Going the Glass Protective Coating Way Prevention is always the smarter choice Glass protective coatings are installed to protect glass surfaces from scratches and stains. All kinds of glass; interior or exterior automobile glass, home windows, fine art glass and many more, require a protective coating to facilitate easy stain and hard water removal. No matter the purpose of glass; be it aesthetic or protective, when exposed to stains and scratches caused by the elements or other factors it becomes a challenge to remove the stains unless the glass has been previously installed with a protective coating. Hydrophilic Vs Hydrophobic Coatings There are several low maintenance coatings available in the market. These coatings fall under two categories, • The hydrophobic coating: These coatings create a surface that, as the name suggests, repel water. Those in favour of the coating have claimed that the repelling of water leaves fewer drops of water and grime to stick to and stain the glass. • The hydrophilic coating: This coating option creates a water attracting surface. Supporters have argued that this feature is beneficial because it gathers water and then washes away loose debris and hard water from the glass surface. The residue of water left on the glass is spread out so staining is not immediately noticeable. • This image depicts glass treated with hydrophobic coating on the left side and glass treated with hydrophilic coating on the right side. Both sides however, agree on the ultimate goal they provide; maintenance of glass is easier and quicker with more aesthetically pleasing results. Hard Water Removal Techniques Hard water stains appear as the white, hazy residue on glass surfaces. While these stains are infamously tough to get rid of, there are several cleaning methods to help restore your glass surface to its original, stain-free condition. • Use a moist wash cloth and rub the stain using circular motions. • Use baking soda. This is especially helpful when dealing with cases of concentrated hard water build-up. Apply some white vinegar to the stain first, leave on for 30 minutes and then apply baking soda before scrubbing away at the stain. Rinse with water to clean. • Use toothpaste. Making use of regular toothpaste on a damp towel, rub at the stain using circular motions. Wait for a few minutes and then rinse off with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. • Water and salt mixture. The use of a salt and water mixture to clean your glass is effective because the salt works as a scouring agent and cuts through the stains. • Use a chemical cleaning agent. When home remedies fail, go for cleaning products with strong, specialized chemicals. These products are made for household use by different companies and varying brands are available in the market. You have to however, take caution to wear eye protection and rubber gloves to avoid accidents. The best thing to remember is that it is always best to install protective measures before any damage may be done to your glass surface. Installing protective coatings affords you the added
benefits of an easy to clean glass surface, an increased glass life-span, and a more aesthetically pleasing glass surface.