Middle East Β· Glass Manufacturer
Obeikan Glass β Window Cleaning Guide
πΈπ¦ Saudi Arabia Β· Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
HQ
Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
Parent
Obeikan Investment Group
Capacity
800 tonnes per day float glass
Materials
Float glass, tinted glass, processed architectural glass
Export
30+ countries
Market
Middle East, Africa - architectural glass supply
Brand at a Glance
- Largest glass manufacturer in the Middle East with 800 t/day float capacity
- Yanbu plant serves Saudi Arabia and regional export markets
- Obeikan Investment Group is one of Saudi Arabia's largest industrial conglomerates
Product Range
- Clear float glass (architectural and automotive grade)
- Tinted float glass (solar control by absorption - bronze, grey, green)
- Reflective coated glass for commercial facades
- Laminated and toughened processed glass
Why This System
Obeikan Glass is the foundation of the Saudi and Gulf glass supply chain. For cleaners, Obeikan glass is likely on the majority of Saudi commercial and residential buildings. The Yanbu plant's large capacity means consistent supply - glass quality is standardised. The cleaning challenge is the Saudi climate, not the glass specification.
Saudi Arabia's climate is among the most demanding for glass cleaning on earth: extreme heat (surface temperatures above 80Β°C in summer), fine sand (rub al-khali dust carried by Shamal winds), UV radiation significantly above European levels, and coastal salt air on Red Sea and Gulf coast installations. Glass cleaning in Saudi requires specific protocols that European training does not cover.
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 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 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 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 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 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
- Saudi hard water leaves severe mineral deposits on glass - a dedicated mineral deposit remover (pH-neutral formulation) may be needed quarterly.
- Tinted glass (bronze or grey Obeikan float) shows water spotting more visibly than clear glass - pure water rinse system strongly recommended.
- On coastal Jeddah or Dammam installs, salt deposits form overnight from sea wind - these must be flushed off before squeegeeing.
What NOT To Do
- Do not clean Obeikan glass in direct Saudi summer sun.
- Do not use abrasive products on reflective or tinted Obeikan glass.
- Do not use acid-based products on tinted glass - can affect the tint at elevated temperatures.
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Cleaning Frequency
Monthly minimum in Saudi Arabia. Bi-weekly on coastal or construction-dust-exposed sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
βSaudi glass cleaning is a specialist discipline. The combination of extreme heat, fine sand, hard water, and UV creates soiling patterns unlike anything in European or Indian experience. Budget significantly more time per pane and never start a job without confirming your water supply - pure water systems are not optional on Saudi commercial sites.β
Justin Orloff
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