ingress of liquid nails
Acetone dissolves sealant well, but corrodes plastic. It is not advisable to use it to clean plastic windows.
The water-based composition does not tolerate high/low temperatures. Heating the sealant area with a hairdryer will quickly remove the residue. A rubber spatula or stiff sponge will help clean up the marks. If marks remain, try cooling them with ice and cleaning them off.
The sealant composition is removed from the solvent using a wallpaper knife. Any solvents will damage the plastic. Some types can be removed with alcohol.
What if nothing helps?
In extreme cases, a grinding machine or drill will help out. For cleaning you will also need felt circles, detergents containing acetone, and GOI paste. You need to polish the plastic like this:
- Use a spatula and cleaning solution to remove any stubborn dirt;
- polish the PVC with equipment with a special wheel - the outer layer of PVC with dirt will be removed.
Micro-scratches are removed in the same way. Deep ones are covered with liquid plastic or acrylic.
Traces of whitewash
Traces of dry whitewash are removed with a dry rag. A damp cloth will increase the area of contamination. After removing traces of whitewash, wash the frame with a solution of laundry soap. And glass with a special cleaner.
Lime stain on glass
Lime whitewash is removed with a blade or knife. Methods for cleaning windows from limescale:
- “Cillit” is mixed with water in equal parts and covers the area of contamination. Let sit and start peeling.
- Folk remedy: 10 liters of water + 1 tbsp. l. vinegar.
- A glass of salt + 10 liters of water.
- 1 bucket of water + 100 grams of oil. After cleaning, the surface is degreased with dishwashing detergent.
How to clean window glass after renovation?
A damp cloth is not enough to clean glass surfaces - after washing with water, a white coating remains on the glass unit. How to be?
- Mix a glass of vinegar with a liter of water.
- Wipe the glass with a sponge moistened with the mixture and polish it with newspaper.
- To clean fixed glass, use a brush with a telescopic handle. Wipe the glass surface with a sponge. Then turn the brush and use a rubber spatula on the back to remove the moisture and remaining dirt.
Traces of polyurethane foam
The remains of the polyurethane foam are cut off with a sharp knife, and the marks are wiped off using one of the following methods:
- Dampen a cloth with oil and wipe the stained area. Hold the old stain a little under an oily rag and rinse the contaminated area.
- A cloth moistened with a 9% acetic acid solution easily removes traces of foam.
- Soak a cotton pad with Dimexide (sold at the pharmacy) and apply to the stain for 5-10 minutes. Wash off the stain.
Anti-foam agent
How to clean cement from windows after renovation?
When walls are plastered and leveled, it is very difficult to protect PVC frames and glass packages from cement mortar stains. They are very difficult to clean. They can help you:
- Special products : ATLAS SZOP, Baugerätereiniger 81, Cement N Concrete Remover. Apply the spray of the selected composition to the surface, remove softened stains with a rag.
- Comet in the form of a thick gel. Designed for cleaning plumbing fixtures. Can be used to clean PVC windows. Apply to stains and, after the cement has softened, remove it with a damp cloth. Several approaches may be required.
- Acetic acid . Use a rag soaked in the essence solution to dampen the cement stains. After a few minutes, scrub off the dirt. Apply baking soda to a rag and wipe the stained areas with it.
Glass cleaning
Initially, wipe the glass with a damp cloth, wipe dry, and repeat the operation with detergent. To clean the windows in an apartment after renovation, you can use many different products. Moreover, the cleaning agent will depend on the nature of the contamination. Each type of construction dirt can only be washed with a certain range of cleaning products. Therefore, cleaning a window after repair can be difficult.
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Proven tips on how to clean windows after renovation
When cleaning window systems, remember:
- When cleaning with solvents, wear rubber gloves and protect your eyes.
- To clean putty and glue, use a composition for cleaning cement and lime. It is sold in construction stores.
- It is necessary to avoid contact of cleaning compounds with the sealing contour; it may deteriorate and the seal of the glazing may be compromised.
- When working with simple solvents containing many acids, be careful - the acidic environment threatens the plastic with corrosion.
It is not difficult to clean the glazing from dust and debris, glue, and plaster, but it must be done correctly. Use our recommendations to make your windows clean and beautiful.
Read about how to clean a plastic window sill after repairs here.
