How do you clean your skylight?

Advice for the Maintaining and Hand Cleaning of All Atlite Glass Skylights

Glass

This glass product has a very thin coating on the interior glass surface. It is this hard and durable coating which gives the product improved thermal insulation and solar control performance compared to ordinary clear glass. The coated surface of the glass does clean differently to ordinary glass and these guidelines are recommended for the most appropriate hand cleaning results.

Routine Cleaning

Hand cleaning of the coated (interior) surface, to visibly remove accumulated dust or fingerprints, can be accomplished using a number of different glass cleaning products. The exterior surface of the glass is not coated so can be cleaned in the same fashion as ordinary glass.

Recommended Routine Cleaning Products

• Windex® Multi-Surface Cleaner (colourless liquid) (Australia) or Mr Muscle® Surface and Glass (New Zealand) (clear liquid available from Supermarket),
• produced by SC Johnson & Son Pty Ltd
• A mixture of one part vinegar with ten parts

In addition to the above products, commercially available vinegar-based glass cleaners have generally demonstrated an ability to provide a clean, streak free glass surface.

Viridian does not recommend the use of ammonia-base and alcohol-base glass cleaners because these products tend to leave visible streaks.

Routine Cleaning Procedure

• While cleaning ensure jewellery and watches are removed and gloves should be worn.
• Flood the glass surface with the spray-on cleaning solution or with a cloth saturated with the cleaning Be generous with the amount of solution applied.
• Scrub the wetted surface with a clean, lint free towel or
• Wipe dry with a dry, clean, lint free towel or cloth. Do not use a squeegee on the coated (interior)
• To prevent streaking, stop wiping when the glass is almost dry and there is a uniform film of moisture left on the glass surface. The film will quickly evaporate leaving a clean surface.

Spot Cleaning

Occasionally spot cleaning may be required to remove stubborn dirt or foreign materials which adhere to the surface. Spot cleaning products work to remove markings from grease, oil, tape adhesive, and crayons or other waxy materials as well as paint and rub-off marks from plastics.

Recommended Spot Cleaning Products

• Acetone (solvent available from hardware store) and must be used strictly in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and

Spot Cleaning Procedure:

1. While cleaning ensure jewellery and watches are removed and gloves should be worn.
2. Apply a small quantity of the cleaner listed above to a clean, wet cloth or
3. Rub on areas of glass needing spot
4. Wipe clean using a dry, clean, lint free towel or cloth followed by a routine cleaning procedure.

Specialised Cleaning

Do not use razor blades, steel wool, scouring bristles or other metallic or abrasive objects on the coated surface. If metallic objects contact the coated surface, a thin layer of metal removed from the object may be deposited onto the surface which results in a discoloured stain which is difficult to remove using normal cleaning procedures.

Recommended Specialised Cleaning Products

• Hydrochloric Acid (available from hardware store).

Specialised  Cleaning Procedure

1. While cleaning ensure jewellery and watches are removed and gloves should be worn.
2. Carefully follow the chemical manufacturers use and safety instructions. If there are none, pick a brand that has instructions and safety precautions or contact the manufacturer before use or
3. Apply a small quantity of the specialised cleaning product listed above to a wet, clean cloth or towel. A cotton bud may be used for thin line type
4. Rub on areas of glass needing
5. Wipe clean using a dry, clean, lint free towel or cloth followed by a routine cleaning procedure.
6. Ensure that the cleaner does not come into contact with framing

About This Cleaning Advice

This information is offered as a general guide only and specific advice should always be sought from a reputable glazier or professional window cleaner before undertaking any cleaning.

This guidance does not preclude the use of other methods, materials or equipment, however the user should undertake careful evaluation and make suitable enquiries of the suitability of alternative methods, materials or equipment, before using them. Atlite Skylights has taken all reasonable care in producing this document, however Atlite Skylights makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of, and disclaims all liability, direct or indirect (and whether or not arising out of the negligence, default or lack of care of Atlite for any loss or damage (whether foreseeable or not)) suffered by the recipient or any other person arising out of, or in connection with, any use or reliance by any of them on this document. Liability which cannot legally be excluded is limited to the maximum extent possible.