Detailing 101 Need to find out how to pamper your new MINI? Find out all the detailing secrets here.

Trouble cleaning the windshield

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 8, 2007 | 06:16 PM
  #1  
at7815's Avatar
at7815
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Trouble cleaning the windshield

So most of the windshield looks great, super clean and it beads water very nicely. However, there is one section right on the driver's side that seems as if there was some sort of slippery stuff on there and it doesn't bead water. It's really annoying when it rains.

I have used clay but it didn't seem to make a difference. I washed the car today and used Clarity but when wiping the glass it didn't seem to go away...any suggestions?????
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2007 | 06:31 PM
  #2  
Hogtied's Avatar
Hogtied
4th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: SE NC
This'll work..

I learned this from a professional car detailer - he's done RR's, Ferraris, Porsches, etc.. He knows detailing.

Get some 4-ought (0000) - or 5-ought if you can find it - steel wool, and a can of Bon Ami scouring detergent (it's non abrasive).

Wet about half the windshield, lightly sprinkle some Bon Ami on the glass, and then lightly go over it with the steel wool, using long, even strokes - keep the steel wool wet. Rinse and repeat. The steel wool will NOT scratch your glass.

Once you're done, be sure to rinse the area around the windshield real well - it'll help eliminate any possibility of any white residue remaining from the Bon Ami. You might even pop the hood and hose down the area just in front of the windshield as well.

The procedures above will work on any windshield. If you're familiar with that film that we all get after a year or so of driving - especially in industrial areas - the Bon Ami / 4-ought steel wool routine will get all the film off the glass.

Give it a try.. you can pick up 0000 steel wool at Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, or most any good Hardware store.
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2007 | 06:35 PM
  #3  
at7815's Avatar
at7815
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Thanks for the suggestion! I will give it a try when I get a chance...the car is only 2.5 months old! It's crazy, but yeah that's the right word - it's like a "film" on that little part of the windshield. I wonder how it's only there and not the rest...
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2007 | 06:53 PM
  #4  
paulgraz's Avatar
paulgraz
4th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Howell, NJ
I learned about Bon-Ami from Pat Goss on Motorweek years ago. I dont use the steel wool part, and even still it does a great job of removing grunge from the glass surface. I just wet down the glass, sprinkle the bon-ami over it, "scrub it down" using a sponge, working the bon-ami into a paste - then rinse. Rinse alot! I usually do this just before washing the car - and after it all dries I apply rain-x. The rain-x helps keep the grunge from coming back.

There's another product called "Barkeepers friend" that seems to be just about the same thing as Bon-Ami.

I've got 6 cars and I generally do this twice a year - spring and fall. It does not scratch the glass like most people think...

On the MINIs I also do the back glass...
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2007 | 07:28 PM
  #5  
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 4
+1 for RainX. this is where the rain-x's cleaning properties really make a huge
difference.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2007 | 11:44 AM
  #6  
umberto's Avatar
umberto
6th Gear
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 9
From: Milford Mass
I've used Bon-Ami too, with a sponge...but just very little...no scratches
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2007 | 06:34 PM
  #7  
agranger's Avatar
agranger
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
You can get glass polish from several sources... I'm liking the one that Zaino sells right now. I use my Porter Cable polisher with an orange pad... 5 minutes later, the windshield is crystal clear!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LifeAfterBeetle
R60/R61 Stock Problems/Issues
15
Mar 2, 2016 07:10 PM
ECSTuning
Vendor Announcements
0
Sep 14, 2015 12:48 PM
Sc00terbum
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
6
Sep 11, 2015 07:17 AM
Gen1Parts
MINIs & Minis for Sale
2
Sep 7, 2015 03:50 PM
Gen1Parts
MINIs & Minis for Sale
0
Sep 7, 2015 01:37 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:53 PM.