nice! you just earned yourself a FREE HIP-CLIP! i made em and you deserve a prize! Dont forget that you can screw the HC's onto you belt, just look on the back of one, and the template for it is on the instructions. Shoot me an address for your clip! Thanks for the great product rep!
Holy smokes! For a gear junkie like me, you have a lot of trad gear. Great organization and beyond most window artists would consider working with. I bet you are very detail oriented. I'm the same way... gear junkie and insanely detail oriented. I Q-tip tracks when the client needs top notch cleanliness.
Glad to know there is someone out there who would appreciate this non-sense....it just felt good to get that video off my chest...LOL! Yup, that pretty much sums it up, LOTSA ways to "pimp" windows if one was so inclined, right. Kinda glad WFP's don't fit my locale (yet), so I can keep up with the trad. "effort" if ya know what I mean. Thanks for gettin a kick outta the video & keep up the good work!
Hey man my name is Sebastian, I am pretty new in the window washing business, ive been working almost a year. i do have my own company, and i do work for myself just like you, im glad to know that there are more people like me. I will be attending college for business and all that good stuff to hopefully expand my business and make it bigger and better. i enjoyed watching your video, you did great, and it gave me a better idea on tools. right now i only have 3 ladders, a bunch of blue rags, a vaccum and a brush, i do everything by hand, but hopefully soon i start using a squeegee and getting into the squeegee world. Right now im only 20 years old, and i have a lot of hope, and im truly determined to make my business grow. My father actually helped me get started because he knew that i was very detailed oriented and a perfectionist and he thought i would like it a lot, and well hell yeah i enjoy it more than anything. Again great video!
Hey Sebastian, Great to hear you enjoyed my video & and even more impressed by you kind words! Let me tell you, my hat's off to anyone who washes windows (traditionally) solo. It's alot of work but as I think you know, the gratification is well worth it ;) By all means get yourself a squeegee and start a squeegeeloution! The results will benefit you & your customers...for sure! Truly man, best of luck with your business now and in the future! I gotta feeling you'll be a sucessfull WC'er or anything else for that matter. Keep up the good work and make the work you do your best! Everything else falls into place. Again, thanks for watching the video....not alot of people can relate....makes me question my sanity a little less :) BTW... When you get out of school and get your business off the ground, look me up, think we'd work well together! Take care man & keep up the good work!
It is a lot of work, but hearing a customer telling you how good you did gives you such an awesome feeling. Especially when you clean such a big house, and you finish it, it kinda pumps you up and you think to yourself "I'm the reason why these windows look as good as new". Haha yeah i will def get a squeegee, and practice on it so i can master it and i dont look like a fool in front of the customer. Thank you for wishing me luck, i appreciate it a lot. Im sure youre doing just great, so keep up the good work! And i know there's not many of us. By the way you are truly the first person that i can relate to. And of course man! If it all goes as planned i should be done in a year or so. I'll def look you up because i am sure we'll make a good team. Thanks for replying man, I appreciate it. Take care, and keep on bustin it haha
I really like your video "My window cleaning tools of choice".Particularly your bucket setup for inside windows.I've been cleaning windows since 1975, and always frustrated with getting water where it doesn't belong.I like your idea of the spongy twisty-ties for holding things out of the way of the window.Very nifty.:) Thanks for sharing,brother.
Scott Bunker Glad you liked it Scott! I am always trying to "tweak" this or "modify" that...you know how it goes. There are never ending ways window cleaners find to get creative. Thanks for watching & take care!
Thanks Pete just watched your you tube excellent I am starting my Window cleaning Business here in Michican ,did some on Long Island for 12 years with Power wasghing always looking to learn from someone better and more experienced than I.You gave be good and helpful tips and the right path.Keep making more John olsen
Nice cleaning setup very detailed also. I added window cleaning toy lawn service mainly for the slow season when not cutting. Great video keep up the good work.
Paul Val Glad you took something helpful from the vid! I believe you had inquired about scrim...get one (or three) it's awesome, great for glass cleaning. Search windowcleaningresource.com or jracenstien.com. Thanks for watching!
Yeah man interior...tried to get my bro too work with me then I hear someone "screaming sheeeeiiiittt!" He almost dropped a TV through the window he broke!! We got it fixed And the customer said she would call me back after we fixed the windows and finished the job!.....yeah right!! Noticed ur hands...dirty....trick wash a bunch of dishes.....they will clean up!!! Used to take a month for my hands to get clean so now I just wash the dishes after the day!!! Thnx so much for this great video!!
Hi Pete, Bravo on a job well done of explaining everything you use and why you prefer certain products that work for you. You seem to be very much a "perfectionist" in what you do and particular with the products and tools you use, so your opinion is extremely valuable. Have you considered selling 'ready-to-go' kits for indoor and outdoor window cleaning entrepreneurs with all the products and tools you use with a more detailed DVD included on how, when and why to use everything? You'd make a killing!! I'd be happy to be your first customer!! Just sayin'!
