[anthony eton]

Hi everyone,can anyone tell me the best way to remove cement splashes from new windows.I have got a big victorian house with a new extension to do tomorrow and want to get it right as could mean more work from the customer recommendation.I am just starting up and only have ten customers so far and do not want to lose any by making a bad mistake.All advice appreciated.Regards Ant.

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

 you could use a nice new scrapper wet the splashes first

[anthony eton]

Thanks Gav,I do have a new scraper,just a bit nervous to use it on these new windows ,but they are quite bad ,God knows what the builder was up to,how much more should I charge for a builders clean? cheers,Ant.

[Ste M]

as gav says thuogh make sure you wet the area before you scrape it, you run the risk of scratching it if you scrape it dry

[anthony eton]

Thanks Ste m,

[AJ]

If you use a limescale remover on the cement first it softens it up by beaking down the lime in it. Also, use the scraper in one direction only. If you go forwards and backwards with it, the bits of grit get under the blade and scratch the glass. If possible get cust to sign a scratch waiver.

[bobby p]

do just 1 window and then stand back and HAVE a real good look at it .  IF you see etching marks on the glass from the lime back away and refuse to do the job. 

 if i hear the very word "builder" im not interested in those windows . theres far far more of the regular work ,play safe

[stephen.b1]

my advice is to you i have done thousands of builders cleans and if you worked for me i wouldnt let you near glass with cement on for the first six months and when i thought you were trained enough i would stand over you until i was confident i could leave you to carry on

this isnt a job for a newbie sorry, leave it alone walk away and tackle this sort of job when you have more experiance
hear is one i did earlier

[Londoner]

Don't touch it, don't go anywhere near it. You will scratch the glass as sure as heck. Then you will get the blame for everything. Its only one job, walk away.

You need to develop a feel for cement when you are scraping it off to know how far you can go. Lots of water with detergent, leave it to soak then go gently. But I wouldn't start out learning on a big job like that.

Builders cleans can be dangerous.

[R W C™]

I totally agree, as a newbie id turn this job down as if something goes wrong it could knock you back a bit......

[anthony eton]

Just want to say thanks to everybody for your advice I shall give all your points careful consideration before I decide,cheeres everyone. Ant.

[Nathanael Jones]

Don't do it mate. When you don't know what you are doing you will almost certainly scratch the glass & could be left with a bill for £1000's to replace the damage units.
Even the experienced guys get a waiver signed before they do this kind of work explaining how fabrication debris cause damage & absolving tem of the consequences of cleaning.

[david watts]

makes you wonder why they dont mask the windows up lot easyer
all round

[mlscontractcleaner]

DOOM MONGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How is this guy supposed to learn his job and build his business if he turns down every job that looks a bit tricky

Take the job mate; charge a LOT more than you would for a normal clean 'cause it'll take a long time and take your time. Sharp scrapers and plenty of soapy water is the way forward.

Twenty years experience says that a builders clean is no more difficult than window cleaning; harder work yes but not difficult :

[windolene]

Hi,

I have used 0000 grade wire wool with no scratching for builders cleans but when they not covered in cement. Tesco type Brillo pads are great .

Kevin WINDOLENE

[phil newton]

id stand back down tools point at the brickie and blame him

[baxey cleaning services]

mix some brick acid with water and some tvr foam and spry it on this will melt it but make sure you wash of well

[awcs]

by the look of that window use a hammer and chisel. Or dynamite

[e newlands]

soapy water whilst youll working elsewhere keep applying  loads with a sponge totally soaking the area dab in on dont rub across the panes most of the morter should debond
then use a scraper with nice new blade only run it wet in one direction
if in doubt or worried do one as a sample and bring the state of the windows to the site agents attention its bad housekeeping on both the brickie and the agent
check for scratching after youve done the sample---
give it A go glass is more resiliant than you think

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

use a lime scale remover solution the loads of fairey liquid and a good scraper not the ones you pick up at a pound shop unger do a good one theres a rough and smouth side to these but point out to the custie there probably will be a few scratches due to the building work mate how much did you quote on this job!!!