Northern Lite 32ft Full Carbon Fibre (including bonus brush) CAD$995.00: Introducing the new Northern Lite water fed pole. The perfect 3 story pole with a 32ft reach. Pole weighs only 5.6lbs - 2.5 kg (not incl. brush). A very rigid pole with the shortest collapsed height in its reach class.
Comes complete with brush, pole hose and garden water connector. Optional 10ft extension sections coming soon for even greater reach. Product launch special; receive a bonus 10" radius brush from now until July1st.
Cut N Slide - window cleaning business add-on for when windows are just too frozen to clean.
Roof snow removal solution thanks to the Cut N Slide developed by Mark Strange at Beautiful View. A handy roof snow removal device that works with Unger and Ettore extension poles. The Snow Cut N Slide is a tool for removing large amounts of snow off your roof to prevent structural damage from heavy snow buildup and ice dams. This tool easily fits on the end of Unger and Ettore extension poles. (see video) Other brand name poles may work provided that the poles top section has a diameter less than 7/8" wide. Perfect for those window cleaners who can't work due to frozen environments. Get yours here now.
Blizzard means business: It has closed businesses, stranded commuters and shut or significantly slowed down transportation networks for commerce. But a few businesses are seeing a silver lining to the snow clouds. “From a business point of view, it’s a good thing,” said Michael Barbuzzi, of Barbuzzi Landscaping in Swampscott and Snow Removal Unlimited in Lynn. “It’s just that I would have rather had that 25-inch storm spread out over three storms, not all at once.” Two snowstorms in a week have dumped a record breaking 40.2-inches of snow on Boston between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2, the most snowfall to fall in a similar time period in the 100 years of records kept by the National Weather Service. The storms have also delivered more snow within a week than falls in Boston in a typical winter.
A 2014 study by research firm IHS Global Insight put a $265-million price tag on a one-day snowstorm in Massachusetts, calculating factors such as lost wages for workers, lost retail sales and lost taxes. Then there are snow-removal costs borne by local governments, residents and businesses.
These costs are highly variable. But Barbuzzi said they have provided another source of income for local landscapers. “When I was a young guy, most of us just enjoyed the winters off,” Barbuzzi said. “But most people make money on a weekly basis and to hire good people, you need to keep them employed. For landscapers, snow plowing and snow removal is how you do it in the winter.”
He said his company has about 30 4-wheel drive plow trucks, six shoveling crews of 2-3 people, and big equipment such as front-end loaders and hauling trucks to remove snow from primarily commercial businesses in Lynn and Swampscott. For the recent storm, the crews worked in three 8-10-hour shifts, Barbuzzi said. “It makes for a lot of long hours,” Barbuzzi said. And lots of expense.
Barbuzzi said his employees earn between $20 to $30 per hour for shoveling. Snow plow and equipment drivers earn between $20 and $35 an hour. “It’s expensive to get guys to come in these crazy hours,” Barbuzzi said. “In the snow business you usually have a 6- to 8-hour window to get things done; with these monster storms maybe 24 hours.” He said the snow currently on the ground, plus snow forecast for Thursday, will require the company work “round-the-clock” this week with 8-10 hour shifts.
Snow helps some businesses - Tim Tenney and his snow shovel display at True Value Hardware in Wyoma Square in Lynn.
But there are many residents who want to — or must — remove the snow themselves. “It’s a great January, last January was terrible,” said Wyoma Square True Value owner Tim Tenney. “Last January was so cold, so freezing and no snow. This one is warmer and there’s a lot of snow.”
Tenney said snow shovels, ice melters, roof rakes and parts for snow blowers (he sold out of snow blowers weeks ago as many callers to the store have been disappointed to learn) have been in high demand at his store. “I’ve been selling a lot of sleds, too,” Tenney said. “They’re all sledding up at Gannon. So I guess the kids are enjoying their time off.”
John Ciccone, owner of Beden Hardware on Munroe Street, said snow shovels, ice choppers and ice melt were recent top-sellers. But unlike in Wyoma Square, sales of these items did not make up for business lost for other projects, many of which required travel to-and-from the downtown location. “It kind of just turns business over to something else,” Ciccone said of the snowstorm. “It takes everybody’s eyes off of other things — other business you would be doing besides winter products.”
