How to clean ingrained dirt from old window?!

[Timja]

I have a dormer window on my house which I believe is quite old, house is 1860 so anywhere up to then!

The glass in the windows is almost like it has a frosting on it / looks cloudy on the outside. It is the windows at the side of the dormer which are the issue as they are not accessible unless actually on the roof (We have scaffolding up currently so I dont think they would have been cleaned for decades!!

Can see through it but not very well. I have tried various cleaning fluids but no luck cleaning it up. The only area i have managed to clear it (in a very small patch) was using a stanley blade but this was very hard work.

Anyone had a similar situation and got ideas of things to try? SO far I have tried the following:

Polish
Water
Window Cleaner
Brake Cleaner
White Spirit
IPA

Thinking I need something abrasive to help shift it, has anyone tried wire wool or fine sandpaper on a window?!

[Joe M]

Jewelers rouge and a random orbital polisher.

[roofer]

As above, or Duraglit.

[Laurel Green]

I seem to remember someone mentioning methylated spirits being used to clean church windows, so might be worth a try.

[Simpo Two]

If a very fine abrasive is required, T-Cut might do it.

[Le Mans Visitor]

Fine grade wire wool with windowlene

[RYH64E]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

New glass will look completely different to old glass, it's too flat, too clear, and too even. If you see an old house that's had the sash windows replaced, or even new glass in the old frames, it just looks wrong.

[steveo3002]

fine wire wool + window polish /tcut

[spikeyhead]

I'd try toothpaste as you'll have some of that to hand.

If that doesn't work, then move onto pan scourers before going up to fine wire wool

[Dogwatch]

RYH64E said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

New glass will look completely different to old glass, it's too flat, too clear, and too even. If you see an old house that's had the sash windows replaced, or even new glass in the old frames, it just looks wrong.

Would that matter if the pane(s) are at the side of the dormer rather than facing outwards?

I did wonder if there had been some sort of chemical reaction between the glass and the atmosphere to cause the problem but the OP says it scrapes clear eventually.

[Troubleatmill]

Meguires headlamp restorer - and an Orbital..

Meguires sell one that works on your drill.



Not sure what you do in the corners.... unless you can remove the glass from the frame.
Maybe a Dremel type attachment??

[Thorodin]

Tools needed: goggles and gloves, heavy duty masking tape, 1" paint brush, length of plastic guttering taped to bottom of window, small can of Nitromors. Assuming affected surface is outside: very light application of Nitromors with 1" paint brush. After 20 mins scrape off with downward strokes with safety razor blade. If not enough, repeat. Hose down into guttering. Finish with trade (one that doesn't leave a film) glass cleaner spray from glazier/DIY store. HTH