Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner on March 31, 2004, 10:08:04 am
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Is there anyone on the group who `Dog Ear` their squeegee channels? I`ve tried it to what I would descibe to be at the best advantage but overall thought it to be an overated practise.
Unless that is,I`m doing something wrong! It seems to be quite popular in the U.S. as I understand it.Its only really practical I find on aluminium and brass channels (soft).Anyone who does and are going along to the Leicester week end
I wonder if they`d be kind enough to bring along an example?
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Lewis,
I've heard the American lads talking about this as well, i have loads of old channels knocking around so i'll give it a try and let you know.
I believe its only a very slight bend required at the very tip, just enough to keep the edge tight against the glass.
Denzle
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Lewis,
As promissed i tried it out today, it does make a big difference in my humble oppinion. Next to no detailing required and i'm a real picky person.
I did find that the ends of the rubber wear faster and found that hard rubber suited me better ( Normally i use soft ) Speed was improved to a point where i was really getting away from my top guy, he then dog eared his and he was fair flying also.
We did 30 big 4 & 5 bed houses in just 6 and a half hrs.
Give it a try you might just like it.
Denzle
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By 'Dog Ear' do U mean cutting a small piece off at 45 degree angle?
Simon
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Glad to be of some help Denzil.I have done and tried it in the past,but could`nt really
get comfortable with it.I find setting my rubber inside the channel 3/16ths of inch approx
to be more benefical.Ya don`t have to control the squeegee blade at all,the window frame
does it for you automaticlly.It is benefical you use Sorbo channels to help stop scratching the
u.p.v.c framework.We are talking about windows with rubber mouldings here I assume?
Lewis Doubtfire, Gleem Clean (Blade Runner)
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Sounds like a winner guys.
Can you put a photo or two on the board for us all to see?
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I Dog Ear my squeegees but I also cut my blade at an angle away from the squeegee and you can garantee that you will leave the edges of your windows perfect. Also when you are polling any windows especialy above ground floor you will leave no lines. No charge!
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Tam
I know its very hard but is there any way you can make it a bit clearer, as I am keen to give your tip a go but am not quite sure what you mean.
Is it the leading edge which is left longest? and how much of an angle is required.
Oh and how do I dog ear a blade?
Neil
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By Dogearing a channel, i can best discribe it as slightly bending the tips of the channel outward ( Towards the glass ) this has the effect of keeping the ends of your rubber tight against the glass / frame.
It leaves very little, if any residue that would normally be taken care of by detailing.
It worked for me today and upped my speed at the expense of one and a half rubbers, as we replace them daily anyway i figure it was a small price to pay.
Denzle
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Thanks Denzle
I will give it go tommorow.
Neil
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Maybe monday then. :'(
Its persisting down here. :'(
and the wifes left me a list of jobs as usual. :P
:( :( :(
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Wylie, just as that post said bend the squeegee edge slightly towards the window and angle the blade / about by that angle and you will see a differance.
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Tam & Denzle,
Thank you both, the sun came out this afternoon and I was able to get out and try your tip and it definitely works for me.
At first I found one side to be giving a better result than the other but when I checked the "bend" was a different angle but when put the same as the good side the results were great.
I only had chance to try it on a few houses but I was definitely faster than usual!
I will stick with it next week so hopefully things will get better.
Once again
Thanks guys!
Neil
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Wow!! :o :o :o
I went out this morning on catch up, in between the showers. I decided to try dog-earing so I took an old Ettore squeegee out of my box as I didn't want to ruin a good one. I gently bent the corners down, but I couldn't be bothered to change the old, warn rubber.
First house I tried, I couldn't believe the results! I'm a GG3 user and I found it (slightly) harder to manouvre the squeegee on the glass, but the results were fantastic. Absolutely NO detailing whatsoever and this was with an old rubber! The first house was a large farmhouse that normally takes me 1 hour and 5 minutes.
I'd done it in 45 minutes today.
I flew around the following houses only to be stopped by the rain.
If you haven't tried it, give it a go. ;)
Steve.
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Hello i am new to window cleaning i have worked with a companny over the last 4 months :) and am now setting up my own round getting a few custmores. i am still abit slow at window cleaning but sure to get faster.
I was just wondering by dogg earing your squeegee do u mean the end of it two ends that stop drips etc in corners?. please help as it might make me faster :)
Thanks for your help dave.
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How I did it was by bending the tips of the squeegee channel with a pair of pliers towards the glass ever so slightly so that the rubber is pressed into the edge.
It's hard to describe, but it works.
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i think i no what u mean so the Rubber does not sort of bend as much as it would do? when squeegeeing a window
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I also used a pair of pliers to slightly bend the leading corner "towards the glass" the results were great.
It may take a little perfecting but the difference is noticeable. :)
Neil
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is there any way some kind chap could find a way of putting a photo of this dog earing on so the village diot (meaning me before any one thinks it is them there is only one and thats my job lol ;D ::)) can give it a go
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I know I should send down a picture but I don`t have a digital camara,which is what you
need as I understand it.I forgot to mention in my other e,mail,but I`ve also rigged up an
Ettore `back-flip` with the same strange `feeling` or `touch` etc.as with `SqueegeeMates`.
Anyway I`m glad its helped a few people out,myself included I guess,which I must say,I`ve
surprised myself really.Don`t forget,there are different `settings`.i.e. u.pvp.c. windows with
different rubber mouldings and say wood frames (straight) With oldish say sash windows
and casements with old fashioned linseed oil putty surrounds the same thing applies as with
modern u.pv.c.with mouldings. Users up to press,are you finding that your scratching the
frame a `tad` or are ya all oaky with it.? If so,try and `fashion` some kind of plastic end of
channel protector working on the same principle as the Sorbo channel with plastic end plugs.
