If you are looking to get an accurate and fast estimate online, please send us pictures of your windows at our email [email protected], and please include your building’s exact address, so we could google it to see what type of windows you have. It will help us provide you with a more accurate quote. Thank you.
Hydrofluoric or muriatic acid is applied to the glass surface, reacting with the silica structure and permanently altering the molecular composition of the glass. The result is a frosted, hazy, or patterned mark that cannot be cleaned off – because it isn’t on the surface, it is the surface. Restoration requires controlled removal of a glass layer down to undamaged material, followed by polishing back to optical clarity. See: Glass Scratch Removal for the technical phases.
For the full restorable / not restorable framework by glass type, see: Glass Restoration.
We assess on-site before quoting. If the glass cannot be restored to a standard we’re confident in, we say so before starting – and can provide replacement referrals.
Acid attacks the glass in an uncontrolled pattern. Unlike a blade scratch that leaves a defined groove, acid etching creates irregular depth variation across the affected area - deeper where the acid pooled, shallower at the edges. Before any polishing can begin, the entire etched zone must be brought to a single uniform plane. This phase is longer and more technically demanding than equivalent work on mechanical scratches.
On etching jobs with prior DIY attempts, Phase I is more complex: the technician must first unify depth variations introduced by the DIY work before addressing the original etch - this is the scenario Andriy describes above.
Acid graffiti restoration generates fine abrasive dust and requires respiratory protection and full surface containment throughout.
Oblique light source across the full restored area. Restored zone should be visually indistinguishable from surrounding undamaged glass - no visible boundary, no haze, no optical distortion.
Restored glass has no inherent resistance to repeat acid attack. For NYC storefronts, subway-adjacent glazing, ground-floor commercial properties, and any location with a history of graffiti vandalism, we apply GraffitiGard anti-graffiti sacrificial film immediately after restoration.
GraffitiGard is a clear polyester film that bonds to the glass surface. When acid is applied to the protected glass, it attacks the film – not the glass. The damaged film layer is stripped and replaced at a fraction of the cost of glass restoration. The underlying glass is untouched.
For properties with repeat vandalism history, the restoration + GraffitiGard combination is standard practice: restore once, protect indefinitely through film replacement cycles.
See: Anti-Graffiti Film Installation for product details and pricing.
This Wasn’t a Standard Graffiti Removal Job Most graffiti removal calls follow a predictable pattern. Someone etched the glass, we assess the depth of the damage, we restore it. Straightforward.
Project location: 141 East Houston Street, Manhattan, NY Service type: Anti-graffiti film replacement, acid etch discovery, glass restoration Glass type: Storefront tempered glass panels Key finding: Anti-graffiti film concealed acid
Location: West Broadway, SoHo, Manhattan, NY Services Performed: Acid Graffiti Removal · Anti-Graffiti Window Film (Solar Gard) This SoHo jewelry store was preparing for its grand opening when the owner
Interior and exterior cleaning for every building type — from 40-story high-rises to Brooklyn brownstones. SPRAT and IRATA rope-access certified. No scaffold rental required.
Acid graffiti etching, construction scratches, and oxidation deposits removed using the Glass Renu professional system. We restore glass — or tell you upfront if replacement is the only option.
Brick, concrete, stone, and metal panel facades. Soft-wash systems for historic materials, high-pressure for heavy soiling. DOT permits included for street work.
Choose Total Window Service for all your window cleaning needs, no matter the type, size, or number of windows, or the height of your building. Serving Brooklyn’s diverse neighborhoods, we’re ready to deliver exceptional service today!
Send photos of the windows, approximate dimensions (width × height), and your building address. Include your film goal — solar control, privacy, safety — or let us recommend. We respond same day for most residential projects.
Depending on the product, manufacturer warranties range from 3 to 16 years, with Limited Lifetime coverage on select Solar Gard and Panorama lines. Film longevity depends on glass orientation, sun exposure, and whether the film is interior or exterior-mounted.
Yes — with qualification. Not all films are compatible with all IGU configurations. Darker or highly reflective films can cause thermal stress in certain sealed units, leading to seal failure. We evaluate each window unit individually before recommending a product, and will tell you if a specific film isn’t suitable for your glazing.
Solar control films alter the appearance of glass to varying degrees — from nearly invisible to reflective silver or neutral bronze. We bring physical samples to your property so you see the result in your actual lighting before committing.
Solar control film primarily reduces heat and UV coming in through the glass. Low-E film reduces heat loss through the glass in winter — functioning more like a thermal retrofit. For NYC buildings facing both summer heat gain and winter heat loss, we often evaluate both options together.
Yes. Installing over existing film voids manufacturer warranties and produces poor results. Old film and adhesive residue are fully removed and the glass surface is prepared before any new product is applied.
