Here is the image I mentioned and tell me if this could have been… if nothing minimized.
When did you first become aware of the fabricating debris issue?
Where the “very few windows you scratched” heat-treated?
Why don’t you ask Dan Fields directly?
I bought some 0000 bronze wool from CWS and may have a job that has some paint spray and tape residue. Can 0000 scratch glass? What if you’re removing stucco, will the stucco scratch the glass, if removed with 0000(I know this is not the recommended route)? I’m looking to leave the scraper in the truck. Thanks.
The steel wool can dislodge the fabricating debris but not as easily as a razor blade. Why are you looking to leave the blade in the truck?
0000 steel wool cannot scratch glass, but may dislodge fabricating debris that is present on heat-treated glass. Fabricating debris is not an issue on non-[heat-treated glass].
The proper tool to remove the debris you describe is a scraper.
Have you discussed the fabricating debris issue with your customer, provided education material, and received a signed waiver?
Stucco, if dragged across glass the surface of a window, will scratch glass.
Refer to previous posts regarding hogs hair brush, phosphoric acid, and construction debris.
Have not heard a response regarding the scratches in this image? Could they have been avoided? Could a professional window cleaner really allow glass to go to that degree of damage?
I answered above – “Why don’t you ask Dan Fields directly?”
Do you know the context of the photo?
BTW, are you and Dan competitors in the same markets? Have you two interacted in the past?
I believe there are a few unanswered questions above that were addressed to you as well…
Someone posted to me that this is an issue that MANY members here are extremely knowledgeable of and you for one dodge the question. I am here to learn from others and if possible give feedback too. This is seriously an area where I personal am confused and was looking for insight. I dont know Fields but his name comes up alot with fabricating debris. I own and operate a window cleaning company and I would not say I have any competitors because I network with local window cleaning companies. There is alot of glass to be cleaned out there and if people network they may find they benefit in different ways.We get large discounts on volume equipment purchases together. Also keep safety,quality, service and sales at high standards in our areas. If I did not answer a question directed to me please direct it to me again and Ill give you a direct answer. Again any direct answer on the glass image in your opinion.
you are right. Just scraping every piece of glass and not checking to see if it is scratching is not a good idea. I agree that a waiver makes no sense and is un-professional, and I don’t see why any contractor would sign it. There a lots of ways to keep from scratching a window if you try.
Using a blade is the only way to remove paint, and if the blade is sharp and you do not scrape hard and just flick the paint off, it will work. Smooth glass is not a problem, if scapinmg is making a lot of noise then you know is is debris. Making the glass as wet as possible helps.
thats right. It is good to let the customer know about scratches. If you are doing a job after painters, check carefully before you clean the windows. A lot of times painters will put large gashes in the glass from scraping off paint. I did a large house job that had been remodeled and a lot of the windows sprayed with stain. The painters cleaned the windows and every one was scratched. I told the owners and I was not held responsible. Always check closesly before cleaning new construction.
Have you provided post construction cleanup services to date?
How aware are you of the fabricating debris issue? Do you know what it encompasses?
Such as?
Wet glass does nothing to combat glass with fabricating debris defects.
I have scratched some windows in the past, before I learned the proper techniques, and I was able to work out a deal with the customer with so many free cleanings in the future to pay for the repacements. The quality of the glass determines wether it scratches or not. Making the window very wet and scraping only in the same direction and then lifting the scraper before starting again will keep the glass from scratching. I have been in business for 25 years and have had only a few instances of scratched windows. If you be a man about it and tell the customer you are sorry and are willing to work out a deal then they will usually agree. A window covered in paint needs scraped.There is no other way, and the sharpest blade will not scratch, and I have found fabriscating debris to be very rare. Of course a good blade is expensive, but worth it.
I didn’t dodge the question – ask Dan about the context of the photo.
See past p[osts in this topic for reference websites – dan Fields, Gary Mauer, and IWCA.
In addition, you can use the Search feature here to pull-up past posts with relevant words or phrases.
I only asked because I assumed you were located in Santa Clara County (he is in Livermore.) Dan provides CCU services (windows and more) to ~4,500 homes per year with a crew of about 60. He and Gary are THE experts regarding this issue.
The waiver is to cover for Fabrication Debris, not construction Debris, or sloppy workmanship in removing the construction debris. When discussing this we need to seperate Fab debris from Construction Debris. They are two different things.
A dull or nicked-up blade will not scratch quality (non-fabricating debris) glass.
Was the glass heat-treated? Was fabricating debris the cause of the scratches?
That is the worse job os scraping i have ever seen. First that type of scraped os gauranteed to scratch because the blade is too thick and not sharp enough. Second he is using to much pressure. Third he is going to fast. and fourth banging the scraper on a window like that will definitely scratch it if not even break it.
