What make of set up to go for

[Danny138]

So glad I came across this forum. Loads of good advice on here and help people give.

I'm gonna be starting out traditional first but not sure what make of squeegee or applicator to get. Was looking at getting ettore or unger stainless steel or brass handles with there channels. Then get unger soft rubber or moerman soft rubber. But some people saying about the moerman liquidator is good but maybe that won't be for me starting out. So much stuff to choose from. The applicator not sure which is the best sleeve to get or make. A lot of people seem to like the microfibre ones. Just want to get the squeegee etc and start practising on my own windows. But there is so many different ones to pick. I know alot of it might be personal preference but just after some advice from you good people. Then I can start getting the rest of the stuff ladders etc. Then go out canvassing and start building a round. Any help would be a big help thanks

 

[Clisty1989]

I'd go moerman t bar and sleeve, and a 12 inch liquidator with bi component handle, or a unger ergotec with 12 Inch s channel, depends on your style, whether your going to be doing straight pulls or fanning

 

[Chris33]

Whatever blade you get make sure it's got a quick release handle to change rubber. Nothing worse than being up a ladder and realising there isn't any rubber at one end of the chanel for example.

I started with and still have ettore pro grip tools. The liquidator shortly followed though and is a great bit of kit,worth investing in hard rubber for it though. The moerman angled hard rubber isn't as hard as many other hard rubbers but will last longer than moerman soft * think edges against frames etc.

If you get the microfibre pad then it's a liquidator flip you'll be looking at. I like to have a more abrasive pad as well...unger makes a red one for facelift with a green rough edge. I like that one. Ettore porcupine pad...very rough and use for first cleans. Lots of choice.

 

[rugbywolf]

So glad I came across this forum. Loads of good advice on here and help people give.I'm gonna be starting out traditional first but not sure what make of squeegee or applicator to get. Was looking at getting ettore or unger stainless steel or brass handles with there channels. Then get unger soft rubber or moerman soft rubber. But some people saying about the moerman liquidator is good but maybe that won't be for me starting out. So much stuff to choose from. The applicator not sure which is the best sleeve to get or make. A lot of people seem to like the microfibre ones. Just want to get the squeegee etc and start practising on my own windows. But there is so many different ones to pick. I know alot of it might be personal preference but just after some advice from you good people. Then I can start getting the rest of the stuff ladders etc. Then go out canvassing and start building a round. Any help would be a big help thanks

Personally I wouldn't recommend the wagtails and moermans' when starting out. Go for a basic squeegee and applicator, and see how you get on. Then you can look at the other ones, because you will now have a bit of knowledge and experience. You are best learning on basics, because quite often you will need to use an ordinary squeegee on certain windows, even though you may have the other ones.

 

[Danny138]

Thanks for all your advise. There's so much choice to choose from lol. I was gonna go unger or ettore first then I see alot of people talking about moerman. Then I see alot of mixed reviews about the liquidator. Haven't done any fanning yet but will be practising as soon as I make my mind up. Would a liquidator be to hard for me at first or not. Sorry for all the questions just wanna get as much knowledge from you experienced people as possible. Thanks for all your help

 

[Chris33]

Danny I'll be honest. When I bought the liquidator I still had not mastered a standard squugee. Infact I was probs still doing straight pull downs at that point!

Learn to fan off from the start mate. Don't be like me lol

The liquidator is only having mixed reviews as

A people are not adjusting the way they use it (i hold it like a pencil,very close angle to glass and more slip/fairy)

B using wrong rubber...use moerman, what its designed for and the correct thickness of rubber

C burning the edges of rubber against frames. Do not hit the edges of wooden frames with it,it'll go through so much rubber..be accurate instead.

When I'd mastered the liquidator up at the glass using a normal tool was easy.

You will need scrim and microfibre too. Be prepared to mix it up a bit,you will leave lines you will have to detail but this will be less over time. Critique your technique and watch polz and blades and our @Trad\-Man on youtube for great tips mate

 

[Danny138]

Thanks for your help Chris. What make do you think I should go for. I might as well buy the stuff I'm gonna use straight away to practise. Appreciate your help

 

[Chris33]

I honestly would start with moerman. I'd get a ten inch liquidator as it'll be easy to handle and a suitable sized chanel for small windows down the line *once you go upto perhaps a 12 or 14 inch chanel.

So a liquidator with flip pad. 10 inch. Go bigger if you fancy,you'll learn all the same really.

