How do I get rid of the hard particulate matter embedded within my window screen ( lemmy.world )

I moved into a place with one very hazy window screen that is difficult to see through.

I have tried scrubbing it with a brush with soapy water and blasting it with the hose. But I cannot get rid of the hard material buildup. I even tried dipping a brush in CLR and scrubbing the screen.

When I Google how to clean a window screen, I just run across people telling me to do what I already tried. But I think the people touting these methods simply have screens with dirt in them.

This doesn’t seem like simple dirt buildup. I enclosed a close up photo of what it looks like.

I bet if I poked all of the holes individually with a toothpick I could clean it, but that would take eons. Any advice? Thanks.

QuikxSpec ,

I’m still trying to wrap my head around what it actually is. Never seen anything like this but just replace it. Perhaps update with a wider shot of the full screen panel

dingus OP ,

I didn’t bother posting a wide shot because you can’t tell what it is from so far away. It just looks like it’s hazy from dirt. But actually I was able to pick some small hunks off with tweezers and it has an appearance and consistency similar to dried glue. It’s slightly white and semitranslucent. It is also only present on the interior surface of the screen.

But as requested, here is a wider shot comparison of the normal unaffected screens (top) with the affected, coated screen (bottom). imgur.com/vurLJvw

My running theory is that something was glued to the screen at some point, perhaps to deflect sunlight. Or the screen was coated in something, maybe to try to further prevent the intrusion of bugs.

dingus OP ,

So I was playing around with some tweezers and it actually seems like I can peel it off with some difficulty, although it comes up in pieces. Considering none of my other screens look like this, I’m wondering if it is actually some sort of purposeful hazy coating that got destroyed over the years??? Is that a thing??? It only seems to be present on the inner surface of the screen, not the outer side. Scrubbing does nothing to it put it can be peeled off it seems. Just gonna take me forever to do.

athos77 ,

This is a weird question, but I don't suppose this is near Baltimore, or a previous owner was from near Baltimore? They have (or had, not sure how popular it is anymore) a thing there, where they paint their screens with various scenes. It reduces visibility, so people can't see in as well, but still lets air in. So I'm wondering if this is a very dirty old painted screen, with maybe the pores clogged up.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_painting

Painted screen society of Baltimore, with images:
http://paintedscreens.org/

Tsoi_Zhiv ,

First off. This picture is vile and while I appreciate your need for assistance, you have ruined my day and I will be busy puking for the rest of the week.

To answer your actual question: I recommend just replacing it. Extra screen and cord is cheap and easy to install.

hawkwind ,
@hawkwind@lemmy.management avatar

Trypophobia trigger crowd checking in.

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