Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sir Squeaky on August 28, 2008, 07:45:04 pm

Title: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 28, 2008, 07:45:04 pm
I need a new brush, and as I also need lots of new trad gear I'm going to Window Cleaning Warehouse tomorrow to have a browse.

Thought I may as well try a new brush for once.

What's a good scrubber?
Not too pricey, not too heavy?
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: ftp on August 28, 2008, 07:48:31 pm
If your a Bentley boy then Gardiners new brushes.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 28, 2008, 09:31:49 pm
If your a Bentley boy then Gardiners new brushes.
Cheers, but don't think they'll sell them there.

Any others?

People are always going on about brushes and telling me mine's crap.
Where are you now? ???
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: NWH on August 28, 2008, 09:36:29 pm
Like the bloke in the chinese told me,you don`t rissen lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 28, 2008, 09:43:52 pm
Like the bloke in the chinese told me,you don`t rissen lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D
;D

I see they have a Vikan brush like this.

www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/index.php/Water-Fed-Pole-Spares/Vikan-Jetted-Brush/Detailed-product-flyer.html

Any good?
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: geefree on August 28, 2008, 09:45:34 pm
thats all i ever use squeaky.. got 3 on the go.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: alanwilson on August 28, 2008, 09:50:06 pm
squeeky - I have tried lots of brushes, to be honest I prefer the salmon brushes, very light and monfilament,good splay too.  However out of all the other brushes I've tried the best of the rest is definitley the mono OVAL vikan - the one without the rubber strip.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: NWH on August 28, 2008, 09:55:31 pm
Squeaky do yourself a favor if you buy a vikan makesure it`s the square 1.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on August 28, 2008, 09:56:51 pm
If your coming from a Bentley, steer away from anything that is Vikan, from what I remember you needed something light, especially since your using a superlight as well (?) a Vikan rectangular flocked is a good brush, but generally Vikans are like a pig on a stick, way, way to heavy. Definitely don't get a Monofilament Vikan either, since they are rubbish and bounce around on the glass. Get a Dual Trim Super Lite from Gardiners, you'll definitely like that one, pricey, but good. Trust me on this one.

Don't limit yourself to one shop, ordering off the net is easy.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: alanwilson on August 28, 2008, 09:58:06 pm
the square one? are you nuts??

it has to be the worst brush out of all the brushes I have tried - no sorry, its not the worst but its very close.

I'm with GQC - go for the gardiners brush
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Chris Cottrell on August 28, 2008, 09:59:10 pm
I second that , do yourself a favour and forget wcw get a supalite from you know who, its a very good brush
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on August 28, 2008, 10:02:22 pm
If your a Superlite user, Alex might be able to do you a better deal as well, give him a shout. I remember that you don't necessarily want to spend too much on something, so the price tag on the Superlite might be a bit steep, but you should see it as an investment.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: alanwilson on August 28, 2008, 10:03:22 pm
its £35 not £300 - a vikan is £25

Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on August 28, 2008, 10:06:58 pm
its £35 not £300 - a vikan is £25



True, but however you look at it, it doesn't compare to what money you'll make with it, at the other hand though, it's a lot of money for something that is a brush.

I think it's worth it though, heck a Tucker is £50.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: alanwilson on August 28, 2008, 10:13:16 pm
thats the point I'm trying to make Tim.

£35 ain't gonna break the bank - heck, £100 won't either - its what you work with every day.

does a joiner buy a £9.99 cordless drill from Argos?
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: pjulk on August 28, 2008, 10:18:59 pm
I mainly use vikan brushes.
I like them and can't fault them.

I have other brushes but always go back to the vikan.

I like the sill brushes for upstairs i prefer the mono but both work well.

For down stairs i use a 10" oval vikan as squeeky has shown.

And they last well i have some that are 3 1/2 years old and apart from a bit of scuffing on the edges they work as good as a new brush.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: ftp on August 28, 2008, 10:23:12 pm
You must have arms like legs!  :o
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: brett walker on August 28, 2008, 10:28:15 pm
I would recomend a superlite brush its my favourite at the moment

Brett
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on August 28, 2008, 10:55:46 pm
I would say get the new double trim superlite from gardeners, you won't be able to get it from wcw but why waste your money on something that is only half a brush and be stuck using it until it wears out.  The oval vikan brush is ok but heavy compared to what your used to and I feel very awkward to use, especially if you need to have the pole horizontal over a conservatory.

