OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
Our doors are "etched " from water a soap scum. I was wondering if anyone has polished glass to clean it up? What compounds might work?
OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
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Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#2Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
before "polishing " try a mixture 50/50 0f rubbing alcohol and white vinegar plus a few drops of Dawn dish soap. Suggestion to me from a professional shower cleaner. Works for us.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#3
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
It's not really etched, as that involves high heat that actually changes the surface of the glass. Happens in dishwashers where the heat it too high, shouldn't be a factor in a shower.
Minerals in "hard" water, usually limestone and calcium, are left on the glass after the water evaporates. They attract molecules of other things like soap and dirt, which then harden into a "stain" which progressively builds up.
Vinegar works well to dissolve this and shouldn't cause issues to anything else in the shower, unless you have stone tiles. It needs time to dissolve he "soap scum" so using a spray bottle to keep it wet for at least 30 minutes might be useful, as is adding a few drops of detergent as a surfactant which contain "wetting" agents to break surface tension. The rubbing alcohol mentioned in another reply also can act as both a solvent and surfacant.
A mild abrasive, such as corn starch, baking soda (will react with the vinegar), toothpaste, or a "Magic Eraser" can also be helpful, as can a razor blade and toothbrush for corners and problematic buildup.
These methods also work for auto glass, and I've found them to work better than most of the commercial products I've tried.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#4Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
They make something called Lime Away. I have used it to dissolve mineral deposits that were clogging the shower head.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#5Dryer Anti-static sheet
Use a dryer anti-static sheet as the cleaning rag. Works very well on soap scum. If you use any chemical products make sure they are OK for the surface you are cleaning!!!
Bill
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#6Use CLR first
CLR is the greatest solution to clear shower doors. Works almost instantly, but might take 2 applications if the doors are really a mess. Soak the shower head and it will also become like new. Just get a paint brush and follow the directions.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#7Polishing Compound?
Yesterday I spotted a can a polishing compound on the shelf. And had the idea of that along with a ro sander and pad. Thoughts?
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#8Re: Polishing Compound?
Have you tried an acidic cleaner such as LimeAway or a product made for cleaning humidifiers....as others have suggested?
VERY unlikely that the glass is actually "etched" unless you have used a chemical capable of doing so.
Try it....really.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#9Not Likely
A polishing compound is, of course, abrasive. If the glass is merely coated with lime an scum, using an abrasive may remove the stuff but will leave the glass surface micro-scratched and more prone to faster buildup of more of the same.
Use the recommended solvents and then use a shower squeegee after each shower to prevent reoccurence.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#10Re: Not Likely
"use a shower squeegee after each shower" I used to do that and it does work but I've found that spraying a product called "Clean Shower" across the top of the clear glass doors and then a quick wash down with the hand sprayer so that the entire panels are wetted does as well and has kept my shower doors spotless inside for a couple of years.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#11Re: Polishing Compound?
If it's polishing compound and not rubbing compound it might work, but why put in that effort to abrade off the lime when wiping with a paint brush removes it instantly?
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#12
Re: Not Likely
I think the trick to keep deposits from adhering to the glass after the water evaporates is to create a surface where they cannot easily adhere. I have read that spraying down with distilled water, a little lemon oil, and maybe a few drops of Dawn will do that. Mineral deposits may still form, but the lemon oil creates in this concoction creates a barrier between it and the glass, and during the next shower, they rinse right off because they aren't "stuck" to the glass surface. Hmmm.
I suspect RainX would do much the same thing, perhaps better, as it will cause the water, and potential deposits it may contain, to sheet right off. Not sure how well it would stand up to soaps and shampoos used in the shower, tho. Might be experiment time. 
And of course, most of this can be avoided by having a water softening system.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#13+1 on the squeegee
Getting the soapy water off the glass or tile before it dries goes a long way. If you have soap buildup already, try a scraper in the form of an old credit/insurance/gift card to loosen everything while wet.
Once the stuff dries it has to be re-softened so after a shower is the best time despite being a bad time.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#14Test!
I did a test area today using the WD40 and steel wool. Looks like it might work! Will do the balance of the glass later this week.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#15steel wool will scratch glass
steel wool on glass is a very bad choice unless you want a clouded glass surface. your abrasive pad needs to be made out of something that will not scratch the glass.
Re: OT- "Polishing" glass shower doors?
#16Re: steel wool will scratch glass
On the Mohs hardness scale (resistance to scratching), glass is harder than steel. I have used steel wool for years as one of the most effective means of cleaning bugs off my RV windshield. Windshield looks like new after cleaning.