Windshield detailing

2wheelsx2

2wheelsx2

New member
Hi Everyone:



I've been lurking here for a month, and finally got up the nerve to ask a question which has been bugging me for a while. I live in rainy Vancouver, BC, Canada, and have tried a variety of ways to keep my windshield clean and beading, with varied degrees of success.



I have tried polishes and waxes on the glass and they all work great until I get into a misty type rain. Then the blades skip and leave a grungy residue on the windshield where they "stop" and go the other direction. Is this residue from the wax or polish, or is it just time for new blades?



TIA.



Gary
 
The wax residue could have gotten on the blades and that is causing the marks and leaving the residue. This is a common problem when things are put on windshields, they often destroy the wiperblades. I know this is a major problem with Rain-X.



You will probably have to replace your blades. To remove the wax wash your winshield with Dawn and that will strip any wax you put on it. Clay your windshield to help reduce skipping and chattering of the blades, the clay will help remove embedded grunge and should make the blades work smoother. :up :up
 
Thx.



So, is clay used the same way on glass as on paint? i.e. with QD and then you would have to wash again afterwards? Would I then polish the glass with an MF towel or something similar to get that detailed look?



Gary
 
Yes, clay works the same way glass. You use QD just like you would on paint. You can use a MF towel after if you like, it won't hurt anything. :up
 
Clay is used on glass like on paint and works great for removing overspray and other gunk.



I use a polymer sealant on the windows Zaino and klasse (2 cars)



The gook you are seeing is old wax product mixed with oxidized rubber from the blades. To check your blades look at them real closely. They should be kind square cut with out any tears or nicks. When I mean square cut not to a point but to say a 1/64" square edge.



Chips and cracks in the windshield do a lot of damage to blades as well as dead bug skeletons.



As for mist or fog I just put on intermittant and once in a while use the washer. Misty rain has all kinds of road gook in it that cruds up the windshield.



In my area I replace blades like 1 every 6-9 months or so. But I drive about 36000 miles a year too.
 
So if I applied, say, Meguiars #20 (that's what I currently use on my paint, with a wax topper), after cleaning the windshield thoroughly and replacing the blades, I shouldn't have the residue buildup anymore, correct?
 
I have not tried the Meguiars so I cannot say. But I would think so if it does not have wax in it. I also strongly suggest when cleaning your windshield wipe the blades with an old MF to clean them of gook as well. If the MF turns black the rubber is oxidising and you have two choices:



1- replace them

2- Clean with Alcohol then try 303 or such on them. Make sure you wipe off the excess when applying dressing to the blades. Otherwise smear city.
 
If you don't want any streaking or hazing then I would not put anything on the windshield. Anything you put on there will haze and streak somewhat and that can degrade your wiperblades faster.



If you put wax back on your windshield, you will get the same problem again. If you must put something on there just try the #20, but it may streak and smear just as bad and cause wiper problems.
 
I clean my blades every time I wash the car (usually once, but sometimes twice a week) and there is definitely some black coming off, so I guess I will just replace them.



I guess I will just clean the glass thoroughly. I know this might generate some heated debate, but is there any noticeable benefit to using special glass cleaners, vs. Windex, vs. plain carwash and water?
 
B]is there any noticeable benefit to using special glass cleaners, vs. Windex, vs. plain carwash and water?[/B]



Windex, from the times I've used it, streakes, and it can be quite visible when driving into the sun. It can look like a mess.



What is the best auto window cleaner or technique?



In the past, I have used Bar Keepers Friend, which just gets dirt and grime off, then I use rubbing alcohol with vinegar to get finger prints and spots off, then some Rain-X. It's done the job.



What about you guys? What's best?
 
Stay away from Windex. Get Stoners Invisible Glass or Eagle One 20/20 (or other brands without ammonia). Use a terry cloth or a MF or the special glass MF that CMA sells. They are safe for tinted windows as well. This will give you a fast and easy way to clean windows! No streaks, no muss, no fuss....



H
 
Stoners Invisible Glass is not available locally, but Eagle One 20/20 is. I am going to get some and try it out. Thanks a lot, guys.:cool:
 
My goofy technique:



Spray window (either inside or out) with either Stoners or EF window cleaner. Wipe with MF towel. Then buff with either another MF or those green cotton surgical towels. I prefer the surgical towels.



Thats it!



I will coat the exterior with some Z or klasse depending on what is on that particular vehicle.
 
I am OCD about my windows. I travel alot and hate driving a rental with dirty windows so I always pack a cleaning kit with me. The windows on my car are as clean as possible. I do them 2-3 times per week.



I have recently overhauled my window cleaning routine and thought I'd provide a few details:



Glass Cleaner - Sprayway and/or Stoner's. I am moving away from 20/20 since I have found both of the above to work better. Look for Stoner's Invisible Glass at your local Pep Boys. I discovered this on Sunday so it may be a new to your area.



Glass Towel - Viper Glass Cleaning Cloth from CMA. Incredible product. MF fibers are frayed/feathered to provide superior absorbtion ability. I had been using Griot's Garage polypropylene towels which I thought were the ultimate. The Viper towel blows away the Griot's product.



Glass Polish - Autoglym Car Glass Polish. Just got this in from CMA. Even a terrific cleaner and towel won't remove embedded grease, oils, deposits, and other yucky stuff. I used Autoglym this AM before going to work and found it to be a fantastic product. I did a quick clean with Sprayway and the poly towels (gotta use them up). Applied the Autoglym to the windsheild with a clean cotton diaper. It goes on just like wax or polish does. Hazes almost immediately. I looked at the diaper and it had dirt on it that I thought I picked up with the typical cleaning. Used another clean diaper to remove and polish the glass. A perfect job. Needs no follow up except for a little QD (not on the glass!) where the Autoglym dusted up.



The above process can be done on the inside of windows too.



Anyway, that's my system for perfect windows. Give it a try!
 
So ah, I can put regular paint polish of wax on my windows? I never really tried it, my 20/20 does a great job. I have noticed that when I get a bit of wax on my lights or turn signals that when I wipe it off it looks better, and I've heard that doing this was ok and a lot of people do it. I've just been unsure and didnt want to try anything before I found out whats ok. ;)



BTW, I'd only be putting it on my side windows, NOT the windshield.
 
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