[geefree]

Hi all.

i am thinking of a backpack to start wfp, and will have to explain to my customers etc...

i was wondering if, rather than tell them it may take a couple of cleans to get the soap spots off etc....

could i not just finish the house using traditional..... only do it with pure water instead of normal and soap?

that way i dont have to tell them, and risking them being
unhappy from the word go etc.

and when i wfp the window it will be ok from the start?

what do you think?


cheers.

gary.

[petski2]

Only problem there Gaz is from the first dip of your applicator into the pure water it is no longer pure.

[geefree]

hi,

oh right yes...

what about as soon as its put into my backpack too 

[Trevor Knight]

Truthfully, if you are that worried about the system and have that amount of doubt you would be better of sticking to traditional.

If you spend your money, encounter a few problems along the way you will end up packing it in and returning to the traditional way.

I don't want to sound negative but by your posting it appears you really aren't sure about WFP?

Try a day out with someone to see and get a feel for it before taking the plunge.

Best wishes,

Trev

[geefree]

Cheers Trevor,

You are right, but i have only looked into it this last week,

so, as when i first started trad...

i am being as inquisistive again, before i buy.

And the other reason is i am really fed up of missing street after street, of houses i cant canvass, because of out of reach windows,

i used a pole today with same windows, was horrible,
app...squeegee. scrim..

could not see it properly with the sun etc..

so i think a backpack is def the way forward for me.

it sounds daft but i really am running out of streets in this area, its mainly newish style properties with a full sloping roof below the whole of the upstairs windows.

Not to mention all the new houses being built here,... all 3 storey. !

So i cant really lose i dont think,

its just doing it, and taking the plunge.

Gary.

[RO-Sheen]

Hi Gary
I started window cleaning in Feb and went straight into wfp so I did have the same problem as windows were previously cleaned by other window cleaners or the customers themselves with soap.
Cos I was new to it and wasnt that confident I went back to my customers the following day and checked to see if they were happy with the results. only one customer in the 1st month said there was lots of spots on the Patio doors but I offered to reclean the window for them straight away. They were delighted with that and have since recommended me to other neighbours!
The secret is to use plenty of water for the first clean and concentrate on the frames and very important to rinse off well.
If there is soap on the windows/frames from previous cleans it will foam up as soon as you put your DI water on it so its very visible. After a good scrub and a good rinse you will notice it will go.

good luck dude

[geefree]

Thanks Ro-

Brilliant detailed advice, couldnt ask for a clearer description,  i will have to go for it.

And i will use your method and advice.

Thanks Again

Gary.

[captain lard]

Hi Gazza
I also am wondering about a backpack to get to the awkward windows and open up potential customers which just arent possible trad.
How much do you think a backpack system cost you mate?

[windows_chepstow]

Gazza,

I'm assuming you're on a budget, and have a fairly scattered round.

A backpack is ideal if you want to do 'tops only', but it's not suitable for small single houses; in my opinion.  You'll be waiting for the drips to stop dropping.

Ideally you need two or three co-located houses, so you can WFP the tops of all of them; then return to the first house and start 'squeegying' the ground floor; after the drips have stopped.

As long as you use your ladders safely; you'll benefit in the long run from the skills you'll pick up doing purely trad; I'm sure.

[windows_chepstow]

Hi Gazza
I also am wondering about a backpack to get to the awkward windows and open up potential customers which just arent possible trad.
How much do you think a backpack system cost you mate?

I costed a backpack system with a computer illiterate local window cleaner last Friday (Terry Peates; for the guys local to me).

It came to around 550 pounds in total; give or take 50 quid.  If you budget for around 600 pounds, you shouldn't go too far wrong.

Also, e-mail Matt for a link to his web-site; there's other options.

[Simon Carter]

I have a bunch of guys who work for me. My business is domestic only & we use wfp kit exclusively.
Get on with it !. At the risk of being shot, don't f around with a ladder & a bucket. That's as obsolete as a chamois.
All's you need is a Surelow back pack & an !8 ft. fibre glass pole, a small RO & a B&Q water butt & you are in business.
Don't worry about the first clean  aspect. We say it may not be perfect the first time to cover our backs. Nine times out of ten it will be. Just tell the client to give you a chance to have another go if they are not happy.

[Paul Coleman]

Truthfully, if you are that worried about the system and have that amount of doubt you would be better of sticking to traditional.

If you spend your money, encounter a few problems along the way you will end up packing it in and returning to the traditional way.

I don't want to sound negative but by your posting it appears you really aren't sure about WFP?

Try a day out with someone to see and get a feel for it before taking the plunge.

Best wishes,

Trev

But were any of us really sure about WFP at first Trevor.  OK, I went out with other people, saw the results, used their equipment but still had a niggling doubt in my head.  When I got a few complaints after the first cleans those doubts amplified until I realised that maybe 10 customers had complained and 250 hadn't.  It took a while for me to grow more confident with it.

[geefree]

thanks again

here is the ebay link at around 200 quid

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Water-Fed-Pole-window-cleaning-12-volt-80psi-Backpack_W0QQitemZ180032911264QQihZ008QQcategoryZ112579QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[geefree]

do they look ok simon?

gary.

[geefree]

This is why i am confused , so much great advice from you all,

both ways . lol

[petski2]

I really dont see what all the fuss about drying drips is about.
For 2 years we have done an estate where one poles upstairs and one trads down.
All you need to do is brush over the cill a couple of times with your water switched off.
The water will stop dripping within seconds.
So if you are on your own do this then by the time you have poled backs the fronts wont be dripping anymore.