Window Streaks!!!!! Help?????

[Glenn]

Hey Guy's and Gal's,
I washed a house about 1 month ago using Limonene. I have been using this house wash for over 1 1/2 years and have never had a call back for streaks or anything else for that matter. Homeowner called today to ask what he could use to get the streaks off his windows and said he wasn't complaining because he should have cleaned the windows right after I washed the house but didn't. Since I stand behind my work, I immediately went over and unsuccessfully tried several things including CLR, Tub and Tile cleaner, Windex, Glass Plus, Vinegar and Water, etc. Has anybody else had this problem and what can I do to solve short of replacing the glass. I plan to go back Monday with hopefully a solution you guy's recommend.
Hope you have a happy and safe holiday weekend. Don't forget the sacrifices others have made in the past to protect the freedom we enjoy. Happy Memorial Day.
Glenn

 

[Scott Stone]

If the windows are not etched, go to Autozone and get some Detailers Clay. It will get water spots and everything else off.
Scott Stone

 

[Glenn]

Thanks Scott,
Luckily I live next door to a glass guy and he is going to take a look at the windows with me tomarrow. Supposedly he has some chem called "spot b gone" or "stain b gone" that he says you spray on and wipe off. I have never heard of it but if it works I will buy a case. I don't thimk it is etched because you can scrape them off with your fingernail.
Glenn

 

[Dan Flynn]

Glenn

I have no advice for you, never used that chemical. But did you get the private message I sent you? I tried to e-mail you and it came back undeliverable.

 

[Glenn]

Yes,
I got the message Dan, let me know what you think and how it works for you.
Glenn

 

[Jaime]

Water Spots

Hi Glenn,
I had this same problem last week. I was washing a house and the stuff dried on the windows. The lady freeked out on me so I called Steve from you know where while she was standing there. This never happened to me either. He suggested I use Mirror Glaze or Mirror polish. Worked great!!!!!! I think mine was called Glass Sheen. Got it right across the street at the hardware store for 4.99. I also stand behind my work 100% so I did all her windows so I would not have a problem later. She was very happy and recommended me to about 10 of her neighbors. Hope this helps. Oh yeh It's a good Idea to have a bottle of Brasso on hand to for brass kickplates. Works great too! Hope this helps! Jaime

 

[Glenn]

Update....
Just gor back from the house, used a rouge compound my glass neighbor had on hand and it worked great. I told him to get me some. Jamie you are absolutely right about the mirror glaze. Any wax I think would work. The owner had some car wax and it worked just as good. I can probably get some sleep tonight, man was I worried.
Jamie, I saw your post after I got back and you are absolutely right. Do you know what causes the streaks and do you know of a prevetative measure? I will definately school the customer about this from now on. I will offer the window cleaning as an add on and will tell them if the opt to do them themselves they must do them right after to avoid the streaks.
Glenn

 

[johny]

Hey Glenn,
I too use limonene,but for same reason ,i only like it on the gutters.If i have to put it on the house i use pump up around the windows,wet windows first and as soon as i apply it ,i start with rinsing windows.This is why i dont like limonene,i cant figure out how would i handle it if my machine went down,water hose??
You should probably know e-spec sell scum buster for this reason,its about $35 for 5 gal,a lot more than you paid,i will keep your method in mind when my day comes.
Johny

 

[Glenn]

Thanks Johny,
I didn't realize the scum buster would work on these streaks. I haven't been able to contact them over the weekend due to the holiday. If the scum buster can be sprayed on and wiped off, I would invest the $35.00. It would be worth it in elbow grease if it works good. Thanks for the tip. What scares me most is I haven't had this problem before. Is it because it hasn't happened, or worst, my customers haven't called back and are dealing with it themselves. I would call all of them to make sure, but I don't want to open that can of worms if you know what I mean.
Glenn

 

[Mike Hughes]

I add "Pure Rinse" Liquid Cascade to my mix...........seems to work really well to prevent streaking. I am not sure how it would work with Limonene, but it would be worth a try.

