Cleaning a windshield is hard to do.

[Dvst8r]

I was wondering if anyone knew how to get a windshield super clean. I've tried windex, eagle 20, pressure washing and it still leaves wierd water spots that i can see when i drive at night. I was thinkin paint thinner cause there is a little overspay on there as well, but i don't know if it will fog up the glass. Someone told me it looked like I had sap (sp?) on there as well. Any help would be appreciated.

[nox]

dumb question, are you cleaning it inside and out?

[Dvst8r]

Just outside

[nox]

are you sure the spots aren't on the inside?

[Dvst8r]

yep i can see them when i wash it. It's like the water doesn't fall evenly down the glass but trickles around the spots. I was thinking a magic eraser too.

[truedetailer]

First i would try some 0000 steel wool and some window cleaner. That should help out alot. If the spots are etched in the glass so bad then you'll need to try a few different processes. 1 would be a paint polish and some steal wool, if they still remain you'll need to machine polish them out with a rotary buffer and some glass polish.

Or you could just throw a rock at it and say a truck kicked it up while driving and have the insurance company replace it with a new one. lol

[Dvst8r]

Steel wool? U serious? I really don't want a new windshield cause then I gotta pay for new tint.

[Mcfly Minis]

werd on the steel wool and window cleaner, works good.

[nox]

your tint should be on the inside, he's talking about steel wool on the outside.

[Dvst8r]

I gotta go to work, I'll check back later. Thanks.

[Dvst8r]

Quote: Originally Posted by nox

your tint should be on the inside, he's talking about steel wool on the outside.

I know but If I get new glass, that means new tint.

[70CHEVY327]

use balck and white newspaper instead of a rag or towle and i think comet cleaner (dont qoute me on that it might scratch the window but i heard it works.)

[Dvst8r]

How would I use the steel wool on the window then. Just like using steel wool on metal wheels?

[nox]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dvst8r

I know but If I get new glass, that means new tint.

i didn't think about that. steel wool won't hurt it though, use it just like you're doing dishes.

[truedetailer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dvst8r

How would I use the steel wool on the window then. Just like using steel wool on metal wheels?

Yeah, just make sure you keep the area you're working on wet with the window cleaner.

[wagonproject]

Well I buff all windows on cars I do to get the waterspots out. Most of the time it gets a lot of them out...

[BarelyGettinBy]

Mix some ammonia in with ur windex then use a newspaper instead of a rag or paper towel

[96blazer]

The water spots are only visible when you drive.
+You've cleaned the inside and outside of your window.
_________________________________________________
= The spots are probally between the tint and the glass.

[Dvst8r]

I have tint on top and bottom of my windshield, 2% at that and the ones i can see are in the middle when i'm inside of the truck, but on the outside I can see them all over it. I'll try the steel wool trick, but what about the overspray? I'm not scraping the windows so do you think acetone or paint thinner will hurt anything? Mainly fog up the windows?

[derricklane72]

super fine steel wool #000 and glass cleaner ,then glass polish and buff

[Tex Star Detail]

do NOT use #000 steel wool as stated in the last post. Use #0000 as stated before in the thread. It will not damage your windshield. Using it will also remove the overspray. Keep the windshield wet and all should go smoothly. Finish up with a glass polish. "Diamondite" makes a good polish for glass.

Do not use ammonia based glass cleaner on the inside of tinted windows. Just a tip if you didn't know already.

It's as easy as that.
happy detailing

[BarelyGettinBy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JSamsS10

Mix some ammonia in with ur windex then use a newspaper instead of a rag or paper towel

Yeah i forgot to mention to not use ammonia on the tint side

[orangesonoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tex Star Detail

do NOT use #000 steel wool as stated in the last post. Use #0000 as stated before in the thread. It will not damage your windshield. Using it will also remove the overspray. Keep the windshield wet and all should go smoothly. Finish up with a glass polish. "Diamondite" makes a good polish for glass.

Do not use ammonia based glass cleaner on the inside of tinted windows. Just a tip if you didn't know already.

It's as easy as that.
happy detailing

yeah listen to this guy he knows a thing or two about cleaning stuff

[01cherryreds10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dvst8r

yep i can see them when i wash it. It's like the water doesn't fall evenly down the glass but trickles around the spots. I was thinking a magic eraser too.

