Accumulator
Well-known member
The jug I have says "50:1 Glass Cleaner", that might be the actual product name, but I dunno for sure (won mine as a prize).
Best glass cleaner?
- Thread starter bob m
- Start date
The jug I have says "50:1 Glass Cleaner", that might be the actual product name, but I dunno for sure (won mine as a prize).
Accumulator
Well-known member
So they changed the formula too, and not just the can?
When Zep40 cans shrank at least they still kept the same product.
Same experience here *with consumer Glass Cleaners* like Windex. With the commercial stuff like Zep the ammoniated stuff works fine for me as long as I keep it off certain materials.Coleroad said:
Tc99m
Member
It forms in my mix bottle which is a clear 16oz bottle. I also use distilled water. So I assume it is the light triggering the growth. It has happened twice. So I just checked my current bottle stored in the dark and it`s clear.
Billy Jack
Member
I have Rupes, Sprayway, Stoner`s, Meguiar`s Perfect Clarity & D120 on my shelf and reach for D120 most often. I do believe that technique and towels are more important than the liquid. I use a mid-grade, non-linting MF or a demoted WW as my "mop", then follow it with a low-nap dedicated window towel as a polisher. I`ve tried other chemicals and other towel combinations, but nothing seems to work any better than my standard routine. Of course I`m from PA, so I don`t often deal with 100 degrees and blinding sun like you guys in Florida.
Bill
Bill
Accumulator
Well-known member
Tc99m- Ah, OK...thanks for the heads-up, I`ll be keeping an eye on mine.
Yesterday I had a really nasty salt-mess on the Tahoe`s windshield/backlight...genuinely awful, a crusty white/brown buildup. Had to do the following:
-Zep40 via cotton
- " via WWMF for Glass
-3D via PFM for Glass
I probably could`ve skipped that middle step, but those PMFs for Glass are *so* small that I wanted to save them for the final pass(es).
Yesterday I had a really nasty salt-mess on the Tahoe`s windshield/backlight...genuinely awful, a crusty white/brown buildup. Had to do the following:
-Zep40 via cotton
- " via WWMF for Glass
-3D via PFM for Glass
I probably could`ve skipped that middle step, but those PMFs for Glass are *so* small that I wanted to save them for the final pass(es).
Desertnate
Active member
Uh, Oh. That isn`t good news. I bought a couple cans a year or two and am finally getting low. I hope the product in the spray can at Walmart or Tru Value hasn`t changed.
WaxManRonnie
New member
There are many great glass cleaners on the market. I prefer Aquapel`s glass cleaner. But I think more than that, what you use to clean them with is the key. I have micro fiber glass rags that I only use on cars. And they work fantastic. Sometimes I might use a detail spray to clean the windows as well. But it`s the rags that you use that makes the difference.
WaxAddict
New member
I have a few really good glass cleaners, 1Z among them (the best), but when I get window cleaners on paint, I`m always like, "hmmm, is that bad?" Thus, I really like Poorboy`s Spray & Wipe as a glass cleaner. Made for paint, works great on glass!
WaxAddict
New member
That Gyeon Silk Dryer is SUCH a good towel. I bought mine just as the hype about GG PFM towels started, and I haven`t been tempted by the PFM`s at all because this Silk Dryer is SO good. It finally replaced Dry Me A River as my favorite drying towel. Sorry, off topic a bit.
jtford95
New member
I use Ardex Heavy duty Glass cleaner. Can be deluted as well.
Also have recently tried The Amazing Whip-It glass cleaner. I was surprised how well it worked. And inexpensive also
Also have recently tried The Amazing Whip-It glass cleaner. I was surprised how well it worked. And inexpensive also
dschribs
New member
This is the area of detailing that ALWAYS gave me fits. No matter what brand of glass cleaner I used, I could never end up w a streak free windshield. Especially on the interior of the car.
So awhile back I was searching "Cleaning Windshield" on You Tube and came across a guy that recommended the following:
- 2 Cups Water (I use distilled water)
- 1/2 Cup White Vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon of soap (I use Dawn)
It worked better than any glass cleaner I have ever used. Amazing. I may follow it up w something like a Sprayaway or a Stoner`s - sort of as a final "fine tuning" step - but 99% of the time you won`t need to. I`ll never go back to using anything else for glass cleaning.
I use these towels for glass cleaning:
https://www.theragcompany.com/16-x-24-standard-waffle-weave-royal-blue-microfiber-towel/
Link to the You Tube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3qV-4UAIbw
So awhile back I was searching "Cleaning Windshield" on You Tube and came across a guy that recommended the following:
- 2 Cups Water (I use distilled water)
- 1/2 Cup White Vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon of soap (I use Dawn)
It worked better than any glass cleaner I have ever used. Amazing. I may follow it up w something like a Sprayaway or a Stoner`s - sort of as a final "fine tuning" step - but 99% of the time you won`t need to. I`ll never go back to using anything else for glass cleaning.
