The short answer
Protective treatments help prevent future staining and make glass and metal easier to keep clean. They do not repair existing damage, they do not replace routine cleaning, and they wear and need renewing.
What they help prevent
- Mineral deposits bonding to glass as easily
- Fast re-staining after restoration
- Oxidation and tarnish on architectural metals
- Graffiti soaking in, for anti-graffiti coatings
What they don't do
- Remove existing etching, scratches or oxidation. That is restoration, done first.
- Stop the source. Overspray still has to be fixed.
- Last forever. Treatments wear and need reapplying.
- Replace cleaning. Coated surfaces still need a routine program.
Before you apply one
- Identify any exposed coatings on the glass first. Reflective and low-E coatings on the exposed surface need special care, and product compatibility matters.
- Check the glass and metal manufacturers' guidance and warranties.
- Restore first, so you are not sealing in damage.
- Test a small, inconspicuous area first, and check it before treating the rest.
- Ask how often it needs reapplying, and budget for it.
Where coatings fit
| Step | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 1. Restore | Remove existing staining, etching and oxidation |
| 2. Protect | Apply a treatment suited to the surface |
| 3. Maintain | Routine cleaning on the right cadence |
| 4. Renew | Reapply as the treatment wears |
How S&K helps
S&K's restoration work includes treatments that help prevent future staining, and maintenance plans that keep glass and metal in top condition over time. See glass and metal restoration.
Not sure what you are looking at? Use the glass and metal damage triage guide, read the full Facade, Glass, and Metal Restoration guide, or have our team assess the surface and recommend the right approach, in writing.