Alternative Methods
For cleaning, you can apply baking soda mixed with water to a rag, which you simply rub on the stain; if it is not very strong, then this option may help. Some builders resort to applying a similar primer to the mark; it will soften the previous one and make removal easier. But the use of the method is possible only when the same primer solution is available, in an identically diluted state. In all techniques, it is important to soften the layer, then adhesion is reduced and removal becomes possible.
Some builders resort to applying a similar primer to the mark; it will soften the previous one and make removal easier.
Thermal method
This method is usually used if:
- The stains are quite old.
- Window stains have become very dry or difficult to remove.
- The surface to be cleaned is large.
- The paint layer is quite thick.
The tool used for this method is a regular hair dryer. But if you don’t have such a device, you can use an iron.
Naturally, before using high temperatures, the glass must be cleaned and degreased.
A heat gun is brought at a slight angle to the surface of the stain and wait until bubbles form.
After this, the paint that has peeled off from the windows is carefully removed with a spatula.
If you use a regular iron, then place a piece of foil on the stain and only then begin to heat the stain with an electric device.
Rinsing process
The main means in the fight against soot are degreasers and dishwashing gels. For cleaning, prepare rags made of thick fabric with lint and a sponge. Detergent is poured into a container with warm water and, again, using sweeping movements, remove any remaining dirt. The rag or sponge should be rinsed regularly or replaced with a clean one. The water and detergent are also constantly changed. The quality of cleaning will depend on this.
Quite effectively, contaminated areas are washed with gel-like products for cleaning the house, and in particular, substances that remove plaque from sinks and toilets are well suited. They moisten the area with soot and leave for several minutes. You should be quite careful here, since many chemicals contain acids that can damage, discolor or deform the surface being cleaned. There are special sponges on sale, soaked in detergent - melamine, which will help in the fight against carbon deposits. To do this, they are soaked in water and wrung out well, then the dirt is removed using brushing movements.
To clean plastic windows and ceilings, chemical solvents, gasoline and various types of alcohol are used. To do this, soak a sponge in a chemical solution and remove dirt. After working with such substances, be sure to use detergent compounds at the final stage.
Plastic windows can be washed well using glass cleaner, which contains alcohol and dissolves soot perfectly. Plastic skirting boards can be washed using a paste made from soda and detergent. It is used when heavily soiled. Bleach is sometimes used to remove old stains. But, before you start working, it is worth treating a small corner of the contaminated surface, as this chemical can change the color of the coating. In addition, table vinegar, soda, and hydrochloric acid are used to combat old soot stains. When working with these substances, it is worth ventilating the room and protecting your eyes and hands from contact with chemicals.
Proper care of plastic frames and double-glazed windows
With proper care, a plastic window lasts for 40 years. To do this, it is enough to carry out several simple procedures 1-2 times a year.
Double-glazed window maintenance
Glass must be washed at least once a year. It is not recommended to carry out this procedure in winter. This is explained by the fact that upon contact with warm water, the glass may crack.
Window sill and slope care
It is recommended to wash window sills and slopes with the products recommended by the seller. This is due to the fact that these parts are made from different types of plastic. If the window sill is used as a place for growing plants, then the surface should be covered with film. Otherwise, irremovable yellow spots will appear on the plastic over time. In addition, every few years you need to change the sealant that fills the cavities between the slopes and the window frame.
How to care for rubber seals
It is recommended to wash the rubber seals at the same time as the glass and window frame, wiping the latter dry after each procedure. These products must then be treated with silicone lubricant.
Plastic windows are washed using the same products that are recommended for cleaning any glass. However, when cleaning PVC products, it is prohibited to use acetone, gasoline and other aggressive substances.
What to remember
- Cleaning window frames after repair takes place in 2 stages: first, traces of building materials are removed, then finishing is carried out.
- You can clean windows using ready-made and improvised products: household chemicals, nail polish, table vinegar, ammonia, laundry soap.
- There are special devices for washing windows. They make cleaning convenient and safe.
- Clean glass is streak-free glass . To avoid divorces, you need to follow certain rules.
Video: how to clean windows and glass from cement and plaster
Why does plastic turn yellow?
In order for window frames to always remain snow-white, you need to know what causes them to turn yellow, and, as far as possible, avoid aggressive exposure to harmful factors on the plastic.
The following effects lead to the appearance of yellowness:
- weather conditions: temperature fluctuations, sunlight, high humidity;
- using products with abrasive additives to clean windows;
- washing frames with products that destroy the structure of plastic;
- plastic absorbs nicotine, soot, fat, so a yellow coating appears and the color fades;
- the surface of the frame was contaminated with plaster or foam.