Microfiber towel and any glass cleaner.
What to use on windows cleaning and maintaining.
- Thread starter phenomic
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There also used to be this stuff called "Glass Wax" which I believe was silicone-based. It was a pink liquid that you would apply like any other wax. It was quite good IMO but it took a fair amount of elbow grease and it tended to leave pink dust on the ledges.
I don't think it's made any longer but I have one or two old cans of it somewhere in the bowels of my home.
I don't think it's made any longer but I have one or two old cans of it somewhere in the bowels of my home.
I always use Stoner's and it's always done a good job. I recently switched to a microfiber towel instead of the blue shop paper towels or terry cloth. What a difference that makes. No streaks ever!
I think the microfiber is key!
I think the microfiber is key!
The Stoner Invisible Glass is the best cleaner I have found to date. I have tried the RainX brand and ArmorAll brand glass cleaners, pretty good but not quite as good as the Stoner. Glass Wax is good especially for stuborn problems. The really stuborn problems need Bon Ami, a feldspar and calcite "soft" abrasive cleaner. The NJ road environment is full of oil slinging traffic and clean glass is a constant battle.
Use a lightly dampened chamois. I use just plain windex for the tough stuff first, and then a damp chamois to finish. My windows are then spotless every time.
White vinager/water and newspapers. It's what our grand/great grandparents used. You won't beleive how well it works for the... (key words), "pennies that it cost"
diluted ammo and newspaper, the more ink the better, It apparently has more carbon black and thus polishes best,it gets so squeeky clean dogs will howl.
Tried a few different things on the inside of the older car today, with the window facing the sun.
91% alcohol with paper towels left hazy residue.
91% alcohol with newspaper left a streaky but clear film but no hazy residue.
White vinegar and water with newspaper left lots of hazy residue.
-20 windshield washing fluid, the blue stuff, with paper towels left a hazy residue.
-20 windshield washing fluid with newspaper worked best, only leaving a bit of streaky but clear film at some of the edges.
91% alcohol with paper towels left hazy residue.
91% alcohol with newspaper left a streaky but clear film but no hazy residue.
White vinegar and water with newspaper left lots of hazy residue.
-20 windshield washing fluid, the blue stuff, with paper towels left a hazy residue.
-20 windshield washing fluid with newspaper worked best, only leaving a bit of streaky but clear film at some of the edges.
I've used Bon Ami a couple of times, it cleans stuff up pretty good and it doesn't scratch (just like it says). I'd also recommend Stoner's. I use blue shop towels, they might not be quite as good as newspaper, but they get the job done and quickly too. Also microfiber towels do a good job, I sometimes use microfiber mitts for the inside.
Propflux01
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Forgive my ignorance, but do you use this 'professional squeegee on the inside of the glass? if so, where would you purchase one? any problems gettin into the 'tight' spots near the dash?
Bought some Stoners 'Invisible Glass' I think it's called. It's one of those 'no brainer' products, like a Weber chimney for starting charcol, just buy it, as like others have said it's really good stuff. I used newspaper instead of paper towels.
I hear you should avoid colored ink.
Being an ex truck driver,and always cleaning my windshield, while sitting getting unloaded or loaded or just down time waiting etc, an older truck driver who is retired now, told me to use (coke cola ) you wont believe how clean your windshield will get, by far out performs any thing on the market, just have to be carefull how you use it,
I used to own a detail shop and HATED doing "winders". If I was doing a car, I'd get one of my employees to do the windows. He was amazing. Made his own mixture of ammonia and water and used newspapers. Best window job I've ever seen. I watched and tried to learn several times, but to no avail. I left the windows to him, he left the buffing to me.
Now on my vehicles I use 20/20 window cleaner and a microfibre towel. MF towels are great.
Now on my vehicles I use 20/20 window cleaner and a microfibre towel. MF towels are great.
"Now on my vehicles I use 20/20 window cleaner and a microfibre towel. MF towels are great. "
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Now that's a roger.
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Now that's a roger.
I've found this the most effective as well. It also helps to do it in the shade, away from direct sunlight.
The key to clean windows is less the choice of product, but more of technique. Any reputable product will clean most road grime. After cleaning with the product of choice, immediately buff the glass with a clean, dry towel (I prefer microfiber designed for glass). This buffing with the dry towel removes the streaks that would otherwise be left behind by the cleaner. You'll get the hang of it after doing it a few times.
Another important thing is the cleanliness of your towels. They must be very clean, and not have been washed with fabric softener. If I don't use my glass microfiber (it has a very short nap, if any), I opt for cut-up old white sheets. Work great, and are cheap. Just check with the wife before cutting up her sheets.
Cleaning windows while they are in the sun is a good way to get streaking. Using most paper towels can cause streaking because of the glues used in their manufacture. So can using towels that have been washed but not rinsed thoroughly or where any type of fabric softener has been used.
I have used many different glass cleaners, including Stoners, 20/20, Windex (contains ammonia, so not on tint), Sprayway, etc. With the buffing technique, I get outstanding results with all of them. I am currently using "Trouble Free Glass Cleaner" from Advance Auto Parts with excellent results mainly because it was much cheaper than the others.. I also carry a spray bottle with Prestone windshield Washer fluid mixed with 25% rubbing alcohol and 25% distilled water in my trunk for emergencies. It's very effective also, especially on bugs.
My windows get cleaned daily, either by a squeegee with the morning dew, or by glass cleaner after the dew dries. This keeps them from being extremely nasty at any time. I also apply RainX approx every 6 months, or AccuVision every 3 or so on ALL exterior glass, including mirrors.
I hope this was all crystal clear for the sake of clean glass! I really don't like doing windows, but I hate dirty glass even more. Glass really shouldn't even be seen.
Dave
Another important thing is the cleanliness of your towels. They must be very clean, and not have been washed with fabric softener. If I don't use my glass microfiber (it has a very short nap, if any), I opt for cut-up old white sheets. Work great, and are cheap. Just check with the wife before cutting up her sheets.
Cleaning windows while they are in the sun is a good way to get streaking. Using most paper towels can cause streaking because of the glues used in their manufacture. So can using towels that have been washed but not rinsed thoroughly or where any type of fabric softener has been used.
I have used many different glass cleaners, including Stoners, 20/20, Windex (contains ammonia, so not on tint), Sprayway, etc. With the buffing technique, I get outstanding results with all of them. I am currently using "Trouble Free Glass Cleaner" from Advance Auto Parts with excellent results mainly because it was much cheaper than the others.. I also carry a spray bottle with Prestone windshield Washer fluid mixed with 25% rubbing alcohol and 25% distilled water in my trunk for emergencies. It's very effective also, especially on bugs.
My windows get cleaned daily, either by a squeegee with the morning dew, or by glass cleaner after the dew dries. This keeps them from being extremely nasty at any time. I also apply RainX approx every 6 months, or AccuVision every 3 or so on ALL exterior glass, including mirrors.
I hope this was all crystal clear for the sake of clean glass! I really don't like doing windows, but I hate dirty glass even more. Glass really shouldn't even be seen.
Dave
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