[M Henderson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXB-9BxVg_I

[[GQC] Tim]

Groundfloor, probably. 1st floor and up, doubt it.

[M Henderson]

Definitely not after first floor but first floor is still a close call when you take into consideration set up time, hoses and what have you. Though you don't get the frames done and not evreyone has a modified detail tool attached like Wagga here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEj0qajz5eM

[[GQC] Tim]

Definitely not after first floor but first floor is still a close call when you take into consideration set up time, hoses and what have you. Though you don't get the frames done and not evreyone has a modified detail tool attached like Wagga here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEj0qajz5eM

I agree it's very fast on groundfloor, unbeatable on big panes.

But if that's the quickest on first floor it's nowhere as quick as wfp. I've got a quicker setup time to the window as well.

[Gleaming windows]

I SERIOUSLY doubt the effectiveness of a wagtail on 1st floor and above. There is NO way you can draw a blade down from a frame without leaving a significant trail of detergent the whole width of your blade on the glass. He might detail the edge but the mess would extend further than his detailing.

It looks that way on all the wagatil vids Ive seen, seems that way on most of the shops they do, always seem to miss the corners too.

Im not knocking wagtail, I have one myself, and where I use it it halves the time compared to trad, just trying to be realistic.

[chris@c.m.s]

I agree with Matt that detailing would leave a worse mess than if he hadn't have bothered.

[dazmond]

i find detailing with a fresh dry micro fibre in a fixi clamp works well without smears when using TRAD poles.i use a vise versa sometimes but normally just put my normal t mop on the end then my swivel loc squeegy for awkward angle windows.never tried a wagtail.the mop looks too thin to give a good scrub to the window IMO

[cozy]

One day I'm going to bump into these people.

The only way to stop this sort of thing is violence. :

[Gleaming windows]

Ive just watched that video again, if thats the work of a professional then Im Long John Bleedin' Silver!


Job done I disagree! Probably worse than before he turned up.

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

watched the vids it looks a bit clunky to me good tip with the angle adapter try that on the visa versa just couldnt get right contact before

[ftp]

I couldn't get a satifactory result at ground level with a normal squeegie using that method
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEj0qajz5eM
I would also be flicking solution everywhere with the speed that the flipper pad is whipping over. The sills aren't touched either. I'd love the guy to clean my house so I could take a look after when the sun came out.
Good for him if it really works but he's either highly skilled or very lucky to be getting away with that.

[leapstallbuildings]

I can't see the point of a wagtail on shopfronts like that.  They're fine for a few particularly difficult jobs though.  I tend to use applicator and squeegee in two passes on a pole.  So long as it's wet enough it's fine.  Important on the downward strokes to keep the squeegee end raised (the end that you are working towards) as that ensures that any trail is on a piece of the glass that you haven't yet cleaned.
Wagtail OK for certain selected jobs but quality would suffer using it the way it's used in the vid.

[jonnyald]

wagtails the biz ,cant be beat !!!     job done !     

[TonyD]

He does actually use a sill wiping tool too  -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5dvCK43aRI

Here's a view from inside the first floor window -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMGThQwdsis


I think this method is ok for windows above conservatories, which I do myself, but I wouldn't use it for other windows on a regular basis, as I like to wipe frames too and like being close enough to spot mistakes. 
I get a lot of local domestic work because people have sacked off the cleaner who wouldn't wipe frames on a standard clean.

[Gleaming windows]

Here's a view from inside the first floor window -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMGThQwdsis

Its a tool that has its place, I get the impression this guy (and others) is trying to make out its better than it is, can be used in more scenarios than is reasonably practical. Did I miss the bit where he cleaned those leaded openers on that last video or was he only going to do half the job?

[Sean Dyer]

Here's a view from inside the first floor window -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMGThQwdsis

Its a tool that has its place, I get the impression this guy (and others) is trying to make out its better than it is, can be used in more scenarios than is reasonably practical. Did I miss the bit where he cleaned those leaded openers on that last video or was he only going to do half the job?

lol

[jonnyald]

Here's a view from inside the first floor window -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMGThQwdsis

Its a tool that has its place, I get the impression this guy (and others) is trying to make out its better than it is, can be used in more scenarios than is reasonably practical. Did I miss the bit where he cleaned those leaded openers on that last video or was he only going to do half the job?

   theres not a scenario where the wagtail cant be used matt .     Waggas not trying to  kid himself ,why would he?    ,   every now and then i look at my unger swivel squeegee which i was using for yonks ,but its rubbish compared to the wag . when u use a squeegee ,wot one is it??

[G Griffin]

Even used on ground floor windows, the wagtail leaves a lot more detailing work.  I only use mine occasionally( on large windows) and cut the corners first with a conventional squeegee.
  They do have their uses but I couldn`t be doing with all that detailing.

[Gleaming windows]

Here's a view from inside the first floor window -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMGThQwdsis

Its a tool that has its place, I get the impression this guy (and others) is trying to make out its better than it is, can be used in more scenarios than is reasonably practical. Did I miss the bit where he cleaned those leaded openers on that last video or was he only going to do half the job?

   theres not a scenario where the wagtail cant be used matt .     Waggas not trying to  kid himself ,why would he?    ,   every now and then i look at my unger swivel squeegee which i was using for yonks ,but its rubbish compared to the wag . when u use a squeegee ,wot one is it??

I use an ettore on shops etc and a wagga on one large windowed property. the panes on that are about 12' high and 6 across. The wagtail is used on the insides but I do the outside with the pole.

[Ian_Giles]

This thread is really more about how good is the wagtail more than how does it compare to WFP...

But there are of course occasions when it is the quicker tool.

Perhaps a better heading would be "Which is best, Wagtail or standard squeegee?"

In use it can be used absolutely anywhere a normal squeegee can be used, even with the flipper it is way lighter than having a standard squeegee and applicator.
Like any tool you have to learn how to use it, once you are used to it you would not want to go back to squeegee and applicator, even allowing for the fact that more detailing is often required, it is still considerably faster.
You get used to using far less water too, so much so that if you have to use a standard applicator and squeegee it seems really messy.
On large windows, shop fronts and so on it is really quick, and on insides it really is the tool to choose.

As with any trad tool, the higher you work using poles then the less reliable your results become, and in n o way can you compare to WFP.
Ground floor, if you don't have to use a pointer, and you don't have to clean lots of opening lights and so on, then you could be as quick or quicker than WFP, even allowing for the fact you may have to do more detailing, and if you like to wipe the frames down anyway, then it won't slow you up one iota in comparison to using a standard applicator and squeegee.

It looks a cheap piece of tack...expensively priced!....but Would choose this tool over the standard squeegee any day of the week....as would my girlfrind who works with me, to begin with she hated it, but now always chooses to go the wagtail route when having to work with the trad tools.

Ian.