Difference between revisions of "Clean a Glass Windshield"

#*If you need to go over a certain spot more than once, wipe over it with a straight back-and-forth motion.<ref name="rf1">http://www.ecotouch.net/auto-glass-cleaning-tips-for-sparkling-clean-windows-and-mirrors/</ref>

#Buff the windshield.  While the first wipe-down was intended to clean the glass cleaner off the windshield and remove excess grime, buffing the windshield involves moving your hand in a circular motion.  Exchange the towel you used to wipe off the glass cleaner with a clean one.<ref name="rf1" />  Depending on the size of your windshield, you might need several clean microfiber towels.  Move your hand in a tight circular motion around the surface of the windshield.  Start on one side of the vehicle, then move to the other side to ensure the entire surface of the windshield gets buffed.

#Lay down some microfiber towels on your dashboard.<ref name="rf2">http://www.autoblog.com/article/how-to-clean-interior-windshield-glass-autoblog-details/</ref>  This will ensure your dashboard doesn’t get any yucky glass cleaner dripped on it.  You could use the same towels you used to buff and clean the exterior of the windshield in order to avoid going through your towels too quickly.

#Spray some glass cleaner on your scrub pad.<ref name="rf2" />  Spray a few additional squirts of cleaner on half the windshield.  Starting in the upper-left corner of the passenger’s side, move the scrub pad down the windshield in parallel rows, working your way to the left (driver’s) side.  You’ll have to stop after cleaning the first half of the windshield to apply glass cleaner to the driver’s side.

#Choose the right glass cleaner.<ref name="rf3">http://www.autogeek.net/