Technal

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 water at a maximum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a neutral detergent.
• ✓Use a soft, non-scratching cloth.
• ✓Rinse with clean cold water and dry with a separate clean cloth.
• ✕Do not use abrasive materials or products on the glass.
• ✓More frequent cleaning and rinsing with water helps prevent buildup and long-term damage.

Aluminium Frames

• ✓Clean all frame surfaces every 3 to 4 months with clean water (max 25 degrees Celsius) and a gentle, neutral cleaning product free of abrasives.
• ✓Use a soft, non-scratching cloth.
• ✓Rinse with clean cold water after washing.
• ✓In coastal or urban areas, clean monthly due to more corrosive environmental conditions.
• ✓Aluminium frames do not need to be painted or varnished - the powder coat is the permanent finish.

Hardware

• ✓Apply lubricant to window and door mechanisms (hinges, locks, moving parts) once per year.
• ✓Use a small brush to spread lubricant evenly and remove excess with a clean, dry cloth.
• ✕The wheels in the leaves of sliding and folding doors are self-lubricating - do not apply additional lubricant to these components.
• ✓Check all supporting elements like hinges regularly for signs of damage.

Gaskets and Seals

• ✓Check seals annually for wear and tear.
• ✓Degraded seals affect insulation and can lead to leaks.
• ✓Maintain and check the sealing of joints and gaskets to prevent water infiltration.
• ✓Contact your Technal installer for seal replacement if wear is found.

Sliding System Rails and Drainage

• ✓Vacuum debris from rails of sliding and folding doors regularly.
• ✕Accumulated dust, dirt, and debris between rails compromises proper functioning, water removal, and ventilation.
• ✓Ensure drainage channels remain clear and unblocked.

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 Technal installation.

1. 1

   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 (cool, not warm - Technal specifies 25 degrees maximum). This removes the dust, pollen, and grime sitting on the powder-coated frame.

   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.

2. 2

   Agitation

   Dip your T-bar applicator completely into the soapy water on both sides. Apply the solution across the whole glass area using overlapping passes.

   The goal is to dissolve the dirt so the squeegee can shave it away cleanly. If the dirt is not fully dissolved, the remaining grit gets transported over the squeegee, leaving smudges or smears.

   On large Technal SOLEAL sliding panels, cover the whole surface with overlapping strokes. Never clean in direct sunlight - the soap water dries before you can squeegee it off, especially with cool water on sun-heated glass.

3. 3

   Detail the frame edge again before squeegeeing

   Once the glass is agitated, run a dry corner of your cotton rag along the top edge and both side edges. This removes pooled soap water sitting on the frame so the squeegee will not pick up dirty residue and drag it back across the glass.

4. 4

   The three squeegee turns

   Side to side: start at the 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 of the channel only. Wipe the rubber dry after each line. Overlap slightly into the next line down.

   Top to bottom: same motion 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): one smooth unbroken movement from top to bottom with no stops. As you complete a horizontal pass, rotate the wrist so the squeegee turns and continues down. The fastest and most consistent method for any window size once it is in your muscle memory.

   For large SOLEAL sliding panels or floor-to-ceiling glazing: top-to-bottom with a pole for the upper section, then side-to-side at arm height for the lower section.

5. 5

   Final edge detailing

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

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

   Rotate the rag to a clean section after each pass. Replace the rag every few windows.

6. 6

   Rails, drainage, and hardware

   For sliding systems, vacuum the bottom rail to remove grit and debris before wiping it down. Check that the drainage slots in the frame are clear.

   Apply lubricant to hinges and locking points once per year. Remember that Technal sliding door wheels are self-lubricating and do not need additional oil.

Pro Tips

• ★ Water temperature must stay below 25 degrees Celsius - Technal specifies this limit explicitly for all surfaces.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ More soap water, not more pressure - never use razor blades or sharp tools on any Technal surface.
• ★ On SOLEAL sliding systems, vacuum the bottom rail at every cleaning session to prevent grit buildup.
• ★ Do not oil the self-lubricating wheels in Technal sliding doors - they are designed to operate without additional lubricant.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: Every 3-4 months (Technal's own recommendation. Monthly in urban or coastal environments.). Coastal or salt air locations: Monthly (Salt deposits on aluminium frames need to come off before they cause surface damage.). Hardware lubrication: 1x per year (Hinges, locks, and moving parts. Not sliding door wheels - those are self-lubricating.). Seal inspection: 1x per year (Check for wear and tear. Degraded seals affect insulation and cause leaks.). Sliding rail clearing: Every cleaning session (Vacuum debris from rails to maintain proper drainage and ventilation.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: every 3 to 4 months as Technal recommends, monthly in urban or coastal environments. Water temperature is critical - stay below 25 degrees Celsius on every surface, every time. Sliding system rails: vacuum at every cleaning session to prevent grit buildup and drainage blockage. Hardware: annual lubrication for hinges and locks. Do not oil self-lubricating sliding door wheels. Seal inspection: once per year. Degraded seals compromise insulation and cause leaks.”

Justin Orloff