Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: GB Window Cleaning on June 10, 2011, 05:41:28 pm
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ok ive decided i cant let this beat me! all these top floor windows ive spotted up to hight heaven!
ive been talking to my dad and he's willing to lend me alot of cash! im lucky i know!
so i need your advice people, i want to go from trolley to van mount asap!!!
what should i get?
ive got a 03 plate vauxhall combo! what should i get?
i'd really apprieciate all your input!
oh yeah ive also got the use of my dads garage if i need it for making pure water or whatever. or can i get everything i need in my van?
regards, GB
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You will notice a difference when you use more water. Get the biggest tank you can carry.
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thanks sunshine, i will do mate!
also i live near a wfp suppliers called "anchor cleaning supplies" they do van mounts and everything
should i get them to do it all for me? enyone any experience with them?
except for the poles, gonna go for gardiners poles!
also im still on the lookout for anyone willing to train me for a day or 2! anyone willing to take me out? im on lincoln!
thanks
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You will notice a difference when you use more water. Get the biggest tank you can carry.
what a load of rubbish :o
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are you near grimsby, where you have purefreedom, or wolverhampton where you have the cleaning warehouse? they both do very similar systems, but the cleaning warehosue is cheaper and a very good service.
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ok ive decided i cant let this beat me! all these top floor windows ive spotted up to hight heaven!
ive been talking to my dad and he's willing to lend me alot of cash! im lucky i know!
so i need your advice people, i want to go from trolley to van mount asap!!!
what should i get?
ive got a 03 plate vauxhall combo! what should i get?
i'd really apprieciate all your input!
oh yeah ive also got the use of my dads garage if i need it for making pure water or whatever. or can i get everything i need in my van?
regards, GB
for the van-
tank
pump with controller
reel with hose
Approx £400
As for RO's, I don't use one so someone else could advise better. ;)
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You will notice a difference when you use more water. Get the biggest tank you can carry.
what a load of rubbish :o
It's not. It's good advise.
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Just to inject some reality.... I get perfect results mostly with a 25 litre trolley. It's either method or purity of water. Spending zillions won't fix that.
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GB wouldnt you be better off getting the things right instead of spending cash. you will get more water but it will not help you if you are doing it wrong way or to quick. take your time.
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I believe Pure Freedom in Grimsby take you out for the day when your getting a van mount fitted,I have one of their systems and can't fault them,however I did'nt need the training so went round Cleethorpes for the day,should have gone for the training session instead! ;D ;D
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Check the payload capacity of your van GB, that will dictate the size of tank and equipment you can carry. 1ltr of water weighs 1kg, so a 250ltr tank will, when full, weigh 250kg and then add on hose reel etc, oh, and yourself :P.
when you settle on tank size, get measurements from inside your van, where do you want to position it? Across or down side of van ( personally I'd have it across bulkhead for weight distribution and balance) ? Flat tank, or do you prefer upright? so many choices and decisions ;D
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You will notice a difference when you use more water. Get the biggest tank you can carry.
what a load of rubbish :o
You can get away with less water on later cleans but on the first clean you have to thouroughly clean all frames and glass. I advise using a higher flow rate AND scrubbing frames first THEN glass. If you get it right on the first clean you should have no problems.
I have personally help set up over a dozen window cleaners with WFP and following my advice NONE have had a problem with their customers. One lad had never even cleaned windows but now 18 months in has masses of well paid loyal customers and no issues with spotting.
The guy is trying to do it with minimal water, not a good idea initially.
GB: My number is on my website if you need advice.
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are you near grimsby, where you have purefreedom, or wolverhampton where you have the cleaning warehouse? they both do very similar systems, but the cleaning warehosue is cheaper and a very good service.
im only an hour away from grimsby lee! but about 2.5 hrs away window cleaning warehouse!
have you heard of anchor cleaning supplies in lincoln?
thanks mate
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I believe Pure Freedom in Grimsby take you out for the day when your getting a van mount fitted,I have one of their systems and can't fault them,however I did'nt need the training so went round Cleethorpes for the day,should have gone for the training session instead! ;D ;D
yeah ive just looked at there web site and they train you for the day when fitting your van! sounds tempting!