Leslie Gould, president and chief executive officer of the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, said that snow storms can be difficult for businesses that depend on foot traffic from other local businesses, such as retailers in a downtown or shopping plaza, restaurants and coffee shops and businesses dependent on weather-related tasks, such as construction. As for employees, part-time, hourly and those workers who cannot work remotely are also negatively impacted by snowstorms, Gould said.
But Gould said other businesses adjust to the winter — a cleaning company offers a special for carpet cleaning due to all the sand and salt tracked into a home, for instance; or a towing company is suddenly in high demand to remove cars from snowbanks. But whether busy because of 90-hour weeks or hoping for roads to be cleared to resume commerce, several business people echoed Ciccone as he recalled the storms. “We were closed with the first storm — that was last week, right?” Ciccone said. “It just seems like it hasn’t ended.”
Mark & Leonor put the right window cleaning tools in your hands. Local recognition in Canada.
A squeaky clean business: After a few years of living in a high-rise condo downtown you start to notice things about the building you may have never even realized. For example, cleaning the outside of a high-rise condo window. One day, I was driving into my parking lot and saw a man raised up high into the sky cleaning windows from what looked like a hanging balcony that was lifted a few storeys up into the air. I wondered how long it would take someone to clean an entire buildings set of windows and it dawned on me why my building only cleans theirs twice a year.
My excitement for this month’s feature is due to my curiosity about window cleaning. I am featuring Beautiful View: The Window Cleaning Store, and when I found out this store, which has only been open for a few months, was in the Emery Village BIA I was quite thrilled to be able to ask all my questions about window cleaning to the store owner, and professional window cleaner himself, Mark Strange. Strange was a window cleaner for over seven years before he realized that his passion for teaching and his ability to clean windows for the rest of his life was not going to be entirely possible. With the help of his wife who not only supported him opening a store but also designed the entire layout herself, Mark is in business and was happy to talk. Needless to say, the windows are streak free and clean as a whistle. His teaching skills are tested with every customer who walks into his store. Strange not only has used every product, he knows exactly what would suit the customer the best and wants the customer to be prepared.
He has a test window where he shows the customer the right way to use the product and the best way to get a streak free clean in the quickest amount of time. I think I was one of the worst students, as I did not realize how technical cleaning windows are.
The store is a speciality-cleaning store, but you don’t have to be a professional to use the equipment. Anyone who cleans their household windows or even their car, if you do a lot of do-it-yourself car washes, could use Mark’s products and expertise. With a wide range of window cleaning products and even some videos to show you how to use them the store is for everyone.
It is located right at 1805 Wilson Avenue, unit 107. If you are interested in getting the best value for your money and want to learn the right way to clean a window, check out Beautiful View: The Window Cleaning Store near you!
Once upon a time...
Back in May 2007, my wife and I were getting my father's condo cleaned up so it could go up for sale. My wife handed me a shower glass squeegee and instructed me to clean the windows. I couldn't believe how great the windows turned out compared to cleaning methods I tried in the past. Suddenly an idea came into my head. "Hey, I could actually see myself doing this for a living." So with some professional tools in hand and a fist full of advertising fliers, I made it a reality.
Fast forward to 2012. As I began to wonder about the future of my window cleaning business and asking myself, "how much longer do you want to clean windows?" I had another idea come into mind. With my experience as a window cleaner and love of tools, (Check out Tool Talk With Mark The Window Cleaner on YouTube) it seemed to make perfect sense to morph the business into being a supplier to the trade.
Now as a participating member of the windowcleaningresource.com community, I got to see first hand of what a successful window cleaning supplier should be when it comes to putting the end customer first. Chris Lambrinides and Alex Lambrinides are a hard act to follow but they have been great with giving advice, sharing their own stories of when they first started, all so that I can get set up right on the supplier side of things.
So with a plan in place and loads of support from family, friends and others in the trade, my wife and I set the machine in motion. From finding the perfect location in Toronto, to designing a workable store in a shop space we could afford, we were going to have our work cut out for us. My wife Leonor did all the design work and I can't believe what she was able to accomplish with 400 sq ft. One of the things that we think will help us stand out is that all the product is out in the open where customers can see, feel and even test out before they leave the store.
Beautiful View window cleaning store opens to the public today! Click to enlarge.
Now many are probably wondering how much it costs to set up something like this. Well all I can say is for you to think of a dollar amount, adding about 10% contingency and then just when you feel comfortable with that kind of investment, DOUBLE IT! Oh yeah, and everybody needs to get paid up front when you start out.
