Hi, I am new to WCR and the whole window cleaning thing. I am going to be starting a residential outside window washing business here in Ontario. I am so glad I found such a good website to help me along.
I have been looking at many different websites to buy supplies from, and I don’t know what to get . . . it’s mostly to do with brands. I want to get the best quality at the lowest prices, just like pretty much anyone else. I also don’t know what company to buy from. I would also love to hear any advice you might have for a newbie. If you can help me that would be awesome. Thanks.
Brands:
[INDENT]Unger
CLC
Ettore
Pulex
Steccone
Triumph[/INDENT]Should I buy copper or stainless steel squeegees?
Are all of the special “window washing cleaners” really worth the money or should I just use dishwashing detergent (e.g. dawn)?
I use mostly Ettore stuff w/ a few exceptions like Slayer channels from WCR and Mr Longarm and Garelick poles. Triumph scrapers are the best IMO and I’ve recently started using a 14" Wagtail squeegee and although I’m still getting used to it I am intrigued by it’s versatility. I get all my stuff from the guys here at WCR, they know their stuff and use what they sell. I also use GG4. Ettore now has an aluminum channel that is great for those that prefer lightweight and durable channels.
You can get everything you need right here at WCR. Most guys use Ettore and/or Unger and many add in a or SLAYER channel for 18" or above.
I would stick with Ettore and/or Unger and get an 18" Slayer channel for the larger windows. You’ll need to make sure you get rubber blades that fit the Slayer channel.
I agree with Tony that Triumph is the best scraper on the market. Make sure you learn how to use a scraper correctly and don’t put it on anyone’s glass without a scratched glass waiver.
As far as brands go I use tools from all of the big companies like Ettore, Unger, Pulex, Steccone, and Slayer. You’ll find out along the way what suits you best. Don’t limit yourself to any one brand.
Hey David,
Excellent time in your life to start a good business such as WC.
It would probably help if you give us an idea of what’s in your budget for initial layout.
At the beginning, what tools and sizes you buy are more important than what brands. You can do a good job with basically any professional brand. In time, you’ll develop favorites.
I’ve useompany out of Pittsburgh for many years, and our hosts at WCR more so lately. Both have great customer service. Alex and Chris as mentioned, truly know the products and have anything you need for starters and most all of what you’d need when accessorizing.
It looks like a pretty through list… We would love to put you in this equipment… Please don’t hesitate to call if we can be of any assistance. If you find things cheaper anywhere else we are more than happy to price match or in most cases beat it for you.
A few things to think about - a 24ft ladder will be more useful, I’d get scrim instead of towels, if you use a swivel handle there’s no need for a fixed handle for squeegees or t-bars. As for a 10" t-bar I’d go w/ a 6" instead for cut ups. I’d also consider an Ettore Contour Pro+ handle for the squeegees as it can double as a 0 degree handle. You might also want to go w/ a 6" scraper for the larger panes of glass.
You could get a 14" Ettore Pro+ T-bar and remove the plugs on the end then cut it down to a 6" size and replace the plugs. Otherwise check w/ Chris and Alex about getting a 6" swivel T-bar for you.
It looks like you said you are starting a “outside window cleaning business”. Are you just doing exterior?
Anyway, if you are just starting out you don’t want a or Slayer channel. Go with the Contour and a stainless channel (doesn’t matter who makes the channel). Get multiple sizes. For sure an 18 and a 12 and some of the real small ones for cut-ups. Swivel is a MUST!
I would have loved the Micro Tiger scubber back in the day (get an 18inch [I]and[/I] a smaller one). I use it 100% of the time now on residential.
an 24 ft Gaerlock pole (a MUST!)
a 24 ft ladder and a smaller adjustable ladder. I do a 13 ft Little Giant knock-off that comes in REAL handy. $89 at Lowes (I went a long while when I started out with a 16 footer… what a nightmare.)
Start with dish soap (Dawn, Joy whatever). Learn to mix it so you don’t have a bubble bath. Don’t add soap as you run water into your bucket. Do it after or apply a drop as needed to the applicator.
Don’t buy a giant scraper. Most times a 4 inch works great on residential. You are only scraping little fragments, normally. Get a scraper that is angled and has a pole adapter handle.
Get yourself a couple handles so you don’t need to waste time switching channels. I use 2 quick release handles.
Towels- lots. look at ebay for dirt cheap boxes of them (sorry Chris :))
Good to have you here and I look forward to hearing more from you.
CFP, why would he not want a or Slayer channel but would need a Contour Pro handle. I know you use so that really makes me curious about this advice.
Is it because requires a higher angle off of the glass. If so this is easy to get used to and as a bonus the close out as good or better than anything out there.
The Contour Pro would be a crap shoot because some love 'em and some hate 'em. I think they suck really bad but some guys swear by them.
Being able to operate a takes time (as to fanning). I don’t know how far along David is in his skillset.
I am about making the most money I can the fastest
Fanning with a is what I would call an ‘advanced technique’. Some can never do it right. It is not “easy” to develop for most. I would also say that a is not the best, it is best for [U]me[/U].
I do not even own another kind of channel. I learned to burn on an Ettore but never looked back once I found. is not for everyone but anyone can do good on a classic channel.
I’ve been using a 18 so long I didn’t realize they are harder to fan with. I do remember folks saying you can’t fan with but I think that had more to do with the standard rubber burning badly when fanning.
I actually prefer traditional squeegees other than the Slayer 18". The Slayer shines especially for poling but I use it to fan with too.
Maybe David should just get a standard Ettore and an Unger Ergotec squeegee in say a 12 or 14 inch size and see which style he likes best. The main difference between these two squeegees is the more closed angle on the Ettore. The Unger has more of an open angle like a and closes out really well.
Yes, I am doing exterior only. Thanks for the great advice. I googled the pole your talked about. The Gaerlock pole. I couldn’t find it. Anyway, thanks.
Don’t waist your money on anything that says You can buy Ettore handles and slayer channels and have a far better set up. If it’s not sold on WCR then you dont need it.
The Ettore Super System handle (aka the Vampire) is not good. A quick release swivel is the best made for that channel type (which obviously includes The Slayer).
Ettore has some good handles, just not for that channel.
