Cleaning UPVC

[Ben Short]

I have some very dirty window frames on my new house. I have tried bleach and it was no good, CIF was OK but hard work, I then tried T-CUT and it was superb, much easier and made them look super.

Is there any long term problems known with using TCUT? I will make sure once they are clean I wax them with Collinite 476 or Mer Polish after they have been cleaned.

Thanks

[stuart noble]

It's a mild abrasive though, which may mean the frames will get even dirtier next time. What's actually on the frames? Normal grime/soot isn't usually that difficult to remove.

[Phil L]

IIRC T-cut is an abrasive? - why not just use the stuff designed to clean pvcu frames? - it's available from any windown manufacturer and is a solvent, probably the same one used in nail polish remover. It comes in litre bottles and it's about a fiver

[Ben Short]

I haven't a clue what's on them. They are black with dirt. Have tried Bleach, CIF does work but it's difficult and I have even tried some UPVC solvent stuff, smelled like pears. That worked but took ages, T_Cut was the best to use overall. Would it not work if I polished or waxed on top to prevent further dirt?

Thanks again

[NT]

Cream cleaner is a good choice, applied direct to the pvc. Dont know if you tried it. A presoak with washing up liquid always helps too.

NT

[Tim Watts]

stuart noble wibbled on Monday 03 May 2010 20:34

IPA alcohol is worth a try in these cases. It removes a moderate range of organic stains and is relatively non disruptive to plastic. Tip - great way to take finger marks and grease off electrical plates.

[The Natural Philosopher]

DONT. Bad for PVC

and it was no good, CIF was OK but hard work, I then tried T-CUT

T cut is simply an abrasive. So yes, long term you hace removed a thou of plastic.

Don't worry, there is lots left..

[ARWadsworth]

Cream cleaner is a good choice, applied direct to the pvc. Dont know if you tried it.

I thought that CIF was a cream cleaner.

Adam

[NT]

BTDT years ago - no longer shiny plastic is far worse re getting dirty and trying to clean it. Don't do it.

Since the standard detergents are failing you I'd be tempted to try some stronger but less general removers such as hydrochloric acid

NT

[Peter Johnson]

Sandtex do a PVCu cleane, available from trade decorator centres.

[David]

You could always try the 476S, makes the car much easier to clean and lasts ages. Haven't tried it personally but I might do after reading this, at the moment we use 'HG Powerful UPVC cleaner' or something along those lines.

[Steve Walker]

I wonder if using a slightly abrasive cleaner, followed by a solvent that would smooth the roughness would work?

SteveW

[Ben Short]

I have just waxed our car with Collinite 476 and it is superb. I am going to buy some more specialist cleaners so as not to make the surface rough. Perhaps the one I have just isn't up to the job. I did notice on the CIF bottle I have it does say NON Abrasive so may give that a go first.

Thanks everyone for your help. I won't try the T_Cit although it was much easier the long term problems I may incur won't be worth the ease of doing it now. So CIF first, no abrasive, then a UPVC cleaner if that fails.

Thanks again

[Phil]

In message , Peter Johnson writes

Some years ago I worked in a uPVC window/door factory and it was very common for us to have to sand down frames etc. which were marked and scratched in the cutting/welding section.

After final sanding with 800 grit discs, we used uPVC solvent and a cream very similar to T-cut for polishing. The trick was buffing the surface with a polishing disc after the abrasive clean. They used to shine like new pins and stayed cleaner than the original unpolished surface.