Next comes the joy of finding out just how tight those margins are when selling window cleaning supplies. I'm afraid it's nothing like traditional retail. The manufactures will give you 'list' pricing and tell you that you get X% off that. The problem is, no one in the industry is selling at 'list' pricing. To stay competitive you must lower it down a fair bit. But you've paid X amount regardless, along with cost of shipping (free in some cases with larger orders), importing fees and taxes. Haha, it's almost laughable how quickly you see profit being chipped away from your merchandise.
Kid in a candy shop anyone? Click to enlarge.
So what keeps one going forward in this super tight profit game? Well for me it's accepting that this is a long term investment and as long as I put the right attitude behind it and continue with my desire to help other business folk by putting the right tools in their hands, I believe it will pay off big in the long run.
With that said, I would like to thank all the people who have supported me in this project as well as past projects such as the Tool Talk video series and my window cleaning DVD. I will continue in the same mode of sharing, teaching and helping other businesses as best as I can, now via The Window Cleaning Store.
Mark Strange with his latest series from Window Cleaning Resource takes you from the basics, showing you how to set-up your water fed pole system on a budget with his series "testing the waters." Mark, well known for his other tool-talk series guides you through the process to get yourself off the ground. Any experienced WFP user may also pick up a few little tips here & there! Mark is also the author of the "Window Cleaning Skills" DVD, this detailed 72 minute DVD is a must watch DVD for beginners from the basics up. You’ll discover detailed techniques & you’ll be working like a pro’ in no time. Priced to sell, this DVD even comes with a handy on the job guide. Marks’s no-nonsense approach will guarantee this will be one of the best selling DVD’s for window cleaners on the market.
Check out all the window cleaning tools you can want with the FREE "Window Cleaning Business Owner" magazine, shipping to all professional window cleaners now.
Mark the window cleaner gives us the lowdown on his favorite scraper called the Ettore ScrapeMaster.
Need more slip with your soap? Mark showcases "Winsol Superslip" that might just be what you need.
Need a new soap? Mark discusses another option with a useful squirt explanation.
Mark shows an old favorite - the Unger Teleplus 30' pole with a nice little squirrel story to boot!
Mark Strange - famous for his tool-talk videos has ventured into the realm of renovating glass using the GlassRenu glass restoration system. Mark shows you step by step, as a complete novice how he learns to renovate the window. It's great watching a professional who has done this everyday - but even better is watching someone starting out & showing the mistakes that he makes on the job. GlassRenu even have an iphone app' out that you can refer to when you are on the job. I'm sure you will enjoy this series which could be a great window cleaning add-on if you have a market for this sort of work. Prices for the systems can be seen here.
The GlassRenu Scratch Removal System is the industry’s premier solution for removing scratches and acid damage of any size and depth from all types of glass. With GlassRenu, you’ll be able to repair 75% - 95% of the glass panels you previously had to replace – in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost with the Patented Dry Grinding System.
Welcome to this weeks "Give-Away." I have a "window cleaning skills" DVD kindly donated by Mark Strange, author of this detailed 72 minute DVD with a handy quick-guide booklet. You have to be registered for the newsletter to enter. Once done, just email me your interest in being included at karl.robinson@telefonica.net to be entered into the competition. For those that haven't, the sign-up form is at the bottom. If you haven't signed up for the newsletter - you don't get a chance to enter the competition.
What's On The DVD?
"Welcome To Professional Window Cleaning" dvd run time is 72 mins and contains the following:
starter to advanced tool set up
basic principles of streak free window cleaning
5 advanced squeegee techniques for any type of window size or style
how and when to use a scraper/razor on glass
using your tools on extension poles for high access work
examples of specialty tools for tackling hard to reach glass
what type of cloths work well for detailing glass or wiping up drips
and so much more...
Click the pictures to enlarge.
Mark Strange has been a professional window cleaner for the last three years. Having a love for sharing information and teaching others, Mark decided topick up the video camera in the summer of 2008 and started posting tool review videos on YouTube. Later, Mark and Window Cleaning Resource teamed up to produce the 'Tool Talk' tool review series. Fans of the 'Tool Talk' videos really appreciate Marks unbiased take on the tools he reviews. After twenty years of working for others, Mark is so glad that he started up a window cleaning business, "Beautiful View" in Toronto, Canada and really hopes his tutorial DVD will help other new comers. Can't wait? Buy it here now or at WCR. Also check out Mark's pricing guide & written tips.
