Maintaining Glass
Vinegar has always been considered the best window cleaner available. You can use a mixture of one part vinegar to ten parts water, or try a vinegar-based product. Do not clean glass when it is exposed to direct sunlight. Also, if you need to use a razor blade to clean tough materials off of the glass, make sure you carefully use a new, sharp blade, as dull edges can damage the glass. Use the center of the blade, not the blade edges or you may scratch the glass.
Maintaining Interior Wood
Superficial surface dirt can be removed by washing with water and a soft-bristled, long-handled brush (such as those used for washing cars). Heavier accumulations can be removed with a mild solution of household detergent. Other cleaning solutions consisting of alcohol/water mixtures are also effective. As with any cleaning operation on a vertical painted surface, streaking will be minimized if the surface is washed from the top to the bottom. Always rinse the surface well with clean water to remove excess detergent solutions or cleaners. Prolonged detergent contact with paint can cause damage to the finish.
Grease or oily materials may require the use of stronger cleaning compounds. Solvents or abrasive-type cleaners should be avoided. Do not allow strong detergents, ammonia, chemicals or other harsh cleaning substances to come in contact with finished exterior surfaces as they can cause damage.
Small damaged areas in the finish such as nicks and scratches may be touched up with a matching high-quality latex primer and paint. Contact your local paint supply store for product recommendations and instructions.
Maintaining Aluminum Clad
Bella Vista's aluminum cladding offers you a beautiful, low-maintenance exterior. Light surface dirt is usually washed off by normal rainfall. Surface dirt can also be removed with a wash and rinse with clear water. Use a soft brush such as a long-handled car washing brush. If you wish, you can use a mild detergent (such as dish soap) to remove any bugs, grime, dirt or dust that may gather on the aluminum Cladding. To be sure, test your cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area before washing cladding. A thorough, clear water rinse should follow. After rinsing well and drying, you can use car wax to add shine. Overcleaning or scrubbing a coated metal surface can do more harm than good to its surface life. Do not use solvents or abrasive-type cleaners on any coated surface.
Mildew may occur in areas subject to high humidity, appearing on the surface of the coating as black spots. Mildew can be removed by using a basic solution of the following ingredients: 1/3 cup (80ml) laundry detergent, 2/3 cup (155ml) trisodium phosphate (such as Soilex), 1 quart (1 liter) household bleach, and 3 quarts (3 liters) water. Use a soft bristle brush with medium pressure. Rinse the finish with clear water after cleaning. Caution: A stronger concentration of cleaner can damage the coating surface or finish. Always wear protective eyewear and skin protection when using harsh cleaning compounds.
Caulking tars and similar substances can be removed with mineral spirits. Use a soft bristle brush with medium pressure. A clear water rinse should follow. Be sure to follow label directions for use and disposal, and wear protective eyewear and clothing.
Maintaining Screens
Bella Vista screens are designed to stand up to everyday use. However, these screens are not intended to act as a safety device. Do not allow children to sit or play on window sills, or to push or fall against window screens, as this could result in a fall through the window or door opening.
Cleaning the screens on your windows and doors is best done by removing the screens altogether, laying them on a flat clean area, like a sidewalk, and spraying off any dust with water from your garden hose. Allow the screens to completely air dry before replacing in the window and door. If you live in a cold climate, it is recommended that in the winter you remove the screen door from your Bella Vista doors. The mesh may collect snow and ice, causing it to sag. Please see individual door sections for instructions on screen door removal. Contact your Bella Vista if you wish to replace screens in your doors and windows.
Maintaining Energy Panels
Occasionally make sure that all fasteners on your energy panels are closed securely. Clean and maintain glass the same way as your other windows for regular interior and exterior care. Important: Do not caulk around your energy panel-it is designed to allow a certain amount of air circulation.
Maintaining Solid Brass Hardware
Some Bella Vista windows and doors feature solid brass hardware. These locksets are highly polished, then coated with a lacquer finish. Hardware finish life can be affected by use, solvents and exposure. When the finish is worn down, the brass is exposed and will tarnish. This is a natural property of solid brass and is not considered a manufacturing defect. However, proper care for solid brass hardware will delay tarnish and offer years of beautiful service.
Whether brass hardware is on the inside or outside, the lacquer finish will eventually wear down and expose the brass underneath, leading to some degree of tarnishing. The extent and rate of tarnish depends on factors such as everyday use, exposure to pollution, UV rays and salty sea air.
With a little care, tarnish can be eliminated from your brass hardware. First, remove all remaining lacquer finish by using only No. 0000 steel wool (available at hardware stores) soaked in a light oil or soapy water to keep metal abrasion to a minimum. For tough to clean hardware, try washing with a high quality lacquer thinner or paint reducer. Be very careful not to get any on the door to prevent damage to the door or window finish.
Once the hardware has been cleaned, the shine can be restored with brass polish. After polishing, protect the shine with several coatings of quality automobile wax. The finish can be protected on an ongoing basis by applying follow-up wax coatings as needed.
