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Thread: What's the best thing to use to flawlessly clean windshield?

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    wh23g3g's Avatar
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    Default What's the best thing to use to flawlessly clean windshield?

    I know this isn't an exterior modification but I just want to know what others have tried. I cleaned my R/T and took it to a car show tonight. It was like 100 mile roundtrip and the whole way back at night I could see so much glare through the dirty streak filled windshield. I washed it with what I had at the house. I used some Armor All car wash, a wash mitt specifically I bought for this truck only, and a bucket I only use to wash this truck. I used a brand new in the package clean cotton towel and the Meguiar's glass cleaner spray to clean the inside of the windshield and took it with me to the show because I expected the streaks. It was so bad I had to pull over and wipe again halfway home. It's not fogging up it was streaks because they didn't come back after I wiped it again and I had the windows down instead of a/c on. The windshield isn't even a year old. It's a original manufacturer windshield I was told. I use to detail cars for a job when I was younger and I always had trouble back then getting crystal clear windows. I've used all different kinds of cleaner, mircofiber rags specific for windshield. Nothing is 100% but it seems worse in the Dakota. Maybe because it sits lower than my Ranger and the glare is worse. I know not to spray a lot of window cleaner to clean it. Has anyone had better luck using something else or cleaning a different way?

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    GoFastGray's Avatar
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    Autogeek.com

    They have clay bars for windshields and great products for cleaning. They also have products to get rid of years of hard water spots etching into glass.
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    BIGROB's Avatar
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    Invisible Glass works awesome. Best glass cleaner I've ever used and most auto parts stores carry it.

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    kota360's Avatar
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    If you have a lot of shit on the windshield, go to WalMart pharmacy and buy some 90% pure isopropyl alcohol. Put it in a spray bottle and spray windshield and wipe with clean dry terry cloth towel. Then use what ever window cleaner to finish. There is a steel mill across the bay from our yard at work and they are constantly spewing shit out, and that's the only way I get my windows clean.
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    http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-SUPERCLOTH...cAAOSwlfxXFi5Q My mother-in-law gave us some of these years ago. They work awesome on glass, mirrors, glass stove tops, you get the idea. No spray cleaner needed (unless the surface is really greasy). Just keep them clean. I use them on our house windows that face west into the setting sun.
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    Fine steel wool and soap if windshield has heavy bugs and tar/tree sap deposits
    Bar keepers best friend
    clay bar
    invisible glass and micro fiber towel
    glass sealer or high quality wax
    This signature has been deleted thanks to photobucket!

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    BIGROB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by slammedR/T View Post
    Fine steel wool and soap if windshield has heavy bugs and tar/tree sap deposits
    Bar keepers best friend
    clay bar
    invisible glass and micro fiber towel
    glass sealer or high quality wax
    I was waiting for the inevitable Bleach comment.......you disappoint me.

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    Quote Originally Posted by kota360 View Post
    If you have a lot of shit on the windshield, go to WalMart pharmacy and buy some 90% pure isopropyl alcohol. Put it in a spray bottle and spray windshield and wipe with clean dry terry cloth towel. Then use what ever window cleaner to finish. There is a steel mill across the bay from our yard at work and they are constantly spewing shit out, and that's the only way I get my windows clean.
    ^This 100%

    Clay bar the windshield with a light clay bar and use rubbing alcohol to clean the glass. Best thing I've used.
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  9. #9

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    I've used the non pumice gojo with excellent results. Works like a charm, I've never had good luck with anything else.



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    Motorhead's Avatar
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    Im 50 years old and in all of my years of trying different cleaners and methods, I've never in my life found anything that works as good as this shit right here:
    Goodluck finding it cause it was given to me.


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    I recall mom using a product called "Glass Wax" in the 40's and 50's for Christmas window stenciling. Never found a single thing that has worked better than the stuff for cleaning windows but anything that applies as a wax or "rub" on windows is better for a more thorough cleaning.

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    Quote Originally Posted by arro222 View Post
    I recall mom using a product called "Glass Wax" in the 40's and 50's for Christmas window stenciling. Never found a single thing that has worked better than the stuff for cleaning windows but anything that applies as a wax or "rub" on windows is better for a more thorough cleaning.