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Check the payload capacity of your van GB, that will dictate the size of tank and equipment you can carry. 1ltr of water weighs 1kg, so a 250ltr tank will, when full, weigh 250kg and then add on hose reel etc, oh, and yourself :P.
when you settle on tank size, get measurements from inside your van, where do you want to position it? Across or down side of van ( personally I'd have it across bulkhead for weight distribution and balance) ? Flat tank, or do you prefer upright? so many choices and decisions ;D
thanks nic, think id like a tank across the bulhead too, i'll get the biggest tank i can proberbly big square one or somthing!
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[/quote]
You can get away with less water on later cleans but on the first clean you have to thouroughly clean all frames and glass. I advise using a higher flow rate AND scrubbing frames first THEN glass. If you get it right on the first clean you should have no problems.
I have personally help set up over a dozen window cleaners with WFP and following my advice NONE have had a problem with their customers. One lad had never even cleaned windows but now 18 months in has masses of well paid loyal customers and no issues with spotting.
The guy is trying to do it with minimal water, not a good idea initially.
GB: My number is on my website if you need advice.
[/quote]
thanks loads for that sunshine! i really appreciate your help, if i need to chat i'll defo give you a call! thanks again.
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You can get away with less water on later cleans but on the first clean you have to thouroughly clean all frames and glass. I advise using a higher flow rate AND scrubbing frames first THEN glass. If you get it right on the first clean you should have no problems.
I have personally help set up over a dozen window cleaners with WFP and following my advice NONE have had a problem with their customers. One lad had never even cleaned windows but now 18 months in has masses of well paid loyal customers and no issues with spotting.
The guy is trying to do it with minimal water, not a good idea initially.
GB: My number is on my website if you need advice.
[/quote]
thanks loads for that sunshine! i really appreciate your help, if i need to chat i'll defo give you a call! thanks again.
[/quote]
Any time mate.
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please remember some advice on here is not always the best mate.
with you spending some cash on a load of stuff it has to be right.
dont wanna end up like dazmond - buying the wrong bits all the time.
you def do not need the biggest tank possible!!! you need the best size tank for your business and days work!
need space in the van for any other bits n bobs you may need to carry around for the day.
not sure why the windows are spotting - guess your cleaning method isnt 100% yet mate.
diy fitting can be good mate - just because the system isnt £1000 + and top of the range it doesnt mean you wont get the same result - CLEAN WINDOWS!
diy fitting can also help you understand how everything works - so when a problem on the job - you can sort it quick and wont effect the days work so much.
a pro fitting is great as they have all the right kit for a good job but you wont learn much about the workings and when you get a problem - which you will! - how do you fix it quick?
so what im saying is you dont have to spend too much to get you where you need to be mate! the money you save doing that def put towards a good every day pole and brush head - slx or maybe the elite pole depending on your budget. the new gardiners sill brush does look good!!
think about it - dont rush in! need space for other stuff? van payload? etc
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ref spotting: just try this at home or friends.
do they spot there to?
is so try this first mate (bit long winded but it helps)
just plug your pole into the outside tap and go round the whole house just doing frames and make sure you give the tops bits of each from a good going over.
then go back round with your pure water and check results.
reason i say do this - is to simply rule out the fact you are not cleaning the top frames as well - so every time you visit a job you are just moving a little bit of dirt off the top frame each time and drying spotty.
even if a job spots once, normally the next clean would have sorted this.
you 100% your tds meter is working right?
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please remember some advice on here is not always the best mate.
with you spending some cash on a load of stuff it has to be right.
dont wanna end up like dazmond - buying the wrong bits all the time.
you def do not need the biggest tank possible!!! you need the best size tank for your business and days work!
need space in the van for any other bits n bobs you may need to carry around for the day.think about it - dont rush in! need space for other stuff? van payload? etc
What on earth did you think I meant? The biggest tank possible taking into account the size of van and other equipment needed in the van. I never said anything about spending £1000's.
The reason being that most will understand that spotting will be caused by a lack of rinsing. Which is often caused because of lack of water.