My windshield is the exact same. Someone gave me something and told me it was washer fluid, and used it over the winter and in the spring it like ate away at the outer part of the glass, like it's not as smooth as it should be,

[2002dime]

Just change the windshield....there's NOTHING like a new piece of glass! What's the tint cost 20 bucks for the strips?? If you feel like doing the glass yourself or having a friend help you out the part number is DW1169

[fdimeroller]

i've heard all kinda "remedies" for cleaning glass. some of the weirdest are chrome polish, vinegar, toothpaste, clay bar, etc.... none of em have worked for me tho [havent tried the toothpaste]

[Dvst8r]

I'll be trying the steel wool over the weekend, thanks everyone.

[OBrienChevSuper10]

There are also waterspot remover creams i used to use but i dont have anymore and i cant remember the name but steel wool always worked for me depending on how deep the water spots are. if their real deep then buffing with some window compound should do the trick. also like they said before with the steel wool KEEP IT GOOD AND WET otherwise your spots will be gone but then you have nice scratches!!!

[98layinframe]

how do you guys figure the 0000 steel wool is gona scratch the glass? Thought only extremely hard things like a diamond can cut /scratch glass?

ive used steel wool before and it didnt hurt it..

[Tex Star Detail]

I've never had any problem with scratches using #0000 steel wool, ever.
But it will scratch certain "fake chrome" parts...

[wagonproject]

Yeah I've never had problems with the 0000, but I stopped using it. I just feel like its doing something, and with expensive cars I'd rather not risk it. I'll use a plastic razor blade or a window compound (currently have DP).

[Dvst8r]

where can i get 0000 steel wool? I don't even know where to start. lol

[556mm]

this is your best friend

[Brutus2TheMax]

Microfiber Towel Scrub It Hard

[Tex Star Detail]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dvst8r

where can i get 0000 steel wool? I don't even know where to start. lol

Wal Mart
Lowes
Home Depot
Any Hardware store
some dollar stores have it
Harbor Freight
etc...

[skafia]

i work in a detail shop and when theres sap or paint on the windshield i just just foaming glass cleaner and a new razor blade and scrap the entire window. acid rain also can etch windows and ive only done this once but ive used wheel brightner a.k.a wheel acid and steel wool and got everything off the window! plus theres a cool chemical reaction that happens between the steel wool and acid. id try it out just to see and feel the chemical reaction haha. deffiently wear gloves when doing it and as soon as you cover the entire window use that foaming lgass cleaner and steel wool over the whole thing again. maybe dangerous but it worked for me

[Tex Star Detail]

yikes. I would not use wheel acid for glass. You can do some serious damage. same as using a razor blade. Acid will dull and or etch the glass itself, so be careful. I use them from time to time, but they will scratch. If not careful, scratch bad.

IMHO, there is a right way, a cut corners way and pray nothing goes wrong, and a wrong way.... with the last 2 neck and neck


(not bashing you in any way, so please do not take it that way.)

I'm just saying, in my many years of detailing, I have learned the process, even though sometimes longer than cutting corners. I would rather spend an extra hour to do it the right way than to worry about having to replace a piece of glass on a new Benz or Ferrari. Not a chance I would take.

To each his own though, different stroke for different folks...

[Shawn F.]

If there are water spots on the windshield from hard water, well water, acid rain, etc then most likely you will need a heavy cut compount or boat compount on a buffer. That will take them off and then you can follow that up with wax or Rain X. Steel wool most likely will not get them off if they have been on there for a long time and are very hard. Try the #0000 steel wool first. It will NOT scratch the glass. When I restore hot rods and such I use #0000 on chrome bumpers, glass, chrome and stainless trim, etc. Works just fine but make sure you spray some kind of glass cleaner first. Do not use ammonia like mentioned, not only is it not good for the tint but the overspray onto the dash and such is not good for it.
If your house is on well water (not city) and you have sprinklers hitting it or acid rain then that is what most likely caused the hard water spots on the windows. Again, best way is to go ahead and buff them with heavy compound and seal it with wax or Rain-X.
As for Tex Star Detail's advice on cutting corners, listen to what he says clearly. Cutting corners usually never works out in the END. Always costs more time and money when doing this. I know that when I am working on a $100,000-$150,000 dollar car, I'd rather NOT take a chance and spend the extra hour or two like Tex said and do it right.
Again, listen to the professional detailers, they should know best. There's a difference between a kid that works at a shop washing and cleaning cars and a guy who "details" vehicles the correct way, not just a quick wash, wax and wipe the inside down.

[SlamThiz]

umm try a clay bar... mothers is the s***!

