[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

Is anyone on the group who uses Sainsbury`s powdered water softner for extra squeegee rubber `slip`
experiencing the same problem as myself  as of latley.? That is,a white residue similer to talcum powder,
especially on warm days.I find,the more I use in a bucket,the better the rubber `slip`,but also giving rise
to more powdery residue.I`ve looked `high and low` but can`t find a liquid additive other than Sorbo`s
`Glide` solution,which I personally wasn`t too impressed with.Comments,help and advice much appreciated.



Lewis Doubtfire, Gleem Clean ( The blade Runner )

[windows_chepstow]

Is anyone on the group who uses Sainsbury`s powdered water softner for extra squeegee rubber `slip`

Lewis,

I've never heard of this?  Have you any pictures or links to the product?

Personally, though, I've tried lots of different stuff and just gravitate back to the good old green stuff; Fairy.

I seem to remember a post that even Terry 'Turbo' Burrows prefers Fairy.

You can't get a better recommendation than that!

[Davindo Cleana]

Have you tried GG3 or GG4 - I use it and had no probs and less suds - I put in more than they say for better glide - not cheap but nice to use

[s.hughes]

I'd like to know if Terry still likes using fairy even on the hot days.
If you're reading this thread Terry then please let us know.
Cheers
Steveyboy

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

No links really,tried everything you`ve mentioned and more.The only thing I hav`nt tried
is glyceryne from a chemist.Just thought I`d ask.


Lewis Doubtfire,Gleem Clean. ( The Blade Runner )

[dai]

Have you tried using dishwasher rinse aid yet? It's brill,  Dai

[rosskesava]

Hi Lewis

We tried salt to give extra slip as we live in an ultra hard water area and like you, we found you get white lines that over a few weeks become even more visible.

It's the same type of salt that gives us problems as all our work is near the coast. I then though if we get problems with salt on windows anyway, and we're adding salt to get more slip, then it's like putting petrol on a fire to put it out.

So that idea went out the window so to speak.

After going through a bottle of Fairy or more a day to get more slip, we found that left us with other problems, namely the glass ended up sticky and detailing became a problem too.

I tried Dai's idea, adding rinse aid. It works but not with regards slip though - it only gives a brilliant shine to the glass and we buy ours from a local pound shop. It don't give much extra slip but boy oh boy, does the glass shine.

As for slip, I now accept that around here that getting good slip without spending a small fortune on GG4 or Squiggie Off doesn't happen.

I hate to say it, but it comes down to both technique and having to wipe off the odd the odd place where the squeegie sticks.

With some houses I now go over the glass every other month with wire wool and so far, that is the best option I've found. If you use a big wad of it, it takes seconds.

I beginning to think that every property is unique for cleaning.

cheers

Ross

[Marc's on the Glass, LLC]

All I have ever used is Joy dish detergent.  Glides fine, brilliant shine, and no residue.  No suds either, so long as you use the right amount.

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

Dai,was it you who said you got yours from Aldi`s and its called `Magnum` or `Aloa` or something?
You described it like `an eel on ice`? There`s nothing much at all in my local Aldi`s.
Where do ya get Joy dish soap from in the U.K.? Awhile back a U.S.based supplier sent me some `Joy`
it does have the `edge` on Fairy liquid I find.I ended up using 4 zero steel wool for the white residue
but  really I think it deafeats the object in general.


Lewis Doubtfire, Gleem Clean ( The Blade Runner )

[dai]

Yes it's called magnum or alio they sell it under both these names. It comes out with their special offer deals at about 90p per litre. they don't stock it all the time though. I will put a posting on when it's due in next.
We live in an area of very soft water tds reading of 42 from the tap so it slides fine for me, I did once work in a chemical factory. Soda ash is what was used to soften water.
I use rinse aid because it makes the windows on my patch much easier to clean.
It disolves bird muck much quicker, the water goes on in a thinner film so less of it to blade off, very little suds. and works perfectly with my backflip as an all in one tool. Dai

[rosskesava]

Hi Dai

Just out of interest today I didn't add rinse aid to the water. Rinse aid does make a difference to the slip although this area is a very hard water area.

Something I'm trying tomorrow is hard rubbers. We've always used soft Unger ones  but today, I've bought a length of hard ones. I'll be interested to see if there is any difference.

Also. I bought a back flip but found that as I couldn't see the blade because the mop obscures it, I spent ages detailing because I couldn't judge where the windows edge was.

Did you have that problem?

Cheers

[dai]

No problem, I'm not sure if I still have the original channel in it. Just checked, no I havn't. the channel is a bit longer so the applicator does not quite reach the edges when the backflip is in the normal position. I can tilt it to do the edges if I want to. The dog earing helps too. I have found another technique in using it as well as the normal S strokes. Place the  the applicator on the bottom of the pane
and push it up keeping the handle low so the blade does not touch the glass, when you reach the top lift the handle and pull the blade straight down. move the applicator across drop the handle again and repeat the move till you have covered all the glass. You may have a little detailing to do on the top and bottom of the pane, the sides dont seem to deed it. You would expect doing it this way to have a line coming down the glass where you overlap the previous stroke, but no, it seems fine. You do need to persevere with it though. I only flip the blade if using the pole. Once you have masterred it, it is a brilliant tool.
If you are happier using the normal technique snaking down the glass from the top make sure you get plenty of water to the top of the pane. I take it out of my bucket on a belt and flick water to the top corner of the pane and start from there. Even if the windows are really mancky you can go over the glass twice. and done no more work than when applicating first and blading after.
Stick with it and good luck, Dai

[dai]

By the way, I only use hard rubbers, Pulex work just fine for me. Dai

[The Bear]

Come on guys. Why dont you use specialist WINDOW CLEANING liquid, like Ettore Squeege Off or GG3/4.

It works! Dont bother trying to make up your own solution, its a waste of time.

PS Ettore will keep Tosh's hands soft, unlike fairy!

[s.hughes]

Hi Bear
I tried ettore squeege off and it was ok but there was no slip on it. I also found that I still got the residue as I am in a hard water area. So I went back to fairy, only trouble is that it is hard to use when the sun is beating down on you. Also when I used squeege off I had to renew my water 3 times durring the day instead of just the once.
How much do you put into a bucket of water? I just gave a couple of squirts, is this enough or to much?

Steveyboy