Links, Deals & A Tattoo Or Two

WCR or Window Cleaning Resources have become a familiar name on most peoples computers. One guy above even had their logo inscribed into his leg. Now.... just need some sun!

So you're on facebook? What now? Need some hints & tips from old hands? This group is now the largest window cleaning group in the World on facebook. Just click the picture above to take you there.

Got any window cleaning tattoos? The famous Slayer wide bodied channels from WCR were a hit for many for their precision pulling ability & wide lengths. This young attendee of a previous IWCA meeting in Reno was so impressed he had the Slayer logo tattooed on his ankle. 

If you missed a previous blog about Chris Wilson & his amazing custom T-Shirts. You still have chance to get hold of one. Start posting right now. Chris Wilson of Ojai Valley, California creates custom T-shirts for Window Cleaners just like you & me.

In the market for a new Waterfed Pole? Great deals on wfp's are happening right now. While you're there - pick up your Free WFP manual, just click the picture above or click here.

Cold enough for you?  Keep your hands warm while you work with these neoprene glove by Glacier Gloves. The Perfect Curve Gloves are fleece lined premium 2mm yamamoto neoprene with perfect curved fingers for great dexterity. They are blind stitched and glued to be waterproof. Get them here, or click the picture above.

Systems for your business? The first system package from Window Cleaning Resource will be released Feb 15th! Business systems are free for members of the WCRA. Basically there are 5 main areas in the business, each area is broken down into dozens of categories and over a thousand individual systems. Chris Lambrinides of WCR says "Putting this stuff together has been my life's work, it really means a lot to me." "Creating and testing this stuff has taken a lot of time... & I just want to put it out in a way that its really appreciated." "Not because I need a pat on the back, but because if its distributed correctly and with thought it will be more valuable to those receiving it." "They will think about it more, be more excited to receive it and hopefully build better businesses because of it." To see a previous blog on WCRA, go here.

National Service Providers (NSP) in North America - love 'em or hate them, they still provide work. But how good are they at paying? Join & add to the national list if you know one near you or have worked for one here. Hopefully it will turn into a large permanent database, where window cleaners can relate & work out if it's in their interests to work with any independent service provider.

The new national averages widget from Responsibid is a new free tool embedded on the right hand side at WCR. It updates in real time & shows what other window cleaners across the World are charging for window cleaning services. Ever wondered how your your pricing stacks up against the competition? Now you know! Check it out today.

Cannabis, Piercings & Tattoos For Window Cleaners

Gardener for cannabis farm jailed: A window cleaner has begun an 18-month jail term after taking the blame for setting up a cannabis factory in Bishopstoke. Luke Taylor, 22 refused to divulge who had helped him set up the operation last summer. Southampton Crown Court accepted he could not have solely financed the plot that needed a £1,000 deposit on the house as well as the first month’s rent.

Prosecutor David Jenkins described how officers acting on a tip off raided the house in Guest Road. He said: “Nobody lived there and the whole purpose was to convert it into a cannabis factory.” In three rooms they found 88 plants growing well that would have yielded a crop of 17 and a half ounces every three months. 

On arrest, Taylor admitted he tended the plants with nutrients found at the scene but refused to say why he rented the house and what would have happened to the cannabis. “This was a commercial enterprise into which a great deal of thought and expense had been put,” remarked Recorder Stuart Jones QC. “I am far from persuaded it was for his own use.” Taylor, who lived with his parents in Bognor Regis, admitted producing cannabis. See also "Getting High On Window Cleaning."

Hole-ly cow! What a way to raise cash: One Oxfordshire resident is set to raise money – and eyebrows – with an unusual stunt for Comic Relief. Duncan Wileman, 29, plans to get a few more additions to his 25 piercings and countless tattoos. The window cleaner, from Carterton, said: “For Red Nose Day, I’m planning to have 36 piercings put into my chest and stomach. “They will make a circle, which will then have red cotton threaded through to make a red nose.”

The painful stunt will be carried out in the next two weeks, before Red Nose Day on Friday, March 18. And it’s not the first time Mr Wileman has pushed the pain barrier to raise money for the charity event. He said: “I like to try and do something different every year. “Two years ago, I had a red nose tattooed on to my knee and raised more than £100.I’m sure this one will hurt, but, hey, it’s for charity.”

