There are millions of windows out there that have been badly scratched. The problem is NOT because of razor blade use. But rather the quality of the float glass surface. It has become loaded with silicate particles of various sizes, shapes, hardness, and densities. These are both old and even brand new. In fact new windows are more likely to have this problem. The older the windows the less likely they will have this problem. Which is created at the time the float glass is manufactured at the plant. Window manufacturers buy the glass to make their windows. I have tested many different windows and have indeed found some that use high quality glass. It is VERY smooth. Metal razors will not leave any scratches on these windows. The key is being able to test a window for what I call "scratch sensitive" surfaces.
One very easy way to demonstrate this is with a small coin. Once the window has been cleared of all particulate dirt and sand you can lightly run a small coin across the surface. As I have demonstrated here.
As you play the videos turn the sound way up! There is NO music in these videos so you can easily hear every pop and fizz. It sounds very rough with many "pops". So it would seam there are many microscopic and some larger particles actually embedded in the surface. These also seam to be the direct cause of scratches usually attributed to the razor blade. The reality is then that the razor is not the direct cause of any scratches but only an aid. Further it is not the only aid. The embedded silicate particles can be dislodged with steel wool, bronze wool, synthetic plastic wool, plastic razors, and even soft cotton towels. Some of these will dislodge the particles more easily than others.
Scratch sensitive glass surfaces are absolutely NOT necessary. We know this simply because not all glass has this problem. As has already been mentioned in this post there are windows out there that are incredibly smooth. They are SO smooth in fact that you can lay right to the glass with a razor blade and not have to fear a single scratch. The glass these manufacturers use to make their windows is SO smooth that when you run a coin across the glass there is no sound. Just complete silence.
The use of a razor or any other tool other than a wetting wand and a squeegee changes our work from routine to non-routine window cleaning. This type of work becomes very complicated when removing paint, silicone, or hard water spots (and more) from scratch sensitive glass. We then must know how to use compositional abrasives, and specialty organic solvents. There are also other very special tools and chems to do this. I am currently looking into such products to accomplish this type of work. But the most promising tools are those that protect glass surfaces from paint, stucco, concrete, and more. Such must absolutely be used if this kind of scratch sensitive surface is discovered at the time just before the windows are installed.
Written By Henry Grover Jr.
GlassSmart@ProtonMail.com
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