Real glass restoration project

Acid Graffiti Removal: Restoring Etched Commercial Glass in 5 Stages

Can acid graffiti be removed from glass?

This real project follows a hydrofluoric-acid tag removed from a commercial window without replacing the pane.

Commercial window · Acid-etched graffiti damage
Repaired in situ · Existing pane retained

Project outcome

Acid-etched graffiti removed without replacing the commercial window

The etched surface was progressively refined and polished until the tag and all repair marks were no longer visible.

The problem

A hydrofluoric-acid tag had permanently etched the surface of a commercial window.

The challenge

The damage could not be cleaned off and had to be removed below the depth of the etching.

The result

The acid tag was removed, clarity restored and the original pane retained.

The repair brief

Two acid-etched graffiti tags on highly visible commercial glass.

Acid graffiti chemically burns into the glass surface, so ordinary cleaning cannot remove it. The damaged layer must be carefully sanded away before progressively refining and polishing the pane back to clarity.

acid graffiti removal — Stage 1

Remove the glass to below the acid-etched damage.

The acid-damaged surface was removed with the coarsest suitable cutting disc. The working area was expanded evenly to keep the pane flat.

acid graffiti removal — Stage 2

Refine the first cut with a finer abrasive.

A finer abrasive replaced the initial cutting pattern. By this point the etched tag had been removed and the focus shifted to controlled refinement.

acid graffiti removal — Stage 3

Continue refining the complete repair area.

A still finer grade reduced the previous sanding marks while maintaining an even surface across the complete repair zone.

acid graffiti removal — Stage 4

Prepare the glass for final polishing.

The final cutting stage produced a sufficiently fine surface for polishing and removed every trace of the earlier abrasive pattern.

acid graffiti removal — Stage 5

Polish the commercial window back to clarity.

A specialist polishing pad and compound removed the remaining haze and restored the original transparency and shine.

acid graffiti removal — Final inspection

Inspect the finished glass for any remaining haze.

The window was cleaned and checked from different angles and lighting conditions. The acid tag and all repair marks were gone.

The finished glass

The acid graffiti was removed and the commercial window restored.

The original pane returned to a clear, graffiti-free condition in situ, avoiding unnecessary replacement, waste and disruption.

Acid-etched graffiti before and after

Move the slider left and right to see the difference a visit from ClearAll can make!

Need similar damage repaired?

Request a professional acid etched graffiti repair assessment

Specialist experience behind the repair

Acid graffiti removal requires controlled, progressive polishing.

More than 10 years of specialist glass-surface repair
Industry-qualified technicians
CSCS qualified for construction sites
IPAF trained for hard-to-reach areas
Available seven days a week

Professional acid graffiti removal

Acid graffiti removal without unnecessary replacement.

Suitable flat glass assessed before work begins
Clear expectations agreed in advance
Residential and commercial enquiries
Available across the South of England

    
 
 
         
   Stewart Morin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service and great result on my almost opaque fish tank which now has a new lease of life! Thank you
  
 
        
   Slystorm 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Spoke to Matt the director on the Friday and window was done on the Monday, top job of removing acid engraved graffiti.Friendly and professional service.
  
 
        
   Brett Dunster 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. . To finish very professional and slick service.  Matt was in communication and informative from the off. Would highly recommend this company if you have any acid graffiti that you are struggling to get rid of
  
 
        
   Maria Martinez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After my husband trying to do this himself he decided to call the professional and Matt did a fantastic job
  
 
        
   Aaron Hern 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brilliant service from start to finish. Many thanks from the Southern Design Windows team. We look forward to working with you In the future!
  
 
        
   Stephen Sparkes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really pleased with the job Matt did to get my loft window and balustrade glass as good as new.

He explained the process and potential outcomes clearly.

Arrived promptly and cleaned up afterward.

Fitted in an extra small repair with no fuss.

Would be happy to recommend and a lot cheaper and less hassle than replacing the glass. I also learned how to clean windows properly!

Worth the money.
  
 
        
   David O V Hubbard 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have a 'Calligaris' glass topped dining table which over the years has suffered a number of small scratches in one corner. These were hidden by table mats and serviettes until we called in ClearAll Glass Repairs Ltd. After the polishing I can no longer identify where they were! We highly recommend ClearAll Glass Repairs Ltd. We found the technician very professional, courteous and Friendly.
  
 
        
   David Lawrence 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Professional service, very knowledgeable, exellent quality. Perfect invisible repairs
  
 
  
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 8 reviews