Product Care - Glass

Product Care and Maintenance

Glass

Maintenance and Care of ABBAS Glass Products

Glass

While glass products are very durable, observance of these instructions will maintain their appearance and significantly extend their useful life. Maintenance is also required to achieve durability performance and for glass product warranties to be valid (where applicable). They apply to all types of glass.

Exterior

Cleaning of products and fixings are required to remove residues, dirt, and grime. The level of cleaning and maintenance depends primarily on the environment. In some exterior instances normal rain coupled with periodic mild detergent washes is sufficient, but more polluted or corrosive environments, e.g. coastal situations, built up/ industrial areas, or geothermal areas, the surfaces require regular washing to retain the look. Some deposits may not be directly harmful in themselves, but by retaining moisture they can cause glass staining and etching. Other deposits may cause damage indirectly, simply by being so firmly attached to the glass, that it is damaged by the overly aggressive cleaning actions needed to remove the deposits. When cleaning glass, note that there is usually a layer of abrasive dust resting lightly on the surface. The abrasiveness of this dust can easily scratch the glass if too much pressure is applied. In coastal situations, it is recommended that cleaning is performed every three to six months with warm water and diluted detergent, as well as once a month with a normal water wash.

Interior

Dirt and grease accumulate from many sources. They can usually be removed by routine cleaning using soap, or detergent and warm water. Note, nearly all abrasive cleaners will scratch any coated or glass surfaces. A clean, dust and grit free cloth should be used to avoid scratching.  In all cases the mildest cleaning procedure that will do the job efficiently should be used, e.g. wash down with warm water and washing up liquid followed by a wash of clean warm water only followed by wiping dry with a clean absorbent cloth. For textured finishes, a soft nylon bristled brush will remove any dirt and grime which may accumulate within the texture.
Cleaning is recommended after initial installation. Interior cleaning should be undertaken when visibly dirty or every three to six months.

Glass Hardware

Hardware and fixings require regular maintenance to ensure the system performs at its best and should be included in the regular maintenance outlined in this guide. Note: Seals and rubbers will require replace from time to time depending on the environment, as a general rule, they should last for 10 years or more if regular cleaning is undertaken, however replacement can be undertaken.

Precautions

Harsh abrasives should never be used on any glass surface. Strong mineral acids such as hydrochloric and sometimes hydrofluoric acid are used to clean masonry, but these should never be permitted to come in contact with glass or coated surfaces. If this should happen, the acid solution should be washed off immediately with plenty of water. Pads of ordinary steel wool incorporating soap should be avoided.  Never use oil based commercial cleaners on the outside of a building. The residual oil film can result in unwanted iridescent colours on surfaces which can only be removed by abrasive action. 

Care and Protection

Ensure to protect the product from contact with:

Copper, lead, mild steel, brass, CCA treated timber, cement or concrete less than one month old, and water which has contacted any of these substances.
Wet cement or plaster, paint splashes, chemicals, solvents, stains and fertilisers.

If contact does occur, remove the contaminant immediately and wash.

Cleaning Procedure

Maintenance should be undertaken in accordance with the guidelines below or when the glass is visibly dirty.
Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight or when the glass is overly hot.
Flood the surface with water to remove loose dirt or grit. For internal, remove loose deposits with a wet sponge. Do not dry dust, or the surfaces will be scratched. Ensure that all drain holes are unblocked, particularly those at the base of the posts and underside of lower rails.

Using a soft cloth and a mild household detergent in warm fresh water, clean the surface to remove any dust, salt, or other deposits. Pay particular attention to any areas not washed naturally by the rain.
Always rinse well after cleaning with fresh water to remove any remaining detergent.
Dry immediately with a lint free towel or cloth.
The use of squeegee, blades or scrapers is not recommended on glass due to the increased risk of damage or scratching.

Warning: Solvents, household cleaners, bleaches, and abrasive cleaners are possibly harmful to the surface finish, and must not be used.

Use

Routine gentle cleaning with warm water and detergent.
Repeated routine gentle cleaning rather than a single aggressive cleaning.
Frequent washes with cold water.

Do not use

Course abrasive powders.
Metallic scourers.
Silver or brass cleaners.
Razor blades, metal tools, or steel wool.

Guide to Ongoing Maintenance

Clean inland: 6-12 months
Polluted urban on industrial: 3 monthly
Coastal / Marine (not splashed): 3 monthly

Limitation of Liability: The information contained in this guide is a general guide for customers in maintaining the integrity of the product. ABBAS product(s) are warranted for a period of 5 years subject to the requirements of a regular maintenance program. Any finish deterioration caused by exposure to adverse atmospheric conditions or occurring from the use of paints, solvents and acid cleaners is not considered a defect in the finish and as such is not covered by the warranty conditions. Likewise, the warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, neglect or other factors over which ABBAS has no control over. Any claim under warranty must be made at the first appearance of an issue to ensure no further damage is caused though delay of notice. Failure to do so will void any warranty if applicable.