
Asia-Pacific ยท Window Manufacturer
Hyundai L&C โ Window Cleaning Guide
๐ฐ๐ท South Korea ยท Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
Founded
1984
HQ
Seoul, South Korea
Parent
Hyundai Department Store Group
Materials
uPVC (REHAU platform), surfaces, flooring
Specialty
R-7 premium uPVC window system
Market
South Korea premium residential and commercial
Brand at a Glance
- Building materials division of the Hyundai Department Store Group - separate from Hyundai Motor or HEC
- R-7 uPVC window brand built on REHAU German profile technology
- Premium residential positioning in South Korea with strong energy performance credentials
Product Range
- R-7 uPVC casement, tilt-and-turn, and sliding windows for premium residential and commercial use
- Aluminium composite window systems for high-specification projects
- Interior surface products including solid surfaces and laminates
Why This System
R-7 profiles inherit REHAU engineering - multi-chamber construction, steel reinforcement for structural integrity, and consistent uPVC chemistry stabilised for long-term UV and temperature resistance. For window cleaners, this means the same rules that apply to REHAU systems in Europe apply here: pH-neutral products only, no solvent contact near seals, and no abrasive materials that scratch the profile surface and trap subsequent dirt.
Korean humid summers create condensation cycles that accelerate mould growth on seal edges, particularly on north-facing elevations. R-7 window seals are EPDM rubber - compatible with most professional window cleaning detergents but not with solvent-based products. Yellow dust season loads every external profile surface with fine alkaline particulate that must be flushed before any cleaning begins.
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 Hyundai L&C windows to a professional standard โ 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 Hyundai L&C 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 aluminium 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 Hyundai L&C aluminium 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 Hyundai L&C 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 Hyundai L&C powder-coated aluminium frames: use pH-neutral cleaner only, never abrasive pads or steel wool. Dry immediately after wiping.
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
- R-7 profiles share REHAU material characteristics - any product certified safe for REHAU uPVC is appropriate for R-7.
- In Seoul apartment towers, R-7 windows on lower floors in traffic-exposed elevations accumulate diesel particulate between cleans - increase frequency for street-level and lower-floor units.
- Seal edges on R-7 windows in humid Korean summers show mould growth fastest on gasket faces not exposed to airflow. Check these on every visit and note to building managers if growth is advancing.
What NOT To Do
- Do not use solvent-based cleaners near R-7 EPDM seals - seals will harden and lose compression.
- Do not use abrasive pads on uPVC profiles - REHAU-platform surfaces scratch and the damage is irreversible.
- Do not skip the pre-rinse during yellow dust season - fine particulate under a squeegee on glass or a cloth on profiles causes surface abrasion.
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Cleaning Frequency
Every 6-8 weeks in urban environments. Monthly during yellow dust season and humid summer months if mould on seals is a known issue in the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
โR-7 windows specified in Korean apartment complexes often have integrated insect screens. Remove screens before cleaning and clean separately - screens trap yellow dust and if left in place they transfer contamination back to glass on reinstallation. Shake screens out, rinse with clean water, allow to dry before refitting.โ
Justin Orloff
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