Method for restoring acid etched glass

Abstract

A method for restoring acid etched glass includes grinding the glass and then applying an acid resistant polyester film over the glass. Grinding may be performed in steps going from course to fine grinding pads, and stopping with a 400 grit pad, leaving a somewhat cloudy appearing surface. The polyester film fills in small irregularities in the cloudy glass surface thus eliminating the need to polish the glass.

1 . A method for restoring etched windows, the method comprising:
 cleaning an etched region of the window;   grinding until the etched region becomes a cloudy region; and   applying a window film over the cloudy region.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein grinding comprises grinding with a grinding pad driven by an electric hand held grinder. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein grinding comprises grinding with a variable speed electric hand held grinder set to a low speed. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein grinding until the etched region is a cloudy region comprises:
 selecting a first grinding grit based on the depth of the etching;   grinding with the first grinding grit until the etching is removed;   if a course grit was used, selecting a finer second grit to remove scratches from the first grit;   continuing grinding until the etched region is a cloudy region.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein grinding until the etched region is a cloudy region includes a final grinding step of grinding with a 400 grit pad to create the cloudy region. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying a window film over the cloudy region comprises:
 preparing a water and soap solution;   wetting an area overlapping the cloudy region to be covered with a film with the water and soap solution;   laying the film over the wetted area; and   smoothing the film against the window.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying a window film over the cloudy region comprises applying an acid resistant window film over the cloudy region. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying a window film over the cloudy region comprises applying a polyester window film over the cloudy region. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying a window film over the cloudy region comprises applying an approximately 6 mil thick polyester window film over the cloudy region. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein applying an approximately 6 mil thick polyester window film over the cloudy region comprises applying an approximately 6 mil thick polyester window film comprising at least two laminated layers over the cloudy region. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein applying an approximately 6 mil thick polyester window film over the cloudy region comprises applying an approximately 6 mil thick polyester window film comprising three approximately two mil thick laminated layers over the cloudy region. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying a window film over the cloudy region includes smoothing the film against the window using a squeegee. 
   
   
       13 . A method for restoring etched windows, the method comprising:
 cleaning an etched region of the window;   grinding with an electric hand held grinder set to a low speed until the etched region is a cloudy region including a final step of grinding with a 400 grit pad to create the cloudy region;   preparing a water and soap solution;   wetting an area overlapping the cloudy region to be covered with an acid resistant polymer window film with the water and soap solution;   laying the film over the wetted area; and   smoothing the film against the window using a squeegee.   
   
   
       14 . A method for restoring etched windows, the method comprising:
 cleaning an etched region of the window;   grinding with an electric hand held grinder set to a low speed until the etched region is a cloudy region including a final step of grinding with a 400 grit pad to create the cloudy region;   wetting an area overlapping the cloudy region to be covered with a window film with a water solution;   laying the film comprising three approximately two mil thick laminated layers over the wetted area; and   smoothing the film against the window using a squeegee.