Thanks to everyone else who submitted their photos! We definitely appreciate it your hard work into helping us make this our best catalog yet! These have already been mailed out so if you haven’t received your copy, request one here!

Tyler Jones; Winner of 3-Star 31ft Hybrid Pole

Simon Rabjohns; Winner of 18ft Gardiner CLX Pole

Steve Konarzewski; Backflip

Christian Dorn; BackFlip

Mathew; Sweater

Sean Culver; Sweater

Fernando Medina; C. Johnson; Johnnie Golden; George Moore; James Jauregi -- Ettore BOAB

The steps used in this video are:

Click here to see more awning cleaning supplies

To restore the original luminance of the windows of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, more than 16,000 glass mosaics are being washed with hot water high-pressure cleaners. The old church, built between 1891 and 1895, was damaged and destroyed during air-raids in 1943. A new church, whose windows are being cleaned now, was constructed between 1959 and 1963 after plans of Egon Eiermann. Parts of the old church were conserved and serve as a war memorial.

Check out the Full Article at MSN PhotoBlog

]]> http://www.jracenstein.com/blog/16000-glass-mosaics-cleaned-on-historical-church-in-berlin/3482/feed 0 http://www.jracenstein.com/blog/16000-glass-mosaics-cleaned-on-historical-church-in-berlin/3482 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JRacenstein/~3/mUb3-OGJ_ZQ/3478 http://www.jracenstein.com/blog/event-recap-of-41012-window-cleaners-seminar/3478#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:28:53 +0000 Jenny http://www.jracenstein.com/blog/?p=3478

Here’s a video collage of the event held at J.Racenstein Co April 10, 2012. Discussed was New Window Cleaning Products, John Becker from Ettore discussed the Ettore Line, Harold Giddish discussed high rise safety and OSHA regulations. Mr. Hardwater hands on demo presented by Jeff Flint and we had lots of giveaways!

Hope to see you at a future seminar soon!

Click here to view photo album

For years, our catalog has always been 100 pages. This year, we added 40 more pages, making this catalog a total of 140 pages! We’ve expanded manufacturer spreads, added tons of new products, reorganized products by usage etc.

We hope you all enjoy this new catalog. We worked really hard making this our best catalog yet!

Also, throughout the catalog, you will find “camera” symbols. That means, those pictures were sent in by your fellow window cleaners. Keep an eye out for those. The pictures are amazing!

Thanks to those who submitted. Thanks to all our advertisers.

And most of all, THANK YOU for choosing J.Racenstein for your window cleaning supplies. Without you, this catalog wouldn’t be possible.

]]> http://www.jracenstein.com/blog/2012-catalog-released/3468/feed 0 http://www.jracenstein.com/blog/2012-catalog-released/3468 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JRacenstein/~3/vbj1mKCzgaI/3450 http://www.jracenstein.com/blog/new-product-ettore-zero-degree-pro-super-system-handle/3450#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 23:29:46 +0000 Jenny http://www.jracenstein.com/blog/?p=3450 Ettore’s newest squeegee handle is the Zero Degree Pro+ Super System handle. The Pro+ Super System line of handles has long been a favorite of many window cleaners and the Zero Degree handle adds yet another dynamic addition to a great line of tools. This new handle fits all of Ettore’s channels.

Essentially, zero degree squeegee handles give window cleaners versatility to create their own angle with their squeegee which allows them to overcome obstacles due to this versatility. Zero degree handles make a great tool for delicate cleaning situations like cleaning the inside of a skylight where you will not have to crank your extension pole in any direction to close out your squeegee against the frame. Also in scenarios where you engage thick brush or landscaping that block access to lower panes, you can simply snap the handle into any extension pole using the quick lock feature and fan the pane from the ground standing far back from the glass and still close out flush leaving minimal detailing.

The standard Pro+ Super System Handle is designed exactly like the new Zero Degree Pro+ Super System Handle with the exception of the degree the channel sits in handle. The standard handle is angled 30 degrees to allow the channel to rest on the sharp corner of the rubber while in the users hand working close to the glass or with a pole where dipping the pole (higher panes) is an option. The zero degree gives the user the option of choosing their degree with more versatility and control. All tools have their purpose in a window cleaner’s arsenal and this new Zero Degree Pro+ Super System handle will make a great addition to the professional window cleaner’s road gear.

Here are some photos that show a side-by-side comparison of the standard Pro+ Super System handle and the new Zero Degree Pro+ Super System handle. You can see all of the features including; the rust free stainless steel hinge, fade resistant black high performance plastic and the flexibility of being compatible with all Ettore’s channels.

Wayne of Windows by Wayne tells you about how much he LOVES the Wagtail Squeegee and what he feels about Ecover Dishwashing Soap for Window Cleaning. He’s very enthusiastic about these tools! Have YOU tried them yet?

Veteran Window Cleaning is featured in this video. Here you will see them cleaning a 9 story apartment complex with a waterfed pole and boomlift. The Bryson Building is located in Los Angeles, CA and is a historical landmark.

Equipment used were Ionic Grafter Poles and RHG EZ Pure.

Disclaimer: Because this was a historical landmark and the frames were in need of repair, their customer felt is was only important to focus on the windows.

More Events!!

July 13: Waterfed & Pure Water Demo in Colorado (Details Later Announced)

July 28 Weekend: Window Cleaning Networks Annual Picnic in Oconomowoc, WI (Details Later Announced)

August 24-26: Marketing Bootcamp for Window Cleanings in Greensburg, Indiana

Sean Jackson, Field Representative for Unger Enterprises shows you his techniques on how to clean windows. Filmed at J.Racenstein Window Cleaning Supplies store in Carson, Ca.

