Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: AuRavelling79 on March 30, 2005, 07:16:31 pm

Title: Squeegue length
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 30, 2005, 07:16:31 pm
On the occasions when I use a blade I have found that with GG4 a 12" blade is easier to use (due to reduced slip etc) than a 14". When you use it, what size blade do you use - especially on domestic?
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: sinbad on March 30, 2005, 10:35:55 pm
to go faster on narrow windows , use a 10 inch washer and 10inch sqeegie , use 2 hands technique , i have timed this and there is a big difference, it took me 10 years to change my style!  doh!!!
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: keefuss69 on March 30, 2005, 10:41:08 pm
i have 3  squeegies that i carry at once,
first i have the trusty 4 inch (fanlights etc)
second i have the 12 inch (general windows)
thirdly i have a 16 inch which i use for patio doors and extra large windows, sometimes used for large conservitries etc.
All of which are "DOG EARED"
i just wish my boss would change to wfp for the domestic, as we have both a van mounted system and a trolly one.

im like a broken record telling him to try it on certain jobs. ill keep on @ him...

HE WILL SEE THE LIGHT.....(i hope) (cos ladders are begining to scare me)
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: rosskesava on March 30, 2005, 10:58:04 pm
I'm a bit boring - I use a 12".

I tried all different lengths but somehow I've got used to a 12".

As for the mop, I tend to favour an 18". I don't know why though.
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: pjulk on March 30, 2005, 11:06:24 pm
I have 10,12,16" squeegies and my backflip which i think is a 14"

Out of them i use my 12" squeegie for 99% of my work
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: Ian_Giles on March 31, 2005, 06:55:31 pm
I have about 9 or 10 different length squeegee blades, going all the way from about 5 inches up to 18 inches.
Have 3 squeegee handles, all different for no specific reason :-\
The favoured handle being the Unger one that allows me to rotate the squeegee blade.
2 applicators, one 14 inch and one 10 inch.

All of my squeegee's are dog eared too, and  that I think has been one of the simplest and best tips I have gained from being on the forums. ;)

Ian
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: www.mrgutters.co.uk on March 31, 2005, 09:41:40 pm
how do you get them dogeared and which side needs doing ??? ???
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: The Bear on March 31, 2005, 10:44:02 pm
After cleaning windows for over 20 years, I thought I knew it all.

What on earth is "dog-eared"
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: Ian_Giles on March 31, 2005, 11:08:26 pm
http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/75/42/9267542.s.jpg?ch=1&rr=22:08:45
http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/75/40/9267540.s.jpg?ch=1&rr=22:08:44

Check out the pictures in the above link, this shows what a 'dog eared' squeegee channel looks like.
Both ends of the squeegee are bent over in this way, diagonally about a 1/4 of an inch of the channel.
Bent in towards the rubber.
This puts an increase of pressure on the rubber, vastly reducing or eliminating the need for detailing.

If you haven't tried it, do so, its a great tip, I've been window cleaning 20 years and only learned of it myself last year from the forums, a genuine good un' ;D

You may have t o adjust your technique a little though ;)

Neil Gornal over on another forum posted this photo (along with a couple of others) very clear, so thanks to neil & I hope he didn't mind me poaching his pic!

Ian
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: rosskesava on March 31, 2005, 11:12:59 pm
After reading an earlier post I dog eared the channel on my squeegie.

WOW......

What a difference.
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: gaza on March 31, 2005, 11:44:18 pm
Am Ithick or wat,what happens to the rubbers when you need to change them after youve dogged the squeegue,can you get a rubber to slide in ?
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: Ian Rochester on April 01, 2005, 08:25:47 am
I think I'll bash one of mine a bit and see if it works.  Normally use 12" blade and 14" applicator, cos the 18" won't fit in my bucket!  Got smaller blades and applicators for georgian etc.

Also if you buy rubber in 36" lengths you get no wastage on 12"'s
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: jsm on April 01, 2005, 10:19:33 am
must admit - the dog ear thing is new to me as well !! - will try it tho

14 inch Ettore Q-release master for everything for me  - if it won't fit in the window i rag it   ;D

Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: Terry_Burrows on April 01, 2005, 11:36:20 am
 ;Dthe 12 incher is the best all rounder,and I always show the two handed way to window cleaners at the shows,its much quicker all the time,the squeegee will never
die,as will not the wfp systems ;D
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: Ian_Giles on April 01, 2005, 03:42:31 pm
Gazza,
The rubbers slide in and out easily of a dog-eared channel, they still need clipping in too, unless you use the handles with the pointy grips to hold the rubber in place......hate them personally though ;)

Trad can never die, there are just too many areas you can't do with a WFP for that.
Its a mix and match kind of thing, as time passes the WFP will just be another tool that most will have.
You will never see me buying another three tier ladder again though ;D

Ian
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: AuRavelling79 on April 01, 2005, 06:18:36 pm
Spot on Ian - my 3 tier ladder is only ever used for it's double section alone or for its third section alone since wfp in Feb.
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: gaza on April 09, 2005, 12:58:45 am
Gazza,
The rubbers slide in and out easily of a dog-eared channel, they still need clipping in too, unless you use the handles with the pointy grips to hold the rubber in place......hate them personally though ;)

Trad can never die, there are just too many areas you can't do with a WFP for that.
Its a mix and match kind of thing, as time passes the WFP will just be another tool that most will have.
You will never see me buying another three tier ladder again though ;D

Ian
[SHOULD READ:Never see me buyinganother three litre larger again though/quote]
Title: Re: Squeegue length
Post by: Justin H on April 09, 2005, 07:36:37 am
oooer Texas girl.
I use a dogeared 14inch backflip.V fast & does a top job.
Phew, managed to tell you without saying "length"....
DOH!