Saltwater Damage and How to Protect Yourself
For many people, the word “salt water” brings enjoyable associations to a nice warm summer day on the beach, a boat trip or catching some waves. We at Ultrashield, are definitely all that, but the images of salt water damage on glass is stuck on the retina. Being total glass nerds, it’s hard to enjoy that view from your beachfront house when the glass deck balustrade distorts the view with that milky appearance. Did you know salt water is also carried in the wind? Here in New Zealand, we’re never far from the ocean, so surprisingly many properties are affected by this! Balustrades, windows, glass doors and even boat windshields are some surfaces are all effected by this and need that little extra care.
But don’t worry, there are things you can do to protect your investments. Here are five important steps to keeping your glass looking like new:
Know what you’re up against
Why is saltwater a problem? When glass is exposed to saltwater from the ocean or even a pool, the salt is absorbed into the pores of the glass, causing an etching effect. The watermarks leave the glass looking milky and the view distorted. Saltwater damage can start to become visible after 6 months on brand new glass, so don’t delay in taking further actions!
Remove saltwater marks and dirt build-up
If you already have saltwater marks, you want to get rid of them pronto to reduce further etching. With the right tools and technique, up to 90% of the water marks can be removed. Do we need to say, the earlier it’s done the better the result will be? We recommend using a high-quality product such as Eurocoat Glass Rejuvenator or let the professionals do the job for you.
Protect your glass
If you ever tried to remove saltwater marks, you know how much work it can be. Why not prevent saltwater etching and dirt build-up from the start? Our glass protection product is of the highest quality, based on the latest nano-technology from Germany. The treatment creates an optically clear coating, preventing water and dirt to adhere to the glass, thus drastically reducing watermark build up. If applied by Ultrashield, the treatment comes with a 3-5 year warranty (depending on conditions) on external glass so you can expect a long lasting result!
Rinse after severe weather/salt water exposure
The key to keeping your glass looking like new is to keeping it clean and not letting the salt sit on the glass allowing the etching effect to happen. The glass protection treatment will make the salt and dirt sitting on top of the surface instead of in the pores so a simple rinse will make wonders. For a perfect finish, squeegee off the surface after the rinse.
Even for untreated glass, a rinse off will be of value even though a thorough clean would be recommended.
Keep your glass clean
Again, keeping the glass clean is key! A treated glass is not “no maintenance” but “low maintenance”. A treated surface is easily cleaned with soapy water and wipe down with a microfibre cloth. You will be surprised how easy the salt and dirt come off the surface. A quick rinse and squeegee and it will look like new again.
For non-treated glass, soapy water and a microfiber can do the job if done often, but a regular scrub with glass rejuvenator and a non-abrasive pad will keep it look good for longer. However long term, watermarks are unavoidable, in contrast to treating the glass surface. So if you’re after a easy clean glass and wat to keep it looking like new for years to come – treat it today.
Whether you need a restoration and/or glass protection, we’re here for you. Contact us today for your free non-obligation quote.