[Tim Downer]

Hi

Went to a site today where it was deemed necessary to re-point all the brickwork on a large block of flats.....after the windows where fitted!!

They have covered the windows with plastic, however, with the elements and sloppy workers.....there is a lot of brick dust over the glass and frames with the odd lump of cement.

I am happy with the glass.....done that many a time!!

However, the grey powder coating on the frames.....just wiping the dust with my finger, caused light scratches to appear very quickley.....

How would you over come this, as even the site manager has expressed concern on using cloths / window cleaning equipment.....due to scratching the surface??

Is there something i could spray with a hand pumped sprayer??  In fact, would pressure spraying do the trick without scratching the glass surface / window frame??

The frame surface is flat and about 2 inches wide all around the edge.

Thanks Guys

Tim

[AJCleaningServices]

I would try to use vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment

[keith b]

As AJ said, just vacuum with a brush and then you can see the results.

If you go to www.everbuild.co.uk you can buy UPVC solvent or cream cleaner for the window frames.

good luck

keith

[Jake]

Tim

We would wipe clean frames while doing the glass, I think you were both scrutinising the frames too closely. By all means take care, but they should come up ok. We have done many, with no problems.

                       Regards..Jake - Westclean

[24-7 S C Services]

Hi Tim,

First I would advise signing a contract with the site supervisor, stipulating that you will not be responsible for any damage caused to the frames, even though you will clean them with the utmost care. If they refused to sigh it, I would not accept the job.

Secondly, if the frames are powder coated, I would not advise using any form of upvc cleaner or solvent cleaner on them, as this could cause them to discolour or worse, remove the coating altogether.

Another solution to your problem would be a wfp, if this is available to you, I would just initially rinse all the frames down first which should remove 99% of the dust. Then you could wipe them clean later (not dust, no scratches)

Hope the above helps

Andrew

[martin19842]

hi tim

i know exactly what you are talking about,

and no he isnt scrutinising them too much, anyone with site experience will know that.

spray bottle with neatral detergent, get the spats soaked, and then gebtle persuasion with the scraper.

some will lift in one piece,

then soak down and microfibre off

are they grey frames?  if so then watch for smearing, there are a pain.

reagrds

martin

[AJCleaningServices]

Martin, would you advise signing a contract with the site supervisor, stipulating that you will not be responsible for any damage caused to the frames?
Thanks
Arthur

[Tim Downer]

Thanks chaps for your comments yesterday.

I would like to give Arthurs Vacuum and brush attatchment a go, however the building is just a frame with no guts.....no power as yet......and 5 stories high!!

I have been window cleaning for around 9 years.....so no, i am not scrutinising the work too much, and know to well that i would wipe the frames while cleaning the glass.

My point was that the site manager had a valid concern for the frames getting scratched. I did say in my question that along with the site manager, we ran our finger accross the frame.....and you could see light scratches on the powder coating.

He has shown his concern.....and i would like to throw his concern away by coming up with a workable solution. 

I think i will try a window as an example.....to see how it cleans up, before tackling the whole job. I will think ofd having a written agreement between us and the developers......because at the end of the day, they could have protected the windows a bit better.

I will go out and buy a pressure spray bottle and some detergent.......

Thanks again chaps and have a fun filled day..... :

Kind Regards

Tim

[CMS]

Are there any scrap bits of the material around site for you to 'practice' on?

[AJCleaningServices]

...I will go out and buy a pressure spray bottle and some detergent...

Hello Tim,
Just after reading your reply...
How about hiring a compressor and blowing all the dust off of the frames? 

I have not seen the site, but would like to say that cleaning homes we, very often, use vacuum cleaners instead of dusters, as in most cases a hoover delivers better result in less time and at less cost.  We hoover everything window frames, skirting boards, doors and even furniture where possible.  When you use any kind of duster the dirt in the end gets stuck in the corners and to get it out of there you will need a lot of time (usually no one bothers), using a vacuum cleaner instead of a duster you are avoiding this problem, delivering a great result.

Hope it helps,
Kind regards,
Arthur

[Tim Downer]

Thank you Arthur - yes, one of my pet hates is when you see dust in the corner of the skirting.....which wouldn't be there if the staff had vacuumed!! Yes, i would rather utilise the vacuum where ever possible....kitchen drawers etc etc

Karl - i will have a look around the site on next visit.....however, i think i recall seeing the units packed on pallets as complete units and not made on site. But yes, a good suggestion anyway

Regards

Tim

[Tim Downer]

Whooooooppssss   

Forgot about this posting!! Glad I went through some of the older postings, because i have forgotton to quote for the above windows.... 

Better go and do the quote now.

Tim  :