[Levi3xt]

I've been using a variety of methods to clean my car windows but most specifically the windscreen.

I'll outline various methods and hopefully some of you can add to what I do (I don't mind criticism as long as it's constructive).

For a quick clean I wipe down the windscreen to remove crud (water and a microfibre towel). Then invisible glass cleaner applies with microfibre to finishes it off.

For a better clean I've been using:

1. 50/50 mix of water and vinegar.
2. Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
3. Washed it with rubbing alcohol, then vinegar, then again with glass cleaner.

I read somewhere that a common modern misconception for leaving your car windows without streaks is to use newspaper. That may have worked well in the past due to the solvents and abrasive grit used in the ink, but new water-based inks just leave your hands blackened and smudgy.

Microfibre cloths: I find the "cheap" ones leave "sparkles" on the windows. By sparkles I mean, when looking out (from inside) with a light source shining from outside (Sun, torch etc) there are flecks of fibre glass looking sparkles. This doesn't happen with "good quality microfibre cloth. Note: These sparkles would also be on the paint work, except, of course you can't see them.

The cheap microfibre cloths gives no indication what they are made from. The better quality ones are usually made from 80 % polyester 20% polyamide (or 87/13 or 70/30.....I think 80/20 is best).

If your car has aftermarket tinted windows, do not use an alcohol-based glass cleaner. Instead, just clean tinted windows with soapy water (one drop of detergent in a spray bottle of water is sufficient).

You may have a clay bar and think it’s only for cleaning the paintwork, but a clay bar does a great job on glass. Use warm water in a spray bottle (warm water loosens grime better than cold water) and spray plenty of it onto the glass. Work the clay bar in all different angles. If you feel resistance, concentrate on that area to remove the embedded contaminants. Keep spraying plenty of water on the glass.

There is more I could add to the above but, will wait to see if other members are interested before adding more.

 

[NotAPreppie]

The sparkles are the fibers of the cheap microfiber cloths being left behind. You get what you pay for. I don't mind the cheap cloths when waxing paint because, like you said, you can't see the leftover fibers.

I've had the best luck with plain old Windex (blue alcohol/ammonia glass cleaner) and a pair of cotton terrycloth hand towels. One towel is for wet cleaning and the other is to sort of "dry buff" away any deposited cotton fibers. I haven't had luck with this method working with cheap microfiber sparklies.

I agree that a clay bar treatment on glass can really help with baked-on bugs and sap. My racecar gets tons of adhesive residue from registration and tech inspection stickers and I've found that starting off with GooGone and razor blade (at 45° angle) works wonders for removing that. Sadly, only replacement works on a pitted 20 year old windshield.

 

[DJ9999]

I use Sprayway glass cleaner and quality microfiber towels (that are only washed together, never mixed with laundry). I have zero streaks or fiber remnants on the glass. I am VERY picky on having spot and streak free glass due to my OCD. My method is simple and has worked well for year.

 

[Geezer]

Stoner's foaming window cleaner is what I have discovered is absolutely the best. It not only cleans the window in a spotless, steak free way, it is the easiest job to complete in the cleanup schedule.

Disclaimer: I do not work for or invest in Stoners

 

[anchorman]

I'm using Griots Garage foam spray but I always use blue paper roll for best effect.

 

[Bud4590]

You can also use steel wool on the outside of your glass. It will take bugs and contamination off your glass. I use stoners invisible glass on the inside of my cars....this stuff is awesome. It has no soaps or dyes in it. I also put a coat of spray wax on my windshield to help with rain and snow... I use meguiars wax for this part. I am a detailer at a Mazda dealership and this is some of the stuff we use on our cars.

 

[rockposer]

My wife's firm manufacture double glazing so she gets the cleaner they use. It's damn good because even I can't smudge it

 

[Craigh]

I have used so many sprays etc etc over the years and all worked well but after a while that film starts to build up on the glass and you can start again.

Last year I say a link to this site on the Vette forum.

ultimate cloth, mirafiber, mira fiber cloth, window washing cloth

Thought it was a bit too good to be true but lots of people said it worked.

Ordered a pack and shipped to Australia.

The are like thick flexible paper.

