The Cutting Edge Of Window Scrapers

The New Unger Ergotec Ninja Scraper available in 4 inch & 6 inch.

The cutting edge of window scrapers: Torsten Deutzmann of Unger Professional Worldwide reveals why professional window cleaners rely on their scrapers so much.

The word scrape has a number of different meanings, but one of the most appropriate I have found, in terms of window cleaning, is: ‘Move a hard or sharp edge across (a surface) especially to make something smooth’.

Materials used during the construction period, such as cement, grout and paint, can splatter onto glass – and scrapers are the most effective tool to help remove such debris, and other substances that can cause significant problems due to their unsightly appearance or ability to cause physical damage to the façade of a building.

Throwing eggs at buildings can seem like a good practical joke to some but egg can be a stubborn substance to remove once dried on. Scrapers can help in these circumstances, as they can with another big problem when it comes to building maintenance – bird excrement. Bird mess not only has the potential to spread disease and bacteria, its corrosive nature can also cause damage to brickwork and building facades if left for too long. Scrapers can also be useful when dealing with fly-posting or other materials such as stickers.

Toughened safety glass, also known as tempered or safety glass and as ESG in Germany, is extremely common. It is manufactured by a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling, so that the surface area cools much quicker than the inner layer. This makes it stronger than standard glass, and, if the glass does shatter, it breaks into small ‘chunks’ instead of splintering into dangerous, jagged shards.

Extra care needs to be taken when cleaning this type of glass as issues have arisen surrounding ‘fabricating debris’. This takes the form of tiny rough imperfections, sometimes referred to as ‘glass fines’ that are created in the hardening process.

Fabricating debris has been a subject of debate for years, and it prompted the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA) to publish the IWCA Tempered Glass Informational Bulletin 2004 – Scrapers and Fabricating Debris in 2004. It offers a range of guidance and advice, including:

• Fabricating debris consists mostly of tiny glass chips and glass dust that get baked onto the surface of some tempered glass. These surface defects, also known as glass fines, may create scratches when they are dislodged and trapped by a scraper during window cleaning

• Builders should require suppliers to provide quality tempered glass that can be cleaned without scratching, the same as glass which is not tempered

• There should be a tempered glass scratch liability waiver for all construction window cleaning contracts, and for maintenance contracts when significant scraping will be done. The builder signs a tempered glass scratch liability waiver to assure they will not blame the window cleaner for scratches due to fabricating debris on tempered glass, and will not force the window cleaner to prove that fabricating debris caused scratches on tempered glass.

Check glass

Scrapers should not scratch normal, uncoated glass when used properly, but it is always advisable to check if the glass is scratch resistant before work starts, to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and to perform a test on a hidden area.

One useful way to determine whether glass is safety glass or not is to do the lighter trick. Simply hold a lit flame, from a lighter, match or candle, in front of the glass. If you see a double reflection in the pane it is safety glass. If you see just one flame reflected back at you, then it is normal glass.

When it comes to blades, the material they are made from and the way they have been sharpened are extremely important.

Scrapers are called upon to clear the most tough and stubborn dirt, debris and residue so the steel used should be hardened and corrosion resistant, ensuring that blades stay sharper, and rust-free, for longer. Carbon steel or low/high alloy stainless steels can provide these properties. Carbon steel will produce a stiffer blade, whereas those made from stainless steel are more flexible.

Carbon steel is a hard material, giving the cutting edge greater stability. The blade will stay sharp, but as water and/or cleaning chemicals are often used to lubricate the surface of the window being cleaned, this will have an effect as carbon steel rusts more quickly than stainless steel.

In contrast, stainless steel is more flexible and stays rust-free thanks to its high chrome content, which makes it a more expensive option. Being softer in terms of material means that the finely ground surface will wear down and lose its sharpness quicker than a carbon steel blade.

Dual-sided window cleaning blades made from corrosion resistant 440A grade stainless steel provide excellent edge retention, which means that the blades stay sharp for a long time. These blades benefit greatly from going through a precise honing process, which creates a cutting angle that is sharp and consistent, enhancing the speed and effectiveness of every scraper pass.

Scrapers need to be used with care, the golden rule being never to use one on dry glass. Always wet your window with the correct cleaning solution for the material you are about to remove as this helps to lubricate the blade.