Don't forget to sign up for the previous competition: The Ladder-twins Giveaway that was posted last week here. The Wagtail results are released tomorrow!
Mark Strange of "Beautiful View" from Toronto, Canada who has released many videos for the window cleaner has just announced the release of his new DVD. Launching in Jan 2010, Mark says -"My tutorial DVD "Welcome To Professional Window Cleaning" is your first step in jump starting your career as a professional window cleaner." "This very affordable DVD covers more range than your average window cleaning tutorial found anywhere else." "You'll learn everything from what tools to buy, how to use a squeegee from the basics, right up to the most advanced techniques." "I'll also show you the latest specialty tools available and methods for cleaning high windows and windows that are located around obstacles." Click the picture above to take you to his website.
First up - Mark Strange of "Beautiful View" from Toronto, Canada gives us another installment with a few more unbiased reviews of products in the window cleaners workplace, this week - shoe covers aka "booties."
Craig Morton, director of Tradesmen On Rope with his crew work tirelessly on some of the biggest skyscrapers in Australia. Performing everything from washing windows, render repairs, general maintenance and also painting entire buildings and touch-ups.
Mark Strange from Toronto, Canada & of "Beautiful View"has come up with the solution for interchanging your Unger 0° channel to make it a quick release. Mark adds,"many folks who have tried the Unger 0° swivel handle love the versatility of it but the most common complaint comes from having to loosen the two nuts and bolts to change out the channels/rubber." "If you have an Ettore Super System handle lying around, you can remove the quick-release mechanism from it and use it on the Unger." "The screw holes are the same distance apart. You will still be using the Unger plate as this will keep it a clipless system." "Remember to use the springs in between the nuts and the holding plate." He adds, "I had to drill out the screw holes a bit on the Unger because the Ettore screws were too tight; you need play."
Above you can see the Unger swivel-lock 0° handle & below with the modified handle interchanged with the Ettore Super System locking system.
See here on how to utilise the system for fanning with a pole. And see here on modifying your Ettore Contour-Pro handle.
Mr, Sanchez (aka Matt) shows us how to tackle those screens for those that live in a country that has them. He even tackles the screens without removing them whilst using a water fed pole (2nd video.) Check out the new facial addition that was hiding under the moustache!
Another installment from Mark Strange of "Beautiful View" from Toronto, Canada gives us a few more unbiased reviews of products in the window cleaners workplace. This time his opinion on the Unger UniTec pole, in this weeks edition of "Tool Talk."
Don Marsh, the window cleaner from Gainesville, Florida talks about the most fundamental reasons why you should or should not start a business. Don's having trouble with his power washing add-on & puts it down to experience.
Sean Dolan of Window Cleaning Resources & sales director of "All County Window Cleaning" gives us a few hints & tips in the latest editions of "the saleman."
Season 3 Episode 1 WCR Nation is now ready to watch here.
