Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ian_Giles on March 05, 2005, 06:23:10 pm
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I've always used scrim, more by habit than design in truth :-\
A year or two ago I bought a single microfibre cloth, it was the green Unger one, but it was the tiny one, sorry, they are crap, next to useless so far as I'm concerned >:( Too small for anything other than blowing your nose in ;)
Effective to be sure, but got wet far to quickly.
Now before long Unger and other manufacturers brought out ones the same size as a scrim.
I have (had) been intending to try out the larger ones, but I had gone over to WFP, and the amount of use my scrims got dropped dramatically, so no real inducement to try one out.
Up at the NEC show in Brum I decided to buy a couple of the larger ones from the Unger stand, a fiver each, what the hell, I was flush, so go for it 8)
I have been mightily impressed, a top product, it does in wipe what it would take 3 or 4 with a scrim.
No bits left behind, great on large panes of glass (internal, over computers and so on) and even when damp it they still leave your work smear free.
I'll still use my scrims, but now it will be for mopping up dirty sills and so on, on the glass it will always be the microfibres from now on.
As for which make or type of microfibre?.........well thats another question altogether :o
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Darn it >:(
I meant to have the poll set up so that you could choose which you use, and which you preffered, I mucked it up :'( you need to put in multiple answers but can only put in one :'(
Sigh, its hard being me sometimes :-[
Ian
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I am stuck in my ways always have used scrim and get good results so why change.
Maybe one day i will buy a piece but i like scrim so can't see me changing over to microfibre and the microfibre i looked at once had a weird feel to it.
Paul
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Have you noticed how microfibre is like sticky tape?
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yeah, has a strange feel to it ???
But Paul, spend a fiver, try one out, if you think it suck let your missus use it as a very expensive dishcloth...........err, or let her make you use it as a very expensive dishcloth ;D
Faint heart never won......umm....something or other :-\
Give one a try, then post how you got on, on here. Get the 'big un' though, the small one sucks ;)
Ian
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Have you noticed how microfibre is like sticky tape?
Definately - if a bit hangs out your pouch and you walk too close to a brick wall, it gets dragged away from you.
I find scrims for routine window cleaning are fine. But on leaded, I use a damp (cheap) blue pulex microfibre cloths to wash, and a dry green large Unger one to polish.
They work far better than scrims on leaded.
Oh, I'm now meant to be washing up (and I bloody cooked)- (Wor Lass is in the bath) - and she's bought micro-fibre dish cloths. I wonder if they're any better than a normal dish cloth?
I'll try and put finding out till tomorrow (if she'll let me).
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I have got to order some more stuff next week so i will add one of those microfibre cloths to the shopping list.
Paul
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I use both for different things. I also use a chamois.
I wasn't quite sure which to put down but if I had to it would be
1st - chamois
2nd - microfibre
3rd - scrim
but if the frames etc, were a 1st clean it would be in the opposite order.
Amyway, I voted microfibre but only just .............. as both have their uses but the brick wall thing is annoying with microfibre and sometimes it is really rough to touch but I think micrfibre does leaded work better than a scrim.
And Ian, you think it's hard being you - try being me. ???
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Have used both scrim does seem a lot easier to use on windows but the microfibre does a fantastic job on pint and wine glass.
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have tried the small one and was not in the least bit impressed >:( and I think it has a bit of a velcro feel to it, I find that if my hands are a bit rough :P then I can"t get the darn thing into my pouch. But maybe I will try one of the bigger ones next time I am re- stocking
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1st - chamois
Wow, havn't used one of those for about 10 years.
Does anyone else still use them?
For leaded i spray then scrim off, excellent finish
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Always used scrim, but bought two of the large Unger microfibre cloths at the Show last week, just given them a couple of washes and yet to try them out, I will let you know what I think of them later
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I gave up on the chamois 15 or more years ago, they do the job I suppose, but just aren't in the same league as scrim or microfibre.
Ian
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Last time i used a chamois was about 18 years ago when i first did window cleaning.
I did think anyone used them anymore.
Paul
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I still see the odd cleaner trawling the streets with ladders and a bucket....it does make me smile...how quaint I think....I wonder if some Chimney Sweeps still send kids up the chimney....as I drift off in a cloud of nostalgia... :)
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Chamois then scrim easy, if you know what your doing.
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Chamois then scrim easy, if you know what your doing.
