OBSSESSIVE SCRIMMING (help)

« **on:** September 23, 2006, 04:11:53 pm »

HI

Im getting faster but i cant seem to get out of the habit of wiping the edges lots of times to make sure not one smear is left..

Even when i have totally finished, i edge down the ladder and look for even the smallest smear, then if i see anything i nip up and give a quick flick of scrim,

But its really slowing me down,

do you guys whip round the edges just once?

i think oh still moist but its not, its disappearing but i havent the patience to wait until it evaporates,

i think im becoming obssessed and its slowing me down,

please help me :

gary.

« **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2006, 04:15:41 pm »

If you are a genuine window cleaner you need to call back at sunset and check for squeegee marks too.

« **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2006, 04:23:20 pm »

Malc,

So its the norm then is it?

must be doing something wrong if i feel like that ,

or am i just an obsessed nutter lol.

« **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2006, 04:24:25 pm »

Don't worry, Gazza, that's a sure sign you're getting the hang of it.

Next obssessive disorder is ironing your 48 scrims on a sunday evening during songs of praise!

Then you know there is no going back

« **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2006, 04:28:35 pm »

ha ha

... that was funny,

cheers pj, hope i not going to be doing it this way forever,

i am worried i may never get any faster because this may become my way... if you know what i mean

« **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2006, 04:33:50 pm »

what am i doing wrong or do we all do it, only you guys do it much faster ??

« **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2006, 04:41:14 pm »

No, you're doing it right, you are being methodical, and wanting to leave the job finished. Nowt wrong with that. You will get faster than you think is possible as you gain confidence. Yes, it will become your way! A skilled man learns his skill from the fundamental method or standard for everyone, then he hones his own skill. A really good carpenter once told me, "The mark of a skilled man is not someone who doesn't make mistakes, it someone who knows how to put them right." How are you going to learn how to put things right unless you experience some of the problems first hand.

Pj

I think some of the older guys on here would do well to learn from your modest attitude. (myself included)

« **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2006, 05:18:12 pm »

Get yourself microfibre cloths.

One wipe down the edge and perfect every time, I've checked.
I don't check now, just 2-3 seconds detailing, and walk away confidently.

I've quite literally knocked minutes off houses.

« **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2006, 05:27:24 pm »

Quote from: Squeaky Clean. on September 23, 2006, 05:18:12 pm

Get yourself microfibre cloths.

One wipe down the edge and perfect every time, I've checked.
I don't check now, just 2-3 seconds detailing, and walk away confidently.

I've quite literally knocked minutes off houses.

That's the trouble with you trad. guys - no pride in your work!

« **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:04:25 pm »

The more you wash your scrims the better they will get, new scrims are not very absorbant. What micro- fibre cloths do you use Squeeky as I have not liked the ones that I have tried.

Its good to hear that you have pride in your work Gazza, which is more than I can say for the glass sweepers on here

« **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:14:41 pm »

Unger ones Groundpig.

« **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:18:19 pm »

Micro fibre /scrim it will not make much difference.

I think the best advice would be to change your rubber every day especially being a newby also make sure it is straight in the channel with out the handle distorting it.

If you are only doing a few houses a day well obviously keep your rubber for longer.

This way you are eliminating any rubber problems and can experiment everyday with where and how you cut your rubber, the more water you remove with your squeegie the less detailing needs to be done.

Try to not wet the top cm of the window then you will at least not have to detail the top frame, mind you i always wet it but i know how to wet it i and remove it easily if you lnow what i mean.

Dave

« **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:21:35 pm »

thanks for your comments, i have a couple of cheap micro fibre cloths,
they were only a quid each from wilkos, thats what i use for the last wipe, as the scrim seems to leave a mark or water..

.
p.j. thanks for those comments and the carpenter words are very true,

i dont want to sound like i am being too perfect with each window, but i cant bear to leave smears....

but i think i am being a bit too over the top with it,

i hope i get quicker . and still leave no smears...

squeaky.- i will try getting better quality micros and try them on their own.
cheers.

« **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:24:10 pm »

Yes i know what you mean dave,

you are probably right,... when you say cut, what do you mean

gary.

« **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:27:49 pm »

Thanks grounddog

yes i do have pride, i would hate to be told its not clean etc,...

i did inside and out yesterday.... outside first, i was dreading doing inside as for the first time i would see it from a customers viewpioint...

but had nothing to worry about,

i was pretty chuffed

« **Reply #15 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:30:49 pm »

Quote from: Squeaky Clean. on September 23, 2006, 05:18:12 pm

Get yourself microfibre cloths.

One wipe down the edge and perfect every time, I've checked.
I don't check now, just 2-3 seconds detailing, and walk away confidently.

I've quite literally knocked minutes off houses.

How many minutes would you say you've reduced your scrimming time by using microfibre?