Hard moerman rubber and soft, see what suits you. This may change.

As a back up applicator,the choice is yours. You won't notice a great deal of difference to start with but perhaps a rough one IE ettore porcupine will help for 1st cleans..which your gona have loads of. Wash the sleeve regular and it stays gunk free.

Unger ergotec belt with ninja bucket on belt *space on said bucket for a small unger scraper 4cm blade ones *find them on ebay. This bucket on belt btw, holds my 14 inch liquidator and a washer.

Later you can add an unger ergotec spray bottle holder. Spray ready made liquid onto glass as you need it.

Makita belts are good too. About 12 quid.

Grade a unger scrim pre washed..a few of them needed.

A few cheap sill cloths needed.

 

[Danny138]

Thanks Chris which is the best website to order from. Chip sill clothes microfibre ones will be OK won't they.

 

[Chris33]

Yes any will be fine for sills but more importantly is finding a window scrim or microfibre that suits you more.

Cleaning spot

Window cleaning warehouse

Janitorial warehouse

Many sites to choose from..even ebay is occasionally cheaper

 

[Danny138]

Thanks Chris I'll have a little look

 

[Skxawng]

I've always liked www.wintecs.co.uk

they're especially good for small orders as they don't charge for postage on any amount.

 

[Woody]

Wintecs have a minimum order of £10 for free delivery

 

[Woody]

I honestly would start with moerman. I'd get a ten inch liquidator as it'll be easy to handle and a suitable sized chanel for small windows down the line *once you go upto perhaps a 12 or 14 inch chanel.
So a liquidator with flip pad. 10 inch. Go bigger if you fancy,you'll learn all the same really.

Hard moerman rubber and soft, see what suits you. This may change.

As a back up applicator,the choice is yours. You won't notice a great deal of difference to start with but perhaps a rough one IE ettore porcupine will help for 1st cleans..which your gona have loads of. Wash the sleeve regular and it stays gunk free.

Unger ergotec belt with ninja bucket on belt *space on said bucket for a small unger scraper 4cm blade ones *find them on ebay. This bucket on belt btw, holds my 14 inch liquidator and a washer.

Later you can add an unger ergotec spray bottle holder. Spray ready made liquid onto glass as you need it.

Makita belts are good too. About 12 quid.

Grade a unger scrim pre washed..a few of them needed.

A few cheap sill cloths needed.

Hello Chris thanks for the list. Is the 14" liquidator you use just a standard channel or is it the flip pad version? Thanks David

 

[Chris33]

@Woody hi. I have the flip but it unclips anyway, so very handy to have...or to remove if doesn't suit you. Then you are left with the same liquidator anyway.

 

[Woody]

Th

@Woody hi. I have the flip but it unclips anyway, so very handy to have...or to remove if doesn't suit you. Then you are left with the same liquidator anyway.

Thanks for that. I'll get one ordered today and give it a try on Tuesday.

 

[lbcleaningservices]

I'm so glad I was trained trad way from my old boss

When it come down to getting my own gear the list of stuff is endless so much to pick from

Do you have any window cleaning suppliers near you. Mite be worth going have look around and get a feel on the tools

I mainy use unger tools

But did buy a 10" F*LIQ Sleeve + LIQUIDATOR 2.0 + Swivel Handle

For pole work for nightmare windows above things. Takes a while to get the hang off it

Sent using the Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

 

[Danny138]

There's one shop but only sells ettore. I ordered unger mop and s channel squeege and other unger bits. Think I will move to the moerman liquidator in the end. Been practising trying to get the fanning technique right. Need to get some ladders still. Don't know if I should get 2 or 3 section ladders. Or what make or where to get decent ladders from

 

[lbcleaningservices]

I use 2 section ladder can't remember what make it is though. Definitely don't go cheap and easy on ladder though not worth the risk

Sent using the Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

 

[Clisty1989]

There's one shop but only sells ettore. I ordered unger mop and s channel squeege and other unger bits. Think I will move to the moerman liquidator in the end. Been practising trying to get the fanning technique right. Need to get some ladders still. Don't know if I should get 2 or 3 section ladders. Or what make or where to get decent ladders from

I prefer moerman tools for fanning, as for ladders, 7m triple will do, take top section off for 99% of windows, and will easily reach gutter height

 

[Chris33]

@Clisty1989 what rubber are you using in the moerman now then? I can't see past moerman hard tbh