If you get the new one from Gardiners I doubt you'll be disappointed, might take a few days to get used to it, but it's soooo much better.  I think the brush is probably the most important piece of equipment in doing a good clean, why compromise.

Simon.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: matt on August 28, 2008, 10:56:41 pm
VIKAN

ive tried a fair few, ive seen all the others

i still think the vikan is the best

if its a little too heavy its easy enough to trim it down a little ( or alot like i have )

Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: d s windowcleaning on August 28, 2008, 10:59:04 pm
Like the bloke in the chinese told me,you don`t rissen lol. ;D ;D ;D ;D
;D

I see they have a Vikan brush like this.

www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/index.php/Water-Fed-Pole-Spares/Vikan-Jetted-Brush/Detailed-product-flyer.html

Any good?
good brush squeaky ive a couple of weeks ago got 1 from x-line when i went to visit , little tip cut the innner 3 rows in half for better scrubing and remove outer ruber edge .
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: paulscotney on August 28, 2008, 11:00:13 pm
Superlite dual trim is great. Rinses on a treat.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 08:22:45 am
Gardiners are sold out for over 2 weeks.

Can't wait that long.
My brush is shedding bristles like a dog in summer.

I'd rather have a square brush though.
Since mine started splaying all directions it goes too far up the top frame and can drag dirt down when I don't want it to. >:(

Need squeegee rubbers desperately for monday morning anyway, so it'll have to be today.

Hopefully WCW will have more than they show on the website... ???
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on August 29, 2008, 08:43:45 am
I would be very surprised if your gonna like a Vikan Squeeky.  :-\
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on August 29, 2008, 10:01:11 am
Gardiners are sold out for over 2 weeks.

Can't wait that long.
My brush is shedding bristles like a dog in summer.

I'd rather have a square brush though.
Since mine started splaying all directions it goes too far up the top frame and can drag dirt down when I don't want it to. >:(

Need squeegee rubbers desperately for monday morning anyway, so it'll have to be today.

Hopefully WCW will have more than they show on the website... ???
Get a cheapo bently from Tesco and convert it yourself.
Not the best brush in the world, but it'll keep you going for 2 weeks till Gardiners have new stock in,...
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 11:17:50 am
Gardiners are sold out for over 2 weeks.

Can't wait that long.
My brush is shedding bristles like a dog in summer.

I'd rather have a square brush though.
Since mine started splaying all directions it goes too far up the top frame and can drag dirt down when I don't want it to. >:(

Need squeegee rubbers desperately for monday morning anyway, so it'll have to be today.

Hopefully WCW will have more than they show on the website... ???
Get a cheapo bently from Tesco and convert it yourself.
Not the best brush in the world, but it'll keep you going for 2 weeks till Gardiners have new stock in,...
I may do that.

As long as I can do the converting without stuffing it up...

a:  How do the jets come out of the old brush?
      I haven't got any new ones.

b:  Do you pull the unwanted bristles out with pliers?

c:   Is there a tutorial? ;D
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: pingu on August 29, 2008, 11:42:13 am
Squeeks how about a oblong Vikan mono and grind the excess weight off it...?

Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 12:23:34 pm
Squeeks how about a oblong Vikan mono and grind the excess weight off it...?


Fine...if they sell them... ???
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 06:45:11 pm
Did alright after. :)

I looked at the Vikan brushes...too heavy, like having a dead badger on the end.

Looked at white Salmon brushes...nice, but soooo soft, not much scrubbing power and splays too much.

Found a nice black Ionics one they ordered but no-one picked up.
Looked great. Bought it.

Bloke said he thought it was crap, but at £10? Who cares!

Tried it out on my nan's house whilse I was down there, and it's more solid than the Bentley. Did a good job.

Only trouble is the jets were a different size fitment to the hose.
Luckily my Uncle had some silicon modelling hose which stretched on ok.

