Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Jonathan Spencer on June 17, 2010, 10:43:26 pm
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Right this might sound like a really stupid question but in sunlight from a certain angle I sometimes see smears. I use fairy and change my rubber reguarly (that sounds rude) and seem to notice in this weather. I do not think their is anything wrong with my technique and change my water regulary.
one of my customers said to me today that I left a few smears on a few of her windows and I ended up paranoid. Is it just one of them things that the customer does not notice?
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use gg3 or 4 with pure water, and your problems will disapear, best thing i ever did, i got the same results as you using fairy,
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i'm sure more experienced trad guys will have a better answer but i don't think fairy helps.
have you tried squeegee off and glass gleem 3 or 4 - give much better clean.
Darran
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there you go! ;D
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Probably the insides mate........
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use gg3 or 4 with pure water, and your problems will disapear, best thing i ever did, i got the same results as you using fairy,
I was thinking of using GG (I live in a soft water area). So I would have to go out and buy pure water?
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Soft/pure water is better than tap but not a requirement - GG3 will help you a great deal - if your area is hard water get gg4
Darran
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am sure if you asked here, there will be plenty of members that live in your area, that would sell you some no problem, or invest in a small di vessel and a bag of resin, that wont cost to much to buy,
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I got a trial of gg3, seems if you miss a bit you cant go back and mop it up as with W5 etc, there is not enough slip and the blade just squeaks and jumps around. Probably be better for more experienced guys who can trad really well. I will keep practising with it though.
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put a couple of drops of squeegee off ( sod the expense :P ) in as well as gg3
no squeek and whizz over those windows.... :-*
better still....
WFP.. 8)
Darran
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put a couple of drops of squeegee off
It may be an obvious question...But why not just use squeegee off instead?
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Regarding the smearing, is it where you have bladed or is it after detailing?
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put a couple of drops of squeegee off
It may be an obvious question...But why not just use squeegee off instead?
the shine is is better than anything else out there, you will get away with a few drops of washing up soap and still achieve a great shine on the glass,
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So if I just put a few drops of W5 in with the gg3 you think it will work just as well then?
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fairy, gg3, pure, and any other mix in bright sunlight you will get problems, learn to turn the squeegie to a shallow angle before you change direction. your rubber needs to be almost horizontal before you turn the squeegie
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Fairy , along with most washing up liquids have an agent called surfacer or whatever which is a polish by any other name. The idea is that when Mrs Housewife does the dishes and puts them on the draining board they look shiny. Mrs Housewife equates shiny with being clean. But actually surfacer is just a waxy agent which leaves a residue. Also fairy contains lanolin as well (for the hands) and that is sheep wool oil.
Get yourself down to Homebase, find the window cleaning section in the household dept and buy a 1 litre bottle of the green window cleaning soap. Its actually Unger Liquid but the last bottle I bought didn't have Unger on it. It doesn't froth up like fairy but it doesn't leave a residue either.
Don't expect all the residue on the glass to come off in one clean either. When I take on a new customer I can often tell if the previous cleaner had used fairy.
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i used to have the same problem until i changed to gg3!im now changing over to wfp i have other problems now!!! :-\ :-\
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Well it looks like I need to get myself a small bottle of GG3 then. It made me really paranoid that someone would say something about it and as I do not quite have a full book yet I could not afford to lose any good customers.
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GG3/4 with a drop of squeegy off.
Cant beat it.
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cant see how using pure water trad is gonna make any difference as your applicator will be filthy anyway after one house!
but gg3 - yes, im starting with that for all houses, i never quite got on with it originally but i like the way the window come up and it seems to be much cleaner next time as it doesnt leave the windows as greasy as does fairy
and especially in direct sunlight its miles better
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I use sorbo glide, I only use 5ml per bucket. this helps out with the glide know end.
Sorbo glide is around £7 per bottle (475ml) but that will last a while because you dont use much.
My mix is 20ml GG4 and 5ml Sorbo glide per bucket.
Matt
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I agree with any of the above, just stay clear of fairy. If you have to buy supermarket soap buy the cheapest own brand there is.
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Fairy all the way for me, only tried unger out of all the specialist window cleaning liquids. In my opinion direct sunlight is our worst enemy and after 12 years at it it can give me problems but this is what microfibres are for.
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I use sorbo glide, I only use 5ml per bucket. this helps out with the glide know end.
Sorbo glide is around £7 per bottle (475ml) but that will last a while because you dont use much.
My mix is 20ml GG4 and 5ml Sorbo glide per bucket.
Matt
how much water is in your bucket?
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Smears in sunlight....I just give window a quick buff with the microfibre
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untill i went wfp i always used fairy .the only time it smeared ish is when the sun dried it before i could take it off .
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cheap washing liquid not as thick as fairy mixed with some white vinegar wont use anythingelse when doing trad work (only bungalows, wfp rest of round)
andy
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Right this might sound like a really stupid question but in sunlight from a certain angle I sometimes see smears. I use fairy and change my rubber reguarly (that sounds rude) and seem to notice in this weather. I do not think their is anything wrong with my technique and change my water regulary.
one of my customers said to me today that I left a few smears on a few of her windows and I ended up paranoid. Is it just one of them things that the customer does not notice?
