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TomSE

  • Posts: 177
Newbie with a few questions
« on: April 14, 2012, 11:30:36 am »
Hello I'm just starting out in the Essex area, bit nervous and have a few questions, did post in questions section but post was rather long!

Any help or tips would be very much appreciated. I start my first house a week on Monday so trying to get up to speed asap.

Firstly when I am doing lead windows/doors I am currently using a wet cheap microfibre cloth with the solution out of my bucket which is water and squeegee off, then using a dry scrim to wipe the water off. Is this correct?
Also I have read alot about ecover and gg4, living in a hard water area would one of these be better than squeegee off?

Also I find that after doing one whole house my large scrim that was dry is pretty much completely wet all over, is this normal when starting?

I am also having a bit of trouble when practising with small windows, I have found on large windows they are coming up well and leaving little water behind, using the s method that I have seen on websites and youtube. However on smaller windows I don't really know how to approach them and find that a lot of water in left behind when I use my squeegee. Is there a certain method to smaller windows? Perhaps a smaller squeegee? I am currently using a 14 inch one.

Any helps and tips would be very much appreciated. Thank you!  :)

Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2012, 11:43:59 am »
When I would on leaded glass use a micro fibre only just damp and buff of with a second fibre just enough to move the dirt.For small windows I use a 6" squeegee so it can move inside the small glass area. AS far a detergents go its what you like, I like Ecover as it does not smear and streak as much and cheaper and freely available. I also find you will need plenty of dry scrim or micro fibre in the start as you get better you will use less.Good luck and keep practising. ;D ;D

Elfyn

  • Posts: 495
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2012, 07:41:15 pm »
Tommy, Do yourself a favout and book a days training. Either with a local window cleaner or, ideally, at the BWCA.

Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle

  • Posts: 700
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2012, 07:47:33 pm »
the method i favour with leaded windows is :-

1.soap up with your sponge/applicator/t-mop
2.blade off, using an old squeegee - doesnt matter if the rubber is crap
3.dry off with scrim

it may seem a hassle, but i PERSONALLY find that this is the best way....

4.Price well ;)


TomSE

  • Posts: 177
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2012, 10:11:08 pm »
Thanks very much for the advice, Wizkid I am gettin a 6" squeege and will be trying ecover out next week and will definately try both yours and Ryans method on lead windows and see what is best for me. Elfyn I will hopefully be on the May course with the BWCA as Aprils was fully booked.

Thank you all for your advice.

rosskesava

  • Posts: 17015
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2012, 10:17:12 pm »
I never have less than 10 microfibres and 10 scrims in the van.

I also have a selection of squeegee channels from 6" to 14". Personally, for most domestic windows, 14" may be a bit awkward. I tend to use either 12" or 10" depending on the average window size of the house.

For leaded glass I used to have a damp mop (ie not full of water), mop over the glass, and before it dries go over with a scrim and then buff with a microfibre. After a while the scrim gets wet enough to use without having to use the mop.

If either the microfibre or scrim got too damp or wet, I'd change it for a fresh one.

For small pianes of glass,  I used to use a small microfibre, soak it in the bucket, wring it out and wipe over the glass before buffing with a normal (large) dry microfibre.

The cleaning solution I use is GG3.

Good luck, stick with it, and it's trial and error to start with. Different window cleaners often get equally good results with different methods.

Just chant..... Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. It's beats chanting Tory Tory or Labour Labour.

dazmond

  • Posts: 23918
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2012, 11:30:41 pm »
blue flatweave microfibres are the best for  cleaning leaded windows IMO.if the windows are not too bad then i used to dub my tmop on the glass a few times and buff up with a dry microfibre.if their really dirty then mop the whole window,squeegee off as much as possible then buff dry with a microfibre cloth.

make sure you have a good rubber in your squeegee and wipe the blade off with a cloth after every window cleaned.

all leaded windows get done wfp now.much easier!! ;) ;D ;D ;D

i only ever used a 14 and 18in squeegees with a 6in small squeegee for georgian windows.

have at least 10 fresh clean microfibre cloths and 10 clean sill cloths in the van when you leave in the morning.
price higher/work harder!

rosskesava

  • Posts: 17015
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2012, 12:12:17 am »
I forgot to add this - Squeegee Off is fine for cleaning windows.

Only add enough so as the blade slips on the glass. If you add too much, it'll smear easily.

Just chant..... Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. It's beats chanting Tory Tory or Labour Labour.

Richy essex

  • Posts: 140
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2012, 01:01:37 am »
Hi m8 where bouts in Essex you working no reason btw  just curious as I'm in Essex also 8)

pure tech

  • Posts: 229
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2012, 01:22:21 am »
When using the two cloth method, I have found that using a plastic scraper inside the damp cloth is a good way to get into the edges and corners and it is easier on the fingers.
Also, minimal soap or just plain water to avoid smearing.

TomSE

  • Posts: 177
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #10 on: April 15, 2012, 01:13:09 pm »
Thanks Rosskesava, will be getting some smaller squeegees and more scrims and microfibres.

Cheers Dazmond, when you say make sure you have a good rubber is this just the make or is there something I should be looking out for? At the moment I have some ettore rubber which came with the squeegee.

Richy I am based in Billericay so mainly knocking around there but also some Wickford and surrounding areas. Where abouts are you?

Thanks Pure Tech I will try out all these methods and see which is best for me.

Really appreciate everyones help. Thank you.  :)

Richy essex

  • Posts: 140
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #11 on: April 15, 2012, 05:09:51 pm »
I work near Colchester mate. dazmond was just saying To make sure you have a rubber that's  in good condition. pulex soft seem quite popular I use them myself they are alot cheaper and just as good as ettore which I have used also.

dotty

  • Posts: 371
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #12 on: April 15, 2012, 11:19:07 pm »
ryans way is best for leaded windows it brings them up nice
p doherty

rosskesava

  • Posts: 17015
Re: Newbie with a few questions
« Reply #13 on: April 15, 2012, 11:58:01 pm »
TommyQ

You don't have to buy the whole squeegie handle again - just buy the stainless steel bit that the rubber goes into. If you cannot get one the length you want, just buy one a bit longer and hacksaw it down to size.

For some places I used to do (I'm mainly wfp now) I had custom cut to size squeegee channels just for that job. Over time, you save a lot of time.

You have to experiment what works for you and I afraid that only comes with experience but at least you now have a starting point.
Just chant..... Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. It's beats chanting Tory Tory or Labour Labour.