HARD-WATER REMOVAL & OXIDIZED GLASS CLEANING | RAYACCESS, INC.
RayAccess performs hard-water stain removal and oxidized glass cleaning on most exterior and interior building surfaces including glass, tiles (marble, ceramic, granite), and metal (stainless steel, aluminum). From small 1-2 window projects to large high-rise buildings, no job is too big or small for RayAccess.
We perform hard-water removal services for residential and commercial clients alike. Contact RayAccess for glass restoration, glass oxidation removal, hard-water stain removal; bring back the shine in your glass, tile, and metal surfaces!
What Are Hard-water Stains:
Hard-water stains (aka calcium deposits, glass corrosion, or glass oxidation) are the most common type of glass damage. They can appear as grey or white hazy stains shaped like water drips.
Hard-water stains are the result of glass corrosion due to constant exposure of water and the concentration of inorganic compounds dissolved into water (TDS). In tap water there are hundreds of different ions of dissolved materials. Most of them are calcium (Ca+2), chloride (Cl-), magnesium (Mg+2), sodium (Na+), sulfate (SO4-2).Solids dissolved in water get stuck onto the rough surface of glass and react chemically, bonding with the glass. The result of those chemical reactions are insoluble compounds that can be removed mechanically or chemically.
Where Are Hard-water Stains Typically Found:
Typically, problem areas are shower doors and walls, areas around a spray irrigation system, areas affected by dripping condensate or rainwater runoff from building elements such as flashing, gutters, frames, and cornices.
How To Prevent Hard-water Stains From Appearing:
- Eliminating the source of water if possible. For example, redirecting or improving the irrigation system around a building.
- Protecting glass, polished stone, and metals from corrosion by applying a special sealer. Most sealers can provide 1-2 years of protection depending on sun and water exposure before they need to be reapplied.
- Immediately drying all smooth surfaces (glass, metal, polished stone) if they are exposed to water. For example, if you’ve rinsed windows with a hose, they should be wiped or squeegeed. Otherwise, remaining water drips and dissolved salts will corrode the glass causing hard-water stains.
How To Remove Hard-water Stains or Glass Oxidation:
- Wash glass thoroughly with water but without soap
- Squeegee dry
- Apply vinegar or a hard-water removal cleaning solution
- Polish with 0000 super fine steel wool in a circular motion (starting from the frame, making sure no dirt is under steel wool)
- Wash and squeegee dry
- Repeat cycle if necessary
Stubborn hard-water stains that are deeply ingrained require a glass abrasion process with sandblasting equipment. Contact RayAccess or a professional window cleaner to have hard-water stains removed for you.
Hard-water Removal Services:
Chemical Removal:
Chemical removal is based on idea of dissolving contaminants and their bonds with material by using products based on acid or alkali. RayAccess will only use Chemical Removal if there is absolutely no risk for the property and environment.
Advantages: It is the fastest and less expensive way to remove light staining.
Disadvantages: Chemical Removal should be only used by a specialist as there is a risk to etch or damage the substrate and area around. In addition, it involves hazardous products so operator should wear appropriate PPE.
Polishing:
Polishing allows to mechanically remove contaminants and flatten back the surface of glass, metals, polished stones, and tiles. In addition, special products can be applied to speed up the process. RayAccess performs polishing for most stain removal projects including hard-water (calcium, oxidation), etch removal, tint residue removal, etc.
Advantages: Polishing works perfectly with any type of smooth material and most stains.
Disadvantages: Polishing is more time-consuming and expensive than Chemical Removal. The restoration process requires the application of special equipment like a buffer with adjustable RPM, polishing pads, polishing compound, pads for corners, etc. Glass polishing requires special skills and experience in glass restoration due to the possibility of scratching or mechanically damaging the glass.
Hard-water Protection:
It’s very important to prevent hard-water reappearance by applying special clear sealer. Typically, such sealer can protect the surface for 6-24 months depending on the environment.
Significantly, professional protection sealers neither affect original color of polished stones or metals, nor transparency of glass.
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Hard-water Removal Service Area
RayAccess, Inc. provides Hard-water Removal Services at following areas: Los Angeles County (including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Burbank, San Fernando, Pasadena, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, El Segundo, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, City of Commerce)
