[TomSE]

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! 

[richard jagger]

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.

[Elfyn]

Tommy, Do yourself a favout and book a days training. Either with a local window cleaner or, ideally, at the BWCA.

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

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]

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]

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.

[dazmond]

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!!

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.

[rosskesava]

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.

[Richy essex]

Hi m8 where bouts in Essex you working no reason btw  just curious as I'm in Essex also

[pure tech]

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]

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]

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]

ryans way is best for leaded windows it brings them up nice

[rosskesava]

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.