North America · Window Manufacturer
Lincoln Windows — Window Cleaning Guide
🇺🇸 USA · Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
founded
1905
hq
Merrill, Wisconsin, USA
primaryMaterials
Wood, aluminium-clad wood, fibreglass composite
glazingPartner
Low-E glass options standard
marketTier
Mid-Range to Premium
Brand at a Glance
- Founded: 1905
- HQ: Merrill, Wisconsin, USA
- Parent company: Marvin Windows and Doors - see our Marvin guide
- Market position: Quality wood and clad windows - step below Marvin Signature in price
- Website: lincolnwindows.com
Product Range
- AW (Aluminium-Clad Wood)
- ThermaPatio (wood)
- Fiberglass
Why This System
Lincoln AW aluminium-clad wood windows have the same aluminium-to-wood junction that requires inspection at each clean - see the Marvin guide for the full junction inspection protocol. Wisconsin winters are severe - Lincoln windows on northern US properties see significant ice and snow exposure. Spring cleaning protocol for Lincoln windows should include winter damage assessment.
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 Lincoln Windows windows to a professional standard — 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 Lincoln Windows 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 Lincoln Windows 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 Lincoln Windows 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 Lincoln Windows 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
- See the Marvin guide for full junction inspection protocol and wood interior technique.
What NOT To Do
- Do not allow water to run onto wood interior surfaces
- Do not use abrasive tools on aluminium cladding or fibreglass frames
- Do not skip the junction inspection on aluminium-clad wood Lincoln windows
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Cleaning Frequency
Exterior glass and cladding: Every 3 months. Interior glass: Every 6 months. Junction inspection: Every visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
“See our Marvin Windows guide for the full parent system protocol. Lincoln and Marvin share the same cleaning fundamentals.”
Justin Orloff
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