[Steve H]

Hi Guys,

I have some leaded windows to do (not today as its peeing it down today) later in the week.

My question is simple for those that have been doing leaded windows for some time, just need to know the best way to clean them - not wfp, as still trad.

I have my own ideas - which would be to use my applicator as normal, with a small amount of soap on - squeegee it off as normal (but carefully obviously to get some of the soap off) then just dry it with a cloth ie scrim or microfibre - thats it done? Will no doubt take longer than a normal window but does that sound right - main thing is that it looks good for the client - these are new clients.

Does anyone feel thats wrong or does it differently? as i dont want to damage the leaded windows (they are quite big windows)

Thanks in advance guys,

Cheers

Steve

[Trev Jones]

I use evans vanodine glass cleaner.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250941750017?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

spray it on a wipe it off with a microfibre cloth, i use these type
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microfibre-Cloth-Waffle-Cloth-80cm-x-60cm-Large-Paragon-Microfibre-NEW-/321020309887?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item4abe4d317f

It is so much quicker 

[chez]

I use lidels  G5 glass cleaner with 2 well worn micro fibre in a small spray bottle, brilliant finish and never any streaks. It costs £1.69, hope it helps

[landy2]

i would do them the way you are thinking , this is how we always do first cleans on leaded windows , but lifes easier now as we just pole them  , my brother had to do five big houses of them this week all leaded he is not water fed but the custy would not have them poled anyway

[steve rix]

The way we clean them is to put 2 horizontal lines of Fairy solution accross the whole pane, then scrim first vertically then horizontally, and finally around the edges.

[Panorama]

When I learnt my trade way back in the early 80's I was shown the method of damp scrim , then dry scrim, this is the least complicated method

[Granny]

Hi Steve
Don't put any soap, detergent or your applicator / mop anywhere near them - they will smear like hell especially when the sun gets on them,  the soap will stay in the edges of the lead, and in summer you'll be rubbing and rubbing like hell.
If they've not been done for ages:
1 ) Bone dry piece of old washed out towel or similar so its really hard or heavy duty paper towel or even old paper and scrub all the muck off DRY (it comes off easier and leaves less mess).
2 ) Go over with a damp sill cloth and get the muck off.
Then change cloth.
3 ) As Panorama says damp scrim - dry scrim -  although I have been experimenting with damp microfibre - dry scrim -  that seems to work but you can't beat a massive piece of damp scrim especially in warm weather it stays damp much longer.
If they are done regularly skip step 1)
Just my way of working and I have never had a complaint with leadeds
G.

[g.brookes]

steve h.  whats with this picture of a young brad pitt for your avatar?!?!

[brynley]

i find using a spray bottle with diluted ecover then using a mico cloth to polish works well, i have tried most of the other methods over the years but this is best for me

[barry mallett]

it all depends on the weather.i used to have 40 detatched all leaded windows which i did for 4 years . before i went wfp .they were totally depressing so i sold em all on . but we would never do them on sunny days or damp days . we found it easier on dry over cast days .we tried every technique going but the easiest was the simplest . no applicator or soap . just a damp scrim , try take all the dirt off . then buff up with a bone dry clean micro fibre . i wish i had em now all open plan gardens , square panels , no openers . they would be a breeze wfp . 

[johnny bravo]

i still use damp scrim  then buff with your other dryer scrim,     one to clean   one to buff off.    i still use 2 scrims,    does your hands in ringing them out,   especially new ones,      wcw   are cheap to buy ready to use scrims.
scrims cleaned in soapy water , then with your buffing scrim   rinse in water only after cleaning it,  gets soap out,  give it a good ringing out till you can ring it out no more.

[Steve H]

Thanks fellas, some great answers there, i will try a couple of the methods and see what works best for me - thankfully i only have 3 windows (large ish) to do so not the end of the world if they take a while - glad i havent got a full street of them though. They are newly leaded windows and so i dont think they are that dirty.

Thanks again fellas

[Steve H]

G.Brookes, my wife fancies Brad Pitt so i thought i would use it, simple as that really fella 

[johnny bravo]

be carefull,  you could loosen the lead from glass and be in trouble,   go light,   if dirty use a wiping cloth to take dirt off , saving getting on scrim .

[dave0123]

When I learnt my trade way back in the early 80's I was shown the method of damp scrim , then dry scrim, this is the least complicated metho

I was taught the same way! by best the fastest for very good results. Damp scrim properly wrung out (scrim) way followed by a dry scrim to buff up.

[Mike #1]

I assume you are using a bucket on a belt so using applicator put a line straight down the middle of each pane of glass and scrim . But make sure your applicator is fairly dry as you dont want to much water on glass as it will take longer to scrim . Mike

[nelly]

damp cloth them ,then dry scrim or micro dependin what ya using

[DG Cleaning]

Listen to M&M's advice no need to over complicate things. You don't want to be going back to fetch extra kit because time is money. Line with applicator then scrim, never had a complaint doing them this way.

[barry mallett]

3 windows is that all . if id known i wouldnt have bothered writing a long reply