Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: sunshine windows on May 09, 2016, 09:09:50 pm
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Hi guys,
Picked up a car showroom today, that i didn't particularly want, but now have committed to the job at a decent price.
I don't do any high reach (approx 15-20ft) internal cleaning and need some advice on the best product to get.
Is the stingray now everybody's weapon of choice or are there better solutions out there for this type of work.
I definitely don't want to use an applicator and squeegee, so a pad/microfibe option is what i'm looking for.
Cheers
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I have cleaned various car show rooms and founds the easiest way is applicator and squeegee the floor will always be tiled meaning just mop the drips up at the end.
The glass on show rooms tend to be very large meaning pad systems will take you longer and if the job is dirty you will get through loads of pads. The glass on Some can be well over 100ft long a 22inch blade will be quicker and do a better finish.
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Read this...
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=202429.0
I used the unger pad system and thought it was "meh" been using the unger stingray and found it to be bloody awesome. Had some great feedback including a lovely comment yesterday.
Some people are reporting of snapped sections at the end (too much pressure)
I have said the reason why they unger stingray works is because of the fluid. Unless you're blind or plain stupid its almost impossible to get smears on the glass.
Got some commercial buildings i clean and since January its built up a nice layer on the glass and its effortless to clean. Finger prints literally melt.
Just my opinion.
Shouldnt be long before users come along who havent even used it will say its rubbish..... 5 4 3 2 1 ..... ;D
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Forget any of those systems like stingray - simple pads and waffle cloths will work well.
First clean be prepared to go over twice to take the build up off but after that you'll be fine, we also use the karcher window vac on a pole which is great on smaller high level work.
Get pads either from unger or vikan
Pad frames and waffle cloths from Tadgh
Fishscale microfibres from paragon are excellent as well
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1462863567_image.jpeg)
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Forget any of those systems like stingray - simple pads and waffle cloths will work well.
First clean be prepared to go over twice to take the build up off but after that you'll be fine, we also use the karcher window vac on a pole which is great on smaller high level work.
Get pads either from unger or vikan
Pad frames and waffle cloths from Tadgh
Fishscale microfibres from paragon are excellent as well
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1462863567_image.jpeg)
Have you got a picture of a pad frame Darran? Why on earth doesn't Tadgh get a website?
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Not a close up - search vikan easy shine
Tadgh's frames are pretty much the same but around half the price if I remember correctly.
A website would make all the difference👍
Darran
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I heard he has decided to stop selling and closed his account on here ??? ???
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I've got an old 30ft Slx which would be ideal for attaching the pads to.
Smudger, any links to the products you use would be great 😀
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I use the 40 X 40
http://www.paragonmicrofibre.com/cloths/fishscale-glass-cloth
They call them mop bases
http://www.paragonmicrofibre.com/cloths/fishscale-glass-cloth
This pad for first cleans
http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/unger-microfibre-wash-pad.html
These to finish
http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/unger-microfibre-cleaning-pad.html
http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/parts/interior-glass-cleaning/vikan-easy-shine-replacement-microfibre-mop.html
I'm sure someone must do these cheaper somewhere but yet to source them
And this...
Mix 50/50 with pure water
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-Spirit-Vinegar-12-concentrated-natural-weed-killer-/272234229019?hash=item3f626cad1b:g:FEAAAOxyTMhR-Ww0
Darran
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I have the Vikan Easyshine, but the cloths constantly slip when cleaning and are ineffective. I thought perhaps Tadgh had something better. How do you stop the cloths slipping?
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I had a text from another cleaner a while ago if I was interested in taking over doing 5 car showrooms. My first reaction reading the text was a big WHY doesn’t he want to do them anymore?
Probably the main reason as he soon found out that they are a real pain in the arse to do what with all the cars being in the way and all. Then I suppose dealing with Mr. Perfection in his nice suite and shinny shoes wanting them looking perfect at all times for next to bugger all. NO THANK YOU! Think I will pass on that one all the same if you don't mind ;D ;D
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Thanks for your help fellas.
So Matt, do you really rate the stingray then? I'm thinking of going this route as the windows aren't at right angles in the corners.
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I have the Vikan Easyshine, but the cloths constantly slip when cleaning and are ineffective. I thought perhaps Tadgh had something better. How do you stop the cloths slipping?
They seem to stick to the Velcro ok - thinking about it the older vikan' gave you Velcro pads to stick on the reverse so you wrap the pad around to hold it place - my newer vikan has Velcro inserts as does the other frames.
Darran
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Thanks for your help fellas.
So Matt, do you really rate the stingray then? I'm thinking of going this route as the windows aren't at right angles in the corners.
I am NOT matt ::)roll and yes i do
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Thanks for your help fellas.
So Matt, do you really rate the stingray then? I'm thinking of going this route as the windows aren't at right angles in the corners.
I am NOT matt ::)roll and yes i do
Far too young.
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This is the only decent stingray...
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1462901502_image.jpeg)
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Out of interest as someone has mentioned extentions breaking what is the max height you can safely use a stingray?