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ref spotting: just try this at home or friends.
do they spot there to?
is so try this first mate (bit long winded but it helps)
just plug your pole into the outside tap and go round the whole house just doing frames and make sure you give the tops bits of each from a good going over.
then go back round with your pure water and check results.
reason i say do this - is to simply rule out the fact you are not cleaning the top frames as well - so every time you visit a job you are just moving a little bit of dirt off the top frame each time and drying spotty.
even if a job spots once, normally the next clean would have sorted this.
you 100% your tds meter is working right?
This is a good work around which i do for conservatory roofs,
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im sorry where abouts in my post was i using your post as reference?????????
i dont think i even your post to be honest.
just giving my views - as its a forum last time i checked!
GB has to make his own mind up at the end of the day, our points just help him along the way
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You won't regret getting the biggest tank your van will carry. If floor space is tight you could get an upright tank.
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im sorry where abouts in my post was i using your post as reference?????????
i dont think i even your post to be honest.
just giving my views - as its a forum last time i checked!
GB has to make his own mind up at the end of the day, our points just help him along the way
This bit
You will notice a difference when you use more water. Get the biggest tank you can carry.
you def do not need the biggest tank possible!!! you need the best size tank for your business and days work!
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gb i had a backpack setup for 2 years but got rid and went back to ladders for less hastle. As sunshine has said biggest problem for spotting is not enough rinsing. I found that after rinsing long enough to get good results i was just as quick with my ladders after taking into account van moves, refilling and snagging. Not suggesting you ditch wfp but follow sunshine advice and rinse loads and loads
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please remember some advice on here is not always the best mate.
with you spending some cash on a load of stuff it has to be right.
dont wanna end up like dazmond - buying the wrong bits all the time.
you def do not need the biggest tank possible!!! you need the best size tank for your business and days work!
need space in the van for any other bits n bobs you may need to carry around for the day.
not sure why the windows are spotting - guess your cleaning method isnt 100% yet mate.
diy fitting can be good mate - just because the system isnt £1000 + and top of the range it doesnt mean you wont get the same result - CLEAN WINDOWS!
diy fitting can also help you understand how everything works - so when a problem on the job - you can sort it quick and wont effect the days work so much.
a pro fitting is great as they have all the right kit for a good job but you wont learn much about the workings and when you get a problem - which you will! - how do you fix it quick?
so what im saying is you dont have to spend too much to get you where you need to be mate! the money you save doing that def put towards a good every day pole and brush head - slx or maybe the elite pole depending on your budget. the new gardiners sill brush does look good!!
think about it - dont rush in! need space for other stuff? van payload? etc
seems like sound advice! thankyou. thats why i might get "anchor cleaning supplies" in lincoln near me to do the van mount cos then if something goes wrong its only five minuted up the road to get help from the fitter!
thanks again!
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ref spotting: just try this at home or friends.
do they spot there to?
is so try this first mate (bit long winded but it helps)
just plug your pole into the outside tap and go round the whole house just doing frames and make sure you give the tops bits of each from a good going over.
then go back round with your pure water and check results.
reason i say do this - is to simply rule out the fact you are not cleaning the top frames as well - so every time you visit a job you are just moving a little bit of dirt off the top frame each time and drying spotty.
even if a job spots once, normally the next clean would have sorted this.
you 100% your tds meter is working right?
i thought the spots i'd created would have been easy(ish) to get off the next time round too! but they seem to be hard water marks now :o so think i will pick one house a day and get ladders out and do some hard water removal!
then see if or how it happens again with better srubbing and rinsing!
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ref spotting: just try this at home or friends.
do they spot there to?
is so try this first mate (bit long winded but it helps)
just plug your pole into the outside tap and go round the whole house just doing frames and make sure you give the tops bits of each from a good going over.
then go back round with your pure water and check results.
reason i say do this - is to simply rule out the fact you are not cleaning the top frames as well - so every time you visit a job you are just moving a little bit of dirt off the top frame each time and drying spotty.
even if a job spots once, normally the next clean would have sorted this.
you 100% your tds meter is working right?
oh yeah... im not 100% sure my tds meter is working correct! how should i test it?
thanks
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You won't regret getting the biggest tank your van will carry. If floor space is tight you could get an upright tank.
okay, thanks
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good luck with the van mount GB.
sounds like you need to improve your technique and make sure your water is defo 000 mate.
a couple of things i want to ask you
1.do you live near the sea as sea salt in the air can make windows a nightmare to clean wfp?
