I have two seperate jobs coming up each with a different challenge.
First job is that customer wants the window sills vacuumed. He is happy to pay extra just name the price.
My question is does anyone of you know of a portable battery operated vacuum something better than the old Dust Buster of days gone by.
I have a full size shop vac with plenty of horsepower but dont really look forward to dragging it window to window, plus dragging the power cord.
Next question stain removal. Another customer has heavy water stains on majority of windows, and has been building up for probably 10+ yrs.
My normal tools are:
Scraper
Steel Wool
Bio Clean
CC550 (last option) = only after testing for air side of glass
I want to know if any of you use some type of power tool to save the arm and shoulder. Yes I know of window restroration kits, but that is not in my budget at this time. What I would really like is some type of cordless drill attachment that would do the scrubbing for me.
Ok, yes I am new to the board and to the WC business, started WC part time in June 09 and by Aug 09 dove in head first full time. So far I have 66 names in my database and have had numerous repeat customers as well as numerous referals. November was my best month to date and I was hoping December would be even better, but so far I have had to reschedule 2 jobs due to weather/snow and but the month is still young.
Welcome to the forum David.
There are several cordless vacuums on the market. A few guys use the Dewalt cordless ones. If you purchase a cordless vac make sure you have 2 batteries so you eliminate downtime.
As for hard water stains - have a few varieties on hand and if there is a lot of area to cover you might consider a orbital sander w/ a cut to size white pad on it.
I use the dewalt and it has worked well for over 2 years now. They sell the vac, battery and charger separately. I bought the charger that plugs in the DC in my truck so I can charge between jobs. Rigid and Milwaukee make them as well. Make sure you get a grout brush or something similar to loosen up the dirt before you vacuum.
I bought a Ridgid shop vacfrom Home Depot. It comes in a real convenient small design, but still packs a whallop. I think it was only ~100? Easy to maneuver, and had a small footprint.
Careful with CC550 - I have had good luck with Safe Restore.
A certain Wisconsin WC’er has the MotorScrubber pictured – but with a shorter handle (there are three sizes) – and thinks highly of it. They’re about $350.
I appreciate all the responses so far and have been researching the suggested solutions for vacuums.
Will research the moto scrubber farther but with $350 price tag it is pretty steep this early in my business and at a point in the year when cash flow is low. Then again have to weigh that against a SORE shoulder. Oh well have to wait and see if the guy will book the cleaning.
FYI, still trying to work out my signature, I operate in the big city of Amarillo, Texas. High today will be mid 30’s with snow expected tomorrow with a high in mid 20’s. Next week should warm up to mid 50’s so will try and book everyday next week with repeat customers from September.
I used a dewalt when I first started and I must have gotten bad batteries as they did not last over 10 minutes. I did not want to risk the thing cutting out on the job so I just returned it an got a corded model. I’m using one simular to this one now.
It’s not a husky and I don’t have it in front of me so I can’t tell you the name. I know it’s a yellow one. I like the cord as it’s 15 ft long and it’s not a big deal to have a plug in model. Most windows have outlets very close to them or close enough for a 15 ft cord. I won’t go cordless anymore after this vacum. For one the cost in my opinon is not worth it. If I had a larger company and wanted to go all cordless for crews it would be a cost nightmare compared to corded. Not to mention everyone forgetting to charge the batteries.
