I have some leftover, used clay in my garage that I haven't thrown away yet. I thought I read somewhere that you can clay the windows. Do I have to break out a new bar or can I use the nasty stuff? Is there any technique to it that I should know about. It seems like the clay would get stuck to the glass...

 

Nope, use the detailer/lube that came with it and do it just like you did it on the paint. Worked well for me.

 

And "old nasty" clay is ideal for glass... cause the glass is MUCH harder than your paint, so no worries about scratching it if the clay has a speck of grit in it...

 

I would be careful about grit even if it is only the windows. A grain of sand can scratch glass.

I do use my old clay for the windows, but if I drop it when doing the paint it goes in the trash. I have enough old clay for the windows there is no need to take any chances.

 

i use RainX to clean the windows on the outside. does a great job
removing just about anything...

 

+1 For RainX

 

I've used RainX and it works wonders, but I didn't think it had a cleaning purpose. Are you saying that you just use RainX to clean the windows, or use RainX while claying the windows?

 

Glass is such a durable chemically resistant surface that I would use solvents instead of something that might be abraisive like a used clay bar.

Break out the rubbing alcohol, acetone, or similar if you have gunk to remove that doesn't come off any other way.

I do know our window glass is somewhat soft because I scratched it with a razor blade once.

 

it will clean the windows especially oily gunk, waterstains, wiper
rubber marks, etc.

I don't need to use it that often, but i found that it was a better
cleaner than say a typical glass cleaner. glass cleaners work well on
clean glass with some smuges, fogging (on the inside), etc. when
you need super lifting, RainX has always been my first choice. if
that doesn't work, i got to my RC car motor spray.

i would not recommend using RainX on the inside glass as it is difficult
to remove the haze sometimes.

 

I figure I can get everyone going with this. To remove the really tuff build up on glass, I use a old time kitchen cleaner called BonAmi. BonAmi is sold to clean sinks, stove tops, cookware, and bathroom fixtures. It says on the can "Hasn't scratched yet / Since 1886" I have used it for a long time with great results. I find RainX works much better if the glass is real clean before I put it on, and this stuff will leave your glass cleaner than any other product I have ever tried. It is a powder, and the only part you need to be careful about is getting all of it off the car. I put some on the glass and rub it around with my hand. I do not use it every time I wash my car. When I do use it I do the windows first, and make sure a use lots of water to get it off the car. and I open the hood and make sure I get off what goes down there.

 

problem with household cleaners is they are too strong and can
potentially dry/damage/crack the rubber seals, plastics, even some paints.

i use RainX on a dirty (dirty meaning, rinsed but still dirty) winshield
using a soft paper towel and gently scrub down.

 

I just picked up some stuff called Glass Stripper from a NAPA store PN. GS-812. It's only $6 and seems to work pretty good. I wanted to make sure the windshield was clean before I treated it with Aquapel. I don't care for RainX as it wears off fairly quickly and when it does my blades chatter. Aquapel is not reported to do this. I haven't had it on long enough to know yet.

 

we're not talking about the beading capabilities of these products...

 

[quote=kenchan;1681062]problem with household cleaners is they are too strong and can
potentially dry/damage/crack the rubber seals, plastics, even some paints.

I agree that most household cleaners would be hard on rubber, plastic, and paint. BonAmi is not a harsh cleanser. The reason I am careful to get it all off is it would leave a white streak, They do not tell you on the can, and I am sure Heather would have a good idea, but I believe BonAmi is a mix of a mild detergent and Rottenstone. Rottenstone is a natural abrasive that breaks down similar to some automotive glazes.

 

That stuff is pretty potent. And you probably wouldn't want to get any of that stuff on your paint, especially if there's wax on it.

I went looking through my garage yesterday and I found some RainX that I'd bought last year. I put it on and it worked well, and it rained later to boot. Nice test for it. So there are conflicting opinions on the claybar aspect... I guess it just depends on the glass, right?