Tackling exterior joinery soiling with cleaning and deep cleaning

Specific solutions for the removal of saltpetre and calcium deposits

A must for any construction project - give profiles, glass windows and doors a thorough cleaning with a deep cleaning upon completion to immediately remove all contaminating elements. In addition, advise the owner of the house, apartment or other building to continue to perform such deep cleaning themselves at least twice a year in the future, in addition to periodic cleaning. Novatio offers a full range of solutions that help keep exterior joinery in perfect condition at all times.

Cleaning on completion

"Contamination on profiles and glass is never a good thing. During the production process, fingerprints and non-polar contamination, such as condensed VOCs and soot precipitation, for example, cause gluing problems. We also always stress the importance of thorough maintenance after installation to prevent irreparable damage to profiles and glass in the long run," says Mano Geuns, sales manager Novation Benelux Windows, Doors & Outdoor Living. "That maintenance actually starts at the time of delivery. We therefore recommend giving the exterior joinery a thorough cleaning at that time, because only then can it 'start with a clean slate'. Thanks to our wide range of cleaning products, we have a suitable solution for every specific challenge. In any case, we suggest polishing profiles and glass with Novacare Shamp Wax R&D and then rinsing them with clean water and wiping them dry with a microfiber cloth. Should the contamination not be gone after this polish, a deep cleaning is in order."

Products for deep cleaning

Novatio is also the right place for those products. For the removal of visible layers of dust and dirt, the specialist suggests FA Clean R&D, a water-based cleaner that is very efficient for removing water-soluble and polar contaminants, including dust, sand and other mineral particles. The solvent-based cleaner Safety Clean R&D is indicated for loosening and dissolving petrochemical and natural non-polar -debris. Most of the dirt is removed by wiping the surface with an absorbent cloth, but Novatio's specialists recommend post-cleaning with Multifoam R&D to remove the last remnants of solvent and contamination. By the way, this foam cleaner is also the ideal solution for removing fingerprints and other micro-pollutants.

Cleaning guide as a manual

"So for every type of soiling there is a specific solution. To support professionals and consumers, we have created a cleaning guide, in which we explain, how and with which products one best tackles a particular problem. I am thinking, for example, of the common problem of fingerprints, which can have both an organic, such as skin oils, and an inorganic cause, such as glue residue. In the first case, it will suffice to spray the profile from bottom to top with FA Clean R&D, let that soak in for a while and then wipe with a dry and clean microfiber cloth. In case of inorganic contamination, it is better to use Safety Clean R&D. PU glue or foam is removed with XPR-90 Wax and Glue Remover and rust stains with Oxi-Remover, which is available in a sprayable and a gel version," Geuns explains. 

"Any glue residue on the glass or imprints from the cork used as a protective cushion during transport get rid of it with Safety Clean R&D and for remaining imprints from suction cups we suggest Bio Paste R&D. You can also remove saltpetre or calcium deposits on glass by applying this product in a circular motion and then rinsing. If you have saltpetre marks on profiles, spray CA remover HD - diluted or not - from bottom to top on the spot and let it take effect for a maximum of 15 seconds and then wipe it off with a Clean Gum Soft sponge. If further treatment is needed to remove the stains, take the Bio Paste R&D and a Multi-Sponge, rub the remaining stains several times and then let the product clean while foaming. Whatever the soiling, we recommend always cleaning after with Multifoam R&D and a dry, clean microfiber cloth to remove the last residue
remove."

After thorough deep cleaning, it is important to nourish the joinery so that the original color can recover. To do this, apply Surface Renewer R&D with a soft, clean, dry sponge. This is a ready-to-use solution for cleaning and renewing UV-weathered coatings, for example the lacquers and powder coatings on windows, doors, shutters, balustrades, gates, .... Novatio recommends that new windows and doors be preventively treated with this product upon completion and once a year thereafter. However, if the painted surface has suffered somewhat over the years, it is recommended to apply Surface Renewer R&D twice a year.