I have been trying to clean the inside of windshields for years, but nothing works. No matter what I use, there is always still streaking and/or some kind of film left on the inside of the windshield. The awkward angle of the windshield makes wiping difficult, but I think there's more to it than that. Though I can't prove this, I suspect there is some kind of chemical reaction created by the sun beating down on the dash causing some form of gas that leaves a film on the inside of the windshield that may be impossible to completely remove. I have tried just about every type of glass cleaner and home remedy ever devised, but nothing works. Have any of you found anything that gets the inside of the windshield absolutely clean?
Cleaning the inside of the windshield
- Thread starter grampi
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What do you use to clean your dashboard with? A lot of dashboard/plastic cleaners cause off-gassing that results in film being deposited on windshields.
I struggle with it to. I typically use Eagle 20/20 applied with a cotton rag, and then use an MF towel to wipe it dry. Sometimes I have to repeat the process several times to get rid of all the smears.
I struggle with it to. I typically use Eagle 20/20 applied with a cotton rag, and then use an MF towel to wipe it dry. Sometimes I have to repeat the process several times to get rid of all the smears.
I use crumpled up Newspaper.
My old lady swears by a wet soft cloth. She just takes one of those blue soft cloths you can get a Sam's club and wipes it good. Then she takes a dry soft cloth and continues to wipe it down until it is completely dry.
But still, you are right. There is nothing that you can apply that will make it 100%. Even if you do get it completely clean, it doesn't take long for it to dirty up again.
But still, you are right. There is nothing that you can apply that will make it 100%. Even if you do get it completely clean, it doesn't take long for it to dirty up again.
I'd like to hear answers to this too. The film that develops every 6 months or so on the inside of the windshield is one of my pet peeves.
I've always just used Windex with a paper towel or squeegee to clean it.
I've always just used Windex with a paper towel or squeegee to clean it.
Originally Posted By: SrDriver
I use crumpled up Newspaper.
Me too. Sprinkle vinegar or isopropyl alcohol on some newspaper and wipe. Fresh crumpled dry newspsper to "rinse" and it seems to work.
I use crumpled up Newspaper.
Me too. Sprinkle vinegar or isopropyl alcohol on some newspaper and wipe. Fresh crumpled dry newspsper to "rinse" and it seems to work.
I use Stoner's Invisible Glass and regular paper towels. It works the best so far, but still leaves streaks that only show up at night when headlights are shining thru. I do believe the story about the plasticisers in the vinyl of the dashboard outgassing and causing the film.
Originally Posted By: ChiTDI
Originally Posted By: SrDriver
I use crumpled up Newspaper.
Me too. Sprinkle vinegar or isopropyl alcohol on some newspaper and wipe. Fresh crumpled dry newspsper to "rinse" and it seems to work.
I had to learn to clean windows streak free at used car lot when I first started my automotive career.
I used newspaper and found it helps when the glass is warmed from the sun.
Originally Posted By: SrDriver
I use crumpled up Newspaper.
Me too. Sprinkle vinegar or isopropyl alcohol on some newspaper and wipe. Fresh crumpled dry newspsper to "rinse" and it seems to work.
I had to learn to clean windows streak free at used car lot when I first started my automotive career.
I used newspaper and found it helps when the glass is warmed from the sun.
I dealt with this for a long time. The only thing I found that truly cleans it completely is a soapy sponge. I just take liquid dish soap (not Palmolive) and a plain old sponge in a bowl of warm water. Damp the sponge so it is just drier than dripping wet and go to town. It lifts the dirt off very well. Rinse the sponge often and you will be amazed how much dirt is at the bottom of the bowl when finished. I dry the windshield with a clean microfiber. My theory is that other cleaners leave residue and streaks because they just don’t have the ability to lift a lot of dirt. If I find any streaks after the sponge I just spray my microfiber with windex and wipe it down one last time.
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
i use spartan glass cleaner its an aerosol can spray. i get it from work. works very very good.
