Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: L.J.Thorpe on July 08, 2009, 08:52:21 pm

Title: TFR alternatives
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on July 08, 2009, 08:52:21 pm
anyone got any readily available alternatives or home made mixes they use?
anything that can either be sprayed on or applied with a brush to fascias and soffits, the ones i am doing tomorrow are minging and i am becoming underwhelmed by tfr the more i use it
thanks
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: Bazzy1999 on July 08, 2009, 09:09:28 pm
I dont have a problem with tfr works very well for me.........
I use the one with added wax........
Hows my m8 mr norton going..

Bazz...
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: ftp on July 08, 2009, 10:23:24 pm
I find my tfr rubbish too unless it's very strong - problem then is it will stain glass!
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: johnny_h on July 08, 2009, 10:29:41 pm
i use a product called e-clean is made from plants really safe to use where are you based?
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on July 09, 2009, 07:12:15 am
alright bazz
marcus is fine got a proper van and everything now ,almost looks pro,almost
dave,i am using safe tfr and not impressed
johnny h, south lincs mate
cheers lads
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: Dave Turley on July 09, 2009, 07:23:52 am
i'm also having concerns about tfr staining glass with strong mixes, but i'm not sure if this is a summer only problem.

it's murder removing the stains, i've found more tfr with a non scratch scourer seems to work the best  :(
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: Nathanael Jones on July 09, 2009, 10:15:55 am
Stuart Castles uses this:
http://www.cloverchem.co.uk/uk/products/bar_ubik2000_uk.htm

And the pictures he posts of conservatory cleans are always VERY impressive.
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: Milltown Cleaning on July 09, 2009, 01:36:28 pm
they always do look like good results he gets.

one thing that i have noticed with my fascia work is a light grey staining left behind, the tfr, scrubbing and powerwashing doesnt shift it. Any ideas?
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: paul beckett on July 09, 2009, 03:15:05 pm
i have used the brillo pads with the soap already in it, their really cheap, they sometimes get rid of it like a dream but it did'nt only once, worth the try, there only 20p to buy, give it a go


paul
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: MJH on July 09, 2009, 03:22:47 pm
B and q sell swarfega (the same makers of the hand cleaner) liquid for cleaning pvc, its a liquid in 2.5 or 5 litre red bottles, i use it all the time on builders cleans and the odd con roof its really good stuff and you only need a drop.
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on July 09, 2009, 03:41:40 pm
all good stuff lads ;D
the reason i asked for alternatives was this
couple of weeks ago i drove past one of my regular customers and a couple of lads were cleaning the fascias.They were filthy and i had never fancied doing em so never offered and she never asked,when i came round to clean her windows i had a good look at the results and they wer brilliant :o :o i have had good results before but this was something else.She told me what they charged and it was about double what i would have done,but like i say it looked brand new,really.I watched em doing it and all they had was spray bottles and cloths ??? ???
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: ftp on July 09, 2009, 10:00:58 pm
i think a lot of our problems are due to using a brush anyway. You can't get the scrubbing power with bristles like you can scrubbing by hand with a mild abrasive compound like Cif or upvc cleaner.
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: Craig Trevain on July 17, 2009, 12:33:35 pm
Universal cleaner
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: jeff1 on July 17, 2009, 04:00:18 pm
I use e-cover truck wash from Alex Gardiner its very good stuff, no damaged plants and no dead fish in your custy's pond  ;D ;D
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: wfp master on July 17, 2009, 04:05:02 pm
elbow grease costs nothing try it ;)
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: geefree on July 17, 2009, 04:11:05 pm
Vehicle cleaner from Screwfix... £8.99 5L
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: jeff1 on July 17, 2009, 04:12:15 pm
When I was up ladders doing it I used to use fairy liquid and that did an excellent Job  ;D ;D
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: Nathanael Jones on July 17, 2009, 04:21:08 pm
I've been using sodium hypochlorite 12%  recently with great results. It is a strong chem though, so gloves & goggles are essential, and it will damage plants if not rinsed off quickly. I've had a couple of jobs where it was as simple as "Spray on, wait 10 minutes and rinse",.. no scrubbing at all hardly. I dilute it 2 parts water to 1 part chem and add some fairy liquid as the foam stops it running off the roof so fast.
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: Davo on July 17, 2009, 08:31:43 pm
Not worth the hassle if you ask me. window cleaning is where the cash is at. Fella I know swears by tfr says nothing else to match it




Mark
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: macmac on July 17, 2009, 08:37:32 pm
Not worth the hassle if you ask me. window cleaning is where the cash is at. Fella I know swears by tfr says nothing else to match it




Mark

What you up to Davo, you taken the plunge yet?
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: Davo on July 17, 2009, 08:50:27 pm



Hello there fella (mac mac)

Its tough out there, custies wont pay the prices they havent got money to spare. Anyone of you ciu lads that gets more than a living from cleaning windows ...every credit. Fella I was talking to has spent £9 k setting up for cleaning pvcu and conservatories last year. He scraped a living last year, put out 10,000's leaflets knocled doors. Hes just managed to get rid of his van and gear, lost £14000 in just over 12 months trading said this year is flat as a pancake. Tough eh.

Now why would anyone want to plunge into that?


Personally Im fine thanks, still scraping a living.





Mark
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: macmac on July 17, 2009, 09:04:41 pm



Hello there fella (mac mac)

Its tough out there, custies wont pay the prices they havent got money to spare. Anyone of you ciu lads that gets more than a living from cleaning windows ...every credit. Fella I was talking to has spent £9 k setting up for cleaning pvcu and conservatories last year. He scraped a living last year, put out 10,000's leaflets knocled doors. Hes just managed to get rid of his van and gear, lost £14000 in just over 12 months trading said this year is flat as a pancake. Tough eh.

Now why would anyone want to plunge into that?


Personally Im fine thanks, still scraping a living.





Mark

Wow, that's a tough hit to take. Personally, I wouldn't have spent the 9k in a oner, I would have eased my way in & started smaller, left myself room to breath.

For whatever reason, many (myself included) w/c'ers are busier than ever. As we've discussed in the past Mark, it's a funny business w/c'ing & IMO can't be compared with many other business models etc.

Anyway, you should pop in more often. Teach our resident business guru (think you know the one) a thing or two. ;D
Title: Re: TFR alternatives
Post by: stay white n bright window cleaning service on July 17, 2009, 10:26:26 pm
 Cillit Bang  lime and grime exellent results and also its  biodegradable