Happy days.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Alex Gardiner on August 29, 2008, 06:51:05 pm
Well done mate. A Bargain Bucket Bonanza  :D
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Oakley Windows on August 29, 2008, 06:57:43 pm
Good luck Squeaks with that Ionics, I think you'll need it.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 06:58:04 pm
Too right!

I got an Ettore bucket.
2 strips of squeegee rubber.
A microfibre cloth.
An Ionics brush.

..and the whole lot came to what I budgeted for the brush alone!

Even with £10+ of fuel down there I was quids in!
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 08:10:21 pm
Good luck Squeaks with that Ionics, I think you'll need it.
Why?

Everyone raves about Ionics stuff.
Best in the world according to themselves.

Seems people on here will put down your choices whatever you do. ::)
I thought for an uninformed buyer it would be a decent choice...
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: macmac on August 29, 2008, 08:18:15 pm
Modified vikan flocked rectangular. ;)
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on August 29, 2008, 08:26:21 pm
Good luck Squeaks with that Ionics, I think you'll need it.
Why?

Everyone raves about Ionics stuff.
Best in the world according to themselves.

Seems people on here will put down your choices whatever you do. ::)
I thought for an uninformed buyer it would be a decent choice...

Hey that's great, before I went with the Superlite brush, I used that one, it's the straight monofilament right? (Not the Crinkle?) It might feel a bit stiff, but it's a good brush I found, good scrubbing power, good for rinsing on.

You chose well from what you could choose from, very good price as well, they go near the £20 mark.

A lot lighter then a Vikan indeed, like you said, they are like having something heavy and dead on your pole lol.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: prestigeclean on August 29, 2008, 08:32:37 pm
i use the vikan mono rec with 4 pencil jets , once its broken in it stops bouncing on the glass and cleans very well and is great for rinsing on , you do need to shave as much as you can off the brush as i can,t deny it is heavy regards alan
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 08:36:46 pm
Hey that's great, before I went with the Superlite brush, I used that one, it's the straight monofilament right?
Don't know. I don't know what that means. ;D

But hey, it's this one...

www.windowcleaningsupplies.net/prod_show.asp?id=113

Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: NWH on August 29, 2008, 08:47:46 pm
Squeaky did you get a brush,if not i`ll send you 1.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on August 29, 2008, 08:49:05 pm
Hey that's great, before I went with the Superlite brush, I used that one, it's the straight monofilament right?
Don't know. I don't know what that means. ;D

But hey, it's this one...

www.windowcleaningsupplies.net/prod_show.asp?id=113



Yea that's the one, that's a nice one, I used that one for a while, had no problems cleaning with it, other people use them on here as well, and they got some positive feedback. Im sure you will be happy with it. :)
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: [GQC] Tim on August 29, 2008, 08:51:01 pm
£ 27.23 to a tenner, that's great.  :D
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 10:44:36 pm
Squeaky did you get a brush,if not i`ll send you 1.
Eh? Did you not read the posts above? ;D

Thanks anyway though! ;)
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 10:50:50 pm
Forgot to mention about earlier...

I met Foxman who used to post on here, he sold me the brush.
Met a few other clearly rich window cleaners too.

Also I saw one of the Concept20 vans in Cardiff.
Really smart vinyl wrap on the van. Looked really cool.

Interesting day.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: matt on August 29, 2008, 10:51:12 pm
ionics eh

does that mean you can blaze the logo across your van now  :P :P :P

if so, you will be set for life by all accounts, wait for the phone to ring off the hook with 100 quid a hour commercial jobs  :P :P :P
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: matt on August 29, 2008, 10:52:06 pm
i was allmost in barry today seeing my mum, in the end i stayed home and took my daughter to the " team read "
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 29, 2008, 10:52:32 pm
ionics eh

does that mean you can blaze the logo across your van now  :P :P :P

if so, you will be set for life by all accounts, wait for the phone to ring off the hook with 100 quid a hour commercial jobs  :P :P :P
Yes, it now means "I am considerably richer than yow!" (in best Brummie accent) ;D
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: steve a on August 30, 2008, 07:48:33 am
ionics eh

does that mean you can blaze the logo across your van now  :P :P :P

if so, you will be set for life by all accounts, wait for the phone to ring off the hook with 100 quid a hour commercial jobs  :P :P :P
Yes, it now means "I am considerably richer than yow!" (in best Brummie accent) ;D


RAOFLMAO ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

steve a
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Oakley Windows on August 30, 2008, 10:18:21 am
Is it this brush Squeaks?

