Post by Mike B on Aug 9, 2008 3:08:21 GMT -4
This is from Autogeek.net They have many more car care tips, just click on their banner up above and go to the "Expert Advise on the lower left of the screen.
Clean automotive glass is possible with the right products and techniques!
Clean glass not only looks better, it helps you drive better. We’ll tell you how to clean glass, even finicky automotive glass, with clear results. Clean, clear glass looks beautiful next to clean, waxed paint, and it improves your visibility while driving. Just a few extra minutes detailing your windows will add a sparkling touch to your vehicle’s finish and just might save your life!
The Facts About Glass Cleaners
Many glass cleaners contain ammonia, which is a great grease cutter but has some significant disadvantages when it comes to cars.
Ammonia can release dangerous fumes that should not be inhaled, especially in enclosed areas like the inside of your vehicle.
Chemically, ammonia acts to dry out plastic, rubber, vinyl, and leather.
Most significantly, in sunnier climates, car owners often customize with additional non-factory tinting. Ammonia based cleaners cannot be used on tinted windows. If your current cleaner does not state “ammonia-free” or “safe for tinted windows” you should find another cleaner.
NOTE: AVOID HOUSEHOLD GLASS CLEANERS, which almost all contain ammonia. A few examples of tint-safe glass cleaners are; Stoner Invisible Glass, DP Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner, and Meguiar’s NXT Generation Glass Cleaner.
A Tip for Tinted Windows: Use DP Plex-All to polish and protect the window tint. Apply it only to the inside of the glass where tint is visible. It will seal the tint material (Mylar) and keep it clean. DP Plex-All is non-static, non-streaking, and it dries crystal clear.
Some people prefer to use plain water to clean their windows. While this is a very safe method, water is not enough of a solvent to cut the protein base of stubborn spots, like bug remains. However, a glass-cleaning microfiber towel , like the Cobra Waffle Weave Microfiber Glass Towel, will provide a gentle scrubbing action to help remove contamination. Dampen this towel lightly and clean the glass. Then, flip the towel to a dry side and buff to remove every last streak. High quality microfiber is micro-engineered to eliminate lint and is extraordinarily absorbent to prevent streaking.
One hand tool that’s well worth a try is Glass Master Pro-Glass and Surface Cleaner. This long-armed glass scrubber can help you your SUV windshield and those hard to get at top of the cab windows or your sunroof.
Clean By Numbers
Detail your vehicle. Glass should be the last thing you do to avoid re-contaminating it during the detailing process.
Work out of the sun on dry windows. The sun can cause glass cleaner to evaporate too quickly and leave residues.
Spend some extra time on your windshield because you look though it more than the rest of the windows. Lightly dampen your microfiber towel with your cleaner of choice. We highly recommend DP Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner for its non-streaking, film-zapping performance. Wipe up and down and then side to side using long strokes. Flip the towel to a dry side to remove any remaining wetness from the windshield. Do the same on the back window.
Be sure to roll down your windows about half way so you can clean the top edges of the glass.
Whether you clean all of your inside or outside glass first, or if you favor the window-by-window approach, that is your preference.
You can’t always get it right the first time. It may take a mist of glass cleaner to remove stubborn film and then another cleaning with plain water to remove any streaks created by the film. It all depends on exactly what is on your glass. Don’t be afraid to use more than one cleaner on the same window, if that’s what it takes.
When you clean the inside of the back window, it may be helpful to use the backside of your hand to hold the towel against the lower edge of the glass. This technique will allow you to reach the bottom of the glass with greater ease. This is the perfect application of the Glass Master Pro Glass and Surface Cleaner. It can reach any spot on your windows and take it OUT!
Water Spot Eliminators
Water spots are mineral deposits that have etched their way into the paint and they can be very tough to remove. When a drop of water evaporates, all the minerals contained in that water remain on the paint. Etching is a gradual process, but those little spots will accumulate before you know it. The best way to avoid them is to dry your vehicle each and every time it gets wet. If that sounds too ambitious, at least dry it after washing and after a rain. If it’s already too late, here are some tips for removing those cloudy spots.
Glass can take a polish just like paint. A quality glass polish like DP High Performance Glass Restorer will remove water spots and cloudiness to restore perfect clarity to your windows. You can apply it by hand or with a polisher, but set your machine on a low speed (1000-1200 RPM on a rotary or 5-6 OPM on a dual action) and use a polishing pad. Do not apply pressure; the pad will do the work for you. When the polish starts to dry, stop polishing and buff the residue away with a microfiber towel.
