that's the reason they give for not cleaning up after the job - "better to leave it to dry as it comes off easier".
That's very true. Gloss paint can take 48-72 hours before it's properly dry. Any attempts to remove it when the job is immediately finished only make matters worse.
A one month window on paint removal is quite reasonable but splatter should be kept to a minimum anyway.
Masonry paint spray on external windows when applied by roller is inevitable. Where possible I always mask up Upvc windows and doors as it results in a much more professional job. However masking out in this country is weather contingent. Wind, even light breeze, coupled with damp or drizzle can render masking useless. Some customers have unreasonable assumptions about how difficult this can be and aren't prepared to pay for it to be done properly and they then complain and whinge to anybody who will listen - very often the window cleaner when it goes wrong - usually after the painter has warned them in advance.
Sloppy workmanship? Sometimes yes. I've seen atrocious work in the past.
Whinging customers with no idea? Absolutely. Think of your worst window cleaning customer and multiply by 100 and that's potentially the type of client you can get stuck with.
There are far too many uncertain factors in decorating and doing it for a living can be very stressful.
Why do you think I now clean windows instead?
[/quote]
Masking tape can be worse to get off the glass than paint!