Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Moderator David@stives on April 15, 2009, 07:58:35 pm

Title: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 15, 2009, 07:58:35 pm
I just thought i would share this gadget with for you.

I needed a tool for reaching over desks behind glass screens etc, so i thought i would give it a go

http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/index.php/NEW-PRODUCTS/Internal-Window-Cleaning-Kit/Detailed-product-flyer.html

It looks expensive for what it is but it more than paid for itself today

I think it is a great little gadget for your toolbox.


I have been cleaning a school for the last few days
normally i have to leave about a dozen panes of glass and struggle to clean a dozen more because of furniture or computers etc being in the way or just glass trapped by glass screens.

But today with this little gadget i managed to clean every pane and cleaned them well, the pads lasted quite well, i used 3 today.

It is not an everyday tool but it certainly has its place.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Oakley Windows on April 15, 2009, 08:09:18 pm
I was hoping after reading the thread title that it was going to be a gadget to clean in between sliding glass doors

 ;)
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: dai on April 15, 2009, 08:25:15 pm
Aldi's had some very similar ones last week, they have a rubber bellows instead of a swivel, about a fiver.
Oh, they are micro fibre too, I never thought of using the actual pad for windows, but I have had an unsuccessful go at adapting the rubber bellows as a WFP brush swivel
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: michael papworth on April 16, 2009, 04:26:58 pm
It looks similar to:

http://www.rcpworksmarter.com/rcp/products/detail.jsp?rcpNum=Q311

I use one of these (on a short pole) to hold a microfibre to clean walls and fixtures. It is absolutely superb. I can clean an entire wall in less than a minute from floor to ceiling without stretching or bending.

I'd been toying with the idea of fitting jets to one and trying it as an alternative to a water fed brush.

Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: trevor perry on April 16, 2009, 04:39:43 pm
I just thought i would share this gadget with for you.

I needed a tool for reaching over desks behind glass screens etc, so i thought i would give it a go

http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/index.php/NEW-PRODUCTS/Internal-Window-Cleaning-Kit/Detailed-product-flyer.html

It looks expensive for what it is but it more than paid for itself today

I think it is a great little gadget for your toolbox.


I have been cleaning a school for the last few days
normally i have to leave about a dozen panes of glass and struggle to clean a dozen more because of furniture or computers etc being in the way or just glass trapped by glass screens.

But today with this little gadget i managed to clean every pane and cleaned them well, the pads lasted quite well, i used 3 today.

It is not an everyday tool but it certainly has its place.
do you think it could be attached to a longer pole for high internal windows dave.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 16, 2009, 04:51:46 pm
Yes I think you could put it on a unger pole, you would need to adapt it slightly.

The only bug bare is that the handle is rather short, could do with an extension.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: gerard mcmanus on April 16, 2009, 04:56:59 pm
I would spend that kind of money on something like that, as for over desks, Unger Ergo Handle Extension is only £3.50 and I have used that do do this inside of offices and had no problems what so ever getting over the desks, in front of windows, and for anything higher you can use a 1.5 meter 2 section extension pole, and they are only £17.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Glyn H on April 16, 2009, 05:41:32 pm
Dave
We can supply you with the kit + longer pole up to 10' , they really are good.
I was realy suprised at what a good finish you get. The patented microfibre cloth is designed specifically for internal window cleaning.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 16, 2009, 06:00:53 pm
Glyn

I will get in touch, i need a chat about another matter.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Glyn H on April 16, 2009, 06:03:42 pm
Dave
Looking  forward to hearing from you
Glyn
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: AuRavelling79 on April 16, 2009, 06:13:24 pm
Can you explain in detail how it works for numpty me?

E.g. You've got a hard to access internal window thats dusty with grease marks - exactly how do you clean it with this "Nifty Gadget"?
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 16, 2009, 06:17:38 pm
Malc

It comes into its own where the result of a squeegie would be a total waste of time .

First you lightly spray the window with pure water from a spray bottle or spray straight onto the pad if the window cannot be sprayed, then just simply rub with the flat pad on the window, not much different to a microfibre cloth.

Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: gerard mcmanus on April 16, 2009, 06:30:11 pm
Malc

It comes into its own where the result of a squeegie would be a total waste of time .

First you lightly spray the window with pure water from a spray bottle or spray straight onto the pad if the window cannot be sprayed, then just simply rub with the flat pad on the window, not much different to a microfibre cloth.



why why would a squeegee be fine for an external window where there would in my opinion the majority of the time be more build up of dirt, but be a total waste of time for an internal window  ???
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 16, 2009, 07:12:16 pm
Ladder

obviously you havent the need for one, i have plenty of internal windows where the angles are all wrong and squeegieng on the end of a pole isnt ideal because it leaves a mess because of the awkward angles.

