Hydrophilic Vs. Hydrophobic glass: what to do...

[mettlermaintenance]

It seems to me that there is a HUGE difference in approach to cleaning windows with DI, depending on whether or not the glass you are cleaning is hydrophobic (foe) or hydrophilic (friend).

This last 3 story bus./res. Bldg. I did I came across both types. On one hand the hydrophilic windows came out near perfect on the first try whereas the hydrophobic glass needed two to three tries ( even with a pre- scrub).

My approach now, is to identify as soon as possible which is which. In most cases I already know that I can blast through hydrophilic glass and not have any spots or runs. With gydrophobic glass though I am cautious not to get too far before re checking the results. I believe that from now on, to save some time, if I am I'm the shade I will make a pass with my squeegee. This will at least eliminate 90% of the spotting/run downs.

That's my story about hydrophobic glass vs. Hydrophilic glass so far, how about [/font]you?

[SqueeG Steve]

I have learned to rinse -phobic glass by keeping the brush on the glass as I do it. But, sometimes, the glass is so -phobic is makes it impossible so I resort to a squeegee.

[Michael Draper]

(04-10-2011 08:28 AM)mettlermaintenance Wrote:  It seems to me that there is a HUGE difference in approach to cleaning windows with DI, depending on whether or not the glass you are cleaning is hydrophobic (foe) or hydrophilic (friend).

This last 3 story bus./res. Bldg. I did I came across both types. On one hand the hydrophilic windows came out near perfect on the first try whereas the hydrophobic glass needed two to three tries ( even with a pre- scrub).

My approach now, is to identify as soon as possible which is which. In most cases I already know that I can blast through hydrophilic glass and not have any spots or runs. With gydrophobic glass though I am cautious not to get too far before re checking the results. I believe that from now on, to save some time, if I am I'm the shade I will make a pass with my squeegee. This will at least eliminate 90% of the spotting/run downs.

That's my story about hydrophobic glass vs. Hydrophilic glass so far, how about [/font]you?

Hydrophobic in and of itself has little to with the spotting issues that occur. It is what is making the glass hydrophobic. Organics, pollutions etc will have a oily residue. Di water alone cant break them down as fast. So suspension doesnt occur allowing for a clean rinse.

Problem is its hard to tell especially on a first time clean. I personally have never had to re-do windows that were pre-scrubbed with GG4 and then rinsed.

Always take it to a first level window. Mop and squeegee first so that you can set your standard of clean. I have on number of occassions been frustrated with spots only to take my own advice here and find that the spots wouldnt come off by hand either. If it comes off with soap and squeegee I can always get it off with pre-scrub and rinse.

[mettlermaintenance]

No disrespect meant, however I am not convinced that "hydrophobic glass in of itself is not the problem". I see a direct relationship between spotting and phobic glass. One example of this is cleaning phobic glass in the shade Vs. Sunny side. Phobic glass seems to dry more spot free than in shade. Why? Because all of the beads of water sitting on the glass collect dust/dirt particles and sit on the glass for a long time, leaving behind spots when it finally dries. The solution? Squeegee the phobic glass you have sitting in shade. Use your reach around gooseneck!

[kevinheap@yahoo.com]

No dis to Mike but that does make sense, thanks.

[Michael Draper]

(04-13-2011 07:02 AM)mettlermaintenance Wrote:  No disrespect meant, however I am not convinced that "hydrophobic glass in of itself is not the problem". I see a direct relationship between spotting and phobic glass. One example of this is cleaning phobic glass in the shade Vs. Sunny side. Phobic glass seems to dry more spot free than in shade. Why? Because all of the beads of water sitting on the glass collect dust/dirt particles and sit on the glass for a long time, leaving behind spots when it finally dries. The solution? Squeegee the phobic glass you have sitting in shade. Use your reach around gooseneck!

While it is true this is where problems occur. I have done much phobic glass and had it dry spot free. So why does this occur? Some phobic seems to spot while others don't?

[tuffyhills79]

Problem is its hard to tell especially on a first time clean. I personally have never had to re-do windows that were pre-scrubbed with GG4 and then rinsed.