[skafia]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shawn F.

If there are water spots on the windshield from hard water, well water, acid rain, etc then most likely you will need a heavy cut compount or boat compount on a buffer. That will take them off and then you can follow that up with wax or Rain X. Steel wool most likely will not get them off if they have been on there for a long time and are very hard. Try the #0000 steel wool first. It will NOT scratch the glass. When I restore hot rods and such I use #0000 on chrome bumpers, glass, chrome and stainless trim, etc. Works just fine but make sure you spray some kind of glass cleaner first. Do not use ammonia like mentioned, not only is it not good for the tint but the overspray onto the dash and such is not good for it.
If your house is on well water (not city) and you have sprinklers hitting it or acid rain then that is what most likely caused the hard water spots on the windows. Again, best way is to go ahead and buff them with heavy compound and seal it with wax or Rain-X.
As for Tex Star Detail's advice on cutting corners, listen to what he says clearly. Cutting corners usually never works out in the END. Always costs more time and money when doing this. I know that when I am working on a $100,000-$150,000 dollar car, I'd rather NOT take a chance and spend the extra hour or two like Tex said and do it right.
Again, listen to the professional detailers, they should know best. There's a difference between a kid that works at a shop washing and cleaning cars and a guy who "details" vehicles the correct way, not just a quick wash, wax and wipe the inside down.

hey its not a "shop" its the largest honda dealership in northeast ohio and ive been doin it for 3 years. i was even sent out to automagic to learn about buffing and there products. i was taught by pros, so no need to dis this kid. might be a car dealership but we also restore used cars for resale...

[Shawn F.]

I'm not "dissing" (as you call it) anyone so calm down... And no the comment wasn't towards you, it was just a general comment I made.

[Tex Star Detail]

I think it was a general blanket statement, as MANY car dealerships could care less about the vehicles. As long as they look good from 10 feet away and look good until they leave the lot. I used to work at many dealerships back in the day, and man I have some horror stories. Spray paint the carpet, rub tranny fluid on the hood, spray clear spray paint on the motor, and so on...

As said, it wasn't towards you, its just, there aren't too many dealerships around that try to do the right thing. Glad that the shop you are at do. I know of one around here that does, but others.... I'd be scared to buy from them.

happy detailing....

[skafia]

alright just want to clear things up. Even though some dealers don't give a damn I get a huge bonus every month if we get 97+% back on custome r reviews of how clean the car really is. So I always try to do the right thing and get that bonus!

[Shawn F.]

How about the tools you use.. Do you use Vapor Steam cleaners, extractors, etc? Some places use a shop vac and heaps of chemicals instead of vapor steamers on the interiors, etc.

[truedetailer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tex Star Detail

yikes. I would not use wheel acid for glass. You can do some serious damage. .

Actually if you know what you're doing acid will not harm the glass. After the steal wool trick if it don't work i step up to some diluted wheel acid on a damp rag. If you do it right you will removed the spot with no harm done.

Again this should only be done if you know what you're doing.

[skafia]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shawn F.

How about the tools you use.. Do you use Vapor Steam cleaners, extractors, etc? Some places use a shop vac and heaps of chemicals instead of vapor steamers on the interiors, etc.

we use a powr extractor to remove any set-in stains and a steamer to loosen sticky shit and grease from engine bays, center consoles, etc. we also use foaming stain remover when its just dirt or a surface mark. mind you that im not working on $150,00+ vehicles, there just hondas and other foreign and domestic cars but i still take the time to get it done right.

[skafia]

Quote: Originally Posted by truedetailer

Actually if you know what you're doing acid will not harm the glass. After the steal wool trick if it don't work i step up to some diluted wheel acid on a damp rag. If you do it right you will removed the spot with no harm done.

Again this should only be done if you know what you're doing.

awesome! im not the only one who tried it and had it work!

[bza]

fine grade steel wool and window cleaner should do the job.

[OneLowSdime]

i use #0000 steel wool and invisable glass works amazing

[Tex Star Detail]

yes,acids, used correctly, will not harm the glass. But if you are using any old acid, such as for wheels, then yes, you can damage the glass. I personally, yet only a few times, have had to use it. I use something specifically for glass though, which contains hydroflouric acid. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE to use HYDROFLOURIC acid. The long term price you pay is not worth it. (for those whom use it in a manner other than specified. And without proper protection.)

I tend to take safer routes to cover my ass...
ICSH In-case shit happens.