Water Stains/Soap Scum on Shower Doors (with bonus pop quiz)

[dragoncar]

Pop quiz, hotshot!  You go into the garage to grab the Calcium, Lime, and Rust remover.  Which one is it?

 

I'll get back to that later.

So I've got dirty shower glass doors.  I'd say it's hard water, but my water is super soft.  Like I have to add calcium to my hot tub water.  So I guess it's soap scum?

I've tried all the normal remedies.  Vinegar.  Vinegar with Dawn.  Vinegar/Dawn with a brush attachment on my corded drill.  Then I moved up to Zep CLR.  Zep CLR with corded drill.  Barkeeper's Friend (also an acid).  OxiClean.  Baking soda.  Then I got desperate and tried Brillo pads, which actually kind of worked on half of it. 

Then I decided I'd try Zep CLR with the Brillo Pads.  Oops, I didn't grab the Zep.  I grabbed this guy:



Expensive mistake, was wondering why the sponge wouldn't absorb the cleaner.  Now I guess my glass stains are sealed on.

I know it's not etched (or at least not completely etched) because I can get it off with a razor blade.  But it takes like 20 passes to clear a square inch and that's going to get old fast.  Tried rubbing compound and it worked ok, but not completely.

So now I'm ready to make a purchase.  What should I get?  A 6-inch window scraper?  A buffing drill pad for the rubbing compound?   Some 3000+ grit wet sandpaper for my random orbital sander?  30% vinegar?

I'm leaning away from harsher acids because it doesn't seem like the problem is minerals, but probably soap scum?  I'm up late at night watching youtube videos from window washers.  I can't stop thinking about papyrus!

Somebody help me.  I see this glass everytime I go up stairs and the afternoon sun hits the glass just right.  I've never been able to get it clean before but it's only getting worse over time.  Is reglazing the only option?

What are your shower door tricks?

[Dollar Slice]

I've had decent luck with the foaming spray bathroom cleaners that typically list "soap scum" as the first thing on the list of things they clean. (Not the window-cleaner type bottles, but the thicker foam spray in the round cans.) I used to always use Lysol Power Foam Bathroom Cleaner but my local store stopped carrying it, now I have Kaboom Foamtastic something-or-other. It is pretty harsh stuff, according to my asthmatic lungs, but it works pretty well on the shower glass.

[Sandi_k]

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

[iluvzbeach]

Years ago I heard someone mention this stuff, so I bought it and it worked for us. I got some of the scrubbers that go with it as well. I don’t recall it being as pricey as it appears to be now, but it did work and it’s not toxic-smelling.

AMAZ 11107 Water Stain Remover 14 ounces ( Packaging may vary) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B002W5EMRS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WEDCM04XXJJRHSRPQ494

[dragoncar]

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

Forgot to mention I tried that with no luck (worked well on the faucet and metal bits though)

[dragoncar]

Years ago I heard someone mention this stuff, so I bought it and it worked for us. I got some of the scrubbers that go with it as well. I don’t recall it being as pricey as it appears to be now, but it did work and it’s not toxic-smelling.

AMAZ 11107 Water Stain Remover 14 ounces ( Packaging may vary) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B002W5EMRS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WEDCM04XXJJRHSRPQ494

Mmm… petroleum distillates.  Might be worth a shot or I’ll try some of my brake cleaner or engine degreaser if I’m ok with petroleum products

[dragoncar]

I've had decent luck with the foaming spray bathroom cleaners that typically list "soap scum" as the first thing on the list of things they clean. (Not the window-cleaner type bottles, but the thicker foam spray in the round cans.) I used to always use Lysol Power Foam Bathroom Cleaner but my local store stopped carrying it, now I have Kaboom Foamtastic something-or-other. It is pretty harsh stuff, according to my asthmatic lungs, but it works pretty well on the shower glass.

Of all the things I tried I never went and got a bottle of scrubbing bubbles.  Duh.  I’ll try it

Another one I forgot to mention I tried: simple green (works well for everything else)

[jeromedawg]

LOL I just bought two of those impregnator/sealers for our grout and tile. It works wonders!!! I bet it's repelling water off your glass excellently...lol

In all seriousness, you may want to grab a plastic or perhaps metal paint scraper and gently go at it with warm or hot water? Then squeegee off the residue?

[former player]

Razor blade.

[dragoncar]

Razor blade.

Yes it works, it's just going to be like an 8-hour day of that.  Not exactly my idea of retirement

Seriously considered attaching razor blades to my angle grinder but decided I prefer to live

[former player]

Razor blade.

Yes it works, it's just going to be like an 8-hour day of that.  Not exactly my idea of retirement

Seriously considered attaching razor blades to my angle grinder but decided I prefer to live

10 minutes after each shower would be better.

Once you've got it off, keep a short handled rubber squeegee in the shower and use it every time.  On the glass.

[Greystache]

I will let you in on the best shower door trick of all. Eliminate them!
I hated trying to keep shower doors and their metal trim clean. When I remodeled my bathrooms I made sure to eliminate shower doors from the design.  In one case I used a shower curtain. If the liner gets dirty, I throw it in the washing machine or I get a new one for $10.  In the other bathroom, I designed a walk-in shower that does not need a door or a curtain. Best money I ever spent.

[lthenderson]

If you tried this, I missed seeing you saying that, but you do know the same company makes a product specifically for removing their other product, 511 impregnator sealer?

https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Sealants-RESREMQT6-Residue-Remover/dp/B003Z4ZRSI

Even says so right on the label.