“ended up with one that looks like it’s got a tiny bronze mustache in the corner, but at least it’s sealed.”
That’s a win in my book. I’ve seen way worse—once had a guy call me out because his foam job looked like a melted marshmallow. Bronze is a pain, but you’re right, it actually stays put. Corners are always the worst, though... no matter how many times you do it.
- That “bronze mustache” sounds way better than the weird gray streak I ended up with under my kitchen window... at least yours is sealed tight.
- Corners are brutal. I always think I’ve nailed it, then there’s one spot that looks like a toddler helped.
- Bronze is stubborn, but honestly, I’d take that over the sticky white residue I got from my first attempt. Live and learn, right?
Corners are the worst—totally agree. I thought I had everything smooth, then in daylight there’s always that one patch that stands out. I ended up with a faint chalky line along the bottom edge, probably from rushing the drying time. Honestly, I’d take a bronze streak over the sticky mess I got after using the wrong cleaner. Next time I’m reading the whole label, not just the front...
- Not sure I’d blame the cleaner first—chalky lines usually mean too much product or not enough rinsing.
- Corners are tricky, but sometimes a stiffer brush does more than any special solution.
- Quick tip: microfiber cloths pick up residue better than paper towels, especially along edges.
- I’ve seen “bronze streaks” actually be leftover oxidation, not the cleaner’s fault.
- Rushing drying can absolutely mess things up. I always let frames air out fully, even if it takes longer.
- Reading the whole label’s smart, but sometimes you just gotta test a small patch before going all in...
That bit about corners being tricky is spot on—
—I spent way too long trying different sprays before realizing a toothbrush worked way better for the gunk in the window tracks. Still, I always wonder if using a stiffer brush could scratch up the finish? My frames are that older painted metal, so I’m kind of paranoid about leaving marks.Corners are tricky, but sometimes a stiffer brush does more than any special solution.
Also, I totally underestimated how much residue microfiber picks up. Tried paper towels at first and just ended up smearing stuff around. The only thing I noticed was that the microfiber left tiny fibers behind if it wasn’t a good one... not sure if that’s normal or if I just got cheap cloths.
Anyone ever had issues with weird streaks showing up days later? I thought I nailed it, but then the next morning there were these faint lines I swear weren’t there before. Maybe it’s just the sunlight hitting them differently, but it’s driving me nuts.
I’ve had the same problem with streaks showing up after I thought the job was done. I swear it’s like the dirt ghosts come out when the sun hits just right. I found that rinsing the microfiber in plain water between wipes helped a bit—less residue left behind. As for the stiff brush, I’d be careful on old painted metal too. I tried a nylon brush and got a couple of tiny scratches I didn’t notice until later... now I just stick to toothbrushes or even cotton swabs for the corners. Not perfect, but at least I’m not making new problems.
That sun really does have a way of showing every last streak, doesn’t it? I’ve run into the same issue—looks spotless until late afternoon, then suddenly it’s like I never cleaned at all. Rinsing out the microfiber more often helps, like you said, but I’ve also started using two cloths: one damp for cleaning, one dry for buffing right after. Seems to cut down on the haze, at least on my old aluminum frames.
Totally agree about being gentle with brushes. Years ago I got a little too enthusiastic with a scrub brush on some vintage trim and ended up with dull patches that never quite matched again. Toothbrushes are great for corners, but sometimes I just use my fingernail wrapped in a rag for the really stubborn bits—probably not the “right” way, but it works.
It’s always something with these older windows... but honestly, when they finally look clean, it feels like a small victory.
I hear you on the streaks showing up in the afternoon sun—drives me nuts. But honestly, I’ve had mixed results with the two-cloth method. Sometimes I feel like the dry one just moves dust around, especially on my painted wood frames. I started using distilled water instead of tap for the final wipe, and it seems to cut down on the haze a bit. Might be worth a shot if your local water’s hard.
And about using fingernails wrapped in a rag—
—I totally get the urge, but I’ve actually scratched the paint that way before. Now I just keep a plastic scraper handy for tough spots. Not perfect, but less risk of damage.“sometimes I just use my fingernail wrapped in a rag for the really stubborn bits—probably not the ‘right’ way, but it works.”
I get what you mean about the dry cloth just moving dust around—sometimes I feel like it’s just smearing stuff instead of picking it up. But honestly, using distilled water seems like an extra step unless your tap water is really bad. I’ve had better luck with microfiber than anything else, even if I’m just using one damp cloth and letting it air dry.
About the plastic scraper—
—I tried that too, but I still worry about nicking the paint. Anyone else just use an old toothbrush for the stubborn bits? Not fancy, but it works for me...“Now I just keep a plastic scraper handy for tough spots. Not perfect, but less risk of damage.”
I’m with you on the toothbrush thing—it’s not glamorous, but it gets into all those little corners way better than a cloth. I tried the plastic scraper once and immediately chipped a bit of paint, so that was the end of that for me. Microfiber is my go-to too, just damp enough to pick stuff up but not leave streaks. I’ll admit, I’ve never bothered with distilled water either... feels like overkill unless you’ve got super hard water or something.