[Ian_Giles]

I can't go along with Ian on this one. Nothing beats a damp, clean scrim that has been washed without detergent, it has to be clean though.
 Dai

Mmm, perhaps I should qualify my comment slightly, I shouldn't have implied a bone dry scrim is best, I would agree that a very slightly damp one is best, but for me it must be only slightly damp, and I mean only slightly.
If it is damp enough to leave even a faint line of damp behind, unless the scrim is very clean, for those not sufficiently skilled it will leave marks.
On a warm day if the scrim was just too dry and 'bitty' I would get out my hand sprayer and mist it lightly, although not for detailing though, for that I was always more than happy to start with a bone dry scrim.
For detailing squeegee-d windows there is always a wet bead to dampen the scrim as you go.
Different if you are doing leaded or georgian though.

Having said all that of course, with the advent of the microfibre cloth the scrim is almost redundant!!
Now I would only use scrim for mopping up sills and the mucky stuff, some of you die hards may still prefer scrim, but I think the microfibre beats it hands down for almost all things, and the microfibre is most definitely better dry, no breaking in...you can use it straight out of the packet!

Ian

[geefree]

Whats the first thing you all do when washing,... i have never been out with anyone to learn... so i must be doing something wrong as my scrims get dirty but stay dry lol....i use applicater with fairy... squeegy it off using downward strokes slightly at an angle, then wipe round the edges with one scrim then again with a microfibre cloth.... is this wrong, please help.


Gary

[martindrz400]

on the radiator get nice and hard

[geefree]

lol right then

[mgba_78]

Whats the first thing you all do when washing,... i have never been out with anyone to learn... so i must be doing something wrong as my scrims get dirty but stay dry lol....i use applicater with fairy... squeegy it off using downward strokes slightly at an angle, then wipe round the edges with one scrim then again with a microfibre cloth.... is this wrong, please help.


Gary

I think it depends on how much water you put on the window, then how close you squeegey to the frame.
Firstly i wipe over whole of the frame with wet cloth then I mop window running the mop longways along all edges of the window first then do whole pane, squeegy, then tidy edges with the scrim, there is always a little water/bubbles left around the edge of the glass when i do it. Then wipe over frame with scrim to dry that.

Also why use scrim and micro fibre??? Shouldnt you just use one or the other???

Andy

[geefree]

i use scrim... but it leaves a smear all round the edges even after a couple of wipes.... so i now use scrim once the microfibre once as that will be my final dry cloth, and during course of the day my scrim may get little wet.... so i use fibre last

[mgba_78]

If my scrim gets really wet i change it for a dry one, most times this will be every house, i have a box of dry ones and a box for wet/dirty ones in the back of my van.
I think the smears you are getting are where the scrim is too wet, you need to make sure that any scrim that touches the glass is dry or it smears
 This is of course how i see it through my limited 9 week experience of being a window cleaner

Andy

[Ian Lancaster]

The endless comparisons between scrim and microfibre continue to rumble on, with no sign of a conclusion.
 
One thing which strikes me, though, is that very few people seem to know how to use scrim.  Time and again I see references to using "20 or more a day" (well, perhaps not quite that many!).
 
I have been using scrim for 35 years, and rarely possess more than one or two at a time, and NEVER use more than one on any single day.
 
If you use a scrim for "detailing" edges of squeegeed glass, and for polishing small panes/leaded glass etc.(otherwise known as "ragging") then you will not need more than one a day.  Mopping sills, wiping excess water off frames before squeegeeing, wiping your squeegee blade should all be done with a separate "wet" cloth, which you wring out regularly.
 
Doing it this way you will only ever need to carry two cloths with you.
 
Before using a scrim it needs to be washed out, then wrung out to just the right "dampness" content.
 
To achieve this take hold of opposite corners of the scrim, stretch it out and then "spin"it into a rope.  Put the two ends together to halve its length, then the same again.   The scrim can now be twisted very tightly, leaving no loose fibres within itself to retain water.  As you wring it as tightly as you can, water will firstly run, then drip off the scrim.  When you can no longer make water drip, you will see that there is still loose water rising to the surface of the scrim when you really twist hard.  Holding the scrim tightly to prevent the surface water retreating back into the fabric, "throw" the water off by bringing the scrim down sharply towards the ground, then stopping dead.  You will see water being shaken off the scrim onto the ground.  You will create a sizeable puddle from what you had thought to be a well wrung scrim!
 
Unravelling the scrim can be difficult after this treatment, and this is why "old school" w/c's crack them like a whip.  One good crack and the scrim will unravel easily.
 
The scrim is now in perfect condition to polish, detail - even clean your glasses!
 
During the day the scrim will tend to dry out (NOT get wet!!!)  and you will need to dunk it in your bucket and repeat as above.
 
GOLDEN RULE:  Scrim is for polishing, sill cloth for wet wiping - don't mix them up!!

[geefree]

so can i polish with a damp scrim, as i use dry for polishing... and i only have 3 cloths per day.... wet cloth  for sills, frames. scrim to take water away from edges of glass..( cant use that then for polishing as wet and leaves smears)... and dry for polishing(micro)

[james cairns]

gazz when you are out working

1 dry 1 slightly damp and 1 for wiping sills

wear 3 pockets on the belt so you are not thumbling with cloths

buy extra to replace your dry scrim when it gets wet

simple is it not

jinky

[chris@c.m.s]

Ian its great to see that post over on this forum, I for one think it one of the best pieces of advice I have gained since starting out,  I'm sure this forum has a lot to gain from your advice and experiance.     

[KJG]

...What Ian said...

Hi Ian, great post. Like you, I've been surprised at how many wc's here don't know how to use or actually realise the 'power' of the scrim. I started in 85 and worked/learned with a gang of proper old boys - using a scrim as a wiping up cloth, except if breaking in, would have earnt a clip round the ear.

Anyway, agree with everything you said bar the cracking. I don't do this anymore as it tends to shred the hem after a while. I just shake it out like a rug.