Products Featured in this video are by Unger:

• Ninja Channel & Handle
• Ninja Bucket on a Belt
• Pouch
• Personal Bag
• Dual Leather Holster
• 6in Scraper
• 18in ErgoTec T-Bar
• 18in Monsoon Sleeve
• GoldenPro Brass
• 6in Brass Channel

• Scraper Mate
• Turkish Towels

There’s been a series of visual charts going viral around the internet lately about the preconceptions associated with a particular group of people or field of expertise. Since it was raining the other day for Grady’s Window Cleaning, he decided to jump the bandwagon and create one himself. It’s quite comical. What do YOU think you do?

Eliminate a big chunk of your workload without compromising the quality of your work.

You’ll never do those big storefronts any faster than with the Eliminator.

The Sörbo 3×4 Adjustable Eliminator with 40 degree safety end plugs is the most efficient squeegee in the Sörbo arsenal.

Sizes range from 48″ to 78″.

With this squeegee you can do as much work as 5 window cleaners* using an 18″ with every stroke.

Excellent for pole work, this is the money machine when cleaning large storefronts.

Check out the Eliminators here: http://www.jracenstein.com/catalog/Eliminator_Aluminum_Channels.html

A ledger is a squeegee handle that makes it easier to get to the bottom of the window and over a wide ledge while cleaning windows. The Ledger makes it possible to reach over window air conditioners and signs. It fits on the end of most extension poles with a wooden pole tip and hold any squeegee channel with two screws.

What’s going on in at the IWCA (International Window Cleaners Association) in New Orleans, LA (NOLA) ? Are you there? What do you see? New Products? Cool Tools?

Let us know by posting pictures or videos on our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/JRacensteinCo

What is this event? Read about it here: http://www.iwca.org/2012Conference

Steve

If you guys are currently in New Orleans, LA attending the IWCA Education & Forum Showcase make sure to stop by our booth and mention to Steve “I wanna ride the bull” and get an entry into a drawing for Dangerous Dave’s Bull Ring Towel Holster!

Drawing will be Friday at the end of Vendor booth time. 

We’re looking for pics that clearly show window cleaning tools doing their job, in your hands (or the hands of someone you work with). When possible the tools should be in as new condition as possible, but don’t hesitate to send in older equipment.

Specifically, we need photos that are bright, clear and hopefully colorful.

Click here to submit photos.

We’re looking for close-ups of your hands getting the job done:

• A hand holding steel wool working on hard-water stains
• A mop (t-bar) applying soapy water to glass
• A squeegee removing soapy water
• Before and after of a cleaning job, using a particular product (please name the product)
• A hand holding a scraper on wet glass
• A hand using a window cleaning rag or towel on glass or frames

Or, shots from further back that clearly show how a tool gets the job done.

• A Ledger cleaning glass above a wide sill
• A worker descending on a bosun’s chair (close up and/or further away)
• A worker cleaning glass on a stack ladder
• An extension pole being used to clean glass
• Interesting water-fed pole shots
• The inside of a tricked-out window cleaning van
• A worker cleaning glass wearing one of J. Racenstein’s shirts
• A worker coiling up a nice clean rope
• A worker using a window cleaning bucket

The best photos submitted will win some great PRIZES:

· CLX Hybrid WF Pole 18ft (1)
· 3Star Hybrid WF pole 31ft (1)
· Ettore Yellow Sidekick BOAB Holster (5)
· Ettore 14″ Backfliip(2)
· Professional Window Cleaning Blue Sweatshirt (2)

Photos must be of high enough resolution to print in our high-gloss, color catalog. They must be at least 300dpi and at least several inches tall and/or wide. Set your digital camera to its highest resolution (example: Smaller photos may only be usable on the web site.

Click here to submit photos.

Here’s a slide show with before and after photos of a glass restoration project at 1100 Peachtree Street in Atlanta Georgia.

5 Years after having the glass, precast concrete, anodized aluminum window frames, polished marble, polished and rough granite restored and protected using Presto Restoration Products.

Before Pictures Taken 2007 – After Restoration Pictures Taken 2012

Below, Presto’s Products Used For Each Services Performed

• Window Glass Restoration = Glass Resurfacer Final Polish
• Window Glass Protection = Glass Defender HD
• Precast Cleaning = Stone Restore Series
• Precast Protection = LeachStop Mineral Leaching Mitigation Treatment
• Anodized Aluminum Window Frame Restoration = EnviRestore MSR
• Anodized Aluminum Window Frame Protection = Metal Protector MD
• Polished Granite & Marble Restoration = Stone Restore PS
• Polished Granite & Marble Protection = LeachStop

Check out Presto Building Restoration Products Here: http://www.jracenstein.com/catalog/Presto_Restoration_Products.html

Winters coming in and purification systems are being put away. But you have to remember that they still need maintenance even when you’re not working. A few tips:

Drain your sediment, carbon, DI filters.
RO membranes are not meant to be dry so draining them is not a great idea.
This means you need to store the RO above freezing. So, most will store the entire unit above freezing.

If your only storage area is going to go below freezing, then get some heat tape from your local hardware store and wrap the unit up with it. It will turn on and off automatically and keep the unit warm.

Make several wraps around every cartridge with the heat tape to insure proper heat coverage.

Draining the cartridges serves two purposes:
1) To prevent freezing.
2) To prevent bacteria or mold growth