FOR A QUALITY SQUEEGEE THE KEY IS THE RUBBER (Pulex): The rubber blade is the main component of every squeegee because it is the element that comes into direct contact with the glass and dirt. It is so important that the material with which the squeegee is made - steel, brass or plastic - and the mechanics play a minor role. This is because the vast majority of squeegees on the market - economical ones sold in the household item department and often imported from the Far East - do not work as they should. Without mentioning molded plastic blades, which are definitely inferior, standard rubber cleaning blades are made of ordinary extruded rubber, which is obtained continuously from rolls dozens of meters in length and cut into sections ready to be fitted into the tool. This type of rubber does not have the features of a real mix of vulcanized rubber as it is extruded ready for use and not cut to size, the result being a blade with a rough, rounded edge. This means it becomes deformed when it comes into contact with dirt which is abrasive and washing solutions which are aggressive, or is exposed to atmospheric agents, or subjected to friction on glass and rubbing against window frames or under the eaves. As these blades are made using a very quick and easy process without any finishing touches or inspections, they are relatively inexpensive and obviously they wear out very quickly. Also, they virtually always leave unsightly marks all over the glass. And the wider the squeegee, the more evident the marks.The basic condition for a top quality squeegee is a perfect combination of three specific features of the blade - a) the type and nature of the rubber, b) the quality of the mix, c) the edge of the blade. As regards the first feature, Pulex rubber is real vulcanized natural rubber (NR), which is compression molded, item by item, from a meter-long (approx. 36”) strip. As natural rubber is of vegetable origin it is important that its organic chemical features are as constant and homogeneous as possible, so it must always be obtained from the same country, in this case Malaysia, and also from the same sites in that country. Despite this, there is always the risk of the mix containing particles and foreign bodies, some minute, due to the fact that it comes from a tree in a plantation and is collected, handled and packed using traditional manual methods that are still very rudimentary. As regards the second feature, it is important for the raw material to provide a mix that can be processed carefully and is free from impurities as far as possible, having all the necessary properties concerning molecular dispersion, cross-linking, elasticity, snap, resilience, hardness, resistance to chemical and atmospheric agents, coloring and surface smoothness. Thanks to the addition of various special additives formulated in over two decades of research and development, the grade of the mix of Pulex rubber is specifically calibrated for cleaning glass. The third aspect is also very important. There is no point in using expensive first-rate ingredients and developing a perfect mix for a specific use if the rubber is not cut precisely to get a perfectly linear cleaning edge to the blade. So in this final stage the rubber strip is molded using a high-power press, and cut in half by sophisticated machinery using a special process. This gives a blade that is about a meter long (36”) and has a very sharp edge. After careful inspection, the blade is cut into different sizes. And it is precisely on the perfection of the edge that the Pulex quality control system focuses. In order to detect defects, Pulex has been researching special equipment for years, the only manufacturer to devote considerable resources to this particular problem. And now Pulex has come up with a machine for optical, electronic and computerized control with respect to the edge of the blade. Exploratory laser rays “read” the degree of perfection of the cut and the two sharp edges and assess whether there are any defects in the less critical surrounding areas. This is why Pulex rubber blades, which are the result of a lengthy multi-stage process, are no comparison with the blades used in ordinary squeegees. They are universally known as TQR, Total Quality Rubber, i.e. the only rubber blades to be used in a total quality squeegee. In addition, as Pulex rubber blades come in two different degrees of shore hardness - standard and soft - they meet the needs of all window cleaners, worldwide and irrespective of their skills.
Another installment from Mark Strange of "Beautiful View" from Toronto, Canada gives us a few more unbiased reviews of products in the window cleaners workplace. This time his opinion on Pulex rubber, in this weeks edition of "Tool Talk."
The Ettore Contour Pro is featured in todays Blog. More & more window cleaners are coming to respect this marvelous handle from Ettore that must have been around now for a good 18 months. Another great installment below from Mark Strange of "Beautiful View" from Toronto, Canada who gives us a few more unbiased reviews of this product in the window cleaners workplace. Now all we need is one that takes a clip-less channel! Click on the picture above to read the features.
Mark Strange of "Beautiful View" from Toronto, Canada gives us a few more unbiased reviews of products in the window cleaners workplace. This time his opinion on Triumph Scrapers, Triumph holsters & the Scraper mate Mk 3.
US voters went to the polls yesterday & chose Barack Obama as their new President elect. The long lines seen throughout the day didn't dissuade voters. In fact, the wait was fine with Jonathan Carter, the 56-year-old operator of a window-cleaning business. He noted the 300 voters ahead of him at Central Bucks High School South in Warrington and resigned himself to being late for work. "Think how hard it was to vote 100 years ago," Carter said philosophically. He labeled this election "incredibly historic," noting that a black man was on the presidential ballot 40 years after King was shot advocating racial equality. "I think that's amazing," he said, though it wasn't remarkable enough to preclude him from voting for Sen. John McCain. Obama's talk of "spreading the wealth" turned Carter off.
Another window cleaner gave his view in Fullton Mall, New York..