« **Reply #16 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:31:54 pm »

ere we go lol

« **Reply #17 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:32:43 pm »

Love it when you guys get going

« **Reply #18 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:42:02 pm »

I only use microfibres now. I never thought I'd say that, I've insisted on good old Irish grade A scrim for donkeys years, but i love microfibres now. I don't bother wringing them, I use a wet one and I keep a dry one. (The dry one does perform better very slightly damp). The advantage of microfibre is that they really do stay lint free, and you don't have to wring them out. Get big ones though, not those silly girls hanky size!

I reckon since using microfibre on a window I am .0129849% faster per pane

It may not seem much, but it is critical when you reach my level!

« **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:43:05 pm »

Quote from: GAZZASP8 on September 23, 2006, 06:31:54 pm

ere we go lol

It was an innocent question to Squeaks!

« **Reply #20 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:46:32 pm »

cheers pj,

i have hanky style

will change them tomorrow now am earning 20 quid a day

"It may not seem much, but it is critical when you reach my level! "quote

what was you saying about modesty :

..

« **Reply #21 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:49:48 pm »

Quote from: Tosh on September 23, 2006, 06:30:49 pm

How many minutes would you say you've reduced your scrimming time by using microfibre?

I'd say:

2 minutes of a 15 min house.
5 mins off a 30 min house.
Up to 10 mins off an hour or so house.
All these are rough estimates.
You get the picture......

Sometimes less, but sometimes more, especially if it's leaded or georgian.

« **Reply #22 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:51:22 pm »

Sorry. Gazza, see corrected by you! Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

The big microfibres are not cheap, but they'll last you a good while. You won't regret it.

« **Reply #23 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:52:23 pm »

those microfibre cloths come in different sorts.

terry weave

flat weave

which are the best to use guys.? cheers on this link below.

http://www.windowcleancentre.co.uk/sectionlist.aspx?sectionID=20

« **Reply #24 on:** September 23, 2006, 06:57:51 pm »

I use flat weave for the dry one.

Terry weave for the wet one, really absorbant for wiping sills and frames, easy to wring out, like a lovely soft face flannel.
You could wipe your bum with them they're so soft!

Cheaper buying bulk, but don't worry about that yet, just get used to them.

Pj

« **Reply #25 on:** September 23, 2006, 07:04:31 pm »

Thanks pj

will try get some in the morning, can i pick them up in a large well known store such as B&Q?

If not i may buy a roll of Andrex

« **Reply #26 on:** September 24, 2006, 08:22:48 am »

does anyone else know a really good brand of microfibre cloth.

flat weave & terry weave, and any well known stores that sell them... as its sunday

cheers.

gary

« **Reply #27 on:** September 24, 2006, 09:25:54 am »

WINTECS ONLINE SELL THE BIG ONES ONLY £5 ODD BARGAIN ORDER TODAY WILL ARRIVE TUES MORNING

« **Reply #28 on:** September 24, 2006, 09:42:18 am »

I know squeaks prefers the tiny unger microfibre, but most will get on better with the large ones.
Cleantech do their own branded ones, same as the large Unger ones but a little cheaper.

These make life so much easier...really, they are the bee's knees.

flat weave microfibre though, the dirt cheap ones are not a patch on the proper ones.
Get them from a proper supplier, B&Q only do the cheap stuff, as do Wilko's etc.

Ian

« **Reply #29 on:** September 24, 2006, 09:48:11 am »

thanks lads,

ian, i think i have found it but no cheaperr than unger..

i may have the wrong one.

http://www.cleantech.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_35&osCsid=c93c4dd301e12595789dc9489896feff

« **Reply #30 on:** September 24, 2006, 10:36:15 am »

Hey
try soap national.co.uk
David is doing the large unger micros 5 for £20.00
Thats £4.00 each a real deal.
Reah

« **Reply #31 on:** September 24, 2006, 10:48:56 am »

cheers reah,
will do.

thank you.

gary.

« **Reply #32 on:** September 24, 2006, 08:15:29 pm »

I may have to try using a good micro fibre, i tried using a cheapo one ages ago and i wanted to burn it after a couple of windows, it was useless!

« **Reply #33 on:** September 24, 2006, 09:54:03 pm »

do people really iron their scrims?
i ve often wondered but i ve managed to convince myself i m just being anal , (iron everything old habits )

« **Reply #34 on:** September 25, 2006, 07:47:10 am »

When you wash microfibre follow the washing instructions carefully
Usualy wash at 60 and no conditioner.
Otherwise the microfiber will be useless

« **Reply #35 on:** September 25, 2006, 06:13:02 pm »

cheers lads again.

are the microfibre flat weave, just the same material as a scrim?

gary.

« **Reply #36 on:** September 25, 2006, 08:12:00 pm »

Hey
Microfibre is the perfect blend of polyester and polyamide.
The fibre is 1/100th the size of a strand of human hair.
When microfibre is combined with the right knitting process it creates an extremely effective cleaning material.
The material can hold up to seven times its weight in dirt and water, unlike many other types of cloth that smear dirt across the surface you are trying to clean.
Microfibre cloths act like bionic sponges, removing dirt and bacteria, leaving you with a clean, highly polished surface.

Microfibre is now used every where most of my running kit is microfibre as it has great whicking properties.

Hope this has helped

Reah