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Product Care

Regular maintenance will help keep your Marvin windows and doors operating smoothly. Use this checklist as an annual maintenance reminder.

  • • Make sure the weatherstrip is still effective. If not, call your local Marvin dealer.
  • • Examine the window's interior and exterior finishes. Occasional repair to a damaged finish may be necessary.
  • • Don’t let paints, stains and varnishes come in contact with the weatherstrip. Solvents can damage the weatherstrip’s performance.
  • • Trim any old, loose caulking and seal any gaps with an appropriate, high quality caulk.
  • • Occasionally, an excess of 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 weather-tightness of your window or door.
  • • Make sure all exposed hardware screws are tightened securely. Apply a dry lubricant to the windows’ gears to keep them operating smoothly.
  • • Clean sand, dirt or dust from door and window hinges, sills and tracks.
  • • Check energy panels and storm and screen combinations to make sure screws and turn buttons are securely fastened.
  • • Check doors for smooth operation.

  • • Note: Wood doors require a stabilization period after installation, sometimes taking up to a year to adjust to humidity levels and other environmental factors.
  • • Location plays an important role in how often you should clean and maintain the exterior of aluminum clad windows and doors. A coastal home exposed to harsh elements may need cleaning four or five times a year, while in a drier climate, once or twice a year may be sufficient.
  • • Be careful when using ladders.

  • • Wear protective eyewear and clothing.

  • • When working with primers, paints, stains, cleaning solutions, etc., follow all manufacturer's instructions for safe use and disposal.

Cleaning

  • • Avoid cleaning glass while it is in direct sunlight, especially tinted and coated surfaces, to prevent streaking.

  • • Start cleaning windows at the top of the building and continue to lower levels.

  • • Soak the glass surface with clean water to loosen dirt and debris. Make sure no abrasive particles remain on the glass, then apply an approved cleaning solution with a non-abrasive cloth or other applicator.

  • • Quickly remove the cleaning solution with a squeegee, taking care not to allow metal parts of cleaning equipment to touch the glass surface.

  • • Avoid any cleaning product that has a strong chemical base or a high alcohol content, as chemical reactions could damage components.

  • • Wipe any remaining traces of cleaning solution from glass and other parts of the window and frame. Windows, including their parts and frames, are susceptible to deterioration if left damp.

  • • Some windows have an energy panel, often confused with a storm window. An energy panel is a removable, exterior glass panel and can be cleaned in the same way as other parts of the window.

  • • Don’t use abrasive cleaning solutions or materials, don’t allow metal parts of cleaning equipment to touch the glass, and don’t use scrapers of any kind.


  • • Note: Glass scratched by a scraper is not covered under the Marvin warranty.

  • • Labels and adhesive residue should be removed from glass as soon as possible after installation.

  • • If a label does not release from the glass easily, use an approved cleaning solution to help remove it.

  • • Do not remove labels while exposed to direct sunlight.

  • • Do not let cleaning agents come in contact with weatherstrip or finishes, as they could cause damage.

  • • Carefully remove the screen and lay it on a flat, clean area.

  • • Remove any dust by lightly spraying the screen with water from a hose or vacuuming with a soft brush extension.

  • • Instead of drying with a cloth, let the screen air-dry completely before reinstalling. For doors, remove and replace screens from the exterior.

The following cleaners, when used as directed, can be used with Ultrex®

Glass Cleaners

  • • Glass Plus® Glass Cleaner

  • • Green Works® Original Scent Glass & Surface Cleaner

  • • Rain-X® Automotive Glass Cleaner

  • • Spray-X® Foaming Glass Cleaner

  • • Windex® Glass Cleaner with Ammonia

  • • Windex® Original

  • • Windex® Powerized Original

  • • Zep® Ammonia-Free Concentrate Glass Cleaner

  • • Zep® Foaming Glass Cleaner

  • • Zep® Streak-Free Glass Cleaner

General Purpose Cleaners

  • • Amaz Clean & Green™ Water Stain Remover

  • • Dawn® Simply Clean, Original Scent (1% in Water)

  • • Formula 409® Original

  • • Goo Gone® Spray Gel

  • • Goof Off Power Cleaner & Degreaser

  • • Ivory® Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent (1% in Water)

  • • Murphy® Oil Soap Liquid Wood Cleaner

  • • Soft Scrub® All Purpose Cleaner Lemon Scent

  • • Spic and Span® Sun Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner

  • • Tide® Detergent Original Scent

  • • Vinegar, Distilled White (5% Acidity)

  • • Windex® Multi-Surface Disinfectant Cleaner

  • • Zep® Multi-Surface Cleaner

Outdoor House Cleaners

  • • Home Armor® EZ House Wash™

  • • Home Armor® EZ Deck, Fence & Patio Wash™

  • • Rejuvenate® Outdoor Cleaner

  • • Savorgran™ TSP Trisodium Phosphate

  • • Spray & Forget™ House and Deck Cleaner

  • • Wet & Forget® Moss Mold Mildew and Algae Stain Remover

  • • Windex® Hose End Outdoor Multi-Surface Cleaner

  • • Zep® All-in-1 Pressure Wash*

  • • Zep® House and Siding Pressure Wash Concentrate*


*Although overspray of these solutions is safe, never use a pressure washer directly on any part of a window or door.

Wood Surfaces

  • • Avoid cleaning glass while it is in direct sunlight, especially tinted and coated surfaces, to prevent streaking.

  • • Start cleaning windows at the top of the building and continue to lower levels.

  • • Soak the glass surface with clean water to loosen dirt and debris. Make sure no abrasive particles remain on the glass, then apply an approved cleaning solution with a non-abrasive cloth or other applicator.

  • • Quickly remove the cleaning solution with a squeegee, taking care not to allow metal parts of cleaning equipment to touch the glass surface.

  • • Avoid any cleaning product that has a strong chemical base or a high alcohol content, as chemical reactions could damage components.

  • • Wipe any remaining traces of cleaning solution from glass and other parts of the window and frame. Windows, including their parts and frames, are susceptible to deterioration if left damp.

  • • Some windows have an energy panel, often confused with a storm window. An energy panel is a removable, exterior glass panel and can be cleaned in the same way as other parts of the window.

  • • Don’t use abrasive cleaning solutions or materials, don’t allow metal parts of cleaning equipment to touch the glass, and don’t use scrapers of any kind.


  • • Note: Glass scratched by a scraper is not covered under the Marvin warranty.

  • • Labels and adhesive residue should be removed from glass as soon as possible after installation.

  • • If a label does not release from the glass easily, use an approved cleaning solution to help remove it.

  • • Do not remove labels while exposed to direct sunlight.

  • • Do not let cleaning agents come in contact with weatherstrip or finishes, as they could cause damage.

  • • Carefully remove the screen and lay it on a flat, clean area.

  • • Remove any dust by lightly spraying the screen with water from a hose or vacuuming with a soft brush extension.

  • • Instead of drying with a cloth, let the screen air-dry completely before reinstalling. For doors, remove and replace screens from the exterior.

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