[OT] Cleaning Glass...

G

GrayFox

New member
Hi,



I am hoping that some "Detailers" might also be generic clean freaks...



I have a 25 year old fiberglass shower with glass doors. I squeegee the

shower and use Tilex shower cleaner every time I use the shower.



The fiberglass is in good shape but the sliding glass doors have (over the years)

built up a layer of crud that I am trying to remove.



So far I have tried:

1) Tilex soap scum remover ( even worked it with a 4'' pad on my PC). Took

all of the soap off but did not touch the film.

2) Vinegar ( 50/50 and full strength worked with a "magic eraser"). Imperceptible

change to the film.

3) CLR ( diluted and full strength worked in with a "magic eraser"). Imperceptible

change to the film.

4) I picked a small spot and applied Turtle rubbing compound by hand, same results as

above.



Part of the problem is that the installers put the "textured" side of one of the sliding

doors to face the inside of the shower this makes putting pressure on the gunk more

difficult.



I have been able to (slightly) scratch the film with my finger nail after all of the above.



Googling for replacement doors has hardened my resolve to try to clean what I have...



Any success stories would be appreciated.



Jerry
 
I've heard of people using Klasse AIO on shower doors, but if TW RC and a Magic Eraser don't touch it..........



TW RC is pretty abrasive, but maybe the chemical cleaners in AIO will do something for you. AIO is great to have anyway, so it won't be a wasted purchase if it doesn't work on your shower. You might also want to try some 0000 steel wool with some of the cleaners you have on hand, just make sure to try a small area first and inspect it at different angles/light to make sure you aren't putting fine scratches on the glass.
 
...built up a layer of crud that I am trying to remove.
Click to expand...



What kind of crud? If it's mildew (green/brown/black) you need the Tilex Mold &Mildew (Tilex Soap Scum will not cut it). I recently had a wholehouse water softener/conditioner installed, so I decided to clean my showers of hard water deposits. I just used 100% vinegar in a squit bottle. Sprayed on and let it sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing (I used the blue 3m sponge that's safe for non-stick pans) and rinsing. Please note that I believe there is a nasty chemical reaction to vinegar and the tilex products, so I would not use them concurrently.



I've heard of different things to use on the shower glass, from rainx to aio, as a protectant. Have not tried it though.
 
Well this "stuff" is really resistant. Today I took the glass door out

to the yard and tried:



Lysol Toilet Cleaner ( 9.5 percent HCL). I let it still a while and then

worked it with a Magic Eraser. Still have the "coating".



I checked with a glass dealer in town and they called a manufacturer.

They recommended using Downey Fabric Softener and a very fine grade

of steel wool ( I got #0000). It did no good. I even stuck some of the

steel wool under a 4 inch pad on the PC and let'er rip. Same results.



I think I am going to send the doors to NASA and let them use the stuff instead

of the ceramic tiles on the space shuttle.



I wrote an email to the Shower-n-Stuff people and asked if they thought that

their product would stand a chance against the killer crud.



Jerry
 
Jerry it sounds like you might have some serious hard water deposits. Try soaking it with vinegar, that might help. Or you could send it in and get it chrome plated:)
 
Scumblaster will get it too, but tends to cost a lot more than showers and stuff that's only 5 bucks a quart. If I had to pick between the two I'd take scumblaster. If you get the S&S just let it sit overnight and keep applying coats, it will get it.
 
Try Bio Clean Water Stain Remover. It comes in a generic looking white plastic bottle with plain green writing. A friend who was fixing up a rental and had to remove a decade of water stains from the shower doors/bathroom mirrors/living room mirrors gave the rest of the bottle to me but it still had the price tag of 16.95 on it. I decided to try it on a friend's car whose windshield had 3 years of water spots and that disturbing windshield wiper track arc and it got it off. Just don't scrub too hard or it will scratch the glass. It's by far the best water spot remover for glass I've seen. Once you get your glass clean, rain-x it...or AIO and SG it LOL!



Sorry, I don't know where to pick it up but the manufactuer is located in Sacramento, CA per the bottle. I'd suggest using a toothbrush since you mentioned the gunk is on the textured side.
 
Next time use 303 Shower Shield or Klasse AIO to keep the glass protected and easy to clean.



Sorry I can't come up with any suggestions other than AIO with a cutting pad. If that doesn't work, I don't know what will.
 
Setec, I haven't used the Shower Shield. I was just recommending a product that is made for that type of use.

I would just use VM or AIO to keep the glass easy to clean. That way I wouldn't have to buy any new products. I have enough already!
 
Well here it is about six weeks later. I have been using "Showers and Stuff" every day (sometimes

more than once a day). There has been no significant improvement. I have been using a scotchbrite

blue scrubby after I spray the door and then let it sit while I dry off and get partially dressed. I

then rinse the door, squeegee the door and then dry the door.



There has been only a slight improvement. I think the glass is probably etched by the deposits.



Rats



Jerry
 
Gezz sounds like you tried everything on them ,how bout some pics of these doors . I have used with good results a product called Duro Bathroom& Kitchen Tough Stain Remover made by Loctite Company I bought it at HD years ago . The spray bottle I have is 12oz's with a green label , this bottle is old so they may have changed it or totally did away with it . It's some pretty strong stuff
 
Several steps:



1) Vinegar full strenght

2) Clay bar

3) Chrome polish

4) Glass cleaner



This should help as much as possible.
 
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