Glass Cleaning Tips
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Former Vendor
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Glass Cleaning Tips
Recently, I have had a lot of people asking me for a recommendation on a good glass cleaner. Basically, they are asking because they are seeing streaks after cleaning their windows. So I thought I would pass along these glass cleaning tips so we can all have streak free windows...
1. Use an ammonia free glass cleaner.
As for a the original question, can I recommend a good glass cleaner, I really like 1z Einszett's Windscreen Clear, used full strength, and for an aerosol I like the Invisible Glass by Stoner.
Meguiar's Glass Cleaner Concentrate is awesome, but 1 gallon of concentrate turns into 11 gallons of glass cleaner once diluted, so it's generally more than anybody really needs.
I hope these tips help and please feel free to post or contact me with any questions!
-T
1. Use an ammonia free glass cleaner.
Ammonia will leave a film on automotive glass and aids in the removal process of aftermarket tint. If you have used an ammonia based glass cleaner on the interior of your windows, it may take two applications to remove the film created by the ammonia.
2. The more absorbent your towel, the better off you are.Microfiber is better than cotton towels, and cotton towels are better than paper towels or newspaper. In particular, a waffle weave glass towel, such as Autoality's Glass Towel, or a short looped microfiber towel works best. Most often, the streaking you see is dried glass cleaner that was not absorbed by your towel. I really like a 16" x 24" towel. This way I have a lot of clean sides to use when I fold it over. Once the side of the towel you are working with becomes wet, move to a clean dry side. A wet or saturated towel will push the glass cleaner around instead of absorbing it.
3. Bend at the elbow, not the wrist.My wife is famous for this. Its like she's waving at the glass. She will move her hand rapidly, bending at the wrist when cleaning glass. Wrong! You need to keep your wrist stiff and bend at the elbow. The longer wiping motion will allow your towel more time to absorb the glass cleaner, leaving a surface free of excess cleaner.
4. Work in the shade, not in direct sunlight.When working in direct sunlight your glass cleaner will dry on the window before you have a chance to remove it, creating streaks.
5. Wipe the inside of your windows in a left to right motion and wipe the outside of your windows in an up and down motion.This way, if there are streaks, you will know which side of the glass they are on.
6. You may be using too much glass cleaner.If the above tips did not correct your problems, this is probably why. As is the case with many detailing problems, the "more is better" slogan is not the way to go. If you use too much glass cleaner, no matter what you do, you may not be able to remove all the cleaner before it begins to dry. Try using less cleaner and this will most likely solve any lingering problems.
7. If you smoke in your car, use an ammonia free aerosol glass cleaner.I have found the foaming action of an ammonia free aerosol glass cleaner helps to lift the smoker's film off the glass. Some sprays work well, but I've found aerosols are the best.
As for a the original question, can I recommend a good glass cleaner, I really like 1z Einszett's Windscreen Clear, used full strength, and for an aerosol I like the Invisible Glass by Stoner.
Meguiar's Glass Cleaner Concentrate is awesome, but 1 gallon of concentrate turns into 11 gallons of glass cleaner once diluted, so it's generally more than anybody really needs.
I hope these tips help and please feel free to post or contact me with any questions!
-T
Last edited by Autoality; Feb 27, 2013 at 01:46 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: San Antonio, Texas
I have a quick question because I experienced something pretty dangerous a while back. I detail my own car and always use the right products. I actually use "armor all ammonia free" glass cleaner but this was what happened. It was raining pretty hard and it was pretty cold. Of course I had both my windows fully closes but while I was driving almost all my windows fogged up! I actually got nervous and I could not see anything while I was driving! I had to wipe the excess "moisture" just to see. Can anyone tell me what caused this?
6th Gear
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From: Graham, NC
I have a quick question because I experienced something pretty dangerous a while back. I detail my own car and always use the right products. I actually use "armor all ammonia free" glass cleaner but this was what happened. It was raining pretty hard and it was pretty cold. Of course I had both my windows fully closes but while I was driving almost all my windows fogged up! I actually got nervous and I could not see anything while I was driving! I had to wipe the excess "moisture" just to see. Can anyone tell me what caused this?
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