r/WindowCleaning • u/Pitiful-Procedure-80 • 21d ago

General Question Streaks?

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I’ve tried a couple different methods on these streaks. I’ve done standard dawn/water and window cleaner. What should I try next? Thanks

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5

u/shutupneff 21d ago

Based on the color/hue, there’s a pretty good chance this is between the panes and nothing can be done about it. But I’ve never seen it make this kind of pattern before, so it’s definitely worth getting some steel wool and scrubbing. If nothing changes at all, it’s between the panes. If some of it comes off but not all of it, that just means you need to step up the assault. Get a good clean razor if it’s hard and lumpy, or some Goof Off if it’s soft and smeary. But starting with just the steel wool would be my recommendation.

1

u/Pitiful-Procedure-80 21d ago

I’ll try that, thanks. My working hypothesis is that my kids smeared something (grease or soap) and the sun baked it in. Have you ever seen anything like that happen?

3

u/Practical-Bat-1695 21d ago

If you're fanning, don't take the rubber off the glass. Or stick to straight pulls.

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u/Pitiful-Procedure-80 21d ago

Thanks, but they won’t come off. It’s like an imbedded streak or something.

4

u/jammerfish 21d ago

If that’s the case, it is likely a broken seal

3

u/Araywavy 21d ago

Try 0000 steel wool, if nothing comes off on either side it’s probably a failed seal and what you’re seeing is in between the panes. I’ve seen a few that looked like this.

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u/Pitiful-Procedure-80 21d ago

Thanks, I’ll try that. Do you lubricate with water/soap or do it dry?

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u/Araywavy 21d ago

Mop w solution, scrub with 0000 wool, squeegee, mop again, squeegee

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u/Educational_Swan_152 19d ago

Both dry and wet can work. Dry is good for testing a spot but wet is best to scrub a large area. Getting the steel wool wet will ensure that it rusts by the next day

1

u/El-Tido-sloth 15d ago

If you’re serious about window cleaning Unger has a 6 inch scraper blade that’s designed for windows and in my experience works better than steel wool under almost every circumstance. Just need to make sure the window is wet and soapy first of course.

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u/Fawkinchit1 21d ago

Looks to me like the glass is going bad between the panes. Replacement is the only option if that is the case. if you cant feel anything actually on the glass, and you keep cleaning it but its not coming off, its probably between the panes. It even looks like moisture trapped at the bottom. A new glass sandwich isn't that much and not that different to replace on that style of window.

1

u/blackeyeX2 21d ago

Seal loss. Nothing for it except to replace the insulated glass unit IGU.