I was cleaning up a recently purchased 2007 MCS Convertible and noticed the windows all around had terrible water spots (both kinds where you can feel and not feel). I tried Invisible Glass by Stoners and also Vinegar. No spots were removed but it did make it clean. I then tried clay bar + lube and that removed a few of the water spots. I then tried Driven Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner which says you can use with #0000 Steel Wool + invisible glass as lubrication. I tried it on the sunroof and it worked great. I then tried it on a small spot on the driver side window (thankfully) because it caused small scratches/swirl marks.

Any suggestions for what the heck I did wrong? Are the Mini Cooper windows made from glass or some type of plastic resin?

I just ordered Griots Fine Glass polish and hopefully this will help with the swirl marks.

I appreciate any help or tips.

 

Try white vinegar to help remove water deposits. You need something to neutralize the minerals and the vinegar does this quite well. I've done this method and it has worked pretty well. If they're really heavy spots, you can wet the micro fiber towel and let it sit and soak. This works for them on paint as well. Might want to do a quick wax afterwards on paint or a water repellent treatment on windows. Might try the Griots to see if that gets rid of your swirl marks.

Here is a really good video on glass cleaning, hope it helps.

 

It's probably because you have a convertible with a sunroof.

Either way, Griots Polish will most likely not take the 000 steel wool marks out of glass. You'll need a professional glass polisher to polish it out or replace it.

 

From what I understand tempered side glass should not be polished because it is likely to shatter.

 

I was not thinking one time and used steel wool on my windshield. Hello new windshield!

 

I've heard about using the white vinegar before on Windows. I'll keep it in mind!

 

I'm still trying to get my head around the convertible/sunroof arrangement. Been a convertible guy for near 50 years, did I miss something?