Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Cookie on September 04, 2015, 05:47:41 pm

Title: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: Cookie on September 04, 2015, 05:47:41 pm
I did a first clean today of some small UPVC sash windows. The bottom section of the sash was just large enough to get my Gardiners brush head in to clean and then I noticed that my brush head had made black line marks on the UPVC. I ended up having to clean these off with CIF. Took me ages....

I'll know to price a bit higher next time I do this type of window!
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: SeanK on September 04, 2015, 08:14:48 pm
Get an old brush and cut an inch or so of each end, keep it for windows like this.
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: Cookie on September 04, 2015, 09:00:14 pm
Get an old brush and cut an inch or so of each end, keep it for windows like this.

Thanks Sean - that's an excellent idea.
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: Smurf on September 05, 2015, 01:10:57 am
I tend to use a long arm gardiner swivel which is great for really narrow bits of glass as I can swivel the brush long ways instead of using it the normal way. Mind you if the glass is smaller in length than the brush stock you would still have to cut a brush down to fit and make your life easier for that type of job.
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: Tadgh O Shea on September 05, 2015, 01:25:21 am
I did a first clean today of some small UPVC sash windows. The bottom section of the sash was just large enough to get my Gardiners brush head in to clean and then I noticed that my brush head had made black line marks on the UPVC. I ended up having to clean these off with CIF. Took me ages....

I'll know to price a bit higher next time I do this type of window!
Why not use microfiber detailing cloths, perfect for these type cleaning tasks and no risk of black line marks on the upvc frames, just use one damp with water to clean and then a second one dry to polish off for a perfect finish.
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: Mike #1 on September 05, 2015, 08:04:35 am
sash windows are a PIA to clean but never had a brush mark the pvc , 
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: dazmond on September 05, 2015, 09:04:17 am
sash windows are a PIA to clean but never had a brush mark the pvc ,

same.if your careful you shouldnt be marking the upvc with your brush.what brush are you using mate?

i usually use a supreme or SL on a carbon gooseneck(most sash windows have deep ledges on my round)
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: ChumBucket on September 05, 2015, 10:15:55 am
I tend to use a long arm gardiner swivel which is great for really narrow bits of glass as I can swivel the brush long ways instead of using it the normal way. Mind you if the glass is smaller in length than the brush stock you would still have to cut a brush down to fit and make your life easier for that type of job.

+1

No problem with a swivel. ;)
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: ChumBucket on September 05, 2015, 06:05:46 pm
Just found this, something I knocked up a few years ago to try & graphically demonstrate the purposes of using a swivel neck. ;D

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1441472684_swivel use examples.jpg)
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: SeanK on September 05, 2015, 06:15:51 pm
Nice drawings Chum, going to give the swivel a go and see if I take to it, cheers.
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: ChumBucket on September 05, 2015, 06:23:12 pm
Nice drawings Chum, going to give the swivel a go and see if I take to it, cheers.

Don't make the classic mistake of giving it 5 minutes then removing it because "it doesn't feel right". Of course it doesn't feel right, your brush now moves from side to side!! ;D IMO the swivel, when utilised correctly is as big a revelation than wfp itself!! ;) I just  couldn't work with a fixed on anything below 40ft now.
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: SeanK on September 05, 2015, 07:10:06 pm
Nice drawings Chum, going to give the swivel a go and see if I take to it, cheers.

Don't make the classic mistake of giving it 5 minutes then removing it because "it doesn't feel right". Of course it doesn't feel right, your brush now moves from side to side!! ;D IMO the swivel, when utilised correctly is as big a revelation than wfp itself!! ;) I just  couldn't work with a fixed on anything below 40ft now.

Had the same with the xtreme brush, ready to bin it within half an hour now I wouldn't be without it.
Will give it a good go, Cheers.
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: ChumBucket on September 05, 2015, 07:27:41 pm
Nice drawings Chum, going to give the swivel a go and see if I take to it, cheers.

Don't make the classic mistake of giving it 5 minutes then removing it because "it doesn't feel right". Of course it doesn't feel right, your brush now moves from side to side!! ;D IMO the swivel, when utilised correctly is as big a revelation than wfp itself!! ;) I just  couldn't work with a fixed on anything below 40ft now.

Had the same with the xtreme brush, ready to bin it within half an hour now I wouldn't be without it.
Will give it a good go, Cheers.

The swivels are particularly good with Xtreme brushes, the lack of weight coupled with an articulated neck has you whipping around at any angle with minimal body movement & very little stress!  ;)
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: Cookie on September 05, 2015, 10:25:09 pm
sash windows are a PIA to clean but never had a brush mark the pvc ,

same.if your careful you shouldnt be marking the upvc with your brush.what brush are you using mate?

i usually use a supreme or SL on a carbon gooseneck(most sash windows have deep ledges on my round)

I'm using a Gardiners Super-Lite Medium mixed dual trim brush. I was obviously not careful enough on this occasion. This is first time I have ever marked the UPVC with the brush head!

I found this brush bumper on Gardiners website which may be a good investment. It looks like you can fit it & remove as required.

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/brushes/brush-fittings-jets-sockets-scrapers/super-litear-brush-bumper.html
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: Cookie on September 05, 2015, 10:31:22 pm
Nice drawings Chum, going to give the swivel a go and see if I take to it, cheers.

Don't make the classic mistake of giving it 5 minutes then removing it because "it doesn't feel right". Of course it doesn't feel right, your brush now moves from side to side!! ;D IMO the swivel, when utilised correctly is as big a revelation than wfp itself!! ;) I just  couldn't work with a fixed on anything below 40ft now.

Had the same with the xtreme brush, ready to bin it within half an hour now I wouldn't be without it.
Will give it a good go, Cheers.

The swivels are particularly good with Xtreme brushes, the lack of weight coupled with an articulated neck has you whipping around at any angle with minimal body movement & very little stress!  ;)

Thanks ChumBucket for your advice. I've never considered a swivel. I guess this would also be handy for a window above a conservatory or flat roof extension. One to add to the shopping list ....
Title: Re: Small UPVC sash windows - what a pain to clean!
Post by: slap bash on September 06, 2015, 09:14:54 pm
I have a complex of houses 149 altogether of which I do 3/4 and all have sash window and never had a problem till I realized I do have a bumper strip on most of my brushes. This bit of kit does work well.