Mike,
I'm new(ish) to this and have never used a chamois. What do you mean by chamois then scrim easy?
I keep an open mind. Do you mean you soap with a T Bar, squeegie, then chamois the edges, followed by a scrim?
Or do you not use a squeegie, and chamois the glass, followed by a scrim?
Help! Confused (normally quite easy)!
Tosh.
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I use scrim for the last 12 years but am open to knew ways. Microfibre seems weird to use for detailing a window although I understand advantage on the nasty leaded stuff.
Do you wash it differently?
Mr Gould does sound very professional doesn't he, I wonder if he has a mega-phone attached to his car to advertise his business along with his chamois or maybe he's really super modern and has gone for a snazzy biz card!
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I use one large chamois for going around the windows edges and one half size one for the frames, sills etc on jobs that are on going. i.e 4 weekly for residentual and weekly for commercial.
When the window chamois leaves streaks (very rarely) I find the nearest tap, rinse it and wring it out and hey presto, as good as new.
The one I use for frames etc, all I ever do during the day is wring it out.
The other two I work with go through maybe upwards of 20 scrim/microfibre cloths a day which then require washing and drying. All I do every night is rinse my 2 chamois.
On those first cleans where the windows and frames are a state, I use scrims and microfibre simply because it's easier to use them as I can just throw them in the van afterwards and one of the other two washes them. ;D I do find microfibre better and quicker on leaded work though.
Also, at the end of each day often my chamois is drier than it was when I started the day. I don't what it is about a chamois but it does seem to dry much much quicker than either microfibre or scrim.
As for filthy water in a bucket ........ roll up hanging out of mouth and a cloth cap with a cheery 'clean your windows misses.........' - didn't that vanish ages ago?
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Well said. Keep those nicotine stained windows down to a minimum.
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Is this going to get nasty or what?
I don't use chamois for doing the edge dry scrim is fine for that, normally I will use a scrim on windows that are too small for a blade or for windows I do from inside which slide up and down and do not open outwards, but each to their own. If you have mastered scrimming (ragging), microfibre or even chamois and scrim good luck to you as long as the job gets done.
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Tosh,
My method for using a chamois (just my own method, not saying anyone elses is wrong!!)
Never use a squeegee, then chamois, as window gets too wet.
If window is really dirty, use your swab (the cloth you wipe the sills with) assuming you wipe the sills down!!, then chamois and finally polish with scrim or microfibre cloth. (For those doing inside of a pub, try using your wet swab before the applicator, then squeegee off)
If you do not use a scrim or microfibre, it will almost certainly leave smears unless the chamois is brand new. This is because a chamois will only move dirt around the window whereas scrim/microfibre absorbs the dirt. (Did you know that scrim is used under the covers on cricket wickets after rain, to absorb the moisture, but its a very large scrim?!)
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Hi Graham_Gould
Only idiots smoke.
Yes. Sure. An absolute fact that is supported by a wealth of scientific behavourably authenticated and proovable truths and demonstratable by repeat experiments.
If you don't smoke that is good, being sanctimosious about those that do is not what, I think, the issue is on this thread.
Anyway, there are 3 veiw points to what say supposing it is true.
One, if those who smoke are idiots, then by stating that then those idiots won't understand it because they are idiots.
Two, maybe idiots are more prone to smoking than non idiots because they are idiots.
And a third point, you mean to say than in the whole wide world there is not one non idiot who smokes?
Hi Mike_G
There are 3 of us who work together and we all have very different ways of doing things but the end result is the same. I agree, it's what works for you. I couldn't get on with microfibre for detailing but then the other 2 couldn't get on with a chamois.
What lead me to try a chamois, and microfibre, was another posting on this forum a while back.
With a chamois, I found that unless every night I give it a good rinse untill the water is almost clean, then it does leave streaks and it does have to be very well 'wrung' out before usuing.
Also scrim was originally used for storing grains (in sacks) as it was more absobent that what was being stored inside it.
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Gee rosskesava, I wonder if you smoke, not sure but willing to bet a nice new scrim that you do!
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Does it really matter if you smoke or not, even if you are a non smoker, I'm sure we all have family or friends that do (or have and are no longer with us) and I for one do not wish any Ill on them at all. And what the hell has microfibre V scrim got to do with flat caps and smoking ! Merry Christmas
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Dunno.
Ask Graham.
He saw a relationship not me.