Unless you can get the right angle behind a squeegie on a pole you will leave a mess.

We have windows on stairwells where you cant put a ladder and squeegieng on the end of a pole is a right royal pain.

Also we have windows with glass screens in front of them or filing cabinets in the way etc etc
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Glyn H on April 16, 2009, 07:45:07 pm
Quote
why why would a squeegee be fine for an external window where there would in my opinion the majority of the time be more build up of dirt, but be a total waste of time for an internal window 

The system was  for designed for  commercial window cleaning contracts,this after all is where the majority of glass is in Europe
Cleaning glazing and mirrors  on escalators,walkways , lifts, shops, office,hotels,conference centres etc.
Their is an alternative to this system manufactured and sold in the Netherlands for almost £1000.00 :)
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: gerard mcmanus on April 16, 2009, 07:49:16 pm
good points Dave, but I use unger squeegees and you can change the angle of the squeegee to accommodate this, you can even get a t-bar that allows you to change the angle.

Its a good idea but I just think that there is a cheaper option, and as we all know if you buff a window to leave a static charge attracting dirt, so might not stay as clean for as long, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: gerard mcmanus on April 16, 2009, 07:52:56 pm
Quote
why why would a squeegee be fine for an external window where there would in my opinion the majority of the time be more build up of dirt, but be a total waste of time for an internal window 

The system was  for designed for  commercial window cleaning contracts,this after all is where the majority of glass is in Europe
Cleaning glazing and mirrors  on escalators,walkways , lifts, shops, office,hotels,conference centres etc.
Their is an alternative to this system manufactured and sold in the Netherlands for almost £1000.00 :)

glen, I dont think there is more glass in comercials than residentials. If you mean one job compared to the average house then yes, but if there was more glass on comercial properties, than in residentials as a whole, unemployement wouldnt be such a problem  :D
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Glyn H on April 16, 2009, 08:01:26 pm
I think you will certainly  find their is more glass in commercial premises, look at any city, landscape and all you can see is tower blocks of sheet glass.
Schools, Colleges, Unis, Hospitals,Offices, Shopping Malls, Hotels, churches,synagogues, mosques, leisure centres, sports centres and shops......... getting boring now
Well its certainly true in London :)
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: williamx on April 16, 2009, 08:34:29 pm
Dave
We can supply you with the kit + longer pole up to 10' , they really are good.
I was realy suprised at what a good finish you get. The patented microfibre cloth is designed specifically for internal window cleaning.

Glyn

How much are yours? and do you have a web link to it.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 16, 2009, 08:46:37 pm
Ladder

I use an adjustable squeegie, but some windows are almost impossible to clean well no matter what, this is where the devise comes in handy.

The school we just completed had over 2000 panes of glass, i used the tool on probably 30- 40 panes

Not an everyday tool, but it certainly helps in tight spots.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: gerard mcmanus on April 16, 2009, 09:05:25 pm
ok, agreed it could be a useful tool to have  :)

how long did the job take you, just out of curiosity, when you were using this tool, did it take much longer, quicker?

glen, in the centre of a city you are probably correct, but I don't think that reflects the entire country. But lets put it to a poll.
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 16, 2009, 09:18:48 pm
The 20 odd windows were a bit quicker but a lot easier.

Job took about 3 days, sometimes 2 of us sometimes 5
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: cybersye on April 16, 2009, 09:24:53 pm
It looks like it could be a useful bit of kit but I just dont get how they warrant 70 odd quid for it.
could a cheap paint pad holder from a diy store with a microfibre on it do the job just as well ? or is there more to it ?
I could'nt really tell from the picture.
Simon
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Glyn H on April 16, 2009, 09:32:56 pm
The cost includes five window cleaning misting pads, five window cleaning polishing cloths, trigger spray, cleaning head and telescopic pole.
Well it does from us.
The only comprable system I have seen is made by Baudon in Holland which has a micro pump and carbon fibre pole. Retails approx £900.00
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: Moderator David@stives on April 16, 2009, 09:48:09 pm
its expensive , but it helps me on my commercials, instead of leaving the odd awkward pane i can now do everything
well almost,


The pads are velcro, so i reckon £5 a pad , similar to the cost of a cloth
Title: Re: Nifty Gadget
Post by: williamx on April 16, 2009, 09:57:23 pm
Glyn

I cannot find it on your web site, what is it called and how much is it also how much are the pads and how long do they last? and are they in stock