Sciuker Frames

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Clean glass with water and neutral soap (such as Marseille liquid soap) or a commercial non-abrasive glass cleaner.
• ✕Do not use lye or caustic soda on glass surfaces.
• ✕Do not use acid-based products on glass.
• ✓Do not use detergents containing fluorides.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning to remove all soap residue.

Wood-Aluminium Frames - Exterior Aluminium

• ✓Clean aluminium surfaces at least twice yearly.
• ✓Use pH-neutral detergents only - diluted dish soap is appropriate.
• ✓For heavily soiled anodised aluminium, a specialist cleaning paste may be used.
• ✓Apply cleaning products only when the surface temperature is below 25 degrees C.
• ✕Never use abrasive substances, scouring pads, or steel wool on aluminium.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning.

Wood-Aluminium Frames - Interior Timber

• ✓Clean timber interior surfaces with mild detergent - soap solutions or diluted dish soap.
• ✕Use only soft cloths. Abrasive, corrosive, or solvent-based cleaners will damage the timber finish.
• ✕Dry the timber surface thoroughly after cleaning. Do not allow water to stand on the wood.
• ✓No refinishing of interior timber surfaces is required under normal conditions.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all moving and closing parts at least once per year.
• ✓Use grease or technical vaseline on hinges, locking points, and handle mechanisms.
• ✓Regular lubrication prevents wear and keeps the window operating correctly.
• ✓If hardware feels stiff or does not lock correctly after lubrication, contact your Sciuker installer.

Gaskets and Weatherstripping

• ✓Apply a silicone-based product to weatherstripping annually to maintain elasticity and prevent cracking.
• ✓Avoid applying silicone products directly to adjacent wood surfaces.
• ✓Inspect gaskets and seals after heavy storms. Replace any that show cracking or lifting.

Drainage Channels

• ✓Regularly inspect and clear drainage holes and channels to prevent water accumulation.
• ✕Blocked drainage causes water to back up against the frame rebate and can lead to seal failure.

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 Sciuker Frames installation.

1. 1

   Detail the frame first

   Before touching the glass, wipe down the frame edges with a damp microfibre cloth and mild soapy water. This removes the dust and pollen sitting on the aluminium profile and the timber rebate.

   When the squeegee travels across the glass, the rubber makes contact with the frame at both ends of the stroke. If there is grit on that frame, the squeegee picks it up and drags it across the glass as a streak - or worse, a scratch. Clean the frame first, every time.

   On Sciuker Isik structural-glass models, pay particular attention to the structural silicone joints at the glass edge. Wipe them gently with a damp cloth only. Never scrub, pick at, or apply pressure with any tool to these joints.

2. 2

   Agitate the glass

   Dip the T-bar applicator fully into the soapy water. Apply the solution evenly across the whole glass area using overlapping horizontal strokes. The goal is to dissolve and lift the dirt so the squeegee can remove it cleanly.

   If the dirt is not fully released from the glass before you squeegee, the grit will be dragged across the surface under the rubber blade, leaving smears or micro-scratches. Take your time. On large-format Isik glass panels, work in sections.

   Never clean in direct sunlight. Sciuker's large glass panels are particularly vulnerable - the increased glass area means the soap solution evaporates faster, baking residue onto the surface before the squeegee reaches it.

3. 3

   Detail the frame edge before squeegeeing

   Once the glass is wet, run a dry corner of the cotton rag along the top edge and both side edges of the window. This removes the pooled soap solution sitting on the frame rebate.

   When the squeegee reaches those edges at the end of each stroke, it will not pick up dirty residue and drag it back across the glass. This step takes ten seconds and prevents most streaks.

4. 4

   The three squeegee turns

   Side to side: start at the top edge with a dry rubber. Work across the glass in a straight horizontal line. Tilt the squeegee so the soap water spills from only one side of the channel. Wipe the rubber dry after each line. Overlap slightly into the next line down. Repeat to the bottom. This is the best turn for standard casement and tilt-and-turn formats.

   Top to bottom: the same principle, but working down the glass in vertical lines. Start in the top corner with a dry rubber. Tilt to direct water to one side. Wipe dry after each line. Overlap into the next line across. This works well on tall Isik panels where horizontal lines do not comfortably span the full width.

   The J tune: the professional continuous motion from top to bottom in one smooth, unbroken movement. Your thumb guides the rotation as you reach the end of each horizontal pass - rotate at the edge, continue down, rotate back, return. On large Sciuker Isik glass panels, the J tune is the most efficient turn once it is in muscle memory.

5. 5

   Edge detailing

   After squeegeeing, there is always a thin film of water along the bottom edge and at the frame sides. Take a dry cotton rag, fold it to a clean corner, and detail these edges in one smooth pass.

   On Sciuker Isik structural-glass models, be gentle at the silicone joints. Wipe, do not drag. On wood-aluminium models, dry the frame rebate thoroughly so no water sits against the timber interior.

   Rotate the rag to a clean, dry section regularly. Replace the rag when it is fully damp.

6. 6

   Hardware and weatherstripping check

   After cleaning, oil the hinges, handles, and locking points with a light machine oil or technical vaseline. Sciuker recommends this at least once per year.

   While you are at the frame, run your finger along the weatherstripping. If the gasket feels brittle or shows cracking, apply a silicone-based product to restore elasticity. Check the drainage holes in the bottom frame and clear any debris with a soft brush.

Pro Tips

• ★ Identify the range before you start - Isik, Skill, Stratek, or pure timber. The frame care is completely different for each.
• ★ On Isik structural-glass models, the silicone joints at the glass perimeter are structural, not cosmetic. Never scrub or use tools on them.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ Timber interiors must be dried immediately after cleaning. Water standing on wood is permanent damage.
• ★ Never clean in direct sunlight - Sciuker's large glass panels heat quickly and bake solution onto the surface in seconds.
• ★ pH-neutral products only on aluminium - acid or alkaline cleaners degrade the anodised or powder-coated finish permanently.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Inside and out. Urban environments, high-traffic areas, or locations near construction: quarterly.). Coastal or high-pollution locations: Every 3 months minimum (Sciuker's own guidance specifies this frequency for adverse environments.). Aluminium exterior surfaces: At least twice yearly. Hardware lubrication: Once per year (Grease or technical vaseline on hinges, locking points, and handle mechanisms.). Weatherstripping silicone treatment: Once per year. Drainage channel inspection: Twice per year, or after heavy storms

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year; quarterly in urban, coastal, or high-pollution environments. Hardware: annual lubrication with grease or technical vaseline on all moving and closing parts. Weatherstripping: annual silicone treatment to maintain elasticity. Drainage channels: twice per year or after heavy storms. Isik structural-glass models: treat every cleaning visit as an inspection of the structural silicone joints. Any sign of cracking or separation requires installer contact.”

Justin Orloff