[bookers]

Hi  everybody,i am starting a window cleaning business here in Aus,having moved from UK 9 months ago,i am new to the game and i have been at it a week,i don't know about Uk but here we get a lot of lime in the water which leaves nasty marks on the pane i have been told to use hydrochloric acid in my water although how much i am not sure,also it seems to take me too long to do a window,i wash with my washing implement then squeegie top to bottom then wipe round the edges,but i get a lot of residue which i have to keep wiping,as my cloth seems to drag water around instead of drying and shining,could someone please give me some quality tips on the ins and outs of cleaning for a novice,any advice much appreciated.

[WavieDavie]

Hi Bookers!

You might have already found it by now, but there's another board for window cleaners on this site - "Starting a Window Cleaning Business" There's some good stuff on that, but it'll take you a while to get through everything on both boards!

This link shows you all the boards here . . . http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl and if you look in the top right corner right now, you'll see "Hey, bookers, you have 1 message." Click on that to see a message from me.

[Philip Hanson]

Hello John and a very warm welcome to the forum.  Its nice that you've added an "International" flavour to the site!

I expect you'll find that there are much the same challenges that you 'll face over there, that we do over here.

One thing you might be interested to know, window cleaners who use rope-access in Australia (ie those who abseil) have a choice of qualifications they are able to get.  Whereas we here only have IRATA which is very expensive.

Anyway, I wish you the very best, and if you'd like some help with any specific thing, just start a new topic and somebody will be here to help!

-Philip

[karlosdaze]

Try GG4 instead of washing up liquid.

[matt]

where are you in oz, a mate of mine has just left to "go back home" just below brisbane but still in NSW

[bookers]

Thanks for your replies guy's,i have been in contact with Davey who has helped a lot.I live in Esperance,WA other side of country to to your mate Matt.Karlosdaze mentioned GG4.I don't know if i can get that here,but there maybe an alternative.What benefits does a specialized solution have over dishwash liquid?And Philip i don't intend to absail anywhere mate,and you will laugh at this but i have a healthy fear of heights,which i am trying to overcome,i am not too bad at normal two storey houses but any higher i'll poo myself,but it's a profession i want to do so i will just get on with it.

[karlosdaze]

Hi Bookers,

http://shop.winclean.com.au/

[bookers]

Thanks for the link Karlosdaze  

[williamx]

I don't relate to well to heights as well that why I went for Water Fed Poles Systems have you thought about this method.

I am certain that it will remove the lime from the water so you don't have any of the problems that you are suffering from at the moment.

[karlosdaze]

I don't think there's a building built more than 2 storys out in WA, unless you count the Wacca!

[bookers]

Not where i am thank god! Although some buildings can reach to as much as 20' high Any suggestions on silicone sealer on glass, i have just ordered some oil-flo would this shift it?Some clown as sealed round a window and left it everwhere,and to cap it off as decided to give is cloth a miss and wipe the excess off his hands on the glass,leaving some everlasting fingerprints.

[karlosdaze]

Use a blade. Only use on a wet window, and only in one direction. You are blessed with the silicon partys we have over here! Don't waste your time trying to shift it with oilflo.
I personally like the Triumph 6", but also get the smaller 1.5".

[SBK]

Hi John,

Good luck there in Oz. I've bin there for a backpacking year. Amazingly nice country.

Anyway, the silicon can be removed with a razorblade. The washing liquid is not very easy. I use Dr. Schnell but i'm not sure if you can get it over there.

You should consider a water fed pole system. It can be made by yourself. Let me know if you want some specs.

About the cloth you are using. Try a Microfiber cloth. It does the job more than exelent.

If you want some more info.
Please email me at renekolenberg@vodafone.nl

Best Regards,

Rene Kolenberg


The Netherlands