[John Walker]

I mainly work WFP but need to work trad on a number of balcony windows each month.

They are about 5Ft high and 1.5ft wide.    I've tried fanning but without success as they are so narrow.  I've tried two single overlapping top to bottom continuous strokes but often leave a vertical line in the middle. 

Once I know the correct way to tackle this, I will be happy to practice until I get it right.

My question is - what method would you use on a narrow pane?

Thanks in advance 

[Johnny B]

If the width of the window is 1.5 feet (18 inches) what is the length of the squeegee you are using?

If your squeegee is shorter than the width of the window, i would be fanning it. If you are having a little trouble with this, why not try practising on your own windows until you feel you have the knack? Takes a little while but you will get there.

If the squeegee is longer than the width of the window, I would hold the blade vertical against the left hand edge of the window frame, with the top edge (of the blade) in the top left hand corner of the window. Then move the upper end of the squeegee along the top edge of the window until you reach the opposite (top) corner. Next guide the squeegee down the window (it will of course be at an angle) until the lower end of the squeegee meets the lower left hand corner of the window. You then need to guide the squeegee along the lower egde of the window until it reaches the lower right hand corner. The squeegee should then have covered the whole of the window.

Hope this makes sense and is helpful. 

John.     

[John Walker]

Hi John

Excellent advice - thank very much.

Will give it a try in the morning.

John

[Mike #1]

also if you are getting a line check your rubber is not damaged

[Richard Holt]

Maybe try wiping the left, top and right edges. Then when you pull either down or across be sure to wipe your blade after each pull, that should get rid of the lines if your rubber is ok.

That's what I used to tell newbies when I had one for the day whilst I was employed.

Rich

[John Walker]

also if you are getting a line check your rubber is not damaged

New rubber - so I think it's just my lack of experience with trad. 

I can fan quite well on lager panes but couldn't decide on best method for tall narrow windows where there there wasn't room to to get a good fan action going.

Thanks

[John Walker]

Maybe try wiping the left, top and right edges. Then when you pull either down or across be sure to wipe your blade after each pull, that should get rid of the lines if your rubber is ok.

That's what I used to tell newbies when I had one for the day whilst I was employed.

Rich

Thanks - yet another option to try.

I was hoping that all you old pros had a set way of working on narrow windows.

Is it a case of if you tell me you will have to kill me?   

[Ian W]

Nothing wrong with straight pulling when the need arises. Wipe the blade before every stroke and angle the blade down towards the dry side of the window to stop lines. Hope this helps.

[Wizard]

If you are going to use vertical pulls top to bottom. I would detail the glass around the frame first then pull down the left hand side with the blade at about 10 degrees towards the window frames that excess water run to the frame. Then wipe the blade with micro fibre and pull the blade down the right hand side top to bottom with the blade 10 degree down towards the right hand frame . If need be detail again. The reason you are getting a water mark in the middle is the run off of the blade is at right angles to the side frame and has no ware to run to. The better what is to pull horizontally left to right top wipe the blade then bottom left to right. The reason is the excess water will run the bottom of your blade. If you want s or wave have a look at you tube and get a good idea of the movement it has a lot of details you do not always see first time.

[John Walker]

Brilliant!!  Thanks for all your replies - I think i've got it now and can see where I've been going wrong.

Easy when you know how isn't it.   :

Really appreciated   

[mci services]

1. i agree totaly with johnny b post thats how i do it
2. if you cant do that another option is, you say around a foot and a half, so buy an 18inch squeegie and just do one downward pull
3. i tell my lad that he just needs to imagine the long narrow pains are openers/hoppers on there side. when they visualise this they normally pick it up pretty quick