It sounds as though you`re not breaking down the grease/dirt etc before blading off. The washing of the window with the applicator is as important as squeegee technique.
And this is harder in strong sunlight. Dirt can seem baked on and the glass can get very hot. So when you apply your solution with the T-mop it can dry out quickly.
Keed your applicator wet, soak/ scrub the window and blade off in sections before it dries off.
You could also cool the glass first with a spray bottle or damp cloth.
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Right this might sound like a really stupid question but in sunlight from a certain angle I sometimes see smears. I use fairy and change my rubber reguarly (that sounds rude) and seem to notice in this weather. I do not think their is anything wrong with my technique and change my water regulary.
one of my customers said to me today that I left a few smears on a few of her windows and I ended up paranoid. Is it just one of them things that the customer does not notice?
It sounds as though you`re not breaking down the grease/dirt etc before blading off. The washing of the window with the applicator is as important as squeegee technique.
And this is harder in strong sunlight. Dirt can seem baked on and the glass can get very hot. So when you apply your solution with the T-mop it can dry out quickly.
Keed your applicator wet, soak/ scrub the window and blade off in sections before it dries off.
You could also cool the glass first with a spray bottle or damp cloth.
I do try and keep it as wet as possible. And on patio doors and big windows I try and do it in sections. Going to try GG3 and will just have to accept that I will be a bit slower. I actually prefer working in overcast conditions as It is more comfortable.
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i use a spray bottle thats hooked to my belt. that way its clean water everytime im putting onto the glass
in between houses wash out the applicator in my bucket and squeeze it thoroughly as dry as can be got
i dont mix in any first cleans/0ne offs with the applicator thats used on the regular work . i keep a rough applicator for first cleans only and a soft applicator for regulars
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Right this might sound like a really stupid question but in sunlight from a certain angle I sometimes see smears. I use fairy and change my rubber reguarly (that sounds rude) and seem to notice in this weather. I do not think their is anything wrong with my technique and change my water regulary.
one of my customers said to me today that I left a few smears on a few of her windows and I ended up paranoid. Is it just one of them things that the customer does not notice?
It sounds as though you`re not breaking down the grease/dirt etc before blading off. The washing of the window with the applicator is as important as squeegee technique.
And this is harder in strong sunlight. Dirt can seem baked on and the glass can get very hot. So when you apply your solution with the T-mop it can dry out quickly.
Keed your applicator wet, soak/ scrub the window and blade off in sections before it dries off.
You could also cool the glass first with a spray bottle or damp cloth.
I do try and keep it as wet as possible. And on patio doors and big windows I try and do it in sections. Going to try GG3 and will just have to accept that I will be a bit slower. I actually prefer working in overcast conditions as It is more comfortable.
What size squeegee do you use? I find a 10" good on houses, especially in hot conditions. And as Stu-Mac says, try to get your squeegee horizontal or it in the T position, you will get less kicks.
GG3 can be difficult to use in hot weather if you`re used to Fairy.
You should be ok if you wet the window enough and scrub well. A light pass with a soaking applicator may not be enough, let it soak the glass, scrub and try circular motions- that`s good for getting suds with low foaming solutions.
Also ensure you get into the corners of the window, they are often the dirtiest part. And you could try holding the T-mop by the sleeve (not the handle), this can give you more accuracy and pressure to scrub.
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1) In warm/sunny conditions work fast and don't give solution a chance to start drying out before you squeegee off.
2) I add a touch of white distilled vinegar in with Unger liquid and water (helps cleaning power and gives a good slip)
3) Use the biggest squeegee you are comfortable with (less turns)
4) Moisten rubber by wiping with a damp cloth before using
5) After squeegeing windows lean back check left, check right, if you do see any turn marks quickly buff with a microfibre,scrim or leather
Once you get in the swing you will be flying with confidence
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I'm quite new to window cleaning and was using fairy this week and it left white marks because it dries too quickly. Other half whose been doing it for years sorted me out with some GG4 which was fantastic. Not a streak in sight.
Does make you paranoid doesn't it :)
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i basically use my mop dripping wet on hot sunny days and a tad more gg3.i also mop fewer windows before i squeegee to stop the windows drying out!simple!
regards
dazmond
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when working with gg press lighter with the squeegee which will help reduce drag
oh and practice
G
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Regarding the smearing, is it where you have bladed or is it after detailing?
I get it after detailing when the windows are hot.
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what do you use for detailing?i find the big blue flatweave microfibres absolutely head and shoulders above scrim!!!
ive been squeegeeing all day in the hot sun(downstairs only mind!!) and windows have come up really good!gg3 and microfibres/good rubber makes you a much better window cleaner!!! ;) ;D ;D ;D
ive been frazzled by the sun though!! ::) ::)
regards
dazmond
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Yeah, nice smooth microfibre is the best option for me, scrim doesn't work half as good but i haven't used any of the unger of ettore ones which may be better?!