Mr Wileman had his first piercing when he was at school and his first tattoo at 18. He said the most painful was a skull tattoo in his ear, which he described as “the worst 20 minutes of my life.” He added: “I think it’s body art – a way of expressing yourself. “One day I’d love to get a ‘metal mohawk’, which is where they put metal implants across your head.” Mr Wileman’s first tattoo was a black and white skull on his right arm. He also has a tattoo of a dragon on his back and a heart tattoo bearing the name of grandmother Edie Oliver, who died last year, on his left shoulder.

If you remember, Donald Trumpolis, a window cleaner got a tattoo of Window Cleaning Resources's brand of window cleaning tools, namely the Slayer Squeegee - even though he had never used one!

Twenty Questions with Oregon's Tim Hunter of "Gleaming the View."

Tim Hunter from Oregon of "Gleaming the view" window cleaning & our second sponsor of the blog. He gets asked 20 odd questions for today's edition. Tim is quite active in the on-line window cleaning community, he has recently started his own blog & added some videos too! Go here to see the blog. Tim is pictured above, holding the worlds largest squeegee - "the Slayer." Normal, ordinary guys can also buy them here. Tim has also been featured before in the blog here.

1.How long have you been window cleaning & what circumstances led you to start in the first instance?

I've been cleaning windows for just over 10 years. I believe it all started by reading a magazine article about some self made millionaire cleaning windows!

2. Which is more lucrative for Oregon window cleaning? Commercial or Residential?

Our most lucrative service is our residential window cleaning. It far surpasses our commercial accounts.

3. Have any favourite tools?

I have a particular screen popper I’m quite fond of. Her name is Betsy and she has been with me a long time...LOL

4. What’s your newest tool & was it worth buying?

I have just invested in water fed poles. They have been a huge success for us with a few pretty upset customers going through our learning curve, I think we got a grasp of it now.

5. Ever tried a Wagtail?

I did get to use a Wagtail. I believe the guys at WCR provided it for the North-West Window Cleaners BBQ in 2008. I thought it was a great tool, that would compliment any window cleaners tool box! Wish I had been the one to keep it! LOL.

6. What do you do to calm down on the job? Or do you just go all "John Mcenroe?

I take great pride in keeping my cool on the job. Things can really build up on me real quick. I usually take it out on my poor steering wheel though.

7. Are you in a trade association? Which one & why is it so good?

Yes, I’m currently in Master Window Cleaners of America. My home group I call it! LOL. I’ve been a member over there for this past 3 or 4 years. I am also a current member of the AUWC, although I don’t participate as much as I want. Masters keeps me pretty busy and the pressure washing and roof cleaning groups I participate in.

8. Who makes the best squeegees?

Lately I’ve been a huge fan of THE SLAYERS.

9. What possessed you to advertise on this blog?

Karlos, you have a great blog! I don’t know how you get this information but its always a great read.

10. Fabrication debris - it's a big topic in the USA. What do ya reckon?

I’m comfortable with our association’s stance on the matter. There are groups amongst the associations tackling GANA head on with our issues. I firmly believe though, if more of us window cleaners take action and join the associations - we have a lot better chance of getting our voice heard to make change and make GANA pull there head out of there ass! Until then I highly recommend getting a waiver signed before those blades come out!

11. How many current employees do you have?

I’ve been affected quite a bit with the real estate market being slow this past year. Typically about 80% of my business is getting homes ready for sale. I currently have 2 employees.

12. Your most hated chore in your work services?

Making phone calls! I wish I had every one’s e-mails...LOL

13. Which Disney character would you be & why?

Owe, I’m a Goofy guy!!!

14. If you weren't doing the best job in the world, what would you be doing?

Fishing

15. Are you going green or is it all a con?

Hmmm. I guess I haven’t heard anything about cons with the green move. Living in Oregon we have a huge majority here that are earth friendly. We get asked all the time if we use green products, I laugh and tell them "I think its blue" LOL. I honestly make many efforts in doing my part in taking care of the environment.

