To remove cement from aluminium windows, soak the splashes with soapy water, scrape them off gently with a plastic putty knife and use a non-acidic cement remover for stubborn traces, then rinse and dry. Avoid razor blades, wire wool and acid brick cleaners, which scratch glass and damage powder-coated frames. Have you just had new aluminium windows fitted, only to find them covered in cement splashes? Here's how to get them looking as good as new.
Removing cement from your metal window can be a nightmare. It's a tough job for professionals – so get ready for some heavy work. However, we might have the best hack to removing those dreaded cement spots. Here is how to remove cement from aluminium windows, aluminium sliding doors & bifolds too:
What Do You Need to Remove Cement From Aluminium Windows?
You need soapy water in a spray bottle, a plastic putty knife, soft sponges, a soft-bristled toothbrush, a non-acidic cement remover, a hose or bucket and lint-free cloths. Nothing metal or abrasive should touch the glass or the powder-coated frame.
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Bucket (around 5 litres)
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Garden hose
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Specialised glass cleaning solution
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Soft sponge/sponges
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Dishwashing soap or laundry detergent
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Paper towels
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Concrete removing agent
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Spray bottle
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Soft-bristle toothbrush
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Plastic putty knife
How Do You Remove Cement From Aluminium Windows?
Saturate the cement with soapy water for a few minutes, scrape it away with a plastic putty knife, then treat stubborn traces with a non-acidic cement remover, agitating with a soft toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly, dry, and repeat if needed. Work in the shade so products do not dry on the surface.
Keeping your windows and stunning aluminium doors clean is crucial. Take a look at this simple cleaning process for your windows:
Step 1: Soak the Cement With Soapy Water
Fill your spray bottle with two or three drops of dishwashing soap and some water. Spray your window down to lubricate the surface and prevent any scratches. Spray the soapy water to saturate all of the cement.
The cement absorbs the soap water due to its porous nature, making it much easier to remove.
Step 2: Scrape Gently With a Plastic Putty Knife
After you have left the cement to saturate for a couple of minutes, start scraping the cement off the glass using your plastic putty knife.
Step 3: Rinse and Apply a Non-Acidic Cement Remover
If cement traces remain, rinse your window with the garden hose. Apply the non-acidic cement remover to the window as directed by the manufacturer.
Certain removal products are fluids that need to be diluted with water, while others are delivered using an aerosol spray.
Step 4: Let the Remover Soak In and Scrape Again
Avoiding direct sunlight, which could cause the remover to dry, spray on the remover in the shade. Per the manufacturer's instructions, allow it to soak into the cement and spray some water on the cement if it begins to dry.
Use the putty knife to scrape the cement away and a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush off any stubborn spots.
Step 5: Wash, Dry and Polish
The window should be washed with clean water and dried. For adequate clearance of some difficult-to-remove cement deposits, a second cleaning session may be necessary. When you're done, wipe away any last stains or smudges using a window cleaner.
Is There an Alternative Way to Soften Cement Splashes?
Yes. A sugar and water paste can help soften thin, fresh cement splashes, as sugar interferes with how cement bonds. Apply it, leave it for a few hours, then scrub gently with the soft side of a sponge and hose off. It works best on thin splatters rather than thick, fully cured lumps.
If the above method does not work for you, you could try something else. For some people, making a sugar solution in a small bowl does the job.
Using a rubber spatula, you can smear this thin paste on the affected areas and give the sugar time to soften the concrete.
Use the scrubbing side of your sponge to scrub the cement until it comes off. You may need to repeat this on tougher splatters and use more paste. Then hose down your window to get rid of any sugar residue and make sure all concrete is gone.
Will Cement Remover Damage Aluminium Window Frames?
Non-acidic cement removers designed for glass and coated metals are generally safe on powder-coated aluminium if you follow the instructions and rinse thoroughly. Acidic products, including brick acid and many patio cleaners, can dull, stain or blister the coating, so always check the label and test on a hidden area first. If the coating has already been marked, our guide to removing scratches from aluminium window frames explains how to touch it up.
What Should You Avoid When Removing Cement From Windows?
Avoid steel wool, scouring pads, razor blades, metal scrapers and acid-based brick cleaners. They scratch or etch glass and strip the powder coating from aluminium frames, damage that usually cannot be polished out.
Never use steel wool or abrasive sponges to remove cement from glass. Razor blades should not be used to scrape away hardened cement that has solidified on the glass. Using these instruments risks permanently scratching or having an etching effect on the glass, meaning you'd need to get a replacement.
Avoid performing this procedure in the sun, as its UV rays' heat dries the cleaning solution too rapidly, leaving streaking that is difficult to remove with polish. When attempting to remove chemical residue left on the glass after washing, it may scratch.
These methods are much safer than hydrochloric (muriatic) acid or brick acid, which can etch glass and permanently damage powder-coated or anodised aluminium. It is normal to get cement on the window during installation; just be sure to clean it as soon as possible.
At Aluminium Living, we have plenty more cleaning advice: find out how to clean mould off aluminium window frames, how to remove scratches from aluminium window frames and how to clean sliding patio doors.
Cement Removal FAQs
How do you get dried cement off windows?
Dried cement needs soaking before you scrape. Keep it wet with soapy water or a non-acidic cement remover for 10 to 15 minutes, re-wetting as needed, then lift it with a plastic putty knife. Repeat in layers rather than forcing it, which risks scratching the glass.
Can you use vinegar to remove cement from aluminium windows?
White vinegar can soften small cement spots on glass, but it is acidic, so keep it off the aluminium frame or rinse it off within a few minutes. On anodised or powder-coated frames, a dedicated non-acidic cement remover is the safer option.
How do you protect windows from cement during building work?
Ask your installer to leave the factory protective film on the frames until rendering and plastering are finished, and cover the glass with polythene sheeting and low-tack tape. Wipe off any splashes while they are still wet, when they come away easily with water.
Does the same method work on aluminium doors?
Yes. The same gentle method works on aluminium bifold doors and sliding doors, but take extra care to flush cement out of the tracks and drainage slots so it does not set and stop the doors running smoothly.