I appreciate your appreciation, R Bauer! Thank you! Most window cleaning suppliers sell "starter kits" of different varieties that pretty much cover the basics one would need to clean windows effectively. My collection of WC'ing stuff is pretty narrowed down to what I know I would use in certain situations. WC'ing professionally puts you in scenarios that may require speciality tools or "creative adjustments" to complete the job properly. That's why having a small "garage sale" worth of tools/accessories comes in handy. Really, the 5 main components anyone needs to clean glass are pretty basic....squeegee (w/ good rubber)...applicator ( to apply soap solution to glass)...razor scraper ( w/ new intact blade)...detailing towel (scrim is awesome)...& solution ( your preferred cleaning agent or "soap"). Those are the 5 basic food groups of clean windows w/ plenty of room to expand. Thanks again for your enthusiastic post, it is appreciated. Thanks for watching!
Travis Henry Lol, The window gods were smilin' on you...thats a handy piece of plastic! In fact, a guy today asked me all about it, he was really amazed, even showed his wife (like she cared :) coulda sold it to him on the spot... but I need it on a residential job next week ;)
I absolutely loved that really well explained video. I have just taken over custodian duties for the Town Hall where I live, which has a fair amount of glass. Mostly glass doors, entrances etc, some toilet mirrors, high auditorium windows, office windows located on a fairly busy intersection of the CBD. Outside is dirtier but there are more finger marks inside. Windows haven't been thoroughly done in a while and I would love to kit out the place with a great window cleaning system that can be carried over to any custodian. Can you recommend items for this small operation please?
I'm a window cleaning also I'm old school just like you the best way I don't like that post the downside to penfolds is if the windows.old water seep through the old fashioned ways back I think
Hey! Just wanted to say loving the vids! Im trying to start myself a little window cleaning round and i hope im as smart & organised as you :) any tips would be appreciated Thanks stevie.
Two things that really have helped me are establishing solid standards (doing the best job I can the right way, not cutting any corners, being prompt and attentive to customer needs) and secondly, keeping all of the previous as consistent as possible....if you can keep that up everything else will fall into place...you get out of it what you put into it :) Good luck with your business!....Squeegeeloution!
Yes he has it together. No doubt about it. My top two window technicians, not cleaners on RU-vid are. Polzn Bladz Mark Henderson check them out for sure. You will not find anyone on planet earth that can do it all like these Brethren.
Hi Pete: Since you have ladders your business insurance must be more expensive. Therefore you have to charge more & be more careful too. Thanks, Carl in Conn (63,214)
another comment..i learned alot from your set-up but i think its cool that due to the fact that window cleaners are generally nomad, loner/ rebels, i have noticed the belts are radically different from person to person. Its kinda sad that the influence of RU-vid will change this to some extent, i have seen things i should try from you that i would never have thought of...and slowly the belts become similar.....at this point my belt setup is totally different than yours. Lets spread the word and get people to show their belts to see the unique styles...pretty interesting.
Hi, pls post the name of the "strings" at 14:46 seems very useful. Cool with an extra bucket with stuff, some tend to have all in their belt, but i like to keep it light.
Robert Olsson sorry about the delay in responding....those glorified twist ties are called "kwiktwists", I got them at Home Creepo. Thanks for watching!
ok, and also perhaps ebay? I'm from Sweden, good idea with an extra tool bucket. I like to work as light as possible, don't scratch glas and mess up in peoples home because you have to much in your belt
Love the video Pete! Where are you located? Do you use a commercial van to carry your gear? I'm a wall covering installer and much of the tools you use can be especially helpful in my trade. Thanks for sharing and look forward to seeing more videos! Tom
Thomas Kalinoski Glad you liked it Thomas! I figured there were a few people out there who would sit through the whole video and not fall asleep:) I clean glass in NW Arkansas and love every minute of it...and believe it or not, all of the tools/equipment in that video I can (but usually don't) haul around in a Subaru Outback. Thanks for watching & take care!-Pete
Kevin Patilla Glad you liked the video! As far as "tools", I would look at purchasing a starter kit from a window cleaning specific supplier such as www.windowcleaningresource.com. It should have everything you would need get the hang of "traditional" window cleaning. It will have all the basic but necessary tools, then you'll pick up other more "specialty" tools as needed.
Kevin Patilla check out www. windowcleaningresource.com . A "starter" kit will have everthing you'll need to get going...after that I would say practice, ladders, and then specialty tools as needed. Keep the rubber new and the water clean. Thanks for watching & take care!
Sounds funny, but I live in central Pennsylvania and would like to do this part time for retirement income. I'm not really excited about going up on that high ladder! There are a lot of homes where windows can be washed inside and out from inside. Lots of store fronts as well. Is it really a handicap if you exclude using a very tall ladder? Thanks much in advance if you can comment!
Stephen Bond Stephen, It's not a handicap at all if you don't have/use tall ladders, or any ladders at all for that matter. You"ll surely come across many "walk-up" windows that can be cleaned from the ground or with a smaller extention pole. I do alot of residential work that typicallly requires more "clever" ways to access higher fixed panes, skylights,etc. in addition to the fact that I do all of my cleaning "nose to glass". So, ladders certainly help in that regard (at least for me) I recommend trying the WC'ing thing as I have found it to be quite rewarding on many levels. Thanks for watching and take care!