I have found that no matter what I use, I need to clean it 2-3 times to get it fairly clean. If you just go over it once, it ends up smeared all over and can be worse than when you started if you get the sun or headlights shining on it. Widex and a paper towel is ok, I've been using Stoner's Invisible glass lately (pre-moistened wipes) and those seem to work pretty good as well. Still takes 2-3 cleanings. Another thing that will help is to rub it really good with a dry cloth or paper towel when you are all done and it is already dry. Rubbing it after it is dry with a clean dry cloth seems to take some of the streaks away as well.
I think crumpled up newspapers work fine on the glass but I've had the ink from the print leak onto the trim of a window before. I'm not ever risking that again, the ink wouild not come off. I've done it several times over the years without a problem but the last time I tried I wrecked something and will never try it again. Maybe it was just a defective newspaper, but I'm not taking another chance.
I think crumpled up newspapers work fine on the glass but I've had the ink from the print leak onto the trim of a window before. I'm not ever risking that again, the ink wouild not come off. I've done it several times over the years without a problem but the last time I tried I wrecked something and will never try it again. Maybe it was just a defective newspaper, but I'm not taking another chance.
For the past 25 years or so I have just used the damp chamois (natural sheep skin) that I use to dry the whole car. It is especially nice because it preserves the tint film on my side windows. It seems to get the inside of the windshield very clean with no need to go back over it with a dry cloth.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
What do you use to clean your dashboard with? A lot of dashboard/plastic cleaners cause off-gassing that results in film being deposited on windshields.
I struggle with it to. I typically use Eagle 20/20 applied with a cotton rag, and then use an MF towel to wipe it dry. Sometimes I have to repeat the process several times to get rid of all the smears.
That's just it, I only clean my dash with a wet micro fiber cloth...I don't use any cleaners or dressings...whatever's ending up on the inside of the windshield is coming from the materials the dash is made of.
What do you use to clean your dashboard with? A lot of dashboard/plastic cleaners cause off-gassing that results in film being deposited on windshields.
I struggle with it to. I typically use Eagle 20/20 applied with a cotton rag, and then use an MF towel to wipe it dry. Sometimes I have to repeat the process several times to get rid of all the smears.
That's just it, I only clean my dash with a wet micro fiber cloth...I don't use any cleaners or dressings...whatever's ending up on the inside of the windshield is coming from the materials the dash is made of.
Originally Posted By: dparm
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
Do you find using this device less awkward than trying to wipe with just your hand and a rag?
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
Do you find using this device less awkward than trying to wipe with just your hand and a rag?
Originally Posted By: dparm
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
I bought one like this from the Dollar Store. It was worth about 50 cents.
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
I bought one like this from the Dollar Store. It was worth about 50 cents.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: dparm
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
I bought one like this from the Dollar Store. It was worth about 50 cents.
I'm guessing you didn't like it? Why?
Originally Posted By: dparm
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
I bought one like this from the Dollar Store. It was worth about 50 cents.
I'm guessing you didn't like it? Why?
Deltona Dave had an excellent thread about this very subject two years ago: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1813258
Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: dparm
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
Do you find using this device less awkward than trying to wipe with just your hand and a rag?
Yes, much easier on cars with severely raked windshields or rear windows. Also easy to get into corners and to apply even pressure.
They give you different bonnets in case you need to scrub something.
Originally Posted By: dparm
I bought one of those Invisible Glass wand/shammy things:
They're at most major auto parts stores and even Target. Works quite well.
Do you find using this device less awkward than trying to wipe with just your hand and a rag?
Yes, much easier on cars with severely raked windshields or rear windows. Also easy to get into corners and to apply even pressure.
They give you different bonnets in case you need to scrub something.
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
I use Stoner's Invisible Glass...
Me too, along with high quality micro-fiber towels to dry.
I use Stoner's Invisible Glass...
Me too, along with high quality micro-fiber towels to dry.
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