Brush scratching glass?

[whostolemyhair]

I use a very popular type of brush from a very popular supplier but am finding it is leaving very fine scratches on some glass. Not all and it isn't coated glass either. It is a medium mono filament brush. Anybody found the same? It isn't grit in the brush as it has had a thorough clean. I only notice it when the sun is on it at a certain angle but it could be an expensive job if the customer notices. Up to now its been on upvc glass which im told is softer than glass used to be. I'm thinking of moving to flocked as maybe the monofilament is too harsh.

Any thoughts?

 

[windyman]

Im pretty certain it wont be ur brush mate, they'll be thoroughly tested & they're designed so they don't scratch. Loads of people use them (incl me) and never heard of a problem like this.

Im sure the manufacturer will post back, as will others, and be pretty sure it's not the brush.

You sure the scratches weren't there before?

 

[whostolemyhair]

Not there before, maybe it's my technique. I'm very impressed with the brush, it does a great job, I just can't think of anything else though. If no one else has had a problem it must be me. I'll have to get the magnifying glass on the filaments and make sure I'm not missing anything.

 

[windyman]

Yea, maybe you got a bad brush? I'm sure you'll hear from them soon, they're very good.

 

[Alex Gardiner]

I use a very popular type of brush from a very popular supplier but am finding it is leaving very fine scratches on some glass. Not all and it isn't coated glass either. It is a medium mono filament brush. Anybody found the same? It isn't grit in the brush as it has had a thorough clean. I only notice it when the sun is on it at a certain angle but it could be an expensive job if the customer notices. Up to now its been on upvc glass which im told is softer than glass used to be. I'm thinking of moving to flocked as maybe the monofilament is too harsh.

Any thoughts?

You do not mention which make of brush you have purchased (very discrete!) but I am assuming that as the brush is described as a medium mono that it may be a medium-mixed mono-filament Super-Lite DT brush.

If it is could the scratches be caused by the use of this brush? - they categorically will not be caused by the correct use of an undamaged Super-Lite brush.

It would be counter-productive designing a best-selling window cleaning brush that could in anyway cause scratching to glass. If the brush is used in the correct way (bristles on the glass!) and has not been damaged (which I'm sure you would have checked first) or contaminated (by laying the bristles in grit or sand) then the mono-filaments are not capable of scratching glass. These type of mono-filaments have been carefully chosen after consultation with brush and glass experts and are also used in many other leading brand glass brushes.

What might it be then? -what often happens is that such fine scratching is on the glass already, if they are new windows this is often as a result of fabricating debris removal. If they are old windows, then most older windows will have a myriad of fine scratches that build up over the years. What occurs is that when they are cleaned with pure-water for the first few times is that all of the muck that resides in these fine scratches gets washed out (unlike traditional methods which simply polishes over the top). This then allows the sunlight to refract off of the edges of these scratches. Result is that the window cleaner can then notice very fine scratching. Usually these type of scratches are not visible from inside due to the different angle of the sun on the glass.

 

[whostolemyhair]

Ok, thanks for that. Interesting point Re trad and pure cleaning. These forums are great, give me a little more confidence in what I'm doing. I wouldn't have a clue what I was doing without them.

 

[AS Window Cleaning]

I've worried about scratching too..... interesting to hear that Alex, didn't know that. heard lots of reports about scratched glass, it does concern me. tho since got new carbon pole I'm extra careful where put it, lol.

 

[Richard]

It won’t or shouldn’t be the brush bristles that will cause scratches on the glass, if it is caused when you are cleaning it will most likely be dirt trapped in the brush bristles that can and do cause scratching.

The majority of wfp brushes don’t allow the water to flow through the entire brush evenly and let the dirt wash through the brush immediately. Most brushes delay and trap the dirty water during the cleaning process

The answer is these types of brushes have to used more slowly. Adjust working speed and water flow rate – slow down, turn flow rate up - and allow most of the dirt to wash away before you apply heavier pressure or really get to work cleaning the glass.

It s easy to check a brush, you can do it when you are out working, apply a little pressure and hold the brush still and see where the water escapes through the brush.

Richard