Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Pittmonkey on November 04, 2009, 07:25:17 pm
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I have 2 Sl-X poles 30ft & 18ft
The 30ft has never given me any trouble with sticking but the last section on the 18ft has played up since the early days of getting it.
I keep the pole's in good condition by wiping the hose down and cleaning the pole's out every week or so. I still get grit inside the 30ft pole but this has never really stopped the pole from working.
On the last section of the 18ft I was having problems with it constantly sticking. So I decided to remove the Yellow & Red indicators from this section as they seemed to be sat quite proud on the pole. The other sections still have markers and looked to be reasonably flush with the pole so thought I would just try the problem section.
It was after cleaning the pole I realised that the majority of debris inside the pole was the bits of sticky remnants of the markers.
After 2 weeks using the pole without these markers it hasn't jammed up once. You can still hear bits in the pole when your hose gets dirty but the pole still operates as it should. I have washed the pole out twice and there are no large objects coming out, just tiny particles of grit and carbon. (Very little if I'm honest)
It seemed strange some people were having problems with poles sticking and others weren't. It could just be that some markers are too thick and dont have much tolerance inside the pole when grit or dirt gets inside.
Another thing I tried was I rubbed some car wax on the section (Mer Polish) but I suppose any would do. This has made the pole unbelievably slick in operation and maybe protecting the pole from grit sticking to it.
I have bought some Metal Protekt paint from B&Q and will re-mark the pole this weekend. Apparently this is used when Alex refurbishes a pole.
Overall with the new levers clamps barrels etc. it's been an absolute dream to work with. I used an 18ft x-tel pole and a Home Made Harris pole on a cladding and upvc clean at the weekend. Not a cat in hells chance would I use either of them again for my general work.
I'm still looking forward to Jouk's hose cleaner as I'm sure this would help minimise the wear on carbon poles.
Anyone else tried this? Maybe worth a look at the markers on your pole if you are having probs.
Hope it helps, it worked for me :)
Any Q's I'll be back later after Footy :)
Wayne
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Nice one wayne, I'm still using my MKI wi no probs.
I thought the harris poles were s'posed to be the bees-knees? ;)
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the Harris pole was for the tight arses :P
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Nice one wayne, I'm still using my MKI wi no probs.
I thought the harris poles were s'posed to be the bees-knees? ;)
HARRIS POLES ARE £15 ::), HENCE WHY MANY THINK THEY ARE THE BEES KNEE'S
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the Harris pole was for the tight arses :P
;D ;D ;D
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I only use Harris Pole on the crap jobs Tony. Con Roofs etc Never used it for wfp windows apart from once on my own windows and didn't like it.
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I only use Harris Pole on the crap jobs Tony. Con Roofs etc Never used it for wfp windows apart from once on my own windows and didn't like it.
I know, I'm just pulling ya leg mate. ;D
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the Harris pole was for the tight arses :P
There is a market out there, little tweaks and this could be a very good pole it weighs very little and look at the price of it, I sold my harris pole I made and not used one for wfp, use them to tfr applications and does the job perfect, tfr gutters with ease
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on the crap jobs i use a 17ft hybrid to bash about and it get dropped thrown falls over even gets left out side over night you name it it gets abused and its lasted over a few years, wonder how long a Harris would last in my hands i bet not as long as the hybrid
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on the crap jobs i use a 17ft hybrid to bash about and it get dropped thrown falls over even gets left out side over night you name it it gets abused and its lasted over a few years, wonder how long a Harris would last in my hands i bet not as long as the hybrid
I would not know m8, I look after my gear :) and only use harris for application of tfr at height
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Yeh my 17 ft SLX, the last section is quite stiff to pull out, so i also removed the red & yellow stickers.
I thought it was cos the clamp was a bit tight on that section, but yes i think i may try the polish thingy.
Thanks for the tip ,bro!
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i look after most of my gear my 50 modular pole my slx 35 a 4ft carbon all with super light brushes, the hybrid just gets left out but it still is in good order considering the abuse it gets on daily bases and being left out side has not affected it one bit, i just cant see a Harris pole lasting as long as the hybrid in those condition, they maybe be cheap the Harris pole but not built for wfp, i have a Harris but only used with a gutter scoop on it. and another Harris with a wagtail flipper on it, they have there uses.
