[bookers]

Hi,I started window cleaning about a year ago,I guess the knack wasn't there so I got a job.Now I have decided to give it another go,I have basically found a sound tecnique that does the job,but as last time I seem to leave a small trail of water behind my squeegee.Dog earing is in place with about a 16th " at each end.It's not the end of the world but it's losing me speed having to mop up after.Also I cut a 2mm 45 degree peice of my rubber so I do not need to detail round the edges,this works very well with either very little or no water left behind.But even with a standard rubber with no shamfer the same problem arrises.Is it in the cutting of the rubber that causes this problem,or do other people have the same problem? Any advice is very much appreciated.

[Davindo Cleana]

Hi - I had what may be the same problem, where I was leaving a trail line on the glass - mine was in line with the blade a bit like a dab mark from a paint brush.
I posted this problem cos it was costing me a lot of time and damp scrims.
Paul Griffin of this forum gave me some advice which cured it - the mark occurs on the turn of the squeegee and you can actually see it happening if you watch and the cure is basically to slow down at that point and even adjust your technique if necessary - I still am no wizard but that fault has gone thankfully -
I hope this helps

[c w window cleanin]

i cut the rubber in the blade so that it is slightly inside the chanel at each end-this is never a problem on frames, like scratching them or anything because the edges of my channel are smooth and rounded-you could file the edges of the channel to get this effect, and youll have no problems with the job your blade does--my rubber blades last a lot longer now. try it& you should find it helps eliminate streaks from the edge of the blade

[bookers]

Thanks for the replies guys,I think it may be a different problem your describing.Mine is when you are coming down the pane,the top edge of my squeegee leaves a continuous thin bead of water,it's like the water is hanging on to the rubber and it's not dispersing when I bring my squeegee back up for the return sweep.if you know what I mean.When I do this slowly it hardly ever happens but when I try to speed things up thats when the problem starts.It's so bloody hard to describe things in writing,I hope somebody gets the drift of where I am coming from,or somebody has encounted the same problem.
I await with baited breath for your replies.

[karlosdaze]

I think you are probably a straight puller.
1. Check your rubber, get a new one in there, if unsure.
2. Make sure you don't have any water behind your rubber. Cut the water away with the end of your squeegee before you pull down or across.
3. Still not working? Pull from top about 5 inches. Tap squeegee on glass, go back and pull down again without any water replacement.
4. Never cut the rubber so it sits inside the channel, you might be lucky if you are a brass user, but stainless scratches.
5. Make sure your rubber isn't "bunched", it should be in a straight line if you are clipping or dog-earing(bar the ends). Give it a tiny bit of play.
6. Finally go slowly, you will soon spot your mistake.
7. Other reasons:
a.Lint or dirt caught in rubber. b.Nick in rubber blade. c.Old & worn rubber. d.Window isn't wet enough or water has dried on glass. e.Too much water. f.You haven'tgot the dirt off, so give it a really good clean, the dirt is still on the window. g.Rubber is not straight in the channel. h.Squeegee handle too far from the window-your knuckles should almost be touching. j.Soapy build up on back of channel. k.Excess soap & foam in the water. l.The window mouldings are too wet.

[bookers]

Thanks for that karlosdave,Iwill try all those solutions.

[karlosdaze]

Thats my business name
www.robinson-solutions.com
 

[Ian_Giles]

Good advice Karlosdaze

Another thought with regards your technique.

When you use the applicator, try not to have it to wet or your water to soapy.
Keep just inside the outer edges of the glass.
However you may start squeegeeing, when you begin your 'downward' stroke, allow the squeegee to drop into an almost vertical position, therefore as you begin this downward stroke your squeegee will also be sliding towards the 'outer' edge of the window pane, covering any lines that may have shown.
allow sufficient overlap as your squeegee goes from left to right (& right-left too ) making sure the 'top' edge of the squeegee is the leading edge, and that by thetime you have got to the other side of the pane your squeegee is almost horizontal, allowing your squeegee to drop into a vertical line without excessive rotating of the squeegee, which can cause 'kicks'.

Not meaning to sound like I am teaching you to suck eggs   But add that to Karlosdaze's advice and there may be something there that may help!

Ian