How Do I Clean Oxidation Off Anderson Vinyl Clad Windows?
Oxidation occurs on the outside of any widow that has an aluminum screen covering it. Over time, as water and wind blow thorough the screen, tiny aluminum particles interact with the oxygen in the air and leave a deposit on the window. This deposit appears as a white or gray cloud on the window that traditional glass cleaners don't remove. Anderson vinyl clad windows will also develop this oxidation if they are installed with an aluminum screen. You can remove oxidation from the Anderson windows using basic cleaning supplies.
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Remove all window screens from the exterior of the windows. Screen removal will vary based on the model, but typically you can lift up on the screen slightly to pull it free from the window.
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Wipe the outside surface of the Anderson windows with a clean, dry cloth to remove any dirt or dust that is stuck to them.
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Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of water and 1 tsp. of a mild dish soap. Agitate bucket contents with your hand to mix the soap and water. Fill another bucket with 1 gallon of clean water.
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Insert a non-abrasive sponge into the soapy water and wring it out so that it does not drip. Wash the exterior of the window using circular motions until you have covered the entire exterior of the window glass.
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Dip the sponge into the clean water and use it to rinse the soap reside off of the Anderson windows.
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Dry the window with a lint-free towel to remove all moisture.
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Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the soap solution and 2 tbsp. of trisodium phosphate.
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Examine the window glass carefully and identify any locations that appears cloudy or hazy. Dip the sponge into the soap mixture and wash the cloudy areas using a circular motion.
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Rinse the glass immediately with the clean water and dry with the lint-free towel.
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Repeat as necessary until all of the oxidation is removed from the Anderson windows.
References
Tips
- You should wash the window screens at the same time that you wash the windows to prevent the oxidation from returning. You can use the same cleaning solution used to clean the widows.
Warnings
- Do not use a razor blade or other hard object to scrape the oxidation off of the widow, since you will damage the outer coating.
Writer Bio
Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in 2001.
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