2.have you been rinsing brush on or off?
3.do you scrub AND rinse the top frame before starting on the glass?
not having to worry about saving water and rinsing more thoroughly brush off should solve your problems.make sure the customers who complain are not looking a dirt/spots that are on the inside of the glass!!it happens more often than you think!! ;) ;D ;D ;D
best wishes
dazmond
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gb i had a backpack setup for 2 years but got rid and went back to ladders for less hastle. As sunshine has said biggest problem for spotting is not enough rinsing. I found that after rinsing long enough to get good results i was just as quick with my ladders after taking into account van moves, refilling and snagging. Not suggesting you ditch wfp but follow sunshine advice and rinse loads and loads
i seriously thought about going back trad, but i i dont really want to and daddy is wiling to help me out with funds now so think i'll stick with wfp
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good luck with the van mount GB.
sounds like you need to improve your technique and make sure your water is defo 000 mate.
a couple of things i want to ask you
1.do you live near the sea as sea salt in the air can make windows a nightmare to clean wfp?
2.have you been rinsing brush on or off?
3.do you scrub AND rinse the top frame before starting on the glass?
not having to worry about saving water and rinsing more thoroughly brush off should solve your problems.make sure the customers who complain are not looking a dirt/spots that are on the inside of the glass!!it happens more often than you think!! ;) ;D ;D ;D
best wishes
dazmond
i dont live near the see daz, im about 50 miles inland
i rinse brush off, but i think ive been not using enough water and rinsing too far back, about 12 inches instead of 4-6 inches from glass!
i scrub frames first then glass then rinse glass then scrub sills, when i do top of frames i normally scrub the top frame only without rinsing but im defo gonna start rinsing frame especially the top frame
like i said, the custys arnt really complaining (yet) but the scary part about all this is you CANNOT see these spots unless the sun is shining very bright on them at the right angle :o
thanks daz
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are you near grimsby, where you have purefreedom, or wolverhampton where you have the cleaning warehouse? they both do very similar systems, but the cleaning warehosue is cheaper and a very good service.
im only an hour away from grimsby lee! but about 2.5 hrs away window cleaning warehouse!
have you heard of anchor cleaning supplies in lincoln?
thanks mate
my mate had his first system fitted by anchor it was a good set up he got .
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are you near grimsby, where you have purefreedom, or wolverhampton where you have the cleaning warehouse? they both do very similar systems, but the cleaning warehosue is cheaper and a very good service.
im only an hour away from grimsby lee! but about 2.5 hrs away window cleaning warehouse!
have you heard of anchor cleaning supplies in lincoln?
thanks mate
my mate had his first system fitted by anchor it was a good set up he got .
thanks for the respone. i think i might get anchor to do mine :-\ not sure about the long windedness and messing about learning of doing diy, im thinking about getting a van mount very soon, like next week maybe
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Ok,.. let me get this right,...
Problem: Lots of windows spotting, custies will be unhappy, might loose work
Solution: Spend lots of money on gear that may not fix the issue
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Seriously,... you can use more water with your trolley system. It'll mean changing barrels more often, but it'll let you know if that will help without spending on a van mount!
Your problem is most likely technique,.. not equipment or water flow.
My advice would be to buy a 2nd TDS meter so you can double check your water is ok. Increase your flow rate to 2 litres per minute ( a plastic jug & a stopwatch will help you set this), and be patient. First cleans are often a nightmare & need a double clean to come right.
Figure out what your issue is first, or you may just be wasting money!
A van mount is a great bit of kit btw,.. not knocking it as a viable ambition,.. just get the spotting sorted first.
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I have 12 x 25l barrels. I will go van mounted when I get a new van, but the point is that with 300l of water, I can have the flow rate on full for 1st cleans. Not because it gets them cleaner, but because it gets them clean quicker. When I get my van mount I don't expect to get windows any cleaner.
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I would your money on getting someone to show you how,Even with the most expensive kit you can still do a bad job.You can quickly check your TDS meter in a glass of Vodka as it is 000 ppm and then rain water which will have a 015-upwards ppm this will tell if your TDS is calibrated properly.
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yeah i think i need some sort of training! i really thought i'd got my technique down too ::)