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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: alticry on December 20, 2010, 07:12:23 pm

Title: working in sub zero
Post by: alticry on December 20, 2010, 07:12:23 pm
Started work today and water froze on window so decided to chuck it.Have since read that adding some meths will prevent freezing.can anyone tell me how much meths should be added per bucket? -5 today and its not going to get better soon. Only have about 50 custys per month,not desperate for the money just think my customers would like the windows done for the Christmas break.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 20, 2010, 07:18:54 pm
i think most windys in the u.k use screenwash (for cars!) add you own soap to it though because the blue saop init is rubbish! this method will work to -5c but ive heard of other screen wash that is good for -7

i think mine was £1.50 for 1.5 litres from asda! 50 custys is a fair amount. how long you been w.c'ing now?

Best regards g.b
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: Sir Squeaky on December 20, 2010, 07:21:06 pm
Yep, screenwash.
It was -5 here today and my bucket was outside all day as I was doing shops, and no freezing.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: alticry on December 20, 2010, 07:27:26 pm
Thanks for the prompt advice, will give it a try tomorow.Have been cleaning windows for about a year in Dumfries and Galloway , a very rural area,snows not bad at all, sun is shining,just bloody freezing.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 20, 2010, 07:31:34 pm
by the way, the temp's shown on forecasts or taken in the shade! so if your doing south facing shop windows in the sushine (which is a BIG if  ;D) it should be alot warmer than the temps shown on the forecast's!
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 20, 2010, 07:34:57 pm
Meths tends to leave a grey blue smear if you don't get the mixture right. As the guys said, screenwash upto 50/50 mix with water and the water as cold as possible. Small shot of GG3/4 or fairy. Not too much though.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: Sean Dyer on December 20, 2010, 07:43:18 pm
Meths tends to leave a grey blue smear if you don't get the mixture right. As the guys said, screenwash upto 50/50 mix with water and the water as cold as possible. Small shot of GG3/4 or fairy. Not too much though.

cold water? not hot better?

Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 20, 2010, 07:48:26 pm
No mate, try it.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 20, 2010, 07:49:05 pm
Apperently luke warm is the best!

cold 2nd best them hot in last place for freezing times!

i keep forgetting to use luke warm, and end up using cold but when i do try it im gonna get hot water in a 25ltr barrel/tub and some luke warm to be going on with in my bucket. cos my theory is that over the course of the day the hot water in the tub will cool to a luke warm temp!  8)
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 20, 2010, 07:53:51 pm
OK, I'm working down to minus 6. We do have slightly diferent air temps and humidity here perhaps, but I've never had cold water freeze on a window as fast as hot or luke warm water mate.

Like I said, I am inland and have drier air perhaps, but we get these winters every year, just not so long as these last two  :( Feb here is usually a no go month because it's so cold, but using very cold water and screenwash will work down to minus 6 c.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 20, 2010, 08:10:21 pm
@ cozy...

So im better off using cold then (like i do anyway) you recon? thanks g.b.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: Matthew Bateman on December 20, 2010, 08:15:56 pm
Meths tends to leave a grey blue smear if you don't get the mixture right.

What do you know?

All you do is drink Meths all day, you're nought but an old tramp.

Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: gregmyster on December 20, 2010, 09:26:11 pm
i find auto glym screen wash more expensive but much more effective mixed 1:3
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: birdymiller on December 20, 2010, 11:00:23 pm
I have used screenwash ready made and its ok for -1. Get the stuff that you mix yourself can go down to -10-20. Mate of mine using antifreeze £7 for 5 litres swears by it worked 8-4 today. I just rub with cloths quiker if you ask me less messy and no fumes
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: dazmond on December 20, 2010, 11:23:38 pm
I have used screenwash ready made and its ok for -1. Get the stuff that you mix yourself can go down to -10-20. Mate of mine using antifreeze £7 for 5 litres swears by it worked 8-4 today. I just rub with cloths quiker if you ask me less messy and no fumes

lots of smears though i bet birdy in the low sunshine!! ::) ;D ;D
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: mci services on December 20, 2010, 11:28:23 pm
I have used screenwash ready made and its ok for -1. Get the stuff that you mix yourself can go down to -10-20. Mate of mine using antifreeze £7 for 5 litres swears by it worked 8-4 today. I just rub with cloths quiker if you ask me less messy and no fumes

lots of smears though i bet birdy in the low sunshine!! ::) ;D ;D

yes I resorted to scrimming today on one house and not to happy with it.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 20, 2010, 11:36:42 pm
Meths tends to leave a grey blue smear if you don't get the mixture right.