 

[Barry Laraway]

LIMONENE, NEVER AGAIN...
Same thing happen to me. I started using limonane on the first house since switching to this product in may 2001. The lady called me the very nest day crying on the answering machine. she was not able to get the windows cleanat all. I mentioned to her prior to getting the job that the windows may have some spots on them when I get done, but NEVER thought it would be this bad.
Sorry to say that I never called har back, because I felt that I had no answer. I also felt that the windows would not become such an issue after doing the job.
As a result of using LIMONANE it did a good job on the house but it killed my future prospect of this lady recomending me to someone else due to what happen to her windows.
I also have read alot of prior post but their was no mention of the widows being an issue, I wish that I had read some of these new posts prior to buying 110 gallons of LIMONANE mix.
Well I have yet to use LIMONAME on any other house due to the problem it caused to the windows, and I cant see myself polishing every window the next day so on that note I am compelled to say good bye to LIMONANE at this time and go back to other products that were not an issue in the past.
Prior to using LIMONANE I thought it was going to be a good product to begin using, Well I was wrong...

 

[spraymasters]

Glenn,
You and I are from about the same area and have the same "stuff" that gets on houses and we have to clean it off. Here is the mixture we use on vinyl houses and we have NEVER had a problem with windows streaking. As a matter of fact we have had many customers thank us for also cleaning the windows {and we just shot the stuff up there and sprayed it off}:

In a 5 gallon bucket:
1 1/2 gallons of clorox bleach {ultra}
approx 2-3 cups of Liquid Tide
a long skirt of Liquid Cascade
the rest water

Apply using the X-jet

Rinse off with pressure.

Apply a concentrated liquid wax with hot water

Rinse with cold water.


Give it a try Glenn,
Dennis

 

[Glenn]

Thanks Dennis,
I just don't like all that mixing of different ingrediants. Plus, what about the shelf life of Bleach. I like having my chem in containers stacked and ready to use. However, I may try a variation of what your doing. Anyway thanks for the help buddy.
Glenn

 

[spraymasters]

Glenn buddy,
It is not that bad mixing the stuff. We go to Sam's and pick up the "two packs" of bleach that come in the 1 1/2 gallons. We simple put them in the van along with the large bottles of Tide and Cascade. It takes about 2 minutes to mix in a 5 gallon bucket and we are off to the races. The houses smell pretty good two with the Tide and Cascade. Then we do the wax and smells like a new car! ha ha ha
The shelf life we have found is not that bad. We go to Sam's and pick up a month's worth at one shot. We figure doing a regular size home worth from $200-$300 takes two bottles or two 5 gallon buckets using the X-jet to apply. Not bad cost wise!
Just my little 2 cents worth. If you get a chance just give it a try. Don't think you will be disappointed.
Den

 

[johny]

After Mikes sugesstion i added cascade to limonene,i think that worked well.Thing about it is,you are not supposed to put it on the windows.Thats simple.The hard part ,i always do.I freak out and get more careful.Now think ,you got a litlle on the windows while soaping the house,you try harder to avoid them,and what happens ,they dry while you put the soap on the house.Thats just my opinion.If you do get some on the windows ,you have keep soaking them with that stuff till you get ready to rinse and start with the windows.
Also spraymasters are right,man try the good old bleach.I dont have a problem mixing it.I buy 5 gal for a job and keep it in my van.When i get ready to wash,pour 1 gal of bleach in a bucket,add some water,i dont measure it,a gal or too,lots of laundry detergent to make it smell better and go.I run it through my dowsnstream.I have been in business only 1 year ,but i only have an 8 foot stepladder and i have washed houses 3 stories high,with bleach from the ground
Try it once
Johny

 

[Andy Wheatley]

Glenn,

I know you said you had been using Limonene for over a year with no call backs for window streaks. I just purchased a boat load of the stuff and don't want to run into the same problem you had. Any ideas on why this particular job streaked?

- Thanks

 

[Glenn]

Andy,
#1 this was on the sunny side of the house and it was a bright warm day when I did it. I think It probably started to dry a little on the windows before I started rinsing. I would suggest soaping the windows, just rinse faster and longer before it starts to try. Also, make sure there is no soap residue left when through with the job.
#2 this guy was in a municiple water supply area, however he was still connected to an old well for his outside water supply. There could have possibly been an issue with the hard water.
#3 when in doubt, it is not a bad idea to wipe over the windows with a little windex anyway.

I still like the Limonene and have continued to use it and with the 3 precautions above, I haven't had this problem anymore.
Glenn