Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: [GQC] Tim on November 13, 2006, 05:33:08 pm
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To be honest with you, I have no idea what they are called, I think they are called Victorian Windows, it's basically a window divided up in little to medium squared panes.
I did a quote this afternoon, a couple of them have panes big enough for cleaning by scrubber and small squeegee, but the other ones are too small.
What would be a good idea? Use the tip of the scrubber, and cut a channel to a very small size? Or.....maybe use one microfibre wet, and the other one dry?
As you can see, well.....I haven't really been long in business, and all my windows are just typical upvc ones.
Thing is, I gotta do a Perfect job, it's a 50 pound 'half a castle' house ;D
I've been thinking to get the Window Cleaning essentials DVD, just to improve myself. Get some good tips.
Many thanks for your help. :)
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Hiya,these are called Georgian Windows,one of the best ways to clean is to use a damp scrim on them then go over them with a dry scrim to polish them up,you can use a squeege but you will find you go through a lot of rubbers and the results arent allways as good,youre arm will ache with all the hard work but they do look good if polished correctly and think of the money.....good luck ;D ;D
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If you haven't got WFP then I would recommend using a decent spray instead of using a damp scrim.
Just sray a little bit of the solution onto the window and then polish off with a dry scrim... It saves faffing around with x2 scrims.
Andy
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Dear me,....what a house to try out a new technique....scared to death hahaha :o ;D
Okay, I will do the bigger panes with squeezee, but the smaller ones with scrim.
Any tips on how the technique works? Circular motion? Swirl type motion?
Damp scrim, does that mean wring your Microfibre cloth out as much as possible?
Edit : Spraying solution on the glass and then dry cloth...hm, somehow, that sounds (no offense at all) a bit amateuristic, doesn't it? I do have a pouch, so it's not that bad doing the 2x scrim thing.
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If you haven't got WFP then I would recommend using a decent spray instead of using a damp scrim.
Just spray a little bit of the solution onto the window and then polish off with a dry scrim... It saves faffing around with x2 scrims.
Andy
Hi
I personally also find this the best and by far an easier way.
I us an industrial strength Mr Muscle spray from Makro and use this tight weave micro cloth from www.soapnational.co.uk/acatalog/Cloths.html (http://www.soapnational.co.uk/acatalog/Cloths.html) its there own brand priced at £4.50
John
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Edit : Spraying solution on the glass and then dry cloth...hm, somehow, that sounds (no offense at all) a bit amateuristic, doesn't it?
LOL - No I don't think it looks amateuristic at all... And its far quicker than using x2 scrims.
Andy
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The DVD is good for those new to window cleaning, I'm intending to do a review of it, as is Tosh.
Damp cloth - dry cloth is fine, many swear by it.
Better in my personal opinion is to use a proprietary window cleaning spray.
Use Tesco's own brand, about 79p for 500ml.
Very lightly, and I mean VERY lighty mist a few panes and use your dry microfibre to buff clean.
As you are a newbie then you will need a couple of microfibre cloths.
The windows you are describing are called Georgian by the way.
Now if the windows are stinking dirty you will have your work cut out, you can even be better off using a bucket and sponge ( with hardly any detergent in the water)
Wash the whole window, frames and all, can be a sponge or just take the sleeve off your applicator and use that, use loads of water and do a whole load of the windows too.
You might even have to change your water a couple of times.
When they have dried off a little (you will have got most of the water off with a wet cloth) go back use either a sprayer and mist & buff or use the wet scrim - dry scrim method.
The above is really a method for cleaning a pig pen of a clean, I don't know why I explained it, but I've never so far on the forum seen a description of how to clean a real pig pen clean trad style on georgian windows...I've too much time on my hands obviously 8)
Ian
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Spray and buff is a very good method indeed, I'ved used it for years and years...I used to have the spray fluid direct from the manufacturer, in concentrate form, but it still worked out cheaper to buy an 'own brand' sprayer.
Don't bother with Mr Muscle, nothing wrong with it, it's just expensive and you are paying for the name is all.
Ian
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Use Tesco's own brand, about 79p for 500ml.
Ian,
I used to use Tesco's own brand, but all the local Tesco's near me seem to have stopped stocking it... Do they still sell it near you?
I now use Nilglass spray - You can get a 5L bottle from Cash & Carry for about £11 - Its excellent stuff!
Andy
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Okay, sounds good guys. Ian, thanks for explaining how to clean the horrible ones, now that is elbow grease haha.
What about polishing it....what kind of motion do I use?
And could I use some Fairy liquid for spraying? (not pure ofcourse)
At the moment, I only have 'Windolene' and 'co-op Window Cleaner with Vinegar'. Would that work? (got them from my old neighbor, sweet lady, she thought I could use it)
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damp microfibre then dry microfibre
i have rakes of houses like the type you mention ...
i cut a channel to fit .... as i use it quite often
also make sure you price accordingly as they can be a pain in the ass
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The old fashioned windolene is a nightmare..you know, that pink stuff :-\ Horrible.
Any other spray is usually ok.
You can add a drop of fairy to some water in a sprayer, but only a couple of drops, it really doesn't need much.
The branded stuff evaporates faster though and there is less risk of residue.
Damp cloth - dry cloth works fine too, but it's double the effort, a quick 'mist' with a sprayer is faster, though be warned, spray too much on and you'll be there for ever buffing it up :o
As for the polishing, well I don't think there is really a method, you obviously have to work the corners well, but the panes are usually too small for a spicific method.
But keep rotating and refolding your cloth so that you are continuously using a different part of it.
When it gets damp, change it for a clean dry one.
Ian
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What else can i say everything else has been covered.
Good Luck!
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The old fashioned windolene is a nightmare..you know, that pink stuff :-\ Horrible.
Hm, mine is clear, just says 'original' 'non smear'
Thanks for the great tips guys!! *phew, exiting stuff....
I'll update the thread if they want me, have to call his wife tomorrow to finalize it all.
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Finished the house today, had to bump up the price to £60...but man was I lucky!! My scrubber and squeezee fitted in the panes like a glove.
That was easy! ;D
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Have you tried soap natinal for some minature gear:
http://www.soapnational.co.uk/acatalog/Pulex.html
Pretty Cheap too !!! :)