Alumil

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Clean glass surfaces with lukewarm water and a mild cleaning product such as dish soap.
• ✓Use a very soft cloth or sponge. Do not use abrasive materials or sharp objects.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly with clean water after washing.
• ✓Remove construction debris, cement, and plaster promptly - they become harder to remove over time.
• ✕Do not stick adhesive tape or similar materials onto the glass or frames - they may damage the surface.

Aluminium Frames (Powder-Coated)

• ✓Clean with a very soft cloth or sponge, lots of water, and a mild cleaning product such as dish soap.
• ✓A simple microfibre cloth and water is sufficient for routine cleaning.
• ✕Never use gardening hoses or high-pressure cleaning equipment.
• ✓Avoid harsh cleaners or corrosive products - they can destroy the finish over time.
• ✓Do not use sharp objects for cleaning. Dampen a cloth with warm water and run it over stubborn spots repeatedly.

Anodised Aluminium Frames

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and a neutral pH detergent suitable for anodised surfaces.
• ✕Do not use alkaline cleaners on anodised aluminium - they etch the surface permanently.
• ✕Do not use acidic cleaners below pH 5 on anodised aluminium.
• ✓When in doubt, test any cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area first.

Hardware

• ✓Inspect hinges, handles, and mechanisms regularly.
• ✓Lubricate all moving parts at least once per year with a light machine oil or silicone-free lubricant.
• ✓On RC-rated systems, check that all multi-point locking points engage smoothly.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Inspect sealing rubbers regularly for cracking, UV degradation, or loss of elasticity.
• ✓Wipe gaskets with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris.
• ✕Do not use solvent-based products on gaskets - they accelerate rubber degradation.

Drainage and Tracks

• ✓Keep frame tracks clean - this is where dust and small debris collect over time.
• ✓Clear drainage slots in the frame profile to prevent water pooling.
• ✓On sliding systems, vacuum or brush out the bottom track at every cleaning session.

Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol

The Orloffs Protocol

Pro Tools

My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.

Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every Alumil installation.

1. 1

   Identify the finish

   This comes before everything else. Alumil offers four surface treatments and you need to know which one you have. Powder-coated finishes have a slight texture and a uniform colour. Anodised finishes have a metallic sheen with the grain of the aluminium visible beneath the surface.

   Preanodised finishes combine both processes. Wood-effect sublimation finishes look like timber but feel like coated aluminium. If you are not sure, check the original documentation or contact your Alumil fabricator.

2. 2

   Detail the frame before touching the glass

   Before touching the glass, wipe down the window frame edges with a microfibre cloth dampened in mild soapy water. This removes the dust, pollen, and grime sitting on the aluminium surface.

   When you run the squeegee across the glass, the rubber edge makes contact with the frame. If there is dirt on that frame, the squeegee picks it up and drags it across the clean glass as a streak. Clean the frame first. Every time.

3. 3

   Agitation

   Dip your T-bar applicator completely into the soapy water on both sides. Apply the solution across the whole glass area using overlapping strokes. The purpose is to dissolve the dirt fully so the squeegee can shave it away cleanly.

   If the dirt is not fully dissolved, the remaining particles get dragged across the surface by the squeegee, leaving smears. On large Alumil sliding panels, cover the entire surface with overlapping passes before reaching for the squeegee.

4. 4

   The three squeegee turns

   Side to side: start at the very top edge with a dry rubber. Work across in a straight horizontal line. Tilt the squeegee at a slight angle so soap water spills from one side. Wipe the rubber dry after each line. Overlap slightly into the next line down.

   Top to bottom: same principle in vertical lines. Start in the top corner with a dry rubber. Tilt to direct water to the lower side. Wipe dry after each line. Overlap into the next line across.

   The J tune (continuous motion): from top to bottom in one smooth, unbroken movement. No stops. Your thumb guides the squeegee rotation at each end of the horizontal pass. The fastest and most consistent turn for any window size.

5. 5

   Final edge detailing

   After squeegeeing, take a dry 100% cotton towelling rag, fold to a clean corner, and detail the edges in one smooth pass.

   Get your finger into the edge where the glass meets the frame seal. Remove any pooled soap water sitting there. Left to dry, it leaves a residue mark visible in direct sunlight.

6. 6

   Tracks, drainage, and hardware

   For Alumil sliding systems, vacuum the bottom track to remove grit and debris before wiping it down. Grit in the track is the number one cause of stiff sliding doors and scratched sill profiles.

   Check that the drainage slots are clear. Apply a light silicone-free oil to hinges and locking points once per year. On RC-rated systems, check that every locking point engages fully and smoothly.

   Never clean in direct sunlight - the soap water dries before you can squeegee it off, baking residue onto the glass.

Pro Tips

• ★ Identify the surface finish before you start - powder-coated, anodised, preanodised, or wood-effect sublimation. The cleaning protocol differs.
• ★ Do not use alkaline cleaners on anodised Alumil frames - they etch the surface permanently.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ On SMARTIA M-series sliding systems, vacuum the bottom track at every cleaning session.
• ★ Wood-effect sublimation finishes scratch through permanently if scrubbed with an abrasive pad.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Quarterly in urban environments with pollution, pollen, and construction dust.). Coastal or seaside locations: 4x per year minimum (Salt corrosion on aluminium needs regular removal.). Hardware inspection and lubrication: 1x per year (Without fail. Check all moving parts and locking points.). Gasket and seal inspection: Every cleaning session (Note UV degradation and report damaged seals to your Alumil fabricator.). Sliding system track clearing: Every cleaning session (Vacuum or brush out the bottom track to prevent grit buildup.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: twice per year minimum, quarterly in urban environments, four times per year near the coast. Identify the surface finish first - wrong products on anodised aluminium cause permanent etching. Sliding system tracks: vacuum at every cleaning session to prevent grit buildup and scratched sills. Hardware: annual lubrication with silicone-free oil. On RC-rated systems, check every locking point. Gaskets: inspect at every cleaning session for UV degradation and loss of elasticity.”

Justin Orloff