Another option is Diamondite Spray Clay. This is a clay foam that removes embedded contaminants from glass, as well as mineral deposits, using an included sponge. Spray Clay is part of the Diamondite Glass Cleaning System, which also includes Diamondite Glass Cleaner and Diamondite Shield. Spray Clay will not remove etching, but it will correct spots that are still on the surface.
Diamondite Shield will keep your glass clean and provide some protection against future water spots. It seals the glass and causes water to bead. Think of it as a wax for your glass. It improves the performance of wipers and provides a huge improvement in visibility when it rains.
Don’t Forget the Wipers!
Part of keeping your glass clean is keeping your wipers in working order. The rubber strip can dry out and crack so that it doesn’t hug the glass properly. Therefore, it’s inefficient at clearing water off the windshield. If you maintain your wipers, you won’t discover they’re dried out when you need them most, like in a rain storm.
Wiper blades are inexpensive enough to replace, but you will get more life out of each set if you treat them with a rubber protectant made for wipers. 303 Wiper Treatment Wipes are pre-soaked wipes that keep the rubber soft and supple so the wipers hug the glass properly. Treated wipers will not skip or chatter, and they will remove water and surface debris more effectively. 303 Wipes also keep your wiper blades from freezing so they can better clear snow and ice from your windshield. Check your wipers periodically to be sure they are working well and treat them immediately if they appear to be dried out.
Another way to keep your windshield clean is washer fluid additives. Typical washer fluids available at your local auto store are highly diluted and remove little more than dust. Several companies have formulated concentrated additives that give your regular washer fluid a much-needed boost. P21S Windshield Wash Booster is a great product. It supercharges your generic washer fluid specifically to cut through stubborn films and bug debris. It can be added both to antifreeze washer fluids, as well as plain water. Overspray will have no impact on paint or trim.
Wurth Windshield Wash Additive serves the same purpose, but it has antifreeze protection already added to the formula. It will provide frost protection down to -22°F. This product is perfect for cold, snow-prone climates.
Remember, if you use washer additives and a glass sealant, your windows will not require strenuous cleaning each time you detail your vehicle. A little preventative maintenance will take the aggravation out of window cleaning.
Clean automotive glass is possible with the right products and techniques!
Clean glass not only looks better, it helps you drive better. We’ll tell you how to clean glass, even finicky automotive glass, with clear results. Clean, clear glass looks beautiful next to clean, waxed paint, and it improves your visibility while driving. Just a few extra minutes detailing your windows will add a sparkling touch to your vehicle’s finish and just might save your life!
The Facts About Glass Cleaners
Many glass cleaners contain ammonia, which is a great grease cutter but has some significant disadvantages when it comes to cars.
Ammonia can release dangerous fumes that should not be inhaled, especially in enclosed areas like the inside of your vehicle.
Chemically, ammonia acts to dry out plastic, rubber, vinyl, and leather.
Most significantly, in sunnier climates, car owners often customize with additional non-factory tinting. Ammonia based cleaners cannot be used on tinted windows. If your current cleaner does not state “ammonia-free” or “safe for tinted windows” you should find another cleaner.
NOTE: AVOID HOUSEHOLD GLASS CLEANERS, which almost all contain ammonia. A few examples of tint-safe glass cleaners are; Stoner Invisible Glass, DP Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner, and Meguiar’s NXT Generation Glass Cleaner.
A Tip for Tinted Windows: Use DP Plex-All to polish and protect the window tint. Apply it only to the inside of the glass where tint is visible. It will seal the tint material (Mylar) and keep it clean. DP Plex-All is non-static, non-streaking, and it dries crystal clear.
Some people prefer to use plain water to clean their windows. While this is a very safe method, water is not enough of a solvent to cut the protein base of stubborn spots, like bug remains. However, a glass-cleaning microfiber towel , like the Cobra Waffle Weave Microfiber Glass Towel, will provide a gentle scrubbing action to help remove contamination. Dampen this towel lightly and clean the glass. Then, flip the towel to a dry side and buff to remove every last streak. High quality microfiber is micro-engineered to eliminate lint and is extraordinarily absorbent to prevent streaking.
One hand tool that’s well worth a try is Glass Master Pro-Glass and Surface Cleaner. This long-armed glass scrubber can help you your SUV windshield and those hard to get at top of the cab windows or your sunroof.
