I have an existing customer that is building a new home. She wants me to do the post contruction clean-up of the windows. They are either Anderson or Pella windows. They have the stickers all over them. I’m hoping someone can give me som advice on the best method for removing the stickers and how I should price the job?
Waiver, FD education for the customer, Oil-Flo, and a razor.
+1. Most of the stickers that Pella uses pull off easy. They are “static cling” stickers. 
. Anyways they pull straight off. And pricing is easy. Bid the job as if it’s a regular job and then multiply it by 2 or even 3. Don’t be scared to bid the job for what its worth. And don’t just bid the job just to get it because it might cost you in the end. I have made this mistake more then a couple of time and it really sucks. If you talk to the customer and tell her about the FD issue and how a non trained professional could damage her new beautiful windows on her beautiful house then she would be crazy not to pay you what you wanted.
Thanks for the information. I’ll definately heed the advice
Automatically multiply? Every job is different and requires a comprehensive inspection to understand. I’ve had some where the builder protected the frames completely – no cleanup required, and only a standard (washer, scraper, washer, squeegee) cleaning of the glass.
How does a trained professional clean windows with fabricating debris without damaging them?
In my experience, most new construction window labels come off fairly easily. It’s only when they leave them on for months or even years, those are the tough ones.
If that your advice then GREAT glad to see you helping the new guys out.
Please use the [SIZE=“3”]search button [/SIZE]provided. Hold on. I think you know that already. Be gone!! Im not the one!!.
How long have you been a professional window cleaner?
Are you aware of fabricating debris issues?
Do you currently use a scraper in your business?
Another piece of advice.
If they are Pella windows and if the owner had the double E-coating applied to meet the Energy Tax Credit.
That E-coating is on the glass that faces the living areas of the home(see attached Pella001). Pella instructions state that to remove any stains on this side of glass use distilled vinegar. So read those stickers that she is wanting you to remove because one of them is where I quote the instructions from.
I personally would not use a scrapper or white scrub pad on the inside of the windows.
Now if the windows have internal blinds the E-coating is usually on the middle pane of glass. Attached Pella002 is this type of window. Pella003 is with internal blind raised and Pella004 is with blind raised and 3rd pane of glass tilted open for internal cleaning. The 2nd pane of glass that has E-coating is the middle of the 3 panes.
I hope that the attached photos help clarify.
Also E-coating is Pella’s name for it’s UV coating that helps to reduce heating/cooling losses.
I hope that the attached photos help clarify.
Ok and yes I admit the photos are of the windows on my house, I love my Pella’s but I hate to fully clean them in/out as they are a Royal PIA. The first photo is of the window that is 2 months old and photos 2/3/4 are of a Pella that is 3 years old, so these should respresent some thing very similar to what you are going to deal with.
I assume you mean on what would normally be the inside of the IG unit. On Pellas I never use a razor on the inside of the panes that open up because one side will have the low-e coating applied to it. On the standard inside and outside a razor is the industry standard for removing debris. Of course get a waiver signed first.
Just verified with my Pella representative.
If the new windows have the double E-coating. One E-coating is internal between the two panes and the second E-coating is on the living space side of glass so yes a scrapper or white scrub pad will damage it.
So Pella has put a low-e coating where it is not supposed to be? In any other window that would be a defective unit that would have to be replaced.:eek:
Leave it to Pella to make a bad design even worse.:rolleyes:
I just checked Pella’s website and found nothing about a secondary low-e coating on the room side of the hinged panel. Could your rep provide a link to this?
I agree, about it being in the wrong place, but it is not exclusive to Pella.
Just did a CCU yesterday that had CHEAP contractor grade insulated glass windows (don’t know a brand) and the UV coating was on the inside of glass also. I stopped before I even touched the window called the lead contractor over to point out all the scratches :eek: in the UV coating. He :mad: used every word in the book, but not at me 
as I had my waiver plus he was watching me, so he knows that I never touched the glass:) .
Didn’t ask rep for a link, he and I just had a verbal conversation on the topic. I guess you could call customer support 800# and ask about it or for a link.
Please review the attached Pella001.jpg photo in my original post as it does not have a swing out feature.
If your talking about sealed IG units windows a low-e coating on the room side is a defective unit that must be replaced. I have run across a few and they are always replaced by the window manufacturer. Mainly because nothing can run across it w/out causing some scratching. If they have a dog the coating will be trashed in no time.
I have not seen this question answered anywhere.