Unger: About Rubber - History and Manufacture: Unger Enterprises partnered with some of the world's most renowned rubber experts to develop the best formula for window cleaning. After months of research and testing, our team developed a rubber that holds up to the strictest product specifications in professional window cleaning. In its natural form, rubber was used for centuries before it was re-discovered by Christopher Columbus. Rubber was called 'Caoutchouc' by the Indians of Central and South America from the Indian word 'cahuchu' meaning weeping wood from its origins as a sap in tree bark. Its modern name, "rubber," is derived from its use to "rub out" pencil marks. After rubber was introduced to western culture and it became a more popular material, the products for which it was used could not stand up to extreme cold. In 1843, Charles Goodyear patented the process of vulcanization, removing sulphur from rubber to waterproof and winterize it, creating a healthy market for rubber goods. According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the use of and demand for rubber products is pervasive in today's consumer and industrial economies. Sixty percent of rubber production is used in tire manufacture, but the balance is used to make rubber components supplied to a range of other industries. This includes squeegee rubber. According to the International Rubber Study Group, of the 8,682 million tons of natural rubber produced in 2005, North America alone consumed 1,316 million tons of it. But the Asia Pacific region is perhaps the world's largest rubber user with 5,202 million tons consumed in 2005. Available in two forms, natural or synthetic, the rubber used for window squeegees is called pure gum rubber, is tan in color, soft, pliable and elastic. As a non-marking elastomer, it is resistant to organic salts, ammonia, acids and alkalis which makes it ideal for window cleaning. Unger's new, long-lasting rubber formula contains a higher rubber content with less fillers compared to current window cleaning rubbers. The new rubber formulation is softer and glides more smoothly across wet and dry windows without sticking to the dry part of the glass. Also, when it hits dirt objects on glass, the softer rubber is more malleable and will not nick or tear when passing over this debris. Available in a re-closable blister pack, the rubber is protected and stored flat. There are many considerations to attend to when selecting rubber. Not only does Unger have the right formula, but we are confident that when window cleaning professionals use Unger's ErgoTec Soft Rubber they will experience the ease of use and efficiency for which it is designed. Our new formula, size ranges and storage options provide everything necessary for a high-quality window cleaning job every time. Rubber was named by Joseph Priestly in 1770 who found that dried latex could rub out pencil marks. In its natural state, rubber is an elastic hydrocarbon polymer found in the form of a milky emulsion known as latex in the sap of plants and trees such as fig trees and dandelions. The main source of latex for creating rubber is the Para rubber tree, discovered in South America where rubber was first processed in the 19th Century. Natural rubber is manufactured primarily in the countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia by combining latex with formic acid, which coagulates the rubber into sheets. The sheets are then wrung out in a press and shipped to factories for further processing and vulcanization, whereby rubber is heated and combined with sulfur to improve its resilience and elasticity. The rise of synthetic rubber occurred just before World War I for development of rubber tires with the growth of the automobile industry.
Ettore: Often imitated, never duplicated, his original squeegee design has remained essentially unchanged since its inception. His secret was, and is, in the rubber for this is the essential heart of the system. A razor sharp square edge, supple, smooth, consistent which leaves glass perfectly clean and streak free. Indeed, every Ettore product is 100% guaranteed to deliver nothing less than flawless performance. Ettore Steccone's pioneering spirit has assured Ettore's position as the undisputed industry leader. Today the company provides every conceivable tool and convenience to make window cleaning more fun, efficient and effective.
Mark gives us his point of view on rubber on this weeks tool talk - taking into account the top market selling window cleaning rubber in the world of Ettore, Unger & Pulex.