It’s also important to scrape in one direction only, lift the scraper from the surface, and then reapply it. Scraping the blade back and forth across a window increases the chances of dirt being trapped under the blade and causing scratches. Clean your blade regularly in water and always apply an even pressure, holding the blade flat against the glass.

Old, worn-out or damaged blades must be changed regularly to ensure optimum results, and safety is also highly important. When not in use, caps should be placed over blades, or retracted, to minimise the risk of cuts.

The most effective and up-to-date models feature ergonomically designed handles which provide a more comfortable fit in the hand, minimising stresses and strains on hands, arms and shoulders. The latest innovation to hit the scraper market is the ability to change the angle of the scraper head from straight to 30 degrees at the touch of a button. This ensures a smooth and swift transition between manual and pole work.

Blades that are easy to change, using a slider mechanism, are preferable; and it’s also worth investing in a holster that allows you to store your scraper when not in use, but makes it easily accessible when needed. Choose one that has the ability to fit onto a range of tool belts, and has a solid back to protect your leg/body from cuts.

Scrapers have been used by the window cleaning, glass and building industries for years, and they are still the tools to go to when faced with certain types of dirt and debris. As design and technology know-how helps to improve the results they achieve, they can only retain their usefulness for many years to come.

Click to take you to the download page.

The Glass Tempering Handbook: Jonathan Barr has published 'The Glass Tempering Handbook', which "aims to explain and demystify the glass tempering process" in only 52 pages. It's packed with information and practical advice including glass fines on tempered glass surfaces and how they affect cleaning with metal blades - is one of many topics addressed by Barr. 

Glass Protection Informational Bulletin For Pro' Window Cleaners

GANA, IWCA release joint informational bulletin: The Glass Association of North America, and the International Window Cleaning Association, released a joint Glass Informational Bulletin titled Construction Site Protection and Maintenance of Architectural Glass outlining the need for proper protection of architectural glass throughout the construction process to all general contractors and builders, according to a Nov. 15 release. This protection includes various recommendations and the need for open communication and full cooperation among the general contractor, professional window cleaner, and all trades involved.

"This document, the first from our organizations teaming up and working together, is a great resource for the construction industry," said GANA Technical Director Urmilla Sowell, in the release. "There are many integral recommendations and points contained within this document.  It also shows the commitment within GANA and IWCA to address an issue confronting many today by putting our best minds together to find solutions for the industry."

A key component of the document emphasizes the need to use professional window cleaners and not someone inexperienced in the post construction cleaning of glass. The use of unskilled non-professionals can be a detriment to completing the construction job in the best possible way.  Furthermore, the general contractor or builder may need to schedule periodic glass cleaning during extended construction schedules so that the potential for glass damage is reduced. Vital suggestions such as these provide real-world solutions to prevent costly issues later, including the potential for contentious litigation.

"This is a great document for the industry," said Debra Nemec, IWCA executive director, in the release. "This collaboration, as well as future joint efforts by our organizations, provides new potential in the industry to increase the quality output of glazing contractors and professional window cleaners.  At the end of the day, that outcome benefits everyone. We look forward to working together even further for the benefit of our members and our industry."

To download this document at no charge, visit the GANA TechCenter Web site or the IWCA Web site or read in full below. Pdf file here.

Construction Site Protection and Maintenance of Architectural Glass:
Steps Must Be Taken to Avoid Permanent Damage to Glass.

Architectural glass products used in windows, doors and skylights for today’s residential and commercial building projects are more sophisticated than those used in earlier fenestration applications. Performance requirements call for glass to be coated and used in an insulating glass unit in order to be more energy efficient; and often heat-treated and laminated to provide greater strength, safety, and security. As a result of increased performance capabilities, more high performance glass is being used in both residential and commercial construction. The higher valued products and their greater susceptibility to damage have increased the importance of proper site storage, handling, installation and protection throughout the construction process.

During glass manufacturing, fabrication and installation, products are carefully handled to prevent surface and edge damage. Materials are packaged to provide protection during shipment and delivery. Once finished materials are placed on a construction site, they become exposed to a variety of conditions and influences that can adversely affect product aesthetics and functionality. Irreparable glass damage can occur from improper storage and handling, exposure to chemicals and leaching agents, prolonged exposure to moisture, mechanical attack and breakage, damage related to adjacent construction activities and improper cleaning methods.

Site Delivery and Storage

Windows, doors and skylights for residential construction typically arrive on construction sites preglazed, while commercial construction applications often require glass be delivered to the site and glazed at a later date. In both types of construction, it is vital that materials be properly stored for the duration of the construction process. The complex nature of construction projects and site management requires well-planned and executed material delivery and storage. The following is a list of recommended practices that glazing subcontractors should observe for site delivery and storage of fenestration materials: - Consult glass and glazing system suppliers for specific recommendations on the site storage, handling, installation, and protection of their materials before any work is started.

• Coordinate glass deliveries, to the extent practical, to minimize on-site storage durations.
• Work with the general contractor or builder to select on-site under-roof storage locations that avoid direct rain and water runoff, work areas of other trades, and areas of high traffic and to minimize material movement and handling.
• Secure, block, and brace individual cases of glass and preglazed materials to prevent falls.
• Ensure blocks or supports keep the bottom edge of materials well above potential puddles of rainwater or other conditions that could cause damage.
• Provide secure, temporary covering that prevents direct water flow, but ensures ventilation and combats condensation buildup on the glass.
• Clearly mark storage areas of glass cases and preglazed materials using colored ribbons or tape.
• Ensure that glazing components held in storage are not subjected to deposits from concrete and masonry building materials or hard water spotting from various sources of tap water at the job site.
• Ensure that stored materials are not exposed to activities of other trades such as welding, painting, insulating, and fireproofing.
• Establish a program for daily inspection of stored glass and glazing systems to monitor conditions and ensure prompt corrective action when needed.
• Follow manufacturer’s guidelines when using temporary protection films.
• Do not allow protective films to remain on the surface beyond their useful life, as removal methods may damage certain types of glass and/or their coatings.
• Do not expose open packs of glass to direct sunlight as the insulating effects of the glass layers may increase the thermal stress in the glass and may result in glass breakage.

Trade Awareness:

As fenestration materials are delivered to a residential or commercial construction site, it is recommended that the glazing subcontractor and window cleaner contact the general contractor (in person and follow up in writing) to let him know how important it is that he make all construction trades aware of the potential for permanent damage and their level of responsibility in the event materials are subjected to harmful conditions. In the event of damage, prompt action is required to minimize damage.

Site Handling and Installation:

Glass and glazing system manufacturer’s recommendations for site handling and installation procedures should be followed. Residential and light commercial windows, doors, and skylights should be installed in accordance with ASTM International document E 2112 – Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights. Glass for commercial glazing applications should be handled and installed in accordance with guidelines set forth in the Glass Association of North America (GANA) Glazing Manual.

Post Installation Inspection and Protection:

After installation, special attention by all trades should be given to construction activities in order to prevent exposure of glass in windows, doors and skylights to weld splatter, paint, plaster, sealants, fireproofing, and alkali and chemical attack. The subcontractor, general contractor, or builder should inspect and document the condition of the glazed materials on a daily basis. At this stage of construction, the glazing subcontractor should request, in writing, that the general contractor or builder remind other construction trades of the potential for irreparable damage to the glazed materials and to implement systems and procedures for protection. The following is a list of common conditions and causes that damage glass after installation:

Condition: Glass surface corrosion often characterized by permanent iridescent or white haze surface staining

Cause: Glass got wet during storage due to reasons such as, but not limited to, being stored outside uncovered, or extended storage with inadequate ventilation and/or improper glass separation

Condition: Glass surface or edge damage

Cause: Inadequate on-site protection; ill-advised or vulnerable storage locations; exposure to other trades

Condition: Chemical attack, surface pitting and hard‐to‐clean deposits

Cause: Overspray and runoff of chemicals from sealing/cleaning of concrete, masonry, roofing, etc; inadequate protection and/or poor storage location

Condition: Weld-splatter surface damage and reduction in glass strength

Cause: Location of glass near welding; inadequate protection of stored or installed glass

Condition: Stubborn, tenacious surface deposits from concrete and masonry runoff, as well as hard water spotting

Cause: Poor storage and/or protection of uninstalled glass; absence of prompt, interim cleaning of installed glass during construction

