What's your INSIDE the windshield cleaning routine?

[BISCUT]

Who actually gets newspapers anymore?

I remember way back people saying that but I found many to leave ink streaks. Maybe it was just the newspapers dad had. I found regular paper towels better and more convenient until I got Micro Fiber cloths and have not gone back.

I use SprayWay and Invisible glass mostly.

If it's fogging often, check under your carpet for moisture from leaks.

Some vehicles do not automatically turn on the AC when trying to defrost but that is mostly older ones OR if you do blend defrost/floor. Make sure AC is on and working as it will help dehumidify. I can do mine on floor air flow and turn AC on and it clears.

I get advertising mailers weekly and it's old school newspaper style. I use these and I don't get streaks.

 

[Tdog02]

Timely topic.
I recently watched several glass cleaning tutorials on youtube and set about cleaning the inside of my windshield. My biggest problem is due to the angle of the windshield I have the hardest time putting enough elbow grease to really wipe away that vinyl oily film that accumulates.
I have used the extenders and micro-fiber cloth, and waffle weave cloth and paper towels. I tried the magic eraser trick too. It just takes time and multiple wipe downs to get it as near perfection as I can. Good tips above, the kitchen dish scrubber pad does better than the magic eraser for me. And liquid is the key, no matter your choice it needs to be wet while rubbing the window.

For the outside, using a clay bar will really get the grime off. Currently I am testing out aquapel to see if it will work as well as the product claims. Low budget tip, you can use steel wool (exterior) on a clean dry windshield to "buff" out the glass. (be gentle)

 

[Sequoiasoon]

For the outside, using a clay bar will really get the grime off. Currently I am testing out aquapel to see if it will work as well as the product claims. Low budget tip, you can use steel wool (exterior) on a clean dry windshield to "buff" out the glass. (be gentle)

Make sure if you use the steel wool it is 0000 Super Fine not other versions. But that is for outside.

I use Aquapel as it last longer than Rain-X. You can watch the PF videos on it also. My experience is that the Rain-X works at a lower speed than Aquapel. Rain-X is convenient and not expensive.

With many of the new ceramic/graphene coatings they also work pretty well.

Make sure you find a reputable supply place for the Aquapel. If it seems cheaper and a "good deal" it is probably fake. Ebay had many complaints and also some on Amazon.

 

[OVERKILL]

My experience with Windex has been the same as many: streak city and it doesn't seem to get that greasy film off. However, we've got some odd aerosol glass cleaner at work that I tried (that has an exposure warning on the can, lol) that makes it crystal clear in a single application. I'll get the name of it, but it's the best glass cleaner I've ever used by a huge margin.

 

[Kira]

crumbled-up newspapers and Windex.

Just keep in mind that newspapers with color photos is a huge NO-GO.
There's a layer of white ink (a primer, perhaps) lain before the colored ink. This white ink goes into solution instantly, becoming a mud which is a bear to wipe up.

And Overkill, do get that product name. I so want to use a cleaner with a warning.

 

[BISCUT]

Just keep in mind that newspapers with color photos is a huge NO-GO.
There's a layer of white ink (a primer, perhaps) lain before the colored ink. This white ink goes into solution instantly, becoming a mud which is a bear to wipe up.

And Overkill, do get that product name. I so want to use a cleaner with a warning.

True! Good point. I don't use the colored ads.

 

[ant]

I use distilled water with a few drops of Dawn, a small silicon squeegee and a microfiber towel. Works much better than anything I've tired and the quickest. I've tried many glass cleaners, alcohol etc, and this method is the best by far.

 

[KrisZ]

My experience with Windex has been the same as many: streak city and it doesn't seem to get that greasy film off. However, we've got some odd aerosol glass cleaner at work that I tried (that has an exposure warning on the can, lol) that makes it crystal clear in a single application. I'll get the name of it, but it's the best glass cleaner I've ever used by a huge margin.

The bad stuff is usually the good stuff

 

[Pew]

Smoker here. I hate dirty windows. The best way is old school elbow grease and pressure. You know how sometimes you'll roll up behind a car with no tints at night and you notice the windows all blurry and yellow? Ugh.

I use the cheap blue microfiber roll of towels from Walmart with RainX on outside and Invisible Glass on inside. I will not use anything ammonia based. I start off with two all around the outside initially, and two on the inside. Then I go back around and do it again but I use 1 new microfiber towel (same blue cheap stuff) on the front with and 1 per side. On the inside I do one new towel for the front and spread a new one for the others. New towels/passes if the glass is really dirty like during winter.

At my first job we used coffee filters. They worked really well but you basically need a decent amount to do a car. Vinegar also works really well but it smells.

EDIT: But I don't use any of those window cleaning tools anymore. After a while they seem to be permanently dirty and leaves streaks everywhere. Also, I noticed softer towels don't clean as well and leaves more streaks.

 

[OVERKILL]

Just keep in mind that newspapers with color photos is a huge NO-GO.
There's a layer of white ink (a primer, perhaps) lain before the colored ink. This white ink goes into solution instantly, becoming a mud which is a bear to wipe up.

And Overkill, do get that product name. I so want to use a cleaner with a warning.

Took me ages to remember to grab it, but I cleaned both windshields inside yesterday and remembered to snag a pic!

 

[Kira]

You're sayin' this works?

As circumstandos would have it....I got a 9" long straight crack in my windshield today.

 

[OVERKILL]

You're sayin' this works?

Yep, it's phenomenal.

 

[Kira]

Actually, there's another circumstando....I recommend a cleaner, Tuff-Stuff. It works too. Seats, etc.

 

[RedSpider]

Invisible Glass works very well. After I use that, I go back with a few paper towels very wet with distilled water and wipe it all down again, then use dry paper towels until its dry. I never see streaks anymore. If it hasnt been too long since I last cleaned them, I skip the Invisible Glass and just use the distilled water. Buck a gallon at Woolmat, I always keep a jug on the shelf.

 

[TomYoung]

Invisible Glass works very well. After I use that, I go back with a few paper towels very wet with distilled water and wipe it all down again, then use dry paper towels until its dry. I never see streaks anymore. If it hasnt been too long since I last cleaned them, I skip the Invisible Glass and just use the distilled water. Buck a gallon at Woolmat, I always keep a jug on the shelf.

Invisible Glass is my go-to, and I prefer the pump spray. I also buy that blue bottle of aerosol glass cleaner when it is on sale, but prefer IG. Also agree on whoever mentioned cheap rolls of microfiber towels... but for glass only. You want better towels for most other finish/detail tasks.