FOR A QUALITY SQUEEGEE THE KEY IS THE RUBBER (Pulex): The rubber blade is the main component of every squeegee because it is the element that comes into direct contact with the glass and dirt. It is so important that the material with which the squeegee is made - steel, brass or plastic - and the mechanics play a minor role. This is because the vast majority of squeegees on the market - economical ones sold in the household item department and often imported from the Far East - do not work as they should. Without mentioning molded plastic blades, which are definitely inferior, standard rubber cleaning blades are made of ordinary extruded rubber, which is obtained continuously from rolls dozens of meters in length and cut into sections ready to be fitted into the tool. This type of rubber does not have the features of a real mix of vulcanized rubber as it is extruded ready for use and not cut to size, the result being a blade with a rough, rounded edge. This means it becomes deformed when it comes into contact with dirt which is abrasive and washing solutions which are aggressive, or is exposed to atmospheric agents, or subjected to friction on glass and rubbing against window frames or under the eaves. As these blades are made using a very quick and easy process without any finishing touches or inspections, they are relatively inexpensive and obviously they wear out very quickly. Also, they virtually always leave unsightly marks all over the glass. And the wider the squeegee, the more evident the marks.The basic condition for a top quality squeegee is a perfect combination of three specific features of the blade - a) the type and nature of the rubber, b) the quality of the mix, c) the edge of the blade. As regards the first feature, Pulex rubber is real vulcanized natural rubber (NR), which is compression molded, item by item, from a meter-long (approx. 36”) strip. As natural rubber is of vegetable origin it is important that its organic chemical features are as constant and homogeneous as possible, so it must always be obtained from the same country, in this case Malaysia, and also from the same sites in that country. Despite this, there is always the risk of the mix containing particles and foreign bodies, some minute, due to the fact that it comes from a tree in a plantation and is collected, handled and packed using traditional manual methods that are still very rudimentary. As regards the second feature, it is important for the raw material to provide a mix that can be processed carefully and is free from impurities as far as possible, having all the necessary properties concerning molecular dispersion, cross-linking, elasticity, snap, resilience, hardness, resistance to chemical and atmospheric agents, coloring and surface smoothness. Thanks to the addition of various special additives formulated in over two decades of research and development, the grade of the mix of Pulex rubber is specifically calibrated for cleaning glass. The third aspect is also very important. There is no point in using expensive first-rate ingredients and developing a perfect mix for a specific use if the rubber is not cut precisely to get a perfectly linear cleaning edge to the blade. So in this final stage the rubber strip is molded using a high-power press, and cut in half by sophisticated machinery using a special process. This gives a blade that is about a meter long (36”) and has a very sharp edge. After careful inspection, the blade is cut into different sizes. And it is precisely on the perfection of the edge that the Pulex quality control system focuses. In order to detect defects, Pulex has been researching special equipment for years, the only manufacturer to devote considerable resources to this particular problem. And now Pulex has come up with a machine for optical, electronic and computerized control with respect to the edge of the blade. Exploratory laser rays “read” the degree of perfection of the cut and the two sharp edges and assess whether there are any defects in the less critical surrounding areas. This is why Pulex rubber blades, which are the result of a lengthy multi-stage process, are no comparison with the blades used in ordinary squeegees. They are universally known as TQR, Total Quality Rubber, i.e. the only rubber blades to be used in a total quality squeegee. In addition, as Pulex rubber blades come in two different degrees of shore hardness - standard and soft - they meet the needs of all window cleaners, worldwide and irrespective of their skills.
New from Pulex, the MicroTiger sleeve incorporates soft abrasive stripes within the microfibre for extra scrubbing action that are ideal for removing food debris & has a abrasive end pad and velcro fixing. This scrubber manages to hold more than your average for water retention & less drips. Mark Strange of "Beautiful View window cleaning" Toronto, Canada gives his unbiased view on this remarkable sleeve. Available to buy in the here in the UK & here in USA.
The Ettore "Backflip"- a 4 way wash and squeegee combo will increase your productivity by allowing you to wash and squeegee in one pass. Alternatively you can wash, rotate and squeegee without changing tools. Ideal for pole work. Finally, use them as an individual washer and quick release squeegee tool. A unbiased view is given by Mark Strange of Beautiful View window cleaning in Toronto, Canada. Available in the USA & the UK.
Don Marsh, the window cleaner from Gainesville, Florida has decided to end his video's that advise new starters to the business. The sixty pod-casts were a great source of information for old & new window cleaners & will be missed by the majority. Don's reasons are given below. His forum is still running though at Squeegee's by mail. I've also added another video entitled "sex on the job" that Don made ten months a go & gave me good laugh at the time - filmed with a smirk in the corner of his mouth.
So who will take over Don's crown? I feel that Mark Strange of Beautiful View window cleaning from Toronto, Canada, now on his fifth window cleaning video (below) may save the day. In this edition, Mark talks about the Wagtail & the good & bad points. Don's videos will be missed, I think he gave a lot to the window cleaning industry without even knowing it! Thanks Don!
A few videos for Sunday night. These are an on going series of video's from Mark Strange of Beautiful View Window Cleaning in Toronto. He gives an insight into his choice of traditional gear & perspectives on each piece of equipment. The videos were especially made for Window Cleaning Resource in New Jersey. Its good stuff...enjoy.
Beautiful View, the new trusted name for window cleaning in the greater Toronto area. Owned and operated by Mark Strange. One man, one job at a time, one goal in mind. Your satisfaction! Reach him on 416-614-3559 Toronto.
Unger: About Rubber 