Construction Clean-Up

If glass is exposed to harmful materials or conditions during construction, the general contractor or builder and the trade involved, if known, should be immediately advised by the glazing contractor of the potential damage. In the event that damage has already occurred, the glazing contractor and glass fabricator/supplier should be consulted to assess damage, take corrective actions, and mitigate the potential for future damage. Deep surface scratches, contact by hot weld-splatter and edge damage threaten the structural integrity of glass and may require glass replacement. Surface contact with harmful materials will require prompt cleaning by professional window cleaners, such as members of the International Window Cleaners Association (IWCA). If harmful exposure results in conditions that cannot be cleaned using typical glass cleaning procedures, a professional window cleaner should be consulted for recommendations on more aggressive glass cleaning procedures. The use of a more aggressive procedure may itself damage the glass. Careful thought and discussion must precede the use of aggressive cleaning procedures. The general contractor or builder may need to schedule periodic glass cleaning during the construction process. Extended construction schedules and site conditions often result in dirt and debris build-up. Professional cleaning at the initial signs of build-up can decrease the potential for glass damage.

Long-Term Building Maintenance & Performance:

Following the completion of the construction project and throughout the life of the building, windows, doors, and skylights should be properly cleaned. Building facades may be exposed to sealant rundown, pollutants, dirt and debris, which can attack and damage glass surfaces over time. Building maintenance schedules should include frequent cleaning to ensure long-term glass aesthetics and performance. Cleaning frequencies should be tailored to the individual characteristics inherent to these conditions as well as the severity of local environmental factors such as acid rain and atmospheric pollutants that vary from region to region. Building owners should ensure that individuals cleaning fenestration materials are well aware of the glazing products in the building and their unique properties and are knowledgeable about and capable of using proper cleaning procedures and practices recommended by the glazing manufacturer and the glass industry. Proper protection of glass in windows, doors, and skylights throughout the construction process and the life of a building are essential. Planning and execution of the practices described and recommended in this bulletin will enable the glass to meet the aesthetic and performance expectations and the needs of the building occupants. Consult the Tech Center section of the Glass Association of North America (GANA) website (www.glasswebsite.com) for additional Glass Informational Bulletins and flat glass industry reference resources.

The Window Cleaning Conference Videos

The MidWest Window Cleaning Show was a huge success. Here are some videos from the conference from last month in higher quality. Mid West cleaning conference now in it's second year is hosted by Tony Evans & Window Cleaning Resource (WCR).

The Fabricating Debris Seminar with Tony Evans. Tony Evans from a New View Window Cleaning shows how passionate he is about the subject by educating window cleaners on the exact nature of faulty glass & how window cleaners get blamed.

Kevin Dubrosky was the key-note speaker at the Iowa conference. 99% of window cleaning business owners need some serious help with their marketing systems, and are not satisfied with the results they are currently obtaining. Kevin can help! Check out Kevins website. Shown in two parts below. $600 per hour? Disbelievers click here.

The Aqua-Dapter reaches American shores.

Odds & Ends: Window Cleaning News

A Green Certification on the Horizon for the White House? President Barack Obama intends to get the White House LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) spokesperson, Christine Glunz, says the effort to get the White House to LEED certification includes energy and water systems as well as waste. She believes it is vital to consider toxicity and life-cycle when making purchases for facilities. CEQ is looking to reduce the carbon footprint of the White House by implementing computerized energy management systems, automatic light sensors that turn off in unoccupied rooms and low-flow water valves. Paints and sealers with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), biodegradable cleaners and recycled equipment will all be used by White House groundskeepers and engineers, according to a White House spokesperson. Window films that will lower UV rays and save energy will also be added.

Australia is about to take a world lead in nanotechnology with the development of an amazing new instrument at a Melbourne research facility, writes Nick Gibson. Scientists at the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication at Monash will shortly bring online one of the most powerful nanotechnology instruments in the world, able to write data on particles ten thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair. The new multi-million dollar electron-beam lithography instrument can write or mark nano-sized objects with such precision that it could write the whole of ‘War and Peace’ on a pin-head.
Scientists will use the new instrument for a variety of key applications such as banknote fraud prevention, micro-texturing of surfaces, manufacture of micro-fluidic devices and x-ray optical elements. End products of such technology already in use include better quality paints, car and window cleaning treatments and improved swimsuits. “Nanotechnology is key to the future and many exciting new discoveries are being made through its use and application,” says Darrell Todd, ceo of thinkingaustralia.com.