16. Favourite team?

Seattle Seahawks!!! Looks like another year going in the dumps though!

17. How many squeegees do you actually own?

In my possession? Or how many are in my customers bushes and trees? I think around 40 or so!

18. Why did you buy the biggest squeegee in existence? Have you ever used it?

I’m glad you asked Karlos. I’m not trying to compensate for something honestly! It is a real eye catcher though and I just wanted to say my squeegee is bigger than yours! LOL.

I found some windows the other day at a shopping mall that the squeegee would work on… I got all set up, bright and early in the morning, if I may add. The video camera was just set to record and a very young security guard with a badge bigger than he was made me stop. I asked what the problem was and he insisted I get permission before cleaning those few windows. I looked at him like he’s crazy, I’m cleaning there windows for free, you think there going to say no! LOL. I haven’t gone back!

19. Are you friendly with the other local window cleaners?

I better be! I host the Northwest Window Cleaners BBQ. We’re making it an annual event here. Window cleaners are far fewer here being there’s so much rain I guess. I think we get left out a lot of the bigger events and trade shows for our industry. So bringing us together once a year is a start. I have hopes a chapter may form here with our associations in time. I have personally invited every window cleaner within a hundred miles from me. It’s funny the different responses I get when talking to them about it. I’ve been amongst the groups online and have attended a few seminars so I’m more use to talking to fellow window cleaners. The Northwest is the home of the most versatile window cleaners in the world. A lot of great people earning an honest living! There are those few, you know who you are. Just play a fair game, bad mouthing the competition just makes you look bad!

20. How often do you change your squeegee rubber?

Once a month maybe, that’s about how often I put my belt on. My guys go through a lot. We change them up daily.

21. Which soap do you use? Have you tried any others?

GG4 & I am a fan of a product made by Coast wide labs. 64/1 concentrate with a floral scent my customers love. I often just crack the bottle to smell! Works good too!!

22. What’s the best thing about trade shows?

Trade shows are a lot of fun and educational, I’m lucky to take home a small fraction of everything that can be passed to you there.

23. When will you retire & on what terms?

I will retire when I get my Bass boat to join the B.A.S.S fishing circuit!

23. What is the next biggest expense you'll have to pay?

Trailer mounted hot water pressure washer!

24. If you were going to go for the humorous side of window cleaning - what would you have called your company?

“Peeking window cleaners” or maybe “I C U” I don’t know, both of those sound kind of creepy actually.

25. What’s next for Gleaming the View?

Opening a remote office at the beach and taking our roof cleaning business to another level by joining a certification program. I highly recommend roof and gutter cleaning as an add on service.

The Biggest Squeegee in the World

As the Slayer squeegee takes dominance in the squeegee market, look at this 8 foot monster below. This squeegee made by window cleaning resource is being used more & more by window cleaners everyday. A personal favorite of mine, it seems to be taking America by storm adding to the range of squeegee's available in your bucket. Available in the USA here & soon in Europe. Available in a multitude of sizes: 5", 6", 8", 10", 12", 14", 16", 18", 20", 22", 24", 26", 30", 36" and a massive 96". More information here.

New Squeegee :The Slayer Channel finally Appears

The new Window Cleaning Resource "Slayer" Squeegee Channel is fresh hot off the production line & ready for sale! The channel is already looking like it will take the market share of the huge squeegee market out there. At the moment it's a first come, first served basis. The next round of production will introduce about 8 additional channel sizes.

Presently available in sizes: 18" / 24" / 30" / 36"
Comes with: 18" LFI Rubber 24" Soren Rubber 30" Soren Rubber 36" Soren Rubber and fitting the Super System Super Channel Handle & the Contour Pro+ Super Channel handle.

And if you're wondering why this post is a day late for production .... I had to get my order in before they all went!

This is what they've been saying;

Can't wait for the reviews I'm looking forward to trying a new squeegee...

I'm dying here, give me a Slayer now!

From my understanding the Slayer is a new squeegee from WCR that will slowly but surely take over the world...

So is it coming out today????? im anxious....

The color is cool!

So now one of the best squeegee channels ever made can be gotten at WCR..

Click on the pictures to enlarge: