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[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!  :-\
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Paul Coleman

Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2006, 05:34:36 pm »
Quote from: GQC Window Cleaning 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!  :-\

Could it be the way you cut your rubber?  If you use scissors it cuts at a slight angle and can cause this.
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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 »
Quote from: The Shiner on November 21, 2006, 05:34:36 pm
Quote from: GQC Window Cleaning 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!  :-\

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!
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[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 »
Quote from: The Shiner on November 21, 2006, 05:34:36 pm
Quote from: GQC Window Cleaning 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!  :-\

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?
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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.
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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?
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[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
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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.
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[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...
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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
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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 ;)
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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
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[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 »
Quote from: Terry_Burrows 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 ;)

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.....

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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)
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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



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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
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[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. :)
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[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?
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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
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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
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Paul Coleman

Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #20 on: November 21, 2006, 11:13:35 pm »
Quote from: Terry_Burrows 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 ;)

That saying was from the old Hotwheels adverts of yesteryear wasn't it?

It went something like
"Hey champ. How do you do it?"

ANSWER:
"It's in the wrist action."
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Sir Squeaky

  • Posts: 8341
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #21 on: November 21, 2006, 11:16:06 pm »
Quote from: Dave @st-ives on November 21, 2006, 10:40:11 pm
scrim them off
Yeah, and don't bother with microfibre in this weather.
I've had a tough couple of days with the weather.

They just don't dry any runs in the cold damp weather. >:(

Ian tried to tell me it's because I use the small ones, but that's rubbish because they're pretty crap on the first window of the day.
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Paul Coleman

Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #22 on: November 21, 2006, 11:19:43 pm »
Quote from: GQC Window Cleaning on November 21, 2006, 05:54:57 pm
Quote from: The Shiner on November 21, 2006, 05:34:36 pm
Quote from: GQC Window Cleaning 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!  :-\

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?

I'm not saying that it IS the way the rubber has been cut but I use these:

http://www.soapnational.co.uk/cgi-bin/ss030581.pl?SS=cutter&PR=-1&TB=A&SHOP=&ACTION.x=7&ACTION.y=23
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[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #23 on: November 21, 2006, 11:28:14 pm »
Hey that looks pretty nifty, might get that in a while, for tomorrow, I'll just take a Stanley knife. :)

thanks!
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windows2clean

  • Posts: 33
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #24 on: November 22, 2006, 12:03:39 am »
If you leave a trail of water when you squeegee, its because your leading edge is trailing.
Bring the leading edge forward.

       
Do an experiment:

Soap the window, then make one downward pass with the blade horizontal on the right edge of the window.
So you now have a soaped window with a dry vertical strip on the right hand side.

Make another downward pass next to it with the sqeegee in this shape. The top edge overlapping into the dry part.

                    l
                    l
                   /
                  /\ 

You will leave a trail.

Bring the leading edge forward and it won't happen.

              \
              /\

Mark


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[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #25 on: November 22, 2006, 12:23:55 am »
Good advice mate, thanks!
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[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #26 on: November 22, 2006, 01:37:14 pm »
Yes it worked! I cut my rubber properly with a Stanley knife, and it works like a charm now, did 3 windows on my own house, no trail, just super smooth swirling!

From the inside it looks very well too!

Thanks for the tip, man...if I think about it, sometimes it's really in the small things isn't it... :)
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Paul Coleman

Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #27 on: November 22, 2006, 04:33:58 pm »
Quote from: GQC Window Cleaning on November 22, 2006, 01:37:14 pm
Yes it worked! I cut my rubber properly with a Stanley knife, and it works like a charm now, did 3 windows on my own house, no trail, just super smooth swirling!

From the inside it looks very well too!

Thanks for the tip, man...if I think about it, sometimes it's really in the small things isn't it... :)

Glad to hear it.  It also helps to change the rubber at reasonable intervals before the corners start to become rounded.
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Moderator David@stives

  • Posts: 8829
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #28 on: November 22, 2006, 04:43:54 pm »
GQC

I change my rubber everyday, one less thing to worry about

Dave
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windows2clean

  • Posts: 33
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #29 on: November 22, 2006, 05:11:21 pm »
Well done GQC..

are you going to have a go at the two handed techniques now?  ;D


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Terry_Burrows

  • Posts: 1643
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #30 on: November 22, 2006, 06:12:21 pm »
ok for get the speed I will still show how its done after all I have only been doing this for 30 :-X years HELLO
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BURNING RUBBER FASTER!
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Moderator David@stives

  • Posts: 8829
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #31 on: November 22, 2006, 06:18:43 pm »
hello
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[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #32 on: November 22, 2006, 08:33:20 pm »
Quote from: Terry_Burrows on November 22, 2006, 06:12:21 pm
ok for get the speed I will still show how its done after all I have only been doing this for 30 :-X years HELLO

Hello ;D

Quote from: windows2clean on November 22, 2006, 05:11:21 pm
Well done GQC..

are you going to have a go at the two handed techniques now?  ;D

Oh definitely, have been doing it a bit on my own windows, it simply is amazing, bit of a messy hand eye coordination haha, but it's going quite well....thanks so much! :)

I'm still wondering if it's practical on all windows, many houses, have quite narrow upvc windows, is it wise to do them with a slightly smaller sqeegee or, just do a straightdown method with a bigger one?



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Ladders

  • Posts: 172
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #33 on: November 22, 2006, 09:02:30 pm »
Hi GCQ.

I carry a small 6inch squeegy round with me, i use this on all the small top opening lights of windows.

Once you have found the technique you will find that you will be able to squeegy any size window. :)

It will come with practice.

Jeff
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For every problem there is a solution

[GQC] Tim

  • Posts: 4536
Re: I think I'm doing something wrong with the swirl.
« Reply #34 on: November 22, 2006, 09:10:54 pm »
That sounds great, I have quite a bit of different windows in my parents place, I'll practice on them!

Gonna be interesting to do the smaller windows :)
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