Hard Water Stain Removal, Scratch Repair, Glass Resurfacing & Protective Coatings
Commercial Glass Restoration Specialists Nationwide
Commercial glass restoration is the in-place removal of hard water stains, mineral deposits, scratches, corrosion, and construction debris from building windows, followed by a protective coating, so the glass looks new again without the cost of replacing it. Architectural glass takes a beating: minerals leach down from unsealed precast and failing caulking, sprinklers and tap water leave hard water spots, construction scrapers leave scratches, and years of exposure can corrode the surface. Ordinary window cleaning cannot fix any of these, and replacing insulated glass units costs many times more than restoring them.
Presto Restoration has restored commercial glass across the United States since 1998, using glass restoration products we engineer and manufacture ourselves. Our technicians remove stains and repair scratches without burning or hazing the glass or the surrounding frames and stone, then protect the restored surface so it stays clear. Glass restoration is part of our full commercial facade restoration program, alongside architectural metal restoration and stone and precast restoration.
OUR GLASS RESTORATION SERVICES
Minerals leach out of unsealed precast concrete, stone, and poorly applied caulking and run down onto the windows below, leaving white or brown streaks that block the view and make the whole building look neglected. Left in place, these deposits bond to the glass and eventually etch it. Presto removes mineral stains with restoration chemistry matched to the deposit, restoring the window to its original clarity. Because the stain usually starts above the glass, we also recommend sealing the stone or precast that is causing it.
Hard water stains and soap scum build up when windows are cleaned with mineral-heavy tap water and dish soap, or when lawn sprinklers spray the lower floors day after day. The spots bake onto the glass in the sun and do not come off with a squeegee. Presto’s products and techniques dissolve the deposits without scratching or burning the glass, and a protective treatment afterward keeps new stains from forming.
Scratches usually come from construction cleanup, when razor scrapers are used to remove paint, caulking, or concrete, or from abrasive cleaning products. Fine scratches catch the light and make windows look cloudy and dirty from inside and out. Presto repairs both fine and deep scratches in place, leaving a clear, distortion-free surface. Repairing scratched glass costs far less than replacing the units and avoids disrupting tenants.
Years of exposure to harsh elements can corrode the glass itself, leaving a rough, hazy surface. Fixing corrosion requires resurfacing: removing the damaged layer along with a very thin layer of glass to level the surface without creating optical distortion. Our technicians resurface glass in place from rope access or swing stage, so even upper floors of high-rise buildings can be restored without removing the windows.
Concrete and mortar are hard to remove once they dry on glass, and the common industry method of a steel scraper and dish soap often scratches the surface. Presto’s Glass-Crete product uses a proprietary formula with phosphoric acid and acid-compatible polymers that breaks down the calcium in the concrete while lubricating the glass, so the splatter lifts off without scratching. It is the safe way to clean windows after construction or masonry work.
After restoration, we strongly recommend a silicone protective treatment such as our Glass Defender to keep the glass from staining again. The coating leaves a very smooth surface that sheds water and dirt, so routine window cleaning is faster and easier. Glass protection can also be applied to new or replacement glass so it never needs restoration in the first place. Presto offers a 5, 10, or 20-year product warranty depending on the coating selected.
Our Glass Restoration Process
Presto runs every glass restoration project through the same five-phase process. Because glass is easy to damage, we always restore test areas first and inspect them in direct sunlight and from several angles to confirm the glass is clear and free of burns or scratches before work begins on the full building.
Building Envelope
Assessment
We inspect the full envelope from the ground, by drone, and at arm’s length via suspended access. Sealants, metals, glass, stone, coatings, and masonry are photographed and logged: every defect mapped before pricing.
Diagnostic Testing
Where leaks or concealed deterioration are suspected, we run controlled water spray tests, infrared thermography scans, and moisture readings to trace intrusion back to its true source instead of patching symptoms.
Scope & Planning
Findings become a line-item scope with quantities, specified products, and a phased schedule. Your project manager handles access logistics, occupant communication, and local permitting.
Restoration Execution
Certified rope-access and swing-stage crews perform the restoration to manufacturer specification, with field supervisors enforcing quality control and documenting progress daily.
Closeout & Warranty
At turnover you receive the complete record: warranty documents, product data sheets, before-and-after imagery, and a maintenance roadmap to protect the investment going forward.
Serving Commercial Buildings Nationwide
Presto Restoration is headquartered in Atlanta and restores commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings across the United States. Our crews travel to projects nationwide, and in many metro areas local teams support routine maintenance between major restorations.
Find glass restoration services in your city on our service areas page, or call 1-800-785-9927 to talk with a project manager about your building.
Why Property Managers Choose Presto for Glass Restoration
Since 1998, Presto Restoration has restored glass on commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings nationwide. Harsh, abrasive products and acid cleaners can scratch glass and burn the frames and stone around it, leaving a hazy finish. Our products and techniques remove stains and repair damage without scratching or burning, leaving a clear, highly reflective finish. Explore our full range of exterior restoration services.
Schedule Your Free Glass Assessment
Not sure whether your windows can be restored? Request a complimentary, no-obligation assessment. Our specialists will test the glass and map out your options.
Call 1-800-785-9927 or Request A Free Quote.
Recent Glass Restoration Projects
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Presto crews restore commercial glass for high-rise and commercial buildings across the country. A few recent projects are featured below.
Glass Restoration FAQs
What is commercial glass restoration?
Commercial glass restoration removes hard water stains, mineral deposits, scratches, corrosion, and concrete splatter from building windows in place, then protects the glass with a coating so it stays clear. It restores the look and clarity of the original glass for a fraction of the cost of replacing insulated glass units, and without removing windows or disrupting tenants.
Can scratched window glass be repaired instead of replaced?
Yes. Presto repairs both fine and deep scratches in place, leaving a clear surface without the distortion that poor polishing can create. Repairing scratched glass is far less expensive than replacing the window units, and the work is done from the outside of the building while tenants stay in place.
How do you remove hard water stains from commercial windows?
Hard water stains are mineral deposits that bond to glass from sprinklers, tap water, and improper cleaning. Regular window cleaning cannot remove them. Presto uses restoration products formulated for the type of deposit, which dissolve the minerals without scratching or burning the glass, and then applies a protective coating to keep new stains from forming.
Why do my building’s windows keep staining?
The most common causes are minerals leaching from unsealed precast concrete, stone, or failing caulking above the windows, lawn sprinklers hitting the lower floors, and window cleaning with mineral-heavy tap water. Restoring the glass fixes the stain, but sealing the source and applying a glass protective coating is what stops it from coming back.
How long does glass protective coating last?
Presto offers a 5, 10, or 20-year product warranty depending on the silicone coating selected. We also provide cleaning guidelines so maintenance crews can clean the windows without harming the coating. With proper care, the building should not need extensive glass restoration again.
Will glass restoration damage the window frames or surrounding stone?
Not when it is done correctly. Many industry methods use harsh acids that can burn glass, metal frames, and nearby stone. Presto’s products are designed to remove stains without burning surrounding materials, and we restore test areas first and inspect them in direct sunlight before treating the full building.
Other Building Restoration Services
Restore Your Glass, Skip the Replacement
Stained, scratched, or corroded windows do not have to be replaced. A free glass assessment from Presto Restoration shows what can be restored and what it will cost.
Call us today at 1-800-785-9927 or click Request A Quote.