I started doing a store front a few weeks ago with tinted windows.
Even though it was only 35 degrees outside the windows were very warm (inside and out) because the sun was shining directly on them.
The windows were so warm that my solution was drying before I could get my squeegee on them.
Even when I was separating the big windows into thirds the water was still drying before I could squeegee. I was even using Gleam 4 soap.
I’ve been working on my 2 handed technique so that helps but several of the windows are so high that I need to either pole them or use my ladder which means the 2 handed technique is not possible, at least not right now.
I had to stop after a few windows because I was just spinning my wheels. It was cloudy the next day so I went back and finished with no problem.
How do you guys deal with this issue on a sunny day?
Use less soap work fast, try to plan your work to avoid working in direct sun if possible, I find winter for me the glass gets hotter as the sun is much lower in the sky, allowing direct sun vs reflected sun.
Learn to use both hands. Agitate the entire window with your scrubber, then go back over it with the scrubber in one and the squeegee in the other. Or a spray bottle in front of you’re squeegee… Also look for different times of day?
Yep. What Jared said. Back flip, Wagtail, or Moerman. In direct sun I will use one of these tools. It allows you to wet and then squeegee immediately after. Sometimes a few seconds makes all the difference. In the direct sun. Soap is also critical.
Apparently not. Sorry. Backflip is my go to in that situation as well. I clean windows in 120 degrees in the summer. Just got to learn to be real quick.
Add " Glide " to your water. Add about half a cap. We run it in our solution year round.
It’s made by SORBO. Read the label and details regarding the products characteristics and purpose.
There are two other " Water Wetting " Products in addition to Glide but not sure how well they work.
They are Winsol Super Slip and Glass Gleam Glide. I tested the Glide years ago. Using very dark tinted glass and a very sunny day. One window with Sorbo Glide - the other without and the evaporate time was substantially slower with Glide. FYI.
I agree with Jared I would use a backflip on black glass in direct sunlight, Or use 2 poles ,one with the strip washer ,one with your squeegee. Soak the strip washer as much as you can. Wet then pull.
All above ideas are good! Main idea is planning and deciding. Example: I decide to pull out the WFP if sun is an issue; which happens often as I’m in Sunny California especially south facing windows. As a back up plan, I pole & squeegee starting at the small upper squares first (all or most), then lower ones one at a time. I also use a lot of solution/liquid on my applicator/wand and squeeze pretty fast down strokes. I also can’t do the whole window at one soaping, so do half. Here’s where I kick it another notch compared to $2 bucket guys. I use a pure water/alcohol combo filled IPC Eagle buff pole for remaining water & streaks.
Yes, as I said, we use it year round. Primarily for the slip, secondarily for the slow evaporation quality. I have always used the Yellow 3.5 Gal Ettore buckets. I estimate we are typically at about 2.5 gallons of water in the bucket. Good Luck !
Yeah, this time of year, the sun sits lower in the horizon, so you sometimes get more direct sunlight on windows compared with summer. Makes for super-hot darker glass.
I use swivel tools (excelerator) so I can just wet where I know it’ll stay wet, but prefer to do this with a broken in rubber, or the thing will stick on the hot glass without moisture under it when you’re cutting down the mtn. Backflip is easier, but wish the tbar was a bit smaller than the squeegee…
Another option is to wet the glass for a bit to cool it down with your solution. You may have to dip a few times and waste a bit of water, but does the trick if it isn’t crazy hot.
Ultimately best to schedule it in the shade in the future as you’ll likely do it in 1/3 time, and get more work done.
All ou guys that use the back flip, are you using it where the scrubber and squeegee are on the same side or opposite? I can never keep the angle properly when it’s on the same side enough to get it to squeegee. Especially on a pole, and I don’t need it for eye level.