Just wet them, squeeze out excess water and wipe windows.

All I can say is it's the best I have used and it is now months and no film build up yet.

It will come back as I think it comes from the plastics with heat etc but it cleans them so well it gives clear glass longer than anything I have used.

Anyway, be sceptical, I was but for the price it's worth a try.

 

[Levi3xt]

Without exception, all the replies have been so interesting. There are several that I'd like a bit more comment on.

Bud said: I also put a coat of spray wax on my windshield to help with rain and snow.

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I can't come to grips with putting wax on a windscreen. Could this "waxing the windscreen" be expanded on?

Craig said: He Likes the Ultimate cloth. Can you tell me who you ordered this from? (I'm also in Aus).

Follow up to what I said earlier:

If you think about it, most of that "grime" is motor oil, fuel, and asphalt......all oil-based.

When cleaning the windscreen I see what looks like smears especially where the wipers clean. If I use Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) the smearing disappear. If I then use invisible glass cleaner the smears reappear so, obviously it not the road grime. From then on when using the wipers there is no streaking and the screen is crystal clear in the rain.

 

[Craigh]

Hi Levi3xt.

I ordered the cloths from the vender in the link I provided. southern car parts in the US

We use a shipping agent (shipito.com) so I normally just send things to may mailbox and then ship them to Australia once I have enough items to make a package worthwhile.

 

[NotAPreppie]

I thought everybody knew to clean their wiper blades with alcohol. Is that not common knowledge?

Using a spray wax on the windshield isn't much different than RainX.

 

[Geezer]

The use of Rain X is recommended and it is very much like a wax in that it leaves an invisible film on the windshield that water runs off (sheets off in downpours). I use it all the time. The only thing that bugs me is that the automatic wipers deploy when the windshield gets a bit wet which defeats the purpose of the Windex. (BTW I hate automatic wipers! I wish there was some way to pull a fuse that would disable it. I have looked in the settings for a way to defeat the damn thing, but to no avail).

 

[DJ9999]

Can't you turn the rain sensing wipers off? I can on mine and use them manually on in a fixed low/high setting.

But I love rain sensing wipers. I don't want a vehicle without them.

 

[jtonline]

I tried Rain-X on the windscreen of my last car and found it was great, until it came to driving at night in traffic or on country lanes when there was a light drizzle or fog. There simply wasn't sufficient water or speed of air to clear the droplets off the windscreen, so I'd have to use the wipers. Then the Rain-X caused the water droplets to smear making for very bad visibility.

I use Rain-X on the lights, side windows and number plates of the CX-3, but I'm not going to put it on the windscreen. As for putting any kind of wax on the windscreen and wiper blades, well, that just sounds mad to me.

 

[Levi3xt]

Bud. Your job (detailer at a Mazda dealership) throws me when thinking about waxing the windscreen. I figure you would know better than me still, I have reservations about doing it.

Suspose that old saying applies here: "Try to convince a man against his will, he'll have his own opinion still".

Thanks Craig for that info (shipped to Australia).

Couldn't agree more jt. "As for putting any kind of wax on the windscreen and wiper blades, well, that just sounds mad to me".

 

[anchorman]

I can't stand rain X or any wax on my windscreen. Like JT says, it's all well and good when it's sheeting down with good quality rain and you are moving along but get any spray or at night with the wipers and it looks like you are looking through a radar trace. It's then a pain getting it off.

Rockposer. I got some tins of Hurry Brothers spray foam but didn't mention it because I doubt anyone will recognise it but they were a big window and conservatory manufacturer up in Glasgow. The Griots Garage foam is the nearest to it I've come across.

 

[Bud4590]

We use a carnuba based spray on wax on the body of our vehicles we recon/detail where I work. It helps keep the paint nice and shiny and also helps with rain or road dirt from sticking to the cars. One day I tried it on a vehicle we were going to send to a local auto auction and I thought let's see what it would do to the glass...I applied it to the windshield wiped it off then ran it through our car wash and the water just beaded up and ran right off. I have tried off the shelf water repellent sprays and they do work ok but the wax we use just seems to last longer and make the windshield seem cleaner....strange but if it works I go with it haha...until I find a better combo of cleaners.