I've never had any grade of steel wool scratch glass (we typically use 00 to 0000). However, with the advent of the new type of high efficiency windows (Jeld-Wen is one brand I see); a hard low E coating is exposed to the inside of the dwelling, and will mark if steel wool is used. From what I understand, the low E surface is harder than the steel blades or wool, and will mark (as a harder chalkboard does to softer chalk).

Paul LeGrand
Blue Sky Window Cleaning - Stowe, VT

I have had glass scratch with 00 steel wool. On one occasion I also had some 0000 steel wool scratch some tempered glass. It was some extremely bad glass. I thought that maybe I had a piece of grit on my wool but even with a new piece it scratched. But that was the only time in 21 years.

Lee Polacke
Sparkling Concepts - Newmarket, NH

It's not always the tool, in spite of what you hear. If you're using "wet" 0000 steel wool on any glass (tempered or annealed), it won't scratch. If you use steel wool on heat-treated glass that has surface defects from excess fabricating debris, it still won't scratch the glass, but the fabricating debris defects might. It's kind of like razor blades and scrapers do not scratch glass - never - but fabricating debris does. And when rusty steel wool or a rusty razor blade scratches glass, it's the rust, not the metal that's doing the scratching.

Dan Fields
Fields Construction Services Inc. - Livermore, CA

I have found that even the "non-slip" disposable booties were too slippery for my taste. That is the reason I will only wear Booty Boots. They have a neoprene bottom, nice and sticky on slick floors and ladders. It's a more permanent solution to disposable covers (and thus environmentally more sound). Glad your tech is OK.

Dave Campbell
Starving Actors Window Washing - Venice, CA

I have purchased 21 window cleaning businesses in the past 21 years here in north Texas. There have been various prices and pay arrangements, so I have experienced a full variety of what to do and what not to do with these purchases. The basic price stays within the 25-33% of annual gross sales range. I think I paid 50% one time. That experience convinced me the 25-33% range would be my limit. /p>

Paul Gaston
Leo's Window Cleaning - Stephenville, TX

When you think about it three month's gross is pretty cheap. It is also about the same for janitorial service. But where else can someone buy a profit-making business and have it all paid off in three months with no debt?

Ed Samson
Ameri-Clean Commercial, Inc. - Northbrook, IL

The problem I see with forum conversations about the value of a business is that the only audience is window cleaners, so I wouldn't be too quick to go with the consensus. Window cleaning is a legitimate business, just like landscaping, roofing, and janitorial services. I think that is a fact that gets lost in these discussions. My advice is to go looking in a bigger pond if you want to sell. I bought my business through a broker, financed it at the bank using a rental house as collateral, and have had a very successful business for over 16 years.

Teresa Emerson
Clearview Window Cleaning - Springfield, MO

I use the Honda Eu2000i. The 2000 watt Yamaha is also a good unit and very quiet. It has some nice features that the Honda has like a gas gauge, fuel shut off and twice the service life of the Honda. Either way you can't go wrong.

John Adank
Crystal Clear Window Cleaning

Honda makes the quietest generator, either the 1000 or 2000 watt model depending on how many watts your motor is. You will want the inverter type. To know what size you need, you need to know how many amps and volts the motor is, and then multiply them together to get your motor's wattage.

Wes Buckner
Mid-Ohio Window Cleaning - Galion, OH

I'd recommend OneRestore with either a white pad or sponge. Check the initial application to see if there are any side effects to the paint on those frames.

Craig Aldrich
Sparkle Window Cleaning - Canyon Lake, CA

OneRestore may work; Eacochem also has a product called Cleansol that may work better on painted frames. I just tested both products on older painted frames and Cleansol worked a bit better. They are made by the same company and if you call them, they can give you guidance.

Dan Lloyd
Red Wagon Cleaning Service, Inc. - NC

I just cut them to size at each job. After a while you will not need to cut many as they repeat very often. I think pre cutting a whole series may leave with a bunch you may never use.

Rob Young
The Window Washer - Washington, DC

I don't mess with the cut to fit and inventory method. Over thinking how to clean a piece of glass can cost time and money. I carry only five different size channels. A 22", 18", 12", 6" and a 4". That covers everything I need to clean. I fan cut ups, but I could see the benefit of cutting a channel to size if you have a wall full of french panes.

Wes Buckner
Mid-Ohio Window Cleaning - Galion, OH

We bought a bunch of brass channels and had them cut in 1/4 " increments by a machinist we hired. We started with 4" and went up to 15". I bought a high-end fishing tackle-box to store them. It has 5 drawers and each drawer has individual sections to keep channels separate from each other. It is a huge time saver and really impresses our residential customers.

Lee Polacke
Sparkling Concepts - Newmarket, NH

I don't have a lot of cut to fit channels - mostly smaller lengths. What I do have are stored together in a tray. I often select the size I want by grabbing a fist full and standing them on end to compare lengths.

Gary Mauer
Window Cleaning Network - Oconomowoc, WI

I would suggest this be a project for downtime and not let it keep you from working. More than half the jobs I do in this area are french pane/cut-ups, so having the right size has been a money maker for me. Over half my channels are empty at any given time. I buy squeegee rubber in the 36" length and cut that to fit. I will often cut worn ends off a used rubber blade to fit a smaller channel.

Ross Alexander
Alexander Window Cleaning - Greensboro, NC