[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« on: November 21, 2006, 05:19:05 pm »
Hi guys,

Was quite busy this afternoon on my own house practicing the swirl technique, watched the WC DVD...but I think I'm doing something wrong...

After I'm going back up again through the dry patch (when you turn your wrist up) I'm leaving a small trail of water on the highest tip of the squeegee, now....what am I doing wrong?

Ugh, I suck...this is harder then I thought!  :-\

Paul Coleman

Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2006, 05:34:36 pm »
Hi guys,

Was quite busy this afternoon on my own house practicing the swirl technique, watched the WC DVD...but I think I'm doing something wrong...

After I'm going back up again through the dry patch (when you turn your wrist up) I'm leaving a small trail of water on the highest tip of the squeegee, now....what am I doing wrong?

Ugh, I suck...this is harder then I thought!  :-\

Could it be the way you cut your rubber?  If you use scissors it cuts at a slight angle and can cause this.

S_RICHARDSON

  • Posts: 980
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2006, 05:35:56 pm »
Hi guys,

Was quite busy this afternoon on my own house practicing the swirl technique, watched the WC DVD...but I think I'm doing something wrong...

After I'm going back up again through the dry patch (when you turn your wrist up) I'm leaving a small trail of water on the highest tip of the squeegee, now....what am I doing wrong?

Ugh, I suck...this is harder then I thought!  :-\

Could it be the way you cut your rubber? If you use scissors it cuts at a slight angle and can cause this.
Yeah that is a point!

[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2006, 05:54:57 pm »
Hi guys,

Was quite busy this afternoon on my own house practicing the swirl technique, watched the WC DVD...but I think I'm doing something wrong...

After I'm going back up again through the dry patch (when you turn your wrist up) I'm leaving a small trail of water on the highest tip of the squeegee, now....what am I doing wrong?

Ugh, I suck...this is harder then I thought!  :-\

Could it be the way you cut your rubber?  If you use scissors it cuts at a slight angle and can cause this.

Hm.....I used scissors yes...I really hope that is what caused it....  :-[

How would I go about cutting them properly? With a Stanley knife and ruler?

Extremeclean

  • Posts: 173
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2006, 06:31:42 pm »
Also dog-ear your squeegee.

It really makes the world of difference.

Rich.

macmac

Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2006, 06:50:47 pm »
what does dog ear your sqeegee mean?

[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2006, 06:51:48 pm »
I'll try that, but doesn't that have the same effect as the Unger plastic clips that you insert at the end?

http://72.10.47.74/uk2005/detail.php?ID=13607

Dog earing =

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=16932.0

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=17775.msg128915#msg128915

Extremeclean

  • Posts: 173
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2006, 07:50:32 pm »
The swirl does take a bit of mastering.

If you are using the Unger end clips then you are half way to getting a good dog ear effect.  The only thing other than has already been mentioned is that you aren't turning the end of the squeegee in the dry part high enough. The "leading edge" of the squeegee should always be at an angle so that the solution runs towards the still wet part of the window.

Rich.

[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2006, 08:40:58 pm »
Hm, I was just wondering if it has anything to do with my squeegee technique....I'm kinda puzzled with what I'm trying to explain on the picture, logic says the trail exists because of the water flowing up to the tip of the squeegee?  :)

I'll try the new rubber tomorrow, and let you guys know...

Moderator David@stives

  • Posts: 8829
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2006, 08:55:56 pm »
Rooster or monkeys tails happens to all of us.

In damp weather it can be a particular problem.

All you can do is perservere and practice and make sure the end of your rubber is in good condition

another tip is to wipe your squeegie before using and make sure you dont have to many suds, also a BOAB is not very good for Monkeys tails due to the end of your squeegie being sat in bubbles and water

Also practice going  a bit higher into the dry part of the window between strokes especially in damp weather.

Atmospheric conditions can have a marked effect on water,

and the nearer to 5 degrees you get , the more dense water becomes, which equals heavy water

One day you can be perfect and the next day you cant do it to save your life or so it seems sometimes

My personal opinion Squeegieng is a skill that cant be taught .

Hope this post mekes sense as i am trying to watch the footie as i type


dave

Terry_Burrows

  • Posts: 1643
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2006, 09:00:09 pm »
 ;D its all in the wrist action boys ;D come to NEC in march I will show you how and what ever ;D ;)
WWW.FASTESTWINDOWCLEANER.CO.UK
GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER
BURNING RUBBER FASTER!
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF MASTER WINDOW CLEANERS.

Moderator David@stives

  • Posts: 8829
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2006, 09:02:17 pm »
Terry you may be fast , that doesnt mean you are good.  ;D

Dave

[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2006, 09:09:48 pm »
;D its all in the wrist action boys ;D come to NEC in march I will show you how and what ever ;D ;)

That doesn't help much mate, sorry, you might be the fastest, but you also have a tendency to blow your own horn in every thread without helping!  :-\

Thanks Dave @st-ives, they are some helpful words, I'll have a go at it tomorrow, and making sure I keep my rubber in top condition, and also dry.....


Pj

Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2006, 09:10:09 pm »
He does know when to get in there though doesn't he!

You must sit on your watch Mr Burrows! 8)

windows2clean

  • Posts: 33
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #14 on: November 21, 2006, 09:31:21 pm »
I just posted regarding use of the wrist on the DVD thread...

Once you get the wrist action and you can turn the blade like Terry, then to pick up speed don't go into the dry part at all.

If you see him do the windows at the show, he'll make 5 passes with the blade with very little overlap on each stroke.

Now I'm giving your secrets away Terry!  ;D

Mark




Moderator David@stives

  • Posts: 8829
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #15 on: November 21, 2006, 09:39:19 pm »
The DVD tells you nothing much about blading and nothing at all about getting rid of Monkeys
tails

[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #16 on: November 21, 2006, 09:43:00 pm »
Thanks Mark for the advice,....I do understand you can only do so much on a DVD, you can't cover everything. It did help me alot, I think it's time to do a lot of practice as well. :)

[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #17 on: November 21, 2006, 09:58:49 pm »
By the way, if you do get them, how do you get rid of them without doing the window over?

Moderator David@stives

  • Posts: 8829
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #18 on: November 21, 2006, 10:40:11 pm »
scrim them off

dai

  • Posts: 3503
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #19 on: November 21, 2006, 10:52:23 pm »
Just do it very slowly at first and watch where the marks appear. If you do it slow enough you can see where your going wrong, and adjust accordingly. Dai