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Tue May 15, 2012 1:04 pm

Hey guy's! First off, I did a search with title only feature for "Cleaning Jealousy Windows, and Jealousy windows". Neither one got me to far. LOL

So my question is, how do I clean my jealousy windows? Actually the frames are what I am trying to clean. (Also searched for that too) I have a lot of oxidation or something on the frames and I am trying to get it off. I have tried windex and a rag, letting the windex kind of soak for a minute or so. Also tried steel wool and windex. The steel wool got me further then anything, but it isn't the easiest thing to do. I don't mind using a little elbow grease and the steel wool, but I was wondering if there is an easier way?

Here are a few pics of what I am dealing with.

Before I started

During

This is the window in the first pic after I rubbed and rubbed the steel wool on it. It still has a long way to go, but it is getting better.

The window in the second and third pics above is the worst. It will really take some rubbing.

If anyone has a better way of getting that stuff off, I would love to hear about it!! :D

Thanks

Tue May 15, 2012 1:23 pm

Ratwell has a really good write up about jalousie windows. I believe hus site will be in the stickies. Try using jalousie in the search field and see if you get more ideas. :D

I used steel wool on mine, didn't take me apart like ratwell did, so they're nice on the outside only.

Tue May 15, 2012 1:42 pm

You didn't get many results because you aren't searching for the right term. It's a jalousie window, not a jealousy window. Andd the previous poster is correct, Ratwell has the best writeup on taking them apart, cleaning and refurbishing them.

Tue May 15, 2012 4:09 pm

Thanks guys! I'll do a search with the correct spelling! LOL That and check out Ratwell's write up. I'm not looking to take them apart quite yet, but it should help to just clean them! :D

Thanks again. Figured I had to be doing something wrong. LOL

Tue May 15, 2012 4:11 pm

VDubTech wrote: It's a jalousie window, not a jealousy window. Andd the previous poster is correct
Pot meet kettle ;)

Tue May 15, 2012 4:34 pm

After you get them cleaned up nicely, aluminium polish will bring out a little shine in the metal and make them look great.

Tue May 15, 2012 5:12 pm

Glenn wrote: VDubTech wrote: It's a jalousie window, not a jealousy window. Andd the previous poster is correct
Pot meet kettle ;)

It always happens when you're correcting someone's spelling too. Thanks Glenn. :lol:

Tue May 15, 2012 5:55 pm

I found some helpful info in my search for "jalousie windows"! :D I found out someone tried 600 grit sand paper and wet sanded theirs. I also found out how some use WD40 and steel wool. I did something similar.

I used 1000 grit sandpaper and WD40. I would wet sand using the WD40 till I got the bumps off. Then I finished off with the steel wool, also using the WD40. I still need to use some aluminum polish, but here are some pics of what one of the windows looks like after the WD40, sandpaper, and steel wool!

Still has some pitting.

Getting there.

OH, and I figure now I have a thread started for other people that can't spell "Jalousie" right! LOL :D

Tue May 15, 2012 6:04 pm

That is looking much better. I wouldn't personally worry about getting all the pitting out but rather just getting the bumps down and a little bit of shine. If you have to have all the pitting gone then you will need to wetsand I suppose. Aluminium is a soft metal though so try not to remove too much of it, the integrety/functionality of the window is the most important thing.

Tue May 15, 2012 6:27 pm

No, you spelled it right :wink:
"Jealousy" is the correct term after checking out Richard Atwells slide show. http://www.ratwell.com/dotmac/Sites/78_Westy/PhotoAlbum59.html

Tue May 15, 2012 6:39 pm

I've had a lot of luck using a liquid cleaning product called Zud. It works extremely well at taking rust stains off of paint and polishing up oxidized metals. Just squeeze some onto a clean rag and polish. It hardly takes any elbow grease to work. You can buy it online for under $10 or at your local grocery store. Make sure to buy the liquid form, the powder is messy and doesn't seem to be as effective in my opinion.

I just went outside and took these pics.

Before:

After about 10 seconds of polishing:

Tue May 15, 2012 6:54 pm

That is pretty impressive Bucky, is that 'wet' at all from the product or did it really produce that much shine that quickly?

Tue May 15, 2012 7:00 pm

stuco wrote: That is pretty impressive Bucky, is that 'wet' at all from the product or did it really produce that much shine that quickly?

It really does polish that quickly. The metal is completely dry in the pics, the water spots on the paint are from some rain outside.

Tue May 15, 2012 7:45 pm

stuco wrote: That is looking much better. I wouldn't personally worry about getting all the pitting out but rather just getting the bumps down and a little bit of shine. If you have to have all the pitting gone then you will need to wetsand I suppose. Aluminium is a soft metal though so try not to remove too much of it, the integrety/functionality of the window is the most important thing.

Yah, I'm not worried about the pitting. I just wanted the big bumpy deposits gone. At least it is somewhat smooth and a lot cleaner then it was. I will finish it off with some aluminum polish and call it a day! :D

WOW Bucky, that is amazing. I need to go buy some aluminum polish so I will see if I can find Zud. I think I have seen it in the parts stores before. That is tomorrows project! :D

Wed May 16, 2012 1:14 pm

Bucky wrote: I've had a lot of luck using a liquid cleaning product called Zud. It works extremely well at taking rust stains off of paint and polishing up oxidized metals. Just squeeze some onto a clean rag and polish. It hardly takes any elbow grease to work. You can buy it online for under $10 or at your local grocery store. Make sure to buy the liquid form, the powder is messy and doesn't seem to be as effective in my opinion.

I just went outside and took these pics.

Before:

After about 10 seconds of polishing:

Holy cow!!

Wed May 16, 2012 3:35 pm

You just sold some Zud!

Wed May 16, 2012 4:16 pm

The correct way for getting metal (aluminum) cleaned in the field is to use 0 or 00 steel wool while spraying WD-40 on the piece and steel wool. Most use latex gloves to keep the steel splinters out of their fingers...........Then you can use ZUD, then a quality aluminum polish ( like the kind for Mag Wheels.). Now you're ready for that showing off stage at the event.