Middle East Β· Glass Manufacturer
AGC Obeikan Glass β Window Cleaning Guide
πΈπ¦ Saudi Arabia Β· Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
HQ
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
JV Partners
AGC Inc., Japan and Obeikan Investment Group, Saudi Arabia
Materials
High-performance coated glass (solar control, low-e)
Specialty
AGC thin-film coating technology produced regionally
Market
Middle East and Africa - coated glass supply
Brand at a Glance
- Saudi-Japanese JV bringing AGC Japan coating technology to regional production
- Riyadh base serves Gulf and African export markets
- High-performance solar control and low-e coatings specified on major Gulf commercial buildings
Product Range
- Solar control coated glass (AGC Stopray range equivalents for ME market)
- Low-emissivity (low-e) glass for thermal performance
- Double-glazed insulating glass units with high-performance coatings
- Custom coated glass to architect specification
Why This System
AGC's coating technology is among the most advanced in the global glass industry. AGC Obeikan brings this to the Gulf market from a regional plant rather than importing from Japan or Europe. For cleaners, this means high-performance coated glass - with soft coatings that require coating-safe cleaning - is now widely available and specified across Saudi and Gulf commercial buildings.
AGC Obeikan coated glass uses magnetron sputtered coatings - thin-film layers applied to the glass surface in a vacuum process. In a double-glazed unit, the coating is on the inner surface of the outer pane (Position 2) and is not accessible to cleaners. However, some installations use single-glazed coated glass or have the coating on an accessible surface. In all cases, coating-safe protocol is the only safe approach in the Gulf.
Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations
Official Care Guidance
Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol
The Orloffs Protocol
Since 1999 I've cleaned hundreds, if not thousands, of different window brands and systems. The physics of clean glass don't change from one brand to the next. Follow the steps below and you'll clean your AGC Obeikan Glass windows to a professional standard β guaranteed.
Pro Tools
My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.
Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every AGC Obeikan Glass installation.
- 1
Preparation -- before any water touches the glass
Fill the bucket with at least 10 litres of water. Add soap for cleaning power -- enough to cut through environmental deposits, not so much you are fighting foam.
Before touching the glass, brush down the surface to remove loose dust, spiderwebs, and debris. Any grit left on the glass during the wash phase risks scratching during agitation.
Check the glass frame condition before you start. Confirm which cleaning product is safe for that surface before opening any bottle.
Cover anything below the windows that cannot be moved.
- 2
Agitation -- apply and work the solution
Dip the microfiber T-bar completely into the soap water, both sides. Remove excess water with your hand so it does not drip. Apply the solution across the entire glass surface with overlapping passes.
The goal is to fully dissolve and release every deposit from the glass surface. Anything not released during agitation gets transported across the glass by the squeegee as a smear.
For stubborn spots -- insect marks, salt residue, environmental deposits -- re-apply soap water and allow it to soak for a full minute before agitating again. Use more soap water, not more pressure.
For panels above arm reach: attach the T-bar to an extension pole. Work in sections -- top first, then middle, then bottom -- keeping each section wet until you squeegee it.
Rinse the T-bar cover regularly during the job. A dirty applicator causes microscopic scratches that accumulate over time.
- 3
Detail the frame edge before squeegeeing
Use your 100% cotton towelling rag, finger pressed into the fabric, to work into every junction and remove pooled soap water before the squeegee pass.
This prevents drips running down onto already-cleaned areas during squeegeeing and keeps soap water out of drainage channels.
On AGC Obeikan Glass glass frames, pay particular attention to the bottom edge where glass meets the frame sill -- water pooled here runs into drainage openings and leaves residue over time.
- 4
The squeegee
Tilt the squeegee at a slight angle so soap water spills from one side of the channel only -- not both. If the rubber is jumping or squeaking, either the rubber is not lubricated enough or the glass surface has warmed.
Cutting in: start with the rubber blade making first contact on a dry edge of the glass.
Side to side: horizontal passes across the panel. Works well on wide sections. Top to bottom: vertical passes down the panel. Works well on tall narrow sections.
The J tune: one smooth unbroken motion top to bottom, wrist rotating at each end to reverse without lifting the rubber. The most efficient method on larger panels -- but it requires training before applying it to premium glass.
Wipe the rubber dry after every pass. Overlap each stroke by 2-3 cm.
- 5
Final edge detailing
After squeegeeing, there is always a residual line of water along the bottom edge and at the panel sides. Take a dry cotton rag, fold to a clean corner, and detail these edges in one smooth pass.
On AGC Obeikan Glass frames, the bottom edge where glass meets the sill requires the most careful attention. Water left here runs into drainage and leaves residue that affects the next clean.
Rotate the rag to a clean section after every pass. If the rag picks up grit at any point, replace it immediately.
- 6
Frame wipe and hardware check
On glass from AGC Obeikan Glass: use pH-neutral solution only on all coated surfaces. Any coating damage -- Low-E, self-cleaning, solar control -- is permanent and the unit must be replaced.
Check that all drainage openings are clear and unobstructed. Water must be able to flow freely -- a blocked channel leads to accumulation that affects seal performance over time.
Operate every opening window through its full range. Stiff handles or resistance at locking points indicate hardware that needs lubrication. Flag it to the owner rather than forcing it.
Pro Tips
- AGC Obeikan coated glass may have soft coatings on accessible surfaces - treat every commercial glass face as potentially coated until confirmed otherwise.
- Gulf construction dust contains silica particles - these will scratch coatings if dragged across the surface dry. Pre-rinse is non-negotiable.
- Saudi summer: even at 7am, glass is hot. Cool the surface briefly with water before applying detergent.
What NOT To Do
- Do not use razor blades on any AGC Obeikan coated glass.
- Do not dry-wipe coated glass in dusty Gulf conditions.
- Do not use abrasive scrubbers on any coated surface.
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Cleaning Frequency
Monthly on commercial facades in the Gulf. More frequent during construction phases when dust loading is extreme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
βAGC Obeikan glass is on major commercial buildings across Riyadh, Jeddah, and the wider Gulf. These are often high-specification projects with building managers who understand glass performance. Position your cleaning service accordingly - coating-safe protocol is not optional, it is the minimum standard the building specification demands.β
Justin Orloff
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