Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Jettaway on September 26, 2013, 03:16:21 pm
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Hi guys
Just after a bit of advice.
Now I'm not a windie by a long shot, I do pressure washing/driveway cleaning.
After a drive clean, the windows get splattered, I always rinse down but noticed the hard water spots. So I bought a cheapo b&q £10/£20 trad kit. I watched a few videos and techniques getting better. One thing I have noticed is that the squeegee streaking a bit, now im using light pressure and keeping the handle about 3 inches of the glass.
I'm not necessarily after a perfect finish. Could this streaking be a technique problem or a cr@ppy rubber that came with the squeegee, the edge of the rubber is wonky if you look down it, but i dont know if thats normal or not.
Thanks for any help
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You would do better just pulling from side to side. Do one pull and clean blade. Then repeat if that makes sense.
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Sounds like the rubber blade is knackered. You'd be better off buying a decent brass squeegee and a few rubber blades you want the soft blades do t forget to use a little bit of fairy liquid in the water so the squeegee glides and turns easy on the glass. You can pick a brass squeegee and handle for about a tenner. I'd get a 12" squeegee hope this helps !!!
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it takes months to get to know your squeegee ,theres no shortcut im afraid
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it takes months to get to know your squeegee ,theres no shortcut im afraid
No it takes about half hour to learn and a few days to master the technique unless your a few sandwiches short that is lol... I taught my 9 year old daughter and she is great at it.
Those bnq ones are pants, order some decent rubber at least to put in the squeegie.
You will master it soon enough mate.
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Thanks for the help guys.
Can anyone recommend any good places to buy new rubbers, will try some soft rubbers first, then maybe a brass squeegee.
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new / decent rubber
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Get one of those green Unger squeegees with soft rubber.
You'll get them on eBay or any cleaning supplies shop.
As Mick said you can pick it up in no time.
Most windies are a bit thick and they manage it ;D
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Thanks for the help guys.
Can anyone recommend any good places to buy new rubbers, will try some soft rubbers first, then maybe a brass squeegee.
Window cleaning warehouse
Go for the unger ergo tech stuff
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i get my rubbers from the chemist ;D ;D, different flavours.
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Thanks for the help guys.
Can anyone recommend any good places to buy new rubbers, will try some soft rubbers first, then maybe a brass squeegee.
Soap National on line is where I get my stuff; get a 12" unger squeegee and green applicator and buy a few 36" unger soft rubbers and cut to size. As you are only cleaning a few downstairs windows this will last you ages. Remember to reverse the rubber once after a dozen houses so you get double life out of it.
Method:
Use the pull across and wipe method mentioned above.
Robertphil is a trad window cleaner and for him getting the technique right means saving time (money) - for you it just means you will take ten minutes to do the affected windows instead of five. It doesn't really matter.
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If yr squeegee is streaking
Sounds like yr pulling dirt or window
Isn't wet enough
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it takes months to get to know your squeegee ,theres no shortcut im afraid
No it takes about half hour to learn and a few days to master the technique unless your a few sandwiches short that is lol... I taught my 9 year old daughter and she is great at it.
Those bnq ones are pants, order some decent rubber at least to put in the squeegie.
You will master it soon enough mate.
to wipe cleanly gritty dirt splatter on glass with a squeegee takes a bit of experience . your 9 yr old wudnt have a clue how to get it perfect on the first attempt
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Jettaway don't listen to erm only take my advice pmsl 😳😁😜only joking guys it's all sound advice and yes after a while well quite a while as you don't do much squeegeeing turn blade around and pulex soft rubber blades 36" is prob cheapest with a 12" squeegee you'll get X3 lengths good luck !!!
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here you go jetaway, good and easy to deal with :)
http://www.windowcleancentre.co.uk/
just go through the menus to get what your looking for .
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Thanks for the links and advice, got some rubbers on order.
While I've got a thread going, watching some videos on youtube, why do the Americans use squeegees/applicaters etc on poles for upper floors and not wfp.. Whereas the UK is the other way round.
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not sure if you knew already but use fairy liquid, for what you do it will be perfect soaps up nicely and will gluide
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I have been using a bit of fairy liquid, am still trying to figure out the right amount to use.
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whats a squeegee ??? ;) ;)
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as others have said get a proper unger one .... "12" will do with some soft rubber and a few big blue microfibres for detailing
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just the same as washing up bowl mate, if just enough to make the blade slide easily, not enough and it will stick
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I have been using a bit of fairy liquid, am still trying to figure out the right amount to use.
3 second squeeze on the bottle in a full bucket of water
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thanks for the advice guys, got some new rubbers and the difference is massive. New rubbers just seem to glide across the glass a lot better.
Just out of interest. how come trad gear on poles to get to upper floor windows isnt popular over here like it is in the US, is it because its slower to do the job than wfp?
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thanks for the advice guys, got some new rubbers and the difference is massive. New rubbers just seem to glide across the glass a lot better.
Just out of interest. how come trad gear on poles to get to upper floor windows isnt popular over here like it is in the US, is it because its slower to do the job than wfp?
Because the yanks are 20 years behind us and yes its a lot slower.
Tony
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i used to clean awkward windows with a squeegee on a pole but its much faster with wfp plus you get to clean the frames and the finish is much better.
regarding squeegees i use the unger swivelock and ergotech ones with soft rubber with squeegee off and gg3 in my bucket.much better than fairy liquid IMO.no stickiness and a really bright shine to the windows once cleaned.
dazmond
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Probably a massive newbie question, but how long do rubbers last?
As stated I only clean windows after pressure washing, so although I rinse windows with PW first they still have a lot of grit and fine muck on. I imagine this takes its toll on rubbers, its pretty much like a first clean everytime.
My blades streaking a bit so gonna turn it around.. Its lasted about 6-8 hours on the glass time, does that sound about right?
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the ends of the rubber usually goes first unless you get a nick in the rubber which will leave a line. about a month mines last for.
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if your rubber is leaving lines or streaks thats the time to change,
how many rubbers you got? ive got loads if you mail me your address ill send you some.
tony
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Thanks guys. I've got 2 rubbers, both 12 inch.
Cheers Tony, I can't find an email for you, it says its hidden on your profile.
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after every window get in the habit of wiping the blade off with a damp cloth,i use me sill cloth
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hi jettaway......ive sent my email to your website ;)
Tony
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Hi jettaway (C) i have your address, ill post some off to you tomorrow or monday ;)
tony
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I like this internet shopping, tonycarr has no checkout ;D
Do you also give away TVs? I want to replace the bedroom set.
Good deed done, well done fella
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Go to Home Base they sell Unger stuff and good price.
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Just want to say a big thank you to Tony for sending me some rubbers.
Your generosity is overwhelming. Its good to know there are still some good people out there.
I hope you a lot of good karma comes your way.
Many thanks.
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glad to help ;)
tony