An internet game featuring a high-rise window washer on a cradle. This one from the dutch, features guessing the letters before King Kong cuts the safety line & the window washer falls to his doom. Based on the word game, known as hangman. It's in Dutch, but don't be put off, just choose lot's of V's, W's & P's! Click the picture or here to play.

German film fest: Cuci The Musical. The musical, based on Hans Isaac’s movie, is about four adopted brothers from a small window washing company called Cuci Cuci Services. They aspire to compete in the ‘’Window Washing Olympics’’ competition to win a contract to clean the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. The musical takes centrestage at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 23 to Nov 8. Leading the cast are Afdlin Shauki, Hans Isaac, Awie and AC Mizal. Their dream is to one day be given the contract to service the exterior of the Kuala Lumpur Petronas Twin Towers. That opportunity comes with the Window Washing Olympics – a competition run by Citi Jasmin (Vanida Imran) – that awards the winner with the cleaning contract. Cuci-Cuci Services decide to take on the defending champ, Wira Maju, a company owned by Citi Jasmin's boyfriend, Wira (Harith Iskander). Romance soon blossoms between Citi Jasmin and Khai much to Wira's dismay. Made first into a movie, released in January 2007, Isaac in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, said he had every intention to initially make Cuci into a musical, but at the time he didn't have the finances.

A magnificent church window, rumoured to have been designed by one of the world’s most famous architects, has been returned to its original glory. A painstaking £25,000 restoration job has been carried out on the eastern stained-glass window at St Mary’s, Staindrop. Legend has it that the window’s design was the work of Augustus Welby Pugin, who planned the Houses of Parliament with architect Sir Charles Barry. St Mary’s eastern window, which is about 25ft high, was installed in 1855. In the past, John Cory has also been credited with the design. “There wasn’t a great deal of damage, but it was dirty as the window cleaner didn’t dare touch it. Borderdale did a good job and it’s now very fresh-looking,” Mr Poole said. St Mary’s Church, one of the oldest in the region, was founded in 771.

Murder man friends joy at club closure: Ben Lund (pictured), who died following an assault at the Funktion rooms nightclub has shut down after being repossessed and locked by the landlord. Friends and family of the popular window cleaner, who lived in York Road, held a peaceful protest against the club reopening and many are now pleased to see it has closed down. Rachel Jordan, a friend of the Lund family who helped organise the protest, posted a message social networking site Facebook which said, "Hooray, well done everyone for all your hard work through your sheer love for our fantastic gentle Ben. "This couldn't have happened without you all."

Windex "all-in-one" Canned again! It comes with a cleaning head; a handle and one cleaning pad that the package says will clean 20 windows with just one pad and in one use. I have seen it priced from $16.99 at Walgreens up to $22 on Amazon. It’s simple to use, just attach pad to cleaning head, then spray the window and cleaning pad with a water hose, then wipe the window using the cleaning pad and then rinse again making sure no suds are left behind...when it's done drying you should have a streak free shine
The replacement pads cost $4.99. It does say one pad will clean 20 windows but you have to clean all 20 windows at once, because directions say when done cleaning windows throw away the pad. I also cleaned a window using some paper towels and vinegar and water.
I gave the Windex Outdoor All- in- One a thumbs down because after letting it dry there were tons of streaks on my outdoor patio window. The vinegar and water cleaned better then the Windex Outdoor All- in- One. What I did like about the Windex All-in-One is the pole. It was a lot easier to use the pole then get up on a set ladder to clean that window.

And again...Our testers are two Newton Public School employees used to washing all the windows in the district every summer. Andrea even asked us to test this, in hopes her job will get a little easier. Gary wets the windows on the school with the hose, and Andrea uses the wand to scrub the glass with the soapy pad. They rinse....and wait. As the water starts to dry, the two aren't happy. The water isn't streaking, but the tool does leave lots of individual water drops on the glass. That means one thing to Andrea: spots. That's exactly what they start to see all over the windows. Just to be sure, they ask the opinion of another school employee who says the results wouldn't pass her test. Although it is streak-free, the windows are spotty And to be acceptable, all three agree they'd have to wipe down each pane of glass. Does It Work? All three of them say "no."
When we called the company, S.C. Johnson replied if spots show up, wash again. If the pad isn't available, rinse again. And the company says the quality of water can determine the quality of the results. Gary says he thinks he gave the product the benefit of the doubt. He says the test was on a cloudy, mild day. According to him, if it spotted on a day like that, it would really be a problem on a hot day when the water evaporated faster. Next summer he says, he's reaching for his bucket of water and squeegee.

