Glass Wax.

[volvoguy87]

I'm restoring some historic windows for a friend and I have run into a problem. I re-glazed the windows, painted them, and replaced the sash cords. Before I put them back, I cleaned them so well you can see through them like they're not even there (except for my reflection). I also cleaned the storm windows a few weeks ago. My problem is that while the inside of the storms is still spotless, as are both sides of the restored sashes, the outside of the storm windows are covered with rain spots and it looks terrible and is quite obvious. (I'm striving for perfection here, but have only 75% achieved it.)

I remember glass wax being talked about years ago. Would it help prevent the rain spots on the outside of the storm window glass? Should I just try something like Rain-X instead? Would real glass wax work better? Where could I get glass wax?

What should I do about this?
Dave

 

[whirlcool]

Unfortuntely, Glass Wax is no longer made. I have heard that they have some "works the same" products on the market, but I have also heard that they don't work the same.

Those rain drops may have etched the exterior of your windows. I would try straight vinegar on them to see if they come off. If that doesn't work, I would try using some CLR on them. If you still see the marks, the glass is etched. I don't know if you can remove etch marks from windows.

Etched exterior glass is a problem down here in Texas. A lot of us have sprinkler systems. If they are not installed properly and hit a low window or two they will etch the glass.
The only way I know to fix that is to fix the sprinkler and replace the glass.

 

[polkanut]

How about Rain-X?

 

[dnastrau]

Glass wax

Here you go...

http://www.shophometrends.com/product.asp?pn=411006&bhcd2=1271979683

 

[dnastrau]

Cheaper yet...

A few bucks less.

http://www.the5and10.com/index.cfm/product/730/glass-wax-sub-window-wax.cfm

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

I remember Glass Wax:

from when I was a Kid. I don't remember if the product had the Stencils available or if my Mother found them elsewhere. They were basically Snow Flakes and we placed the Stencil on the Living Room Windows and took a Sponge, dipped it into some Glass Wax that was on a Plate and Dabbed the Stencil, to transfer the Snow Flakes. As one of the above Sites tells about the Stencil use and after you want to remove the Stenciled items off of the Windows, just clean the Windows with the Glass Wax product.

Does anyone else remember the Holiday Stencils?

Peace and Kind Regards, Steve
SactoTeddyBear0503...

 

[markk290]

Car Wax

When I wash and wax the car I do all of the windows except the wind shield. The wind shield wipers don't work as well if it's waxed however the side windows move up and down much better. It doesn't last as long as on the painted surfaces, but it usually lasts till the next time I was the car. I use Mequires products.

 

[yogitunes]

I use car wax....spotless and beads water for months....a quick hose off if they do get dirt or mud on them....just don't wash them on a hot summer day if the sun is baking on them, then you will get spots

I always wax the entire car and all windows, never a problem, better than rain-x, at least for me, and I love to get in a rain storm and watch the water bead up and off the windshield without the wipers as you drive

 

[whirlaway]

Glass Wax

The holiday stencils came with the can.I remember them and the commercial on TV around 56or7.I still have a pink can of it.Bobby

 

[mielabor]

Now, there is a product that I have never heard of.

Is the rain different in the USA than in Europe? Or do we have another type of glass here in Europe that is more water resistant.

 

[jaxsunst]

My mother swore by it, and was really annoyed when it was no longer available. We used to stencil the windows with it at Christmas.

 

[whirlcool]

Those products are called "Window Wax" which is not the same as the original Glass Wax.

Yes, I remember those stencils. They were very popular. We helped our Mother put them up on the windows. Glass Wax had a very nice and very unique smell to it. Whenever I think of Christmas, I think of the Glass Wax fragrence.

The link points to the story of the original Christmas Stencils.

Here is a picture of what the original Glass Wax looked like.

Remember Glass Wax Stencils?

We all remember Glass Wax, don't we? It was a liquid solution with a pinkish white cast that came in a bright pink metal container. You shoo...

holidayharbour.blogspot.com

 

[tomturbomatic]

I remember the product and the stenciled decorations on windows for Christmas, but I never observed the product being used so I have no recollection of the fragrance. Was the fragrance petroleum-based like car wax? I remember cleaning the outside of our Frigidaire refrigerator with Jubilee cleaner/wax/polish. That had a nice scent.

 

[spiralator60]

Glass Wax Memories

Hi Tom!

My both of my grandmothers used Glass Wax, as well as Jubilee, and as I recall, there was a similarity in the fragrances. It definitely had a petroleum-like quality, strong yet pleasant, but not as sharp as some car waxes.

The best description that I can give is that it had a "clean" smell, though very much different from today's perfume and fruit flavored cleaners.

 

[whirlcool]

Glass Wax had a very particular odor to it. Nothing else remotely smelled like it. It had a clean smell and it hung around a while after you used it.
I would call it a "foamy" type of smell even though the product is a pink liquid, which dried to white.

Gosh, describing a smell is one of the hardest things to do!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thank you both.

 

[volvoguy87]

Thanks

I'll explore my options.
Dave

 

[swestoyz]

Dave - this is a huge help! I'm really glad you brought this up. It never dawned on me to wax the glass (automotive or residential). I can't wait to give it a try!

Ben

 

[mixguy]

Glass Wax and Jubilee

Both products were used when I was growing up. Jubilee on all the major appliances and the smooth formica countertops, before they created the textured wear resistant finishes, this wax filled in the minor surface scuffs, scratches and wear marks and left a sheen. Glass Wax was used on the chrome small appliances, mirrors, and the Barkley tile in the bathroom.