What do you know?

All you do is drink Meths all day, you're nought but an old tramp.



Maybe, but I don't do uphill gardening like you. ;)
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: Ian Rochester on December 21, 2010, 04:46:56 am
If we could get parked close to the windows then we'd give this a go, roads around here are trecherous and not even worth trying to get out and about.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: birdymiller on December 21, 2010, 07:10:09 am
I have used screenwash ready made and its ok for -1. Get the stuff that you mix yourself can go down to -10-20. Mate of mine using antifreeze £7 for 5 litres swears by it worked 8-4 today. I just rub with cloths quiker if you ask me less messy and no fumes

lots of smears though i bet birdy in the low sunshine!! ::) ;D ;D

daz low sunshine shows every blade movement on the glass, no windows are perfect not even wfp. My custies are just happy im here before xmas and im happy im earning for 7 hours a day. Getting loads of tips and cuppas along the way  ;) ;)
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 21, 2010, 08:32:29 am
@ cozy...

So im better off using cold then (like i do anyway) you recon? thanks g.b.

Sorry GB, just read your post. Yes mate, better cold. Try it and see, nothing to lose.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 21, 2010, 08:41:06 am
thanks cozy  ;) will do!
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 21, 2010, 01:32:28 pm
Just got back in GB, we had minus 8 at about 12 o clock. Used 70/30 mix screenwash cold water. Was workable but no detailing. Custies were happy, so job done. We had no wind and it was sunny today.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 21, 2010, 02:11:58 pm
 ;) nice one mate, its been below -5 here most the day so no work again for me but im out tomorrow & thurs when its forecast for a toasty high of 0c  8)

i might put my shorts and sunlotion on  ;D
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 21, 2010, 02:17:49 pm
Try a stronger mix mate. I'm doing downstairs only at the moment, but because it's festive, they are paying full alot of the time. Good luck any way mate.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: mci services on December 21, 2010, 02:25:11 pm
I used a concentrate with a bit of soap neat today and it still froze ???
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 21, 2010, 02:27:23 pm
What mix though Stu? I used 70% screenwash and COLD water.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 21, 2010, 02:31:16 pm
im using neat screenwash with Fairy which still freezes at -5 or -6! maybe im using poor quality screenwash?! or maybe i should buy some neat methanol?! what do you recon cozy?

thanks again, regards G.B
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: mci services on December 21, 2010, 02:31:36 pm
that was 100% screenwash, it was around -10 according to the met office and my mates car was saying -20 this morning :o

Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 21, 2010, 02:34:07 pm
I used ready mixed to minus 30 it says on the container guys. Works a treat. Methonol would cost a fortune surely?
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: mci services on December 21, 2010, 02:37:40 pm
I better buy a better screenwash I think
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 21, 2010, 02:38:24 pm
I used ready mixed to minus 30 it says on the container guys. Works a treat. Methonol would cost a fortune surely?

Apperently it works out alot cheaper to buy the active ingredient (methanol) neat, on its own. this is what ive heard from windys who work in north america/canada!
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on December 21, 2010, 02:39:01 pm
I better buy a better screenwash I think

Im thinking the same thing mate!  ;)
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 21, 2010, 02:39:43 pm
OK mate, let me know.

 @Stu, tight fisted git  ;D
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: mci services on December 21, 2010, 02:46:26 pm
OK mate, let me know.

 @Stu, tight fisted git  ;D
;) ;D
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 21, 2010, 03:11:23 pm
I bet the screenwash you bought is slightly blue if you hold it up to a 500W light. ::) Get your wallet out!
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: mci services on December 21, 2010, 03:16:18 pm
mmmm it is a bit pale looking ;D bet you are using knocked of AL11 from the Army lads ::)
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: cozy on December 21, 2010, 03:18:43 pm
Wish I could get that Stu. Everything is accounted for now with the Army guys. As I remember, there is methanol in that too isn't there? That stuff works down to minus 50 or summat. Used in Norway.
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: mci services on December 21, 2010, 03:34:33 pm
Wish I could get that Stu. Everything is accounted for now with the Army guys. As I remember, there is methanol in that too isn't there? That stuff works down to minus 50 or summat. Used in Norway.

yes they use it neat for norway, great stuff :D tosh says it is good with powdered orange
Title: Re: working in sub zero
Post by: G Griffin on December 21, 2010, 04:43:59 pm
daz low sunshine shows every blade movement on the glass, no windows are perfect not even wfp.

That`s not true, if you know what to do.
Break down whatever is on the glass and if you have half decent tools and good squeegee technique, then you should have nothing to hide, low sunshine or not.