    How did that work out driving at night looking through the glass?? Absolutely no glare???
    Rubbing and waxing sounds like too much work for something that needs to be wiped once and done.
    Your problem isn't the problem. Your reaction is the problem.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Motorhead View Post
    How did that work out driving at night looking through the glass?? Absolutely no glare???
    Rubbing and waxing sounds like too much work for something that needs to be wiped once and done.
    Nothing is wiped "once and done" effectively or else you'd stink to high heaven.

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    Motorhead's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arro222 View Post
    Nothing is wiped "once and done" effectively or else you'd stink to high heaven.

    Obviously you've never tried any of the Car Brite products then have you?
    Your problem isn't the problem. Your reaction is the problem.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Motorhead View Post
    Obviously you've never tried any of the Car Brite products then have you?
    Not on my ass but hey, I'll give it a try.

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    Anything but Charmin upsets my hemorrhoids....

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    Do not use Armour All on your dash, it is oil based and will off gas in the heat sticking to your windshield. New vehicle dashes are mostly plastic and will off gas leaving the same film on your windshield. Use Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean moistened and wipe the glass several times. Then use Magic Cloth moistened and rung out dry wipe the glass, Magic Cloth will leave no water spots, it's frig'n MAGIC Cloth man! That's it, I use it inside and then do the outside, stupid clean glass with no marks or residue. New wipers help too...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Wiggsy72 View Post
    Do not use Armour All on your dash, it is oil based and will off gas in the heat sticking to your windshield. New vehicle dashes are mostly plastic and will off gas leaving the same film on your windshield. Use Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean moistened and wipe the glass several times. Then use Magic Cloth moistened and rung out dry wipe the glass, Magic Cloth will leave no water spots, it's frig'n MAGIC Cloth man! That's it, I use it inside and then do the outside, stupid clean glass with no marks or residue. New wipers help too...
    The alcohol in armor all dry's out the dash over time and makes it more prone to cracking, also like Wiggys said the oil in armor all will off gas, shit is horrible for painters......
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    Motorhead's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arro222 View Post
    Not on my ass but hey, I'll give it a try.

    The topic was windshields not your face.
    back on topic.
    Your problem isn't the problem. Your reaction is the problem.

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    Motorhead's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wiggsy72 View Post
    Do not use Armour All on your dash, it is oil based and will off gas in the heat sticking to your windshield. New vehicle dashes are mostly plastic and will off gas leaving the same film on your windshield. Use Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean moistened and wipe the glass several times. Then use Magic Cloth moistened and rung out dry wipe the glass, Magic Cloth will leave no water spots, it's frig'n MAGIC Cloth man! That's it, I use it inside and then do the outside, stupid clean glass with no marks or residue. New wipers help too...

    Never cared much for that crap. It probably been at least ten years since I've used any.
    Your problem isn't the problem. Your reaction is the problem.

    http://www.dakotart.com/forum/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=14597&dateline=143749  2005

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    When cleaning glass with caked on bugs, first look to soak the windshield in a solvent based product of your choice. I will use an awesome product by the name of "tarminator" made by stoner solutions. This will penetrate any left over acidic bug guts that may be slightly bonded to the glass. Once the windshield is free of bugs, run over the glass with a clay bar to lift any left over or hidden contaminants, the smoother the surface, the better bond you will have when applying protection such as a wax or sealant. At my shop we will also use an oil & polish remover named "eraser" this can be bought at www.carpro-us.com. Extremely easy to use and very effective for fingerprints and the cloudy inner side of windshield. After the windshield has been prepped and cleaned look to apply a protection of your choice. A sealant will help with water beading when raining & releasing of bugs when washing.

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    Usually use Invisible Glass on the inside. Works well and doesn't harm window tint.

    Outside I usually claybar to clean residue/water spots and then Rain-X to keep stuff from sticking. Once I get a good coat of Rain-X, cleaning the outside is easy with car soap and water and just re-apply every few weeks.

    The gas off the plastic dash is a pain. The invisible glass will get it, but it may take several wipe downs.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Motorhead View Post
    Im 50 years old and in all of my years of trying different cleaners and methods, I've never in my life found anything that works as good as this shit right here:
    Goodluck finding it cause it was given to me.


    20170830_104005.jpg
    $5.00 a can. Not to bad.

    http://www.carbrite.com/products/Ext...Glass-Cleaner/

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    9t9-5.2's Avatar
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    Clay bar, Invisible Glass Cleaner with several microfiber towels, followed by Aquapel (chit will last nearly a year) glass treatment.

    "Excuse me if I have some place in my mind, where I go time to time"

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