[Danno90]

Hey all.

So I'm looking to start up my own small window cleaning business (had to quit my old job due to mental health/anxiety and such).

As most people do when starting out (I assume) I've bought myself a cheap "beginners kit" to practise on windows at home, however I'm noticing some issues.

Yeah, I know it's probably a mix of impatience, inexperience, and tool quality (what do they say about bad workmen again?!)

Squeegee I'm using is very basic stainless steel, but seems to not be applying enough pressure against the glass, particularly at the ends. The pre-fitted rubber has about a 6mm portion sticking out either end of the channel, so not only is the squeegee not gliding over the glass smoothly, but also leaving all sorts of drag marks.

Could also be because our windows haven's been cleaned in a decade since our own window cleaner pulled a no-show after a few visits, so just general grime build up.

Any ideas? Do steel channels need end clips like I've seen on the brass ones? Do I need to modify the rubber/channel? etc

And before anyone says, no I haven't got the money to splash out on water fed kit 

[Bin Juice]

just go on youtube ,theres lots of traditional window cleaning videos .

[SB Cleaning]

What make of squeegee is it?

[Danno90]

just go on youtube ,theres lots of traditional window cleaning videos .

I have. Almost too many! Working my way through and thinking the pre-fitted rubber is to blame, too long and also needs to be broken in?

What make of squeegee is it?

Bayer. Yeah, not the best I know as they're mainly for general janitorial products...

[NWH]

What area are you in.

[Danno90]

What area are you in.

Bournemouth, down on the south coast

[MrChurchMouse]

If your squeegee is dragging a lot on the glass it could be because the water you're using isn't soapy enough.  As for the squeegee leaving lines and marks this is probably a combination of inexperience, the current sunny weather and possibly a poor quality rubber.   When it's hot you'll usually get lines from the squeegee to some degree unless your rubber is very new.  Just keep a microfibre or scrim cloth at the ready to quickly wipe them off before they dry.  (When doing so in strong sun just wipe with a finger through the cloth, don't put the whole cloth on the glass or it will leave fibres). 

In terms of the quality of the rubber itself I personally find that Unger 3 star rubber or the blue/turquoise colour one from Moerman is good in that they last a little longer than many of the others. 

[NWH]

You’ve got a tough job in Bournemouth all the windows are Bifocal 🤣🤣,in all seriousness don’t start off with a Liquidator I would buy from the Unger range and go for the S channels that are slightly dog eared.

[NWH]

And Razor red rubbers the best squeegee to learn on is a 10” but I would get a 14”  also and a 6” for smaller windows or top openers.

[SB Cleaning]

just go on youtube ,theres lots of traditional window cleaning videos .

I have. Almost too many! Working my way through and thinking the pre-fitted rubber is to blame, too long and also needs to be broken in?

What make of squeegee is it?

Bayer. Yeah, not the best I know as they're mainly for general janitorial products...

There's the problem,  rubbish squeegee and more than likely rubbish rubber in it too...go with some of the recommendations above.

[Danno90]

You’ve got a tough job in Bournemouth all the windows are Bifocal 🤣🤣

Bifocal windows? Is that some sort of trade speak that stands for something?

[Ched]

Have a look at Trad Man on youtube - OK so he may not be perfect and a bit biased on kit but some of his videos are very good.
If it's a budget kit from a diy store or screwfix then it's probably 'domestic quality' and naff!!!!
Unger stuff is generally good quality.

[NWH]

The windows are bifocal in Bournemouth because it’s full of old people like most South Coastal towns lol,Tradman is the man to watch for advise but don’t start off with a liquidator squeegee.

[Bungle]

What ever squeegee rubber you use, 6mm overhang either end is too much.

[Spruce]

Have a look at Trad Man on youtube - OK so he may not be perfect and a bit biased on kit but some of his videos are very good.
If it's a budget kit from a diy store or screwfix then it's probably 'domestic quality' and naff!!!!
Unger stuff is generally good quality.

Screwfix do Unger products.

[Danno90]

The windows are bifocal in Bournemouth because it’s full of old people like most South Coastal towns lol,Tradman is the man to watch for advise but don’t start off with a liquidator squeegee.

Ah yeah. Deffo God's waiting room haha

Yeah been watching a few of Trad Man's vids, but sort of switch off when he starts going on about advanced kit and why xyz is best - blatantly been paid to push (or pull!) Moerman haha

[Adam Tarpley]

 Best off getting a basic wfp trolly syastem

[Ched]

The windows are bifocal in Bournemouth because it’s full of old people like most South Coastal towns lol,Tradman is the man to watch for advise but don’t start off with a liquidator squeegee.

Ah yeah. Deffo God's waiting room haha

Yeah been watching a few of Trad Man's vids, but sort of switch off when he starts going on about advanced kit and why xyz is best - blatantly been paid to push (or pull!) Moerman haha

Look at his early vids as not as much promotion of kit!!!
To be honest if you are switching off when he's talking kit then maybe window cleaning isn't for you  Window cleaning is quite a repetitive job, so you might need a higher boredom threshold 

[Danno90]

Look at his early vids as not as much promotion of kit!!!
To be honest if you are switching off when he's talking kit then maybe window cleaning isn't for you  Window cleaning is quite a repetitive job, so you might need a higher boredom threshold 

I think it's just when he starts talking about advanced tools - "use this because it's better than what you've used before" - but I've got nothing to compare it too! It's a hands on job, so need to get stuck in to see for myself what the problems are.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure some of the kit he's showing is good stuff.

TBH from what I've seen so far, it's less repetitive than my previous two jobs which is good enough for me - checkout cashier/customer service in a supermarket for 7 years, then 4 1/2 in a call centre explaining why people's car insurance has gone up when I didn't even know fully myself. 

[Smudger]

The windows are bifocal in Bournemouth because it’s full of old people like most South Coastal towns lol,Tradman is the man to watch for advise but don’t start off with a liquidator squeegee.

Ah yeah. Deffo God's waiting room haha

Yeah been watching a few of Trad Man's vids, but sort of switch off when he starts going on about advanced kit and why xyz is best - blatantly been paid to push (or pull!) Moerman haha

Look at his early vids as not as much promotion of kit!!!
To be honest if you are switching off when he's talking kit then maybe window cleaning isn't for you  Window cleaning is quite a repetitive job, so you might need a higher boredom threshold 

Nicely said