Finishing or Painting Bare Interior Wood
If you have a brand new, bare wood Bella Vista window or door, you must finish it immediately to prevent possible damage to the wood. Even a primed window has no guarantees; primers function to maximize adhesion between the wood and the paint. They do not have any protective qualities. Make sure bare wood window and door surfaces are clean and dry. Remove any handling marks, debris or effects of exposure to moisture by sanding lightly with fine sandpaper and wiping clean before applying your choice of finish. Before finishing, run a strip of masking tape along the edge of the glass.
If you are using paint, leave a 1/16' (1.5mm) space between the tape and the wood bead which will allow you to lap the paint onto the glass for a proper seal. Carefully follow paint or stain instructions, and make sure you wear adequate hand and eye protection.
Marvin uses a rubber-like material between glass panes and wood sash frames to ensure a weathertight seal. Occasionally, an excess of this silicone sealant, called 'squeeze-out,' appears around the edge of the glass. You can safely scrape off 'squeeze-out' with a plastic putty knife without damaging the weathertightness of your window or door.
It is extremely important that you do not paint locks, hardware, weatherstripping, jamb liners or any surface which comes in contact with another window or door surface. Also, use paints, stains and varnishes with care-they contain solvents which, when coming in contact with plastics and vinyl weatherstripping, cause these materials to lose their flexible qualities.
Finishing a Wood Exterior
A bare wood, brand new Bella Vista window or door must be painted immediately to prevent possible damage to the wood, even if the window or door is already primed. Primers function to maximize adhesion between the wood and the paint; they do not offer any protective qualities.
Make sure all bare wood window and door surfaces are clean and dry. Remove any handling marks, debris or effects of exposure to moisture by sanding lightly with fine sandpaper and wipe clean before applying paint. Before finishing, run a strip of masking tape along the edge of the glass, leaving a 1/16' (1.5mm) space between the tape and the wood. This will allow you to lap the finish coat onto the glass for a proper seal. To make sure you get good paint adhesion, high-quality primer should be used. Apply one coat of primer and two coats of top quality paint according to the paint manufacturer's instructions. Use only a high-quality oil base or latex paint. Paint windows with sash or panels opened (or removed altogether) and do not close (or reinstall) until thoroughly dry. Carefully follow paint instructions, and make sure you wear adequate hand and eye protection.
Windows and doors with a wood exterior should be inspected and repainted periodically. Any signs of blistering, peeling or cracking in the finish should be immediately repaired to protect the wood underneath. Consult with a local paint store or housepainting contractor for the best solution for your needs. If you notice any cracks, they should be caulked prior to repainting with a high-quality caulking material or a paintable grade caulking compound. Check each individual door or window section to see if there are any special instructions involved.
Paints, stains, and varnishes contain solvents which, when coming in contact with plastics and vinyls used in weatherstripping, cause these materials to lose their flexible qualities, making them brittle. Even momentary contact between the finish and the plastic will cause this to occur. Also, do not allow strong detergents, ammonia, solvents, chemicals or other harsh cleaning substances to come in contact with painted exterior surfaces as they can be damaged.
Refinishing Interior or Exterior
Before refinishing exterior or interior, remove sash from the frame. This will make it much easier to prevent paint or varnish from coming in contact with the sash tracks.
A very important note: Make sure you do not paint the sides of the sash-this will greatly affect the operation of your window.
Do not replace sash until finish is completely dry. It is extremely important that you do not paint locks, hardware, weatherstripping, jamb liners or any surface which comes in contact with another window surface. Also, paints, stains and varnishes contain solvents which, when coming in contact with plastics and vinyls such as weatherstripping, cause these materials to lose their flexible qualities, making them brittle. Even momentary contact between the finish and the plastic will cause this to occur.
Annual Window and Door Checklist
Use this checklist as a maintenance reminder and to prevent problems-once a year should be sufficient.
- Make sure weatherstripping is effective. If not, contact Bella Vista. Also, take care if using paints, stains and varnishes. These all contain solvents which, when coming in even momentary contact with weatherstripping, will cause it to lose its flexible qualities.
- Examine the window's interior and exterior finish. Occasional repair to a damaged finish may be necessary.
- Inspect the exterior caulking around the outer edges of the window frame. Trim off any old, loose caulking and seal any gaps with a good quality caulk.
- Check that all hardware (locks, opening mechanisms, etc.) operates smoothly.
- Make sure any exposed hardware screws are tightened securely.
- Clean any sand, dirt or dust from door and window hinges, sills and tracks.
- Check any energy panels and storm combinations to make sure screws in turn buttons are securely fastened.
- Always consider your safety first-use caution on ladders, and always wear protective eyewear and clothing. When working with primers, paints, stains, cleaning solutions, etc., make sure that you use and dispose of these materials according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Check doors for smooth operation. Wood doors require a stabilization period after installation, sometimes taking up to a year to adjust to humidity levels and other environmental factors.