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Stupid forum name then 😂
I can never remember who's who
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Stupid forum name then 😂
I can never remember who's who
ITS DAMIEN THURLOW(you know mr all singing,all dancing top of the range everything guy) ;D
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Get yourself the Vikan Easy shine kit, try it on a few lower windows and then ask yourself do you really need a product that sprays the water onto the glass.
Its not that they don't or cant do the job that make these spray on the glass systems a stupid buy, its because they don't make the
job any easier or quicker.
Spraying a small mist of water onto the pad and raising it up to the glass is no different than spraying the glass and rubbing the
dry pad over it.
The Stingray has to be the stupidest one of the lot because the poles weigh a ton and your lifting the mechanism, pump and water up to the glass as well.
Think about putting a floor steamer on the top of your pole and you will get the idea. lol.
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I get what you're saying, but have you had first hand experience of using one of the stingrays Sean?
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When you looking at buying this? Be down to Swindon with 3/4 weeks tops.
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Hi Damien,
I've got the job booked in for the 23rd of May.
Are you visiting Steve Scargill? I might pop round for a cuppa
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I get what you're saying, but have you had first hand experience of using one of the stingrays Sean?
Haven't used the Stingray but have experience with pad systems and do own a Dragonfly which has the mechanism pump and
water on a belt.
They all do a decent enough job as I'm sure the Stingray will but your basically paying hundreds of pounds for a job you could do
with a spray bottle quicker.
They all work by spraying a small amount of liquid onto the glass which you then buff off, they just have different pad types
and mechanism design.
Spraying the pad before putting it on the glass does the same thing.
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Hi Damien,
I've got the job booked in for the 23rd of May.
Are you visiting Steve Scargill? I might pop round for a cuppa
Yeah I am bud. I don't think it would be before then. You never know though. Yeah I think we are coming down in two vans. And stopping over
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Cheers Sean,
I've just spoken to Unger UK and it looks like the stingray isn't going to be suitable for the height I need to acheive anyway. The poles themselves have tech in them enabling the pump spray to work with every section added. These only go to around 13ft
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Smudger, it looks like these guys offer a fairly decent price on the kit you use.
http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/Vikan_easyshine_internal_cleaning_kit.html
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Wagtail on a pole if it was me I can only see the pad setup working after the initial dirts been cleaned off otherwise to do a good job you'd need to change the pad every 5 minutes.
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NWH, they have been regularly maintained by another company that's just disappeared.
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I get what you're saying, but have you had first hand experience of using one of the stingrays Sean?
Haven't used the Stingray but have experience with pad systems and do own a Dragonfly which has the mechanism pump and
water on a belt.
They all do a decent enough job as I'm sure the Stingray will but your basically paying hundreds of pounds for a job you could do
with a spray bottle quicker.
They all work by spraying a small amount of liquid onto the glass which you then buff off, they just have different pad types
and mechanism design.
Spraying the pad before putting it on the glass does the same thing.
So i just spray on my normal spray for cleaning internal windows but what would be a good pad that sticks to telescopic pole to get then sean?
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I get what you're saying, but have you had first hand experience of using one of the stingrays Sean?
Haven't used the Stingray but have experience with pad systems and do own a Dragonfly which has the mechanism pump and
water on a belt.
They all do a decent enough job as I'm sure the Stingray will but your basically paying hundreds of pounds for a job you could do
with a spray bottle quicker.
They all work by spraying a small amount of liquid onto the glass which you then buff off, they just have different pad types
and mechanism design.
Spraying the pad before putting it on the glass does the same thing.
So i just spray on my normal spray for cleaning internal windows but what would be a good pad that sticks to telescopic pole to get then sean?
Tom you cant use a cleaning solution for these pads as you will have to remove the solution with the dirt, water on its own is
recommended, but don't get the final buffing pad too wet.
Smudger has listed most of the the pads on page one of this thread and what he uses them for, it will give you the info needed
on what pads to buy.
I suggest if you haven't used one these pad systems before get a Vikan Easyshine Kit as it comes with everything you need including pads, if it isn't for you then you wont be out a fortune if it is then all you need is a connector that connects the
pad holder to your pole, Gardiners sell the connector.
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Are the Vikan easy shine kits compatible with the unger pads. I phone Gardiners to ask but the girl on the phone didn't know.
They are the same size, but as different manufacturers, wondering if the pads will stick well enough
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Cheers Sean,
I've just spoken to Unger UK and it looks like the stingray isn't going to be suitable for the height I need to acheive anyway. The poles themselves have tech in them enabling the pump spray to work with every section added. These only go to around 13ft
That is good to know Lance as I thought the stingray was not going to be suitable for heigher work.
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Pretty much all the same size
Darran
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Are the pads safe to tumble dry?
Just washed them all after today hard slog, doing all the car showroom. Don't want to ruin them as I need them again tomorrow.
Cheers
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Tumble is ok.
Just no softner when washing
Darran
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Cheers Smudger