Clean By Numbers
Detail your vehicle. Glass should be the last thing you do to avoid re-contaminating it during the detailing process.
Work out of the sun on dry windows. The sun can cause glass cleaner to evaporate too quickly and leave residues.
Spend some extra time on your windshield because you look though it more than the rest of the windows. Lightly dampen your microfiber towel with your cleaner of choice. We highly recommend DP Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner for its non-streaking, film-zapping performance. Wipe up and down and then side to side using long strokes. Flip the towel to a dry side to remove any remaining wetness from the windshield. Do the same on the back window.
Be sure to roll down your windows about half way so you can clean the top edges of the glass.
Whether you clean all of your inside or outside glass first, or if you favor the window-by-window approach, that is your preference.
You can’t always get it right the first time. It may take a mist of glass cleaner to remove stubborn film and then another cleaning with plain water to remove any streaks created by the film. It all depends on exactly what is on your glass. Don’t be afraid to use more than one cleaner on the same window, if that’s what it takes.
When you clean the inside of the back window, it may be helpful to use the backside of your hand to hold the towel against the lower edge of the glass. This technique will allow you to reach the bottom of the glass with greater ease. This is the perfect application of the Glass Master Pro Glass and Surface Cleaner. It can reach any spot on your windows and take it OUT!
Water Spot Eliminators
Water spots are mineral deposits that have etched their way into the paint and they can be very tough to remove. When a drop of water evaporates, all the minerals contained in that water remain on the paint. Etching is a gradual process, but those little spots will accumulate before you know it. The best way to avoid them is to dry your vehicle each and every time it gets wet. If that sounds too ambitious, at least dry it after washing and after a rain. If it’s already too late, here are some tips for removing those cloudy spots.
Glass can take a polish just like paint. A quality glass polish like DP High Performance Glass Restorer will remove water spots and cloudiness to restore perfect clarity to your windows. You can apply it by hand or with a polisher, but set your machine on a low speed (1000-1200 RPM on a rotary or 5-6 OPM on a dual action) and use a polishing pad. Do not apply pressure; the pad will do the work for you. When the polish starts to dry, stop polishing and buff the residue away with a microfiber towel.
Another option is Diamondite Spray Clay. This is a clay foam that removes embedded contaminants from glass, as well as mineral deposits, using an included sponge. Spray Clay is part of the Diamondite Glass Cleaning System, which also includes Diamondite Glass Cleaner and Diamondite Shield. Spray Clay will not remove etching, but it will correct spots that are still on the surface.
Diamondite Shield will keep your glass clean and provide some protection against future water spots. It seals the glass and causes water to bead. Think of it as a wax for your glass. It improves the performance of wipers and provides a huge improvement in visibility when it rains.
Don’t Forget the Wipers!
Part of keeping your glass clean is keeping your wipers in working order. The rubber strip can dry out and crack so that it doesn’t hug the glass properly. Therefore, it’s inefficient at clearing water off the windshield. If you maintain your wipers, you won’t discover they’re dried out when you need them most, like in a rain storm.
Wiper blades are inexpensive enough to replace, but you will get more life out of each set if you treat them with a rubber protectant made for wipers. 303 Wiper Treatment Wipes are pre-soaked wipes that keep the rubber soft and supple so the wipers hug the glass properly. Treated wipers will not skip or chatter, and they will remove water and surface debris more effectively. 303 Wipes also keep your wiper blades from freezing so they can better clear snow and ice from your windshield. Check your wipers periodically to be sure they are working well and treat them immediately if they appear to be dried out.
Another way to keep your windshield clean is washer fluid additives. Typical washer fluids available at your local auto store are highly diluted and remove little more than dust. Several companies have formulated concentrated additives that give your regular washer fluid a much-needed boost. P21S Windshield Wash Booster is a great product. It supercharges your generic washer fluid specifically to cut through stubborn films and bug debris. It can be added both to antifreeze washer fluids, as well as plain water. Overspray will have no impact on paint or trim.
Wurth Windshield Wash Additive serves the same purpose, but it has antifreeze protection already added to the formula. It will provide frost protection down to -22°F. This product is perfect for cold, snow-prone climates.
Remember, if you use washer additives and a glass sealant, your windows will not require strenuous cleaning each time you detail your vehicle. A little preventative maintenance will take the aggravation out of window cleaning.