Kawneer (Arconic) — Window Cleaning Guide

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol

The Orloffs Protocol

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 Kawneer (Arconic) installation.

1. 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. 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. 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 Kawneer 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. 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. 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 Kawneer 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. 6

   Frame wipe and hardware check

   On Kawneer 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

• ★ Know which finish type your Kawneer system has before you start - anodised, Permadize, Permafluor, and Permacoat each have different resistance to chemicals and cleaning agents.
• ★ Never allow mortar, cement, or construction residues to dry on anodised frames - alkaline materials corrode the anodic layer rapidly and the damage is permanent.
• ★ Never use strong organic solvents near gaskets and seals - solvents extract chemicals from sealants and can compromise the sealant function that keeps a curtain wall weathertight.
• ★ Always work from the top of the building down to ground level - cleaning upward on a facade drags dirty solution across already-cleaned areas.
• ★ In marine or high-chlorine environments, standard cleaning frequencies are not sufficient - contact Kawneer or your installer for a project-specific schedule.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Inside and out as a baseline.). Urban locations: 4x per year (Traffic pollution, construction dust, exhaust particulates.). Marine, coastal, or high-chlorine environments: Project-specific (Contact Kawneer or installer for appropriate schedule.). Hardware lubrication on operable windows: Once per year. Drainage channels and weep holes: Every cleaning visit (Inspect and clear at each maintenance visit.). Construction period: Immediately on contact (Remove mortar, cement, and alkaline residues before they dry on anodised surfaces.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year inside and out as a baseline. Urban environments with traffic pollution, construction dust, or exhaust particulates: quarterly cleaning recommended. Marine, coastal, or high-chlorine environments: contact Kawneer or your installer for a project-specific schedule. Hardware lubrication on operable windows: once per year. Drainage channel and weep hole inspection and clearing: at each cleaning visit. Construction period: remove mortar, cement, and alkaline residues from frames immediately - do not allow them to dry on anodised surfaces.”

Justin Orloff