I use these towels for glass cleaning:
https://www.theragcompany.com/16-x-24-standard-waffle-weave-royal-blue-microfiber-towel/
Link to the You Tube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3qV-4UAIbw
Accumulator
Well-known member
Heh heh...that YMMV! just keeps happening 
I was never satisfied by any of the Homebrew Glass Cleaners and I`ve never liked using QD/RW on `em either. Never know what`ll work for you/not until you try...
I was never satisfied by any of the Homebrew Glass Cleaners and I`ve never liked using QD/RW on `em either. Never know what`ll work for you/not until you try...
LEDetailng
New member
Guess what I found in my garage last week.
Hidden on a shelf behind some No Touch tire dressing, a brand new dust covered can of Zep40 glass cleaner. FYI, I don’t store any of my detailing supplies out in the garage. These products have been out there since 2010, pre-Autopian/Autogeek Days.
I brought the aerosol can inside and let it warm up. Few hours later I tried it out and it spray foamed and flowed as if it was brand new. Now I need to try it out. I’ve got a dirty windshield at work that hasn’t been cleaned in months. I’m excited to see how it works. It has been years since I used Zep40.
Yeah Accumulator, I’ll keep it off delicate plastics
Hidden on a shelf behind some No Touch tire dressing, a brand new dust covered can of Zep40 glass cleaner. FYI, I don’t store any of my detailing supplies out in the garage. These products have been out there since 2010, pre-Autopian/Autogeek Days.
I brought the aerosol can inside and let it warm up. Few hours later I tried it out and it spray foamed and flowed as if it was brand new. Now I need to try it out. I’ve got a dirty windshield at work that hasn’t been cleaned in months. I’m excited to see how it works. It has been years since I used Zep40.
Yeah Accumulator, I’ll keep it off delicate plastics
Accumulator
Well-known member
LEDetailing- Heh heh, yeah I *BET* you will...still remember that Cadillac, huh?!?
Is that one of the old, big cans? Must be if it`s that old..I`ve saved one just for, well...the sake of having a big `un on hand.
Is that one of the old, big cans? Must be if it`s that old..I`ve saved one just for, well...the sake of having a big `un on hand.
LEDetailng
New member
24oz, I believe its the big can. I think what makes Zep40 so effective is its high alcohol content. That was the first thing I noticed when I smelled the aerosol for the first time in years. Makes me wonder how effective my IPA/distilled water mix would be for maintaining my always clean interior windows.
Accumulator
Well-known member
LEDetailing- On the home-brew, I might be in some alternate universe as others say such mixes work well but not for me. Heh heh, none ever worked like Zep40, that`s for certain!
And yeah, that`s the big/old can Now the`re 18oz. and more expensive to boot. And now it`s not called "Glass Cleaner", but rather "Cleaner for Non-Conductive Surfaces". I bet somebody trashed some tinted windows with it, forcing the name change.
And yeah, that`s the big/old can
Now the`re 18oz. and more expensive to boot. And now it`s not called "Glass Cleaner", but rather "Cleaner for Non-Conductive Surfaces". I bet somebody trashed some tinted windows with it, forcing the name change.
LEDetailng
New member
LEDetailing- On the home-brew, I might be in some alternate universe as others say such mixes work well but not for me. Heh heh, none ever worked like Zep40, that`s for certain!
And yeah, that`s the big/old can
Funny, I looked at the can and mine doesn’t say glass cleaner. “Streak free cleaner, Zep40, for non-conductive surfaces”
Mine is reminent from my dad’s car lot. We ordered Zep products by the case.
skibik
New member
Wasn`t there a rag or cloth that all you had to do was wet them with water and wipe the glass, no cleaner. I thought it was all the age here for a while. What ever happen to those?
I don`t use anything pricey, just Glass Plus. It is ammonia free and I have it around for cleaning my eyeglasses as you don`t want the ammonia vapor getting into your eyes when it is flashing off if you put them on right away after drying. For a bug encrusted windshield I use regular old Windex. I use old bath towels, or even old T-shirts(100% cotton), for drying and if it looks streaky grab a newspaper page crumple it up and run it across the glass, it seems to work for me. I quit using microfiber on glass because after I had used them backing the car out of the garage and into the sun I had all those fine microfiber hairs all over the windshield. First time I couldn`t figure out what it was, second time I figured it out and that was the end of them.
I don`t use anything pricey, just Glass Plus. It is ammonia free and I have it around for cleaning my eyeglasses as you don`t want the ammonia vapor getting into your eyes when it is flashing off if you put them on right away after drying. For a bug encrusted windshield I use regular old Windex. I use old bath towels, or even old T-shirts(100% cotton), for drying and if it looks streaky grab a newspaper page crumple it up and run it across the glass, it seems to work for me. I quit using microfiber on glass because after I had used them backing the car out of the garage and into the sun I had all those fine microfiber hairs all over the windshield. First time I couldn`t figure out what it was, second time I figured it out and that was the end of them.