[Richard iSparkle]

We do a bit of indoor commerical and sometimes the windows would require ladders or long reach traditional.

Has anyone used this and found it a solid tool?

thanks

R

[Simon Trapani]

Have used the Vikan kit. It's a handy tool for high or awkward to reach windows as long as the windows are cleaned regularly. Also handy above automatic doors. I've found it's not great on a quarterly garden centre for example or commercial kitchen windows. Can't beat a squeegee, scraper & fairy for those imo.

I also find you have to have the pad just the right dampness. Too wet and it'll smear, too dry & you can't move it without crashing into the frame.  The tool swivels well,  although doesn't always get right into the edges or corners, probably about a centimetre or so out. It's surprising how much effort it can take but on the whole I prefer it to taking ladders indoors with mitts etc. We don't don't do many insides though. I also kept forgetting to pick up the spray bottle & left it on the first two jobs I used it on.

[Smudger]

As above really - they have their place - if your doing a first clean then you will need to go over the glass twice (at least)

I've found that for first cleans I use the Unger pads that have a long pile - similar to a mop as these really suck up the dirt then use the vikan pads or wrap a fish scale microfibre over the pad head you can then use an almost endless supply of rags on a job at a fraction of the price.

ps - you can get pad heads much cheaper from elsewhere


Darran

[Richard iSparkle]

have either of you used the vikan kit along with the gardiner backpack and setup on their website?

https://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/indoor-specialized/indoor-glass-cleaning/indoor-cleaning-system.html

and is that worthwhile? or should i just take the vikan on its own?

[Simon Trapani]

I've never used it with my Gardiner's backpack.

I think combined with the backpack it's place would be for if you were cleaning lots of high glass in one hit & didn't want to keep bringing the pole down to re-wet the pad. Not the sort of jobs I'd want to take on personally.

[Dry Clean]

I've never used it with my Gardiner's backpack.

I think combined with the backpack it's place would be for if you were cleaning lots of high glass in one hit & didn't want to keep bringing the pole down to re-wet the pad. Not the sort of jobs I'd want to take on personally.

Problem is after one wet the pad usually needs changed so the pole still needs lowered, I foolishly spent £400 on a Dragonfly kit before thinking of that.

[Smudger]

yes agree - sounds great in theory but the pad itself won't do much more than a single pane so your going tube dropping the pole anyway.

I still have the indoor pole that came with a small water container built in - what a waste of time and effort

might be worth learning to use a wagtail.

I also have a window vac conversion which actually works very well  - que the moans and groans

Darran

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Hi. One of our guys (franchisee) purchased the Gardiner indoor kit for some high internal work in some police stations we clean. His words not mine :- 'Fantastic'
Cut the time down from 3 hours to 1.5
Hope this helps. 

[Smudger]

Hi. One of our guys (franchisee) purchased the Gardiner indoor kit for some high internal work in some police stations we clean. His words not mine :- 'Fantastic'
Cut the time down from 3 hours to 1.5
Hope this helps.

from what method ?

Darran

[zesty]

I used to use the vikan  kit for the indoors of a car showroom I do, it started off ok, but over time it was smearing. Your rubbing dirt about really.

I’ve gone back to squeegee.

I think they work for smaller windows, but not large commercial glass.

I am tempted to WFP the inside of the showroom I do, then use a wet dry vac to suck up the water 😜 (don’t think I’ll ever actually do it, but wish I could!)

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Hi. One of our guys (franchisee) purchased the Gardiner indoor kit for some high internal work in some police stations we clean. His words not mine :- 'Fantastic'
Cut the time down from 3 hours to 1.5
Hope this helps.

from what method ?

Darran

Long pole mop and blading.

[Smudger]

cheers,

I feel the pain of having to use a mop and squeegee on that sort of work !

I would have thought that it would have been better to try a wagtail - ive seen some great video's - of you can master it I think it would faster than any indoor pad set up

[Clever Forum Name]

I have been "padding" every commercial job where possible and the results are still the same but some jobs are halved in time.

I use unger pad system and unger stingray system. The stingray is good but the unger pad system is easier and sometimes quicker. Although i am in talks with unger about them making an attachment. I love the stingray fluid though.