Glass Etching repair with KL100 Kreme&Kleen

[harrellbenjamin]

I know that this is a different type of glass problem but one that might help separate you from all the others.I am a mobile Smart Repair painter that also offers t/up-SSR type scratch repair-Windshield Repair-Headlight restoration-some interior repair as well as odor removal system.As I am very rural I have had to be very diversified from the start to stay busy and it has paid off even in tight economic times .Now to the point...........I was in one of my stops today and was shown a windshield on an 08 Chevrolet Malibu that was etched chemically with something that would not come off no matter what was tried by the local detailers.It looked like it was sprayed with a very caustic chemical and was on the complete windshield and you could actually see quit graphically where it had run from the top of the glass to the bottom.It was something that I have never seen before this bad.I first tried every solvent chemical I had on the truck.No luck.I then tried a lite compound with 5 " polish wheel.No luck.Then I remembered that about a year ago I had bought a qt. of the KL100 Kreme & Kleen that DeltaKits sells for water spotting on glass etc.After I had cleaned glass very well I used my Dewalt Buffer and used the 5" wheel adapter I have and installed a 5" 3M dimple / Polish pad and applied the K&K and started working an area.It removed the etching!!! It took some time and patience but that stuff removed what nothing else would!! I resurfaced the entire w/shield and the went over it again with a mix of fine compound and polish with the buffer again.It came out great!! Now it had already been looked at by the local glass co.and they told the Dealership that it could not be fixed.Replace only................This was a GM program vehicle that was from auction and I suspect that Wheel acid was the culprit from a bottel not labeled/mislabeled or who knows?? I know that I dont see to much of this type stuff but it sure sent by Professional Glass tech stock soring with this dealer.It took about 45mins and I charged $75.00.Just an off the wall tip that may help some one out in the future.Get a bottel of that stuff!!!

[Brent Deines]

That's a pretty typical problem on car lots that use hard water to rinse the cars off every day. When the water dries the mineral deposits bond to the glass like nobody's business. When we had our glass shop we used to replace glass for dealerships because we could not get it off. Parcel carrier companies also have that problem as some of them wash the package cars every day but do not dry them. The result is glass and mirrors that are very difficult to see through, creating a very dangerous situation for the drivers, especially at night and/or when it is raining. They used to replace the glass and mirrors when the problem got too bad, but now find that the KL100 eliminates the need to do so, especially if used as a routine part of the maintenance program.

Windows in commercial buildings, glass elevator shafts, or any other glass surface that is exposed to sprinkler systems are also prime candidates for this type of work, especially since the glass is even more expensive to replace in those applications.

[harrellbenjamin]

08 Car with 9,000 miles.I have seen the water problems too but this was much worse.All of the others windows/mirrors were clear and new looking so the water problem I think is not correct in this case.In any case the K&K is good stuff.I have been working on Dealer lots for 20 plus years in one form or another.This was one for the books.I kicked myself for not taking pics.

[Brent Deines]

Hmmm, I guess I should have read your post a little more thoroughly. Sorry about that. A school district that I used to do work for used an acid to remove stains and spots from bus windows, but if left on too long it would etch the glass. Maybe it was something like that. The cause isn't important I guess, but I'm glad the KL100 did the trick. We sometimes take a mirror to trade shows that is badly etched on one side and completely clean on the other side. Makes a nice simple, portable display, and it's hard to argue with the results.

[harrellbenjamin]

The stuff is for REAL!! I have used lots of things over many years and this is an exceptional product!!!! Thanks for the tips on the hard water.I bet that it works great on that stuff and a heck of a lot easier then buffing for 45 min lol on 1 w/shield...........All techs need this stuff.Even if you only use it every now and then it will give you a leg up on the competition...........