Or is it a 'have a dig' type thing.
The flat cap thing - that was a bit of humour from me as Duke sort went down that path a little. My Dad did window cleaning ... ladder and a bucket.... roll up hanging ffom mouth ...... jack of all trades.... etc.
Don't know if he was a chimney sweep though.
I still see the odd cleaner trawling the streets with ladders and a bucket....it does make me smile...how quaint I think....I wonder if some Chimney Sweeps still send kids up the chimney....as I drift off in a cloud of nostalgia...
Anyway, my partner just phoned me to say that microfibre is best with no doubt.
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Just used my new microfibres for the first time today, had one myself and gave the other to one of the lads. LOVE THEM, no smears, brilliant of leaded and small windows, excellent shine
Will be buying some more very soon
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whoops, guess I meandered a bit there....sorry Ross.....but I'll tell yer what...gets a bit vicious here sometimes.... too much stress I guess :)
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Another Graham Gould sabotage string. how did we get from microfiber to a smoking debate ???
Iv'e just used microfiber for the first time. Only those small unger ones mind. Great for edging, not so good when wet.
Absolutley brilliant for leaded. Highly recommend.
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Yup, another sabotage by Graham. I think it best to ignore him untill he posts any revealing experience to do with window cleaning that is related to the thread.
And Duke, guess what? My Dad did do chimneys as well.
He also said (with regards window cleaning) to 'forget about all that new cloth stuff ........ Aye laddie, beermat cloths........'.
Beermat cloths?
Any one heard any like that? Old towels was another my Dad suggested.
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I'm with yer Dad! I use old towels quartered and used as as cill cloths
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fair play to him l.....I guess it sort of goes hand in hand...I mean, lot's of WC'ers also do carpet cleaning as well, in fact one of our lad's does..(especially on wet day's !)..anybody else do 'a bit on the side' ?...I used to be a builder and roofer, still get the odd job in , even now.
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I’m a fully qualified computer engineer I used to build & repair. But the window cleaning is less hassle. :)
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I've used both over the last five years or so starting with the scrim. I then saw the micro advertised so I bought a couple of the small ones and was very impressed but they do get wet very quickly. The large one on the other hand is far superior especially on leads. Wouldn't be without them. Try them on your car next time you clean it....you'll never look at a chamois again!!
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Duke/Roy,
Regarding other jobs on the side... up to 3 years ago I was a Factory Manager in a food factory, got made redundant and set myself away doing Carpet cleaning (to fill the time in between jobs!!) Now got people working for me doing window cleaning, contract cleaning, builders cleans etc and also still busy with the Carpet cleaning. I also own/run a holiday cottage and a large cycle hire business up here, which are both going very well.
But at the moment my real "side line" is I have just started doing some consultancy work for a factory, looking at their whole manufacturing structure, labour utilisation and process flow, 32 days work over the next 4 months, hours to suit, with an excellent hourly rate. I never went looking for any work along these lines, but got talking to a past acquaintance in the pub just before Christmas and it's led to this. Just did first day on it yesterday.
You've got to keep all those irons in the fire glowing hot.
If anyone fancies a few days in beautiful Northumberland, give me a call - I'll do you a special rate, though there are only a couple of weeks still available between now and end of October.
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Are these the cheapest?
http://cleantech.co.uk/catalogue/index.php?cPath=26_40
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Always used cleantech for window gear, found them to be very competitive on prices and service is excellent.
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What about Huck towels?
Gerry.
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What about Huck towels?
Gerry.
Tried them, prefer scrim.
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I have just started this last month, went straight into using microfibre coz scrimcity had a brillant price on the giant cloths:
http://www.scrimcity.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=1_27
So as I went straight for the microfibre, I have never used the scrim, can you tell me the difference between Grade 1 & 2? I know that one is a finer knit, but which one is which, and which do you find better?
Cheers ;)
Simon
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try these simbag
http://cleantech.co.uk/catalogue/
there cheaper than scrimcity
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Stuart, the Scrimcity link was for the microfibre. Are you saying Cleantech is best for scrims? Which one is which though, and which is better for what?!
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If you are starting by using microfibre i wouldn't bother with scrim.
Grade 2 is looser, if you do buy, get grade 1 as it lasts longer.
I have just started to use microfibre and dont think i will buy another scrim.
Cleantech is probably better on price all round. Scrim is same quality wherever you get it.