[simon knight]

I've just got back from a builders clean and have had a major problem with a couple of windows. The customer has had new windows put in upstairs and the fitters left the stickers on. Getting them off was no problem but getting the adhesive off the glass where it had been baked on by the sun proved virtually impossible. That and the painters left painty finger-prints all over the glass which I also found hard to remove. Is there anything on the market I can buy that will solve this?

[RO-Sheen]

Have you tried solvents? eg Paint thinners, white spirits even nail varnish remover. These will remove adhesive and any solvent based paint.

[simon knight]

I must admit I didn't have these to hand...but a bottle of white spirits will be bunged into the back of the van for future use. Thanks.

[j.v. price ltd]

when we carry out builders cleanes we find the best way to remove stuff from the glass is plenty of soapy water and a scrapper, just check that the glass does not have a film on it, very rare on new glass(between the pannels) but on some older glass it is an after thought and is normally on the inside....

Hope this helps

[Neil Mc Anulty]

You need a water soluble degreaser. Clover do one called solvent degeaser apply a little and clea window as normal.

[Jake]

Simon

90% of our work are Builders Cleans. Virtually all the glass we clean that has stickers, paint on etc, we clean using a 4/6" Ettore Champion scraper or similar.

As J V has said, wet glass well and always use a fresh blade.

The trouble with using white spirit/thinners is that some adhesive can become 'smeared' across the glass and harder to remove!

The 'film'  that J V mentions is, I think, the 'anti-glare' stuff that is usually found on the inside of some windows, i.e.......easily 'torn'!


                         Regards.....Jake......Westclean

[j.v. price ltd]

Like your style

the problem with chemicals as well is they can eat in to the rubbers of the window not good on someones new building or house

Charlie

[windows_chepstow]

90% of our work are Builders Cleans.

I've only done three builder's cleans and I hated everyone one of them.

I did use a fresh four-inch blade and plenty of water; but it was still tough work.

You don't just clean a window once, you clean it three or four times at least.

The stickers and the stuff covering the frames are a reall pain too.

I would hate to do this sort of work for 90% of my working day.

You must be well 'ard!

Regards,

Tosh.

[*strawman69]

what we tend to do when you get really stuborm marks and stickers on the windows is put plenty of white spirit and soapy water on and leave overnight then go back first thing in the morning before anyone else has been and break the bleeding window. when the builders get there they realise a new window is needed. problem solved.

[Easyclean Windows]

OIL O FLO  you can get this form all good window cleaning suppliers will remove stickers without any scrappers etc and you just rinse when the stickers paint etc has gone ...you wont use any thing else after you have tried this promise

[j.v. price ltd]

if priced well its really good work if a bit hard, and it is a brilliant way of getting new work.

As soon as the developers board goes up shoot in see the site manager and get the work and then when you have done the builders cleans as they have sold the house you leave your calling card in the house and the new owner will call you back and you will know the job..

The next time the developer has a build in the area he will be straight on the phone and it goes on and on..

worked really well for us now carry out work for some of the biggest home builders in the uk....

Good Luck
Charlie

[Jake]

Tosh

That 90% includes the actual 'internal' proper builders clean, so not all glass, all of the time.

Like anything, the more you do, the easier it gets.............sometimes 


                                      Regards......Jake

[Neil Mc Anulty]

OIL O FLO  you can get this form all good window cleaning suppliers will remove stickers without any scrappers etc and you just rinse when the stickers paint etc has gone ...you wont use any thing else after you have tried this promise

I used to use this until I came across Clovers solvent degreaser. Alot more economical at 12 + vat or 5 litres

cheers

neil

[007 or what]

how do you charge for a B/Clean? do you price per window?

[simon knight]

Hi Guys, thanks for all the input. I'm trying to source Clover but in the meantime have bought a bottle of 100% solvent...even if it doesn't work I can get high using it!

In answer to 007 or what, I charge between £15 and £20 per hour for a BC. If that seems cheap (and it probably is) the way I reason is that for a biggish house I reckon to be there for the day and am normally plied with tea,bickkies etc...plus no driving from job to job....cushty!