Only two days after he learned from his former boss Marc Mawhinney the lawn care company he was managing was folding - along with several other Mawhinney companies - Crowdis started his own. On Aug. 13, he opened Yard Pros, taking over many of the clients that were left hanging with the closure of Mawhinney Lawn Care. "I was left high and dry so I thought I'd put my talent back to work and start up a company again and try my hand at another career field." It only took him two days to launch his own yard care company and begin looking after - for free - the many customers who had paid Mawhinney for the entire season. "Nobody missed a beat when it came to mowing," Crowdis said. "Everyone still got mowed"¦I couldn't just walk away and leave them all just hanging there." Crowdis brought two of his former employees with him as well as his fleet of yard care equipment and soon found himself busy mowing, aerating, dethatching and fertilizing lawns. His company also offers spring and fall cleanup, window washing, bed edging and mulching, tree and hedge trimming services as well as driveway sealing and hot pour crack filling for driveways for both businesses and residences from Saint John to Sussex.

Owner of The Window Man professional window cleaning service since 1994 and Summit Haus Properties spec building since 1999, Hodges comes to Prudential with a lengthy background in new construction. His knowledge of home building coupled with his insights on property location and cost comparisons proves to be helpful in educating potential clients.

Another Resource for Fabricating Debris: You may want to bookmark this one. Its a quick link page to other sites on the same topic. Fabricating Debris is a defect found on tempered and heat strengthened glass when the tempering company fails to maintain proper housekeeping procedures. It has increased in occurrence with the higher demand for tempered products and creates a situation that is detrimental to maintaining the clarity of the glass for it's lifetime. Not heard about it? You will soon, Its fabricating debris!

Window Cleaning Hall of Fame & Scratched Glass

Two new websites you should be aware of & read for your own information: The first website is from Window Cleaning Resource - Fabricating Debris & how to protect yourself from the terrors of clients that have poorly manufactured glass & what to do about it! This is one issue that is slowly raising it's ugly head in Europe as glass manufacturers are turning out poor quality glass for the quick buck leaving window cleaners holding the rag. Also a 'biggie' for window cleaners in the USA that can make or break your business in what is becoming a frequently discussed topic. Educate yourself, knowing that once you detect it, you may be too late. Above is the much celebrated DVD available from the store by the credited expert in the field of fabrication debris, Dan Fields. More information on this topic in this blog is collated here.

The Window Cleaning Hall of Fame started by Jack Nelson of the MWCoA, this website has been established to set up "to Honor the men and women who made what we do for a living easier and a more honorable profession." "Each year on April 10th we will add more members." "April 10 was picked because of the passing of Jim Willingham." "Jim never forgot where he came from he remained true to his roots." "He was both respected and revered." "Each person named here brought something unique to the window cleaning profession." "Because this is the first year for the list, there is no way we can honor everyone who was vital to the industry."

GlasWeld & Scratched Glass Solutions

At a time when some companies are slashing costs and laying off workers, Bend’s GlasWeld Systems Inc. is having the best year in its 25-year history. That’s according to company President Mike Boyle, who prefers the title chief visionary officer. Earlier this month, GlasWeld acquired a Las Vegas-based competitor and is moving it to Bend. GlasWeld, which is privately-held, now has 16 employees, but Boyle expects the company will double in size in the next two years as it absorbs its competitor and continues to expand. Boyle has helped the company grow from a “garage-type” business that built and sold windshield repair kits to an industry authority that is shaking up the way glass manufacturers do business.
Its original line of business is windshield repair kits and training. According to Boyle, the company is the world’s largest manufacturer of windshield repair kits. GlasWeld’s system uses a vacuum tool that removes moisture and contaminants from a windshield crack or ding and then injects a resin into the affected area. The resin is then cured with an ultraviolet lamp. Boyle said repairing a windshield is safer than replacing a windshield, as the factory bond between the windshield and the vehicle frame isn’t easily duplicated by third-party contractors. Several years ago, GlasWeld patented a system to repair scratches without altering the optics of the affected glass. In other words, it could repair a scratch, using a proprietary compound and special buffer without distorting the glass around the scratch as buffing alone can do.




