Scrapers are one of the most important tools in a Window Cleaner’s tool belt. Windows regularly need heavier cleaning than soap, water and a washer sleeve can provide. To remove paint, tape, stickers and construction debris like stucco or caulk, a razor-sharp scraper is a must.
Scrapers are precision instruments that must be used and maintained properly. They are also extremely sharp, so great care must be taken in their use, handling and storage.
Window cleaning scrapers are available in blade-lengths up to six inches, so large areas of glass can be cleaned with less effort. |
The Right Tool
All J. Racenstein's scrapers are presented in this catalog starting on page 41. Triumph, Ettore and Unger all offer scrapers ranging from three inches up to six inches. They all feature well made handles that hold the blade in a perfectly straight channel. If you do a lot of scraping you'll want a strong but light handle. Triumph offers angled handles, heavy duty handles, and one that has a closing mechanism for quick open and closing (most other scrapers have covers that need to be removed and then snapped back on). |
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How to Scrape
There are several important rules to consider when scraping:
- Only scrape wet glass, adding soaps helps even more
- Only push a scraper, never pull it back. Small bits of glass debris (see below) can get caught under the blade and scratch the glass
- Apply even pressure holding the blade flat against the glass
- Approach edges slowly so you don't cut caulk or damage frames
- Never scrape windows with tinted or mirrored film, the scraper will cut it and even lift it off the glass
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The Industry Standard
Triumph’s plastic handle with a six-inch razor-sharp blade; this will clean almost anything. |
Don't Touch
The razor-sharp blade is held securely in the handles reinforced channel. |
Selecting the Right Tool
The blade is what actually makes a scraper worth its weight in gold. A good blade is a precisely made, ultra-sharp and very thin piece of metal. If the blade isn't perfectly true it will not function properly. Looking straight down the blade when installed in the tool should reveal a perfectly true edge. The blades are commonly available in stainless steel or carbon steel. Carbon steel is preferred for heavy usage because it’s thicker and a little stronger, but the blades generally rust quickly, so they're really only good for one day's use. Stainless steel blades are far more resistant to rust, they are thinner and not quite as durable as carbon; if you only scrape occasionally, the stainless steel is the way to go. The blades are sold in ten or 25 packs, and come in clever dispensers that safely distribute one blade at a time, and also hold used blades in a safe chamber.
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Caution—Watch Out for Glass Debris Scratches
Believe it or not, some new glass is delivered with small (invisible to the naked eye) imperfections; small flecks of glass that become affixed to the glass surface during the manufacturing process. Window manufacturers don't admit it's there, but it is. Scraping windows with "debris" can be hazardous to your financial health; the debris can break loose and scratch the glass. If you feel or hear little "tic-tic-tic" sounds while scraping, STOP SCRAPING.
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 Fast and Safe Triumph's Z-40, the only scraper with a sliding lid for quick access and extra safety. |
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