12 replies to this topic

[Joe Bosworth]

I come here cap in hand.  Not sure that this is the correct place to raise such a query but here is probably as good as any.

 

I have a problem and looking for advice.  How can I clean auto windows inside and outside so as to be not only clean but also streak free?  I mean really really clean; as in concourse ten points clean.  I have been trying for several months on wife's SUV and my Porsche.  I am not really normally obsessed with cleanliness, just look at my office.

 

This all started when no.2 son, with help of no.1, convinced me to nano ceramic treat exteriors of both cars. They both stay looking so good that I am embarrassed by streaky windows. I have tried to rid the problem with many products and appliers including fresh cotton, fancy cleaning cloths, paper towels and newspaper.  I have applied Windex and Ajax products as well as those from ArmourAll and others.  Tried filtered water both from the filter and mixed with white vinegar at 10 and 20% mixes.

 

I go from inside and outside and chase back and forth in any effort.  The only thing that seems to get cleaner is my dash boards from over-spray and/or spillage.

 

Any bright sparks out there with good advice?

 

With thanks in advance of any support.

 

Regards

[DogEarred]

Shot blasting.

 

 

 

 

 

[mariner]

Two suggestions - from somebody whose auto windows are never perfect!

 

Have you tried a forum etc for professional valet people/businesses? I once found suc ha forum for carpet cleaning and it was useful.

 

Havee you tied a pure solvent like acetone as a last finish. I THINK if the glass has a "rainbow" effect if you catch the light right then its a oil/petrol/ pollution type film and might respond to acetone - but be careful! no warranty given my me.!!

[Canuck]

When I worked with my detail-obsessed car painter uncle, he taught me a nifty trick that worked very well: Bon Ami foaming glass cleaner and wiped down with...newspaper.  The old-school, uncoated newspaper. So much of the stuff I see today is shiny or otherwise coated which doesn't work worth a darn, but the black-and-white newsprint stuff was a combination of both absorbent and abrasive (in so much as paper can be aggressive).  It worked a trick.

[Greg Locock]

After washing them use crumpled newspaper, elbow grease and methylated spirits, at least on the inside. That's the only way to get rid of the plasticiser (new car smell)  from the dash. The meths helps get rid of the soap streaks as well.

[kevins]

I've found methylated spirits and micro fiber cloths good. Not sure if you ned to worry about the rubbers?

 

Lidl (in Dublin anyway) have the cloths pretty cheap in the household cleaning section

[Greg Locock]

Splashing metho around is a two edged sword. I hate microfibres but that's just me!

[gruntguru]

Not sure if you need to worry about the rubbers?

 

Not very PC kevins.

[SophieB]

I come here cap in hand.  Not sure that this is the correct place to raise such a query but here is probably as good as any.

 

I have a problem and looking for advice.  How can I clean auto windows inside and outside so as to be not only clean but also streak free?  I mean really really clean; as in concourse ten points clean.  I have been trying for several months on wife's SUV and my Porsche.  I am not really normally obsessed with cleanliness, just look at my office.

 

This all started when no.2 son, with help of no.1, convinced me to nano ceramic treat exteriors of both cars. They both stay looking so good that I am embarrassed by streaky windows. I have tried to rid the problem with many products and appliers including fresh cotton, fancy cleaning cloths, paper towels and newspaper.  I have applied Windex and Ajax products as well as those from ArmourAll and others.  Tried filtered water both from the filter and mixed with white vinegar at 10 and 20% mixes.

 

I go from inside and outside and chase back and forth in any effort.  The only thing that seems to get cleaner is my dash boards from over-spray and/or spillage.

 

Any bright sparks out there with good advice?

 

With thanks in advance of any support.

 

Regards

Wipe side to side for one side of the glass and up and down for the other side. At least you can tell at a glance which side the streaks are on!

[Joe Bosworth]

I have not ignored responses.  Just waiting for a couple of dry days. Then will test some of your thoughts.

 

Sophie's thoughts on wiping up down one side and right-left on other sounds too logical for me to have thought of.

 

Regards

[DogEarred]

Just spoke to a specialist car valeting workshop near where I work.

 

Sorry I forgot the name of the scratch/oil remover product but he recommended this for the final polish:-

 

https://www.amazon.c...s/dp/B00S8B7Q28

[10kDA]

The plastics in the car's interior will continue to outgas for years, more so when the vehicle is parked in the sun, depositing a film on the inside of the windows. So it's an almost neverending chore. The best method of cleaning the windows is to get someone else to do it.

[DogEarred]

Cyclists don't have this problem.

 

Is there a lesson for us somewhere?...