It works on windshields, but GlasWeld found it also worked on flat glass, the industry term for windows and other architectural glass. This presented the company with more than a few growth opportunities. Boyle said glass manufacturers typically send 6 percent of their production to the dump. Boyle said his company’s systems can salvage 80 percent of that glass.
In an era where waste is unacceptable due to negative environmental perceptions and impact to the bottom line. Boyle said glass manufacturers are turning to GlasWeld to help them keep costs down both in the plant and the field. “The reason we’ve gone (with GlasWeld is) we do expect to save on our service costs and the amount of glass we throw away,” said Kim Flannery, engineering director for Milgard Windows and Doors in Tacoma, Wash. Milgard’s windows have a lifetime warranty, Flannery said. To replace a scratched piece of glass in the field is expensive and time-consuming, but with GlasWeld’s system, it can take one Milgard technician as little as five minutes. And it doesn’t alter the optics, which is something Flannery had never seen before.
“The reason we never got excited about this in the past was because other scratch-repair technology changed the characteristics of the glass,” Flannery said. “If you looked at it just right, you knew something had been done, but so far that has not been an issue here, and that seems to be the thing I’m most impressed with.” That’s one prong of GlasWeld’s growth, Boyle said. Another is the company’s burgeoning forensic glass services. Boyle half-jokingly calls it Glass Scene Investigations, a play on the popular television show “CSI,” or Crime Scene Investigation.
As Boyle explained, when developers discover that the windows installed in their projects, be it skyscrapers or luxury condos, are scratched, they want to know whom to bill for the repairs: the manufacturer, the shipper, the installer, the window cleaner or the mason who may have accidentally nicked a window with his trowel.




Boyle said his company can determine from the damage who is to blame. “We know more about glass than most of the people who produce it,” Boyle said. In the past few years, GlasWeld has been called to assess the glass in several high-profile projects, including the 57-floor Comcast Center in Philadelphia and the Wynn Las Vegas casino in Nevada. At the Wynn, Boyle said, a carpenter accidently scratched the front windows of a jewelry store three days before the casino opened. The scratched windows cost roughly $60,000 and had taken six months to produce, meaning no immediate replacements were available. Boyle sent over a GlasWeld contractor who spent the next three days repairing the glass.
A similar incident happened at the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson, Wyo., he said. A developer had discovered the windows in his luxury condos were scratched. Rather than replace the windows, the developer hired GlasWeld to remove the scratches. It took a few months, but GlasWeld was able to complete the task, at considerable savings to the developer, Boyle said.
Throwing glass away is expensive, he said. But several years ago, Boyle came to the realization it’s also environmentally unsound. Only bottled glass is recycled, he said, while windshields and flat panel glass usually end up in landfills. Windshields can’t be recycled cost-effectively because they have petroleum-based laminate layered between the two panes of glass that make up a windshield. Windows and other architectural glass can’t be recycled cost-effectively because they are usually coated with anti-glare or energy-conservation coating and are affixed to metal or wood frames.
The glass can be ground up, but it’s an expensive process. Most of the time, it goes into the landfill, where it sits, practically forever, he said. Glass, after all, is melted sand. With that environmental message in mind, and adopting a polar bear as the marketing tool, GlasWeld several years ago began growing its glass repair business. The company also changed some of its business practices to keep in line with its message, such as switching from incandescent to fluorescent bulbs, buying a commercial-grade printer to print marketing materials on demand rather than in bulk and reducing packaging. And it’s paid off, Boyle said. “We started building a message of sustainability … so now we’re saving money and getting more market share,” Boyle said. Boyle wants to expand the company’s sustainability message and in the spring plans to host a conference in Sisters for glass industry executives worldwide to share its message. “Our ultimate goal is to become a Baldrige winner,” said Boyle, referring to the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award handed out annually by the U.S. president to businesses that show leadership and other exemplary business practices. “To be worthy of that award, that’s when we hit our stride,” Boyle said.