Thanks again Pete! Do you by chance do any consulting work by the hour? I would be very interested in that. I should have mentioned that before. Sorry! Sincerely, Steve Bond
But seriously..... what can I use to get rid of the smudges on my windows when I clean it with foam window cleaner or even with vinigar and newspaper? Whats the best simple solution to use and should I use a microfiber rag or a squeegie? Also what was that fabric you loved and where do they sell it? Thank you
Try Mr. Clean Magic Erasers for smudges (silicone, fingerprints, sticky adhesive, etc..) then clean again with soapy water and squeegee. Squeegees are the only way to really get the glass clean. Paper towels, Microfiber, Vin. & newspaper...they all create heat / friction on the glass which will show sooner or later. THe fabric is called scrim all window cleaning suppliers carry it now...google it :) Thanks for watching hope it helps!
Good advice already given but I'll add some. 1. Never use anything to clean glass that isn't professional grade. 2. Use Regular Dish wash soap to clean windows. 3. I find razor bladed are the most effective way of removing anything that wont come off with towels, strip washers. Just make sure razor's are new and surface is wet. Bronze non abrasive pads are my favorite. Cost is pricey but they will always work. Hope my advice helps. Former glazier here with 8+ years of experience. Glass is my passion and restoration is my specialty.
Thank you, excellent video! I have been unable to find slayer channels, are they obsolete now? Do you have a comparable recommendation? Also, I recently did a home that had extremely dirty tracks and sills. They hadn't been cleaned in YEARS. I couldn't keep the water clean. The job took me so much longer than I anticipated. Would love to see a video that showed your techniques and how you approach a job, especially when there is a lot more to do than just the glass. Thank you so much!
Hey Alexander, The cloth is called "Scrim", and is basically a very raw linen, but is fantastic for detailing & buffing. You can get them at www.windowcleaningresource.com . I would recommend the " unwashed" version. Thanks for watching!
Those are either Ettore or Pulex bucket hangers. Pretty old nowadays but may still be available somewhere. Holds a mop on the inside w/ a squeegee opposite that on the outside. Think I got it from JRacenstien.com
Can anybody help? I need a tip or an idea on cleaning old roll up garage doors glass with 1 to 4 years dirt build up. The problem is the seals are very bad or gone all together and the water drips out after several 5 to 15 minutes later. I know about using less water but haven't been able to achieve stopping the delayed dripping. How would you do them? Signed . Desperate.
Well, it depends on a few factors. I usually figure my prices according to: type of window, location/accessability, condition of window (really dirty-paint overspray-hard water stains-stickers/decals-etc.) Screens included? So it really varies from job to job...no 2 cleans are the same.
Well its hard to say. Tomorrow I'm doing a new restaurant with four large windows, one door and to small windows. First time will take me over one hour because every square inch will be scraped and washed with pads. All new customers get this treatment. I will be charging $50.00 for around one hour of work. This will be weekly service after that for $40.00 each cleaning. Job will take around 15 min per time. Have 10 other customers within 5 minutes of restaurant. All 10 jobs will take around 2 hours to do. So for three hours of work I'll be making $300.00. One hour of total driving so were talking $75.00 per hour. Some days are better others aren't but if you can get lets say 100-150 commercial accounts ranging in price, $1,500 per week cash can be achieved. Homes can make you more. Lets say $175.00-$700.00 for one house. Could take you all day to do some if working alone. But if you have say 10 lined up for one week well come Friday $1,500-$3,000 plus. Hope this helps.
Kevin Conley well both. Just removed hard water stains at our local car wash. 8 windows restored with glass polisher, $800.00, $200.00 extra fot sealing. $1,000 for 8 hours work. Not bad at all. Doing another one soon same price. Glass restoration is beautiful my friend. 1. Not many people do it. 2. It costs a fraction of replacing windows. To replace all 8 windows would cost $8,000. Just brought them back to 90% of original appearance after 30 years of neglect. Win for owner and win for me. Take care
yep, wasn't real into the Unger green color, so I figured I'd blacken it to match the rest! I do however, like the Unger BOAB, as it fits my super channels and a 1" scraper...also like the single pivot belt loop versus the 2 rivot designs on most others! Recently I picked up the new Unger Ninja BOAB and it comes black out of the factory ( but I did lose the sticker as I'm more of an Ettore guy myself) and is designed for wide body channels. Since this video I have done some adjustments to my belt to make things a bit more user friendly and adaptable for interior or exterior work. Glad you liked the video & thanks for watching!
yep i hear the mantra of solo window cleaning when my stepsons pissed the #$% out of me!! i was thinking about your vid the other day while alone on a job !! My boys do however really burn up the work flow.... and then they burn up the cash that could be in my pockets!!
Heavy and awkward to set ( fully extended ) by myself ( but do-able )...most likely its biggest drawback. Other than that, it's a terrific ladder in my opinion. Be sure to have an extension ladder handy for really high stuff. Also I've noticed it does not work too smoothly with a stand off...it's best suited for stairs and uneven ground ( when paired with the "Pivot" tool). Thanks for watching!