In time to come,I can possibly envisage the manufacturers making channels off the production
lines to equal and combat all what we are doing as a `half-assed` or `home spun effort.
Lewis Doubtfire Gleem Clean ( Blade Runner)
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I think i know what your saying but i cant be totally sure till i see a picture :-/
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Denis,when you `slightly`,thats like saying `how long is a piece of string`. If the
`dog-ears` are only as you say `slightly`,how is the rubber held in place?? I used
to use brass end clips but its not neccessary. Also what channel lenths is everyone
using? below a certain lenth `dog-earing` is`nt neccessary perhaps.It is true that extra
pressure is needed,but the longer the channnel the better it is for a `dog-eared` channel.
Then rubber type comes into the `equasion`.I use Pulex soft where lightness of hand pressure
is essential for a `detail` free finish.Also Sorbo 3x4 rubbers.Heavy hand pressure with these
rubbers??? No way!! Any comments.?
Lewis Doubtfire, Gleem Clean (Blade Runner)
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I don't suppose that the channel length is important as your only affecting the edges. I used an old one because I didn't want to experiment with good gear.
The channel I tried it with is a 12" Ettore stainless steel one and as for "slightly" my bends are only about 2mm towards the glass. I'll try to take a picture to attach to a post if that'll help. :)
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Good Photo Fez.Does the rubber hold securely in the channel as its seen in the photo?
If your getting a `detail` free clean like it is,fine,but I could`nt do it,especially on windows
with u.pv.c frames and rubber mouldings.To do it,do you find you have to come down the
glass slowly holding the squeegee as perhaps you would a paint brush when painting a window.?
If anyone has any problems next week with `dog-eared` channels and not getting the finish they
would like go thru` earlier posts and `track back` for solution solving.
P.S. Its a pity that there is`nt a `Dog-Eared` channel stand/booth being exhibited at the Leicester
trade show thats coming up.
Lewis Doubtfire Gleem Clean (Blade Runner)
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i can`t see a picture can someone e-mail a pic to me so i can try it , thanks
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i carnt see the picture as well for some reason :(:(
Could you possibley email to me please to dave0123@merseymail.com this would be great :)
Thanks lads. ;)
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thought it was just me that was blind. photo to me aswell please. swampycarroll@msn.com
swamps
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I tried to get a photo on here but failed miserably. Once i can get it sorted out i'll re-post it.
Denzle
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I tried dog earing my squeegee channel today and I had a little slow start but once I got going I was considerably quiker than usual and the showers didn't slow me down either.
What a great idea this tip has been.
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Exactly how many mm do you bend the corners forward?Also how much rubber overlap do you leave or do you cut it flush with the end of the channel?
When you say cut the rubber at an angle what do you mean?
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I bought a sorbo squeegie when i was in Norway last year. They have this feature built in.
(http://www.sorboproducts.com/squeegeeend.jpg)
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That squeegee u bought in Norway, whats it like to use? Any 1 know where i can get hold of one?
I've gone through 2 channels now and the results are no good. Dont want to mess any more channels up, but im willing to buy that one in the picture.
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They are imported into Denmark. I think you can mail order them from there. It is very well engineered. I haven't used it much because I have loads of rubber to use up for my other squeegies and the Sorbo is not compatible with other systems.
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You can get the Sorbo squeegee from the Window Clean Centre. They are expensive but look good.
Gerry.
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Excellent. Do they have a website?
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Steve,
No, I don`t think they have a website yet, but give them a ring and they will send you a catalogue.
The number is 0800 413512.
Gerry.
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Ta! ;D
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http://www.sorboproducts.com/
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Any chance of a reply???
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If anyone has a photo they can email me I'll upload it here for everyone.
mike@expresscleaningsupplies.co.uk
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Exactly how many mm do you bend the corners forward?Also how much rubber overlap do you leave or do you cut it flush with the end of the channel?
When you say cut the rubber at an angle what do you mean?
Hi Glen.
It's all about experimentation really. My corners are bent down about 2mm, only a slight bend. But that seems to work for me. My rubber extends the normal amount (my rubbers are pre-cut), I haven't trimmed them further and they are not cut at an angle - they are straight.
If you bend your squeegee corners in small amounts, it's easier to bend them back again if you're not happy with the result. I just made up a fresh bucket of GG3 and water at home, took out my pliers and played with it until I was able to squeegee the glass to a standard that didn't require detailing afterwards.
I hope that this helps a little. :)
Steve.
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In reallity,the `dog-earing` part is secondry to the `key` to the whole business.
It is experimentation yes,but the answer just simply lies in a very simple maths/equasion.
i.e. 10 millimeters divided by 4 millimeters and your left with 6 millimeters.The 4 `mill`
being the end of your rubber the 10 `mill` being the overall lenth of your `cut out`
If ya really want to start getting complicated and your doing old sash windows with
linseed oil putties ya `cut out` needs to be 15 millimeters (old half an inch) all your other
measurments being altered acordingly. Anyone one would think that this was brain surgury,
but its like learning to drive a car.Ya do`nt think twice when ya`ve learned. It`s only really
on the long channels that `dog-earing` is neccessary anyway.Think about it.What pressure
is there on a squeegee channel 22 inch or longer??? At the end of the channel that is.
The Sorbo channel photos shown are an excellent channel,but work on a completly different
principle altogether for `detail free window cleaning`.
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That last bit was dead right.
Try blading with a 6" channel and then an 18".
The 6" will leave less detailing because there is more pressure down the sides of the window and therefore more water removed.
For this reason I tend to use a 10" channel for most windows, except really big windows eg shops and then I do the edges with a 6" or 10" channel and then the large middle area with an 18". It leaves little or no detailing.
Gerry.