Building Contractors Beware of Tempered Glass

BELFAST, MAINE, USA: There is an on going issue regarding tempered glass which can be very costly to your business. 80-90% of all tempered glass being produced today has fabricating debris fused to the surface. This debris consists of glass fines produced when the glass is cut. The glass fines are not being washed off before the glass is tempered and they become fused to the surface. This debris is microscopic, however razor blades used in the cleaning process will dislodge them and the glass fines then scratch the glass. The glass industry recommends not using razors to clean the glass. Razors are an industry standard tool for removing paint, silicon, and general debris that will inevitably get on windows during the construction phase. Asking window cleanings not the use razors is like asking carpenters not to use a hammer. There are ways to avoid the use of a razor in the final cleaning phase of construction if certain precautions are taken. A lot of window companys are now applying protective film to the glass. This film must be left on until all construction is complete to minimize the amount of paint, etc that gets on the glass during building. If windows do not have this film it is highly recommended to mask the glass as soon as the windows are installed. While this issue is with tempered glass, it is a good idea to treat all the glass at your jobsite the same.

This news report comes on the heal of recent postings after Jack Nelson of MWCoA interviewed GANA Board Chairman Cliff Monro & of Arch glass. The interview can be read here. And more information from MWCoA can be read here.

More fabricating debris info here.

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More Fabricating Debris

Alex Lambrinides of window cleaning resource tests a piece of 'Arch' tempered glass in his workshop & shows again what fabricating debris sounds like. See more video's from GANA on the float glass manufacturing processes by clicking on the pictures below.

Its interesting to note that ARCH admit that contaminating debris will possibly be present on one or both sides of the glass & dimpling or marking could be present. And that these surface conditions do not threaten the visual integrity of the product! Download the pdf here.

Sticker for Window Cleaners Proposed

Affecting window cleaners Stateside more than Europe, but the fabricating debris issue debate is heating up as previously mentioned. This time, Glass magazine realeased this bulletin:

A design of a sticker for glass that would alert a window cleaner not to use metal scrapers was proposed Feb. 14 during the Glass Association of North America’s Glass Week at the Rio All Suites Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. “I support it to minimize the possibility of a suit,” said Kim Mann, general counsel for GANA, Topeka, Kan. “It supplies information and knowledge. They can’t claim they didn’t know if you have a sticker. It can only enhance your position.”
The proposal came during the construction subcommittee session of the Tempering Division meeting. The proposed sticker would be applied with a static-cling method. The members agreed that a sticker from GANA has more clout than a sticker from an individual company. They also agreed that the sticker should be available to non-GANA members. The group then discussed who would be responsible for applying the sticker but did not reach a consensus.
The subcommittee had formed a task group to create a position letter on surface particles on heat-treated glass in response to a November 2007 letter from the International Window Cleaners Association, Kansas City, Mo. IWCA members say that razor scrapers are the tool of the trade for cleaning glass. The letter states that the IWCA believes fabricating debris is “an easily preventable surface defect” and asked GANA to retract its glass cleaning informational bulletin, which recommends not using metal scrapers. GANA members say that microscopic particles are inherent to the process of heat-strengthened glass. Greg Carney, GANA’s technical adviser, says he continues to communicate with the IWCA and pass on information about the glass-making process.

Fabricating Debris on Glass

The sound (Gary Mauer) of fabricating debris on glass (video courtesy of window cleaning resources).

I've been putting off the subject of fabricating debris for quite a while now, as its such a body of work that needs addressing and is coming to the forefront in the window cleaners world, although the problem has been around for much longer. If it hadn't been for the work of Gary Mauer & Dan Fields, more window cleaners would probably have gone out of business by now.

Gary Mauer runs a widely respected network & has educated window cleaners worldwide on the problem of fabricating debris & Dan Fields educates via his website, tapes & DVD's.

If you are not familiar with the problem, I urge you to sign up now to the discussion group or get the information from the websites concerned, click on Gary & Dan to take you straight to their respective sites.

The issue here is why some uncoated tempered glass (but not all) may be so laden with abrasive fabricating debris that it will scratch when you clean it with a standard window cleaning scraper. Fabricating debris is an inherent problem with tempered glass, but clearly some temperers do a good job of minimizing it, while others do not.

Lately a war of words has broken out between GANA & window cleaners in the USA. With GANA contradicting themselves by saying scrapers shouldn't be used, but.......a small scraper could be used???

More links from the AUWC with their defective glass bulletin & an open letter to GANA from the IWCA. The MWCoA also put out a great pdf file with some excellent pictures. Make sure you have a waiver in place before attempting any builders cleans, some window cleaners reserve the right for a signature before any window cleaning is attempted on any glass. Another video below of a window cleaner explaining fabricating debris.