Which is better for those of you who have used both?
Also, I have heard that steel wool is more abrasive than bronze wool… true?
I’ve got a wfp CCU and I’m leaning toward just getting steel wool sleeves for my 10" T-Bar and then using a split end adapter at the end of the pole.
What do you think works best?
I would advise against trying to use a wfp on ccu
T-bar will give you more scrubbing power because you can deliver more pounds per square inch of pressure on the surface that is in contact with the glass. Pad holder will spread out the pressure more. I do think that steel wool scrubs better than bronze. I use bronze mainly dry for touch ups at the end. I know some folks do put I would never attempt CCU with a wfp, just too much crap on the glass.
I have found both work, but the sleeve you can get a little more scrubbing power.
Downsides are they are more expensive and last quite a bit less. I can wear off the bronze off a sleeve in just a few windows. I can use a pad for quite some time.
Yes, I’d say steel wool is more aggressive then bronze, but steel wool rusts too, and bronze doesn’t.
Strongly Agree !!
I would have to agree with Jhans and WDW. Using steel or bronze wool on a pole on construction clean up is a very risky combination. You never know what might be on the glass.
If there is mortar on the glass or something similar that can scratch the glass it will get caught in the steel wool and you will run it all over the glass and scratch the crap out of it. Because your using it on a pole you can’t see what’s on the glass so you won’t even know your scratching until you look at the window up close and then it’s too late.
I would strongly advise you use a ladder if your going to use anything other than water or soap and water and brush on the glass. Even a brush would make me nervous of its on a pole. You never know when debris can get life a in a scrubber or brush and without being up close you can’t tell it’s scratching the glass. Then your going to carry it to every other window and scratch those.
Welp Dagnabit! I have already committed to a wfp for this job. I gave the prime contractor options, and they wanted to avoid a scissor lift because there’s snow melt or something in the concrete sidewalks (piping in the concrete to keep ice from forming in the winter.) I’d have to be so far out from the area that would need to be cleaned to use a boom lift I don’t really think a boom would have the horizontal reach to access the needed windows.
I tried testing steel wool wrapped on a wfp brush and it seemed to get the duct tape adhesive and black caulking off… I’m working with glass about 40 ft up. So I was thinking I’d have my employee cleaning the inside glass, I’d be on the outside and we’d have walkie-talkies so he could tell me what to scrub harder. 
Sounds ridiculous but couldn’t think of something better, unless I could have a live feed set up with a GoPro attached to the end of the pole and have the screen set up on my phone so I could see up close what I’d be working with…
I’ll be getting a 40 ft ladder for some inside work. I wasn’t thinking a 40 footer would be a good idea for the outside though…?
If it was me I still wouldn’t use wool on a pole on a construction clean. If the customer asks for it it’s my job to yell him why it’s a bad idea and to present a better solution. If he insists then I would make him sign a waiver taking full responsibility for any damage done.
You might still be able to use a ladder with a stand off. Another option would be scaffolding or maybe a boom lift where the base sits outside the area that has the piping in the concrete and swing the arm in to access the windows.
There should be no issue with a 32’ scissors lift being on heated sidewalks.
Check your local building codes to verify.
I probably don’t have pictures, but there are areas on this job that a scissor wouldn’t be able to access. I can try the 40 ft ladder to see if it’ll be feasible.
I am having them sign a scratch waiver.
That’s kinda my only option. I forgot to mention earlier that i had my rep with United go out to see if a boom would work, and he said it would be very difficult with some of the large trees blocking access and stuff (for areas that you can’t see in the above picture.)
I had a different post about accessing a spot on the inside of this building above a stairwell. It was going to be $5,000-$7,500 to get scaffolding in there… So that’s why I am getting the 40 ft ladder, the ladder was originally for the interior over the stairwell. Also they have to have this job done in 2 weeks, so I don’t know if there’d even be enough time to get scaffolding in there. 
I had the united rental guy look at this option. 
I think I have myself between a rock and a hard place on this one since I didn’t factor in the cost of a scissor lift, and also they didn’t seem overly enthused about a scissor lift. I was presenting different options and the cost for them. wfp being the cheapest, and yielding probably not the best results…
I’ll see what I can do to not use the wfp on this one, Jeff. Thank you, everyone, for the input.
Is there a shortage on bronze wool ?