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better have a look at mine then
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I use a Harris for decorating me ceilings, its the dogs B,.,.,.,ks. ;D
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i use a old glass x-tel cut down to 9ft its 3 section and its great for decorating pole
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i use a old glass x-tel cut down to 9ft its 3 section and its great for decorating pole
you may want to look at the harris pole, as is made for this job :P
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i use the harris to spray truck wash on gutters also fit a hose to it
to hose of saves getting pressure washer out
hate those clamps though
couldn't use it to clean windows to whipy for me
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i use a old glass x-tel cut down to 9ft its 3 section and its great for decorating pole
you may want to look at the harris pole, as is made for this job :P
maybe but i got my old mans old decorating pole its some years old now got to be 20 odd years old but i thought i would try make use out of a old clapt out old pole instead of just throwing it away,
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I got a funny feeling Wayne has hit on something here.
I always did like a well polished pole. Will baby oil do as well ;D
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come on guys, the harris makes us all money, cheap as it is, it earns me at least near £400 a week, on some of my rounds, so lets not down it to much, its a bloody good cheap pole, and the flexability has more advantage over the big name poles,
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Thanks Wayne, I'm gonna try that.
My stickers are nearly gone and i was gonna paint new ones this weekend. Will try the polish also.
Thanks.
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This is the stuff Traps. Got mine from B&Q
http://www.paintsprays.co.uk/catalog/metal-protekt-paint-p-233.html
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If your slx is really hard to extend, Take the pole sections apart and run your finger along the inside edge of the clamp that butts up to the inner edge of the carbon pole. If you find the inner clamp edge is higher then the carbon section.Thats were your problem is.
File or sand the clamp edge only untill its level with the carbon,Rub your finger over the edge to check, when done Apply a bit of polish and the pole sections will slide and glide far better.
Neil
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If your slx is really hard to extend, Take the pole sections apart and run your finger along the inside edge of the clamp that butts up to the inner edge of the carbon pole. If you find the inner clamp edge is higher then the carbon section.Thats were your problem is.
File or sand the clamp edge only untill its level with the carbon,Rub your finger over the edge to check, when done Apply a bit of polish and the pole sections will slide and glide far better.
Neil
I spoke to Alex about this and he said to run a kitchen knife around the inside to scrape it out like your saying.
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This is the stuff Traps. Got mine from B&Q
http://www.paintsprays.co.uk/catalog/metal-protekt-paint-p-233.html
Only just seen this Wayne, Thanks.
I took mine all apart this afternoon and removed the remains of the stickers, masked off and painted new ones with some brick and tile paint I already had in the garage. I'll use that stuff next time though because I'm sure this is gonna wear off soon.
I Also gave all sections a polish like you said with some turtle wax spray I already had.
I'll give it a go Monday and see what happens.
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am waiting for the replies on this one. I have 4 tins of that pain in the unit (only problem its white lol)
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I have taken the stickers off mine and gave the whole thing a generous coating of furniture polish, it certainly reinvigorated the thing, no sticking thats for sure.
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It seems ok so far. Haven't got any sand or grit stuck to the pole hose yet though.
Think I'll try some beeswax or something, I don't think the polish I had was that good.
Also I've found I dont like clamping on the actual paint band as I obviously put a tad much on and I think the extra force required to close the clamp wont do the pole much good.
I think that must be why Alex uses that other paint on a pole refurb because it can be applied very thinly.
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ewan
ive been trying your velcro idea for the last few days i must say it works a treat
no grit gets by it thanks for posting the info top man
robin
also took the stickers off today must admit it makes such a difference pole slides
much easier and clamping where the stickers were now easy no strain on the clamp
day off on friday so ill paint new markers and try polish
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This is the stuff Traps. Got mine from B&Q
http://www.paintsprays.co.uk/catalog/metal-protekt-paint-p-233.html
Got some of that spray but had to spray in the garage due to weather. Had to dust sheet an area. Bit messy.
Have to say I found it easier with a paint brush with the old paint I had lying around.
I've tried three different paints now and they all only seem to last a week or two.
On the plus side I don't seem to be getting any grit issues these days. Not unless I drag it over sand on say a fresh block paved driveway.
I don't know if this is due to the pole wear, the stickers being removed or what and I'm not doing anything different with it than when I first had it.
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Agree Traps. Put it on my pole and it lasted about a week. Didn't have any sticking probs with the flaky paint though. I'm going to re paint them over xmas Spray a very thin coat every half hr or so. then leave to set for a week.
Cant remember having a single prob with my 18ft pole since I did the mods on it. But they do get better with wear, as did my 30ft SL-X.
Wayne