(http://www.windowcleaningsupplies.net/images/product/product_full113.jpg)
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Xline Systems on August 30, 2008, 10:30:39 am
its £35 not £300 - a vikan is £25



i dont know where your buying your vikan brushes from?
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 30, 2008, 10:58:17 am
Is it this brush Squeaks?
That's the one.

Works well, and I'm sure it's the one Tosh has got, and had for over 2 years.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Moderator David@stives on August 30, 2008, 11:30:32 am
Vikan 100% , they are a world leader in brushes, they know what works.

Make sure it is the flocked one, not the mono

Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 30, 2008, 11:36:28 am
Vikan 100% , they are a world leader in brushes, they know what works.

Make sure it is the flocked one, not the mono


Didn't like it. Way too heavy compared to the others.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Moderator David@stives on August 30, 2008, 11:42:35 am
Its heavy, but it does the business, I tried a well known suppliers tooth pick brush on a school, what a disaster , probably cost me over £100 in having to do them again , it simply didnt have the scrubbing power.

Ah well lesson learnt, never again, I will stick with the world leader , they know what they are on about
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Jewel Cleaning on August 30, 2008, 11:44:37 am
Surely the flocked brushes are too soft?

And what about the dirt they hold?
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Moderator David@stives on August 30, 2008, 11:48:28 am
They hold the dirt and release it again, the monos just scratch at the dirt with out absorbing it into the brush.


It is a bit like a new srim which wont take the water off the glass
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 30, 2008, 11:54:23 am
I don't know if you're talking about my brush or not. ???

But I used it on my Nan's virtually brown windows and stayed until they dried, and I couldn't find a fault with the finish.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Moderator David@stives on August 30, 2008, 12:01:25 pm
Rog on Some bad windows you need a brush that will melt into the window and have a lot of scrubbing power.

Most windows can be cleaned with ANY brush, but as i said, some windows need a brush that gives elbow grease, thats where a flocked vikan comes into its own.

Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on August 30, 2008, 12:06:06 pm
Rog on Some bad windows you need a brush that will melt into the window and have a lot of scrubbing power.

Most windows can be cleaned with ANY brush, but as i said, some windows need a brush that gives elbow grease, thats where a flocked vikan comes into its own.


I had the impression that the softer the brush the less it would scrub.

You'll sweep more dust off your path with a stiff broom than a soft one.

Can't see why the same wouldn't apply. ???
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Jewel Cleaning on August 30, 2008, 12:13:42 pm
They hold the dirt and release it again, the monos just scratch at the dirt with out absorbing it into the brush.


It is a bit like a new srim which wont take the water off the glass

I suppose as long as you rinse off, i won't matter how much dirt it holds, as long as it lifts it properly.

It's like using old water and dirty applicator when cleaning trad, (within reason), it doesn't make too much difference.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Moderator David@stives on August 30, 2008, 12:20:49 pm
Rog we are not using the brushes for sweeping , but cleaning, the softer brushes have more surface area in contact with the glass than a stiff brush which relies on the tips of the bristles more than the full length of a soft bristle,

Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: Oakley Windows on August 30, 2008, 12:53:40 pm
That Ionics, assuming its the same one Rog, seemed pants to me when it turned up here after ordering it from one of the online suppliers.

Far too stiff.

It seemed like a yard-brush to me, I was afraid to use it as it seemed more like a wire brush than something Id be happy to put on someones glass pane and be confident it would clean it, Id imagine it'd leave lines of uncleaned dirt.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: geefree on August 30, 2008, 07:59:06 pm
i got an ionics brush.. with the pole... used it once, was horrid.

vikan all the way. they are just the right weight imo.... .. the superlights are ok if thats what you like.... but i like to feel something on the end of the pole.
Title: Re: What's a good brush then?
Post by: tatman on August 31, 2008, 03:48:01 pm
i find the ionics fine on upvc great scrubber. Not so great on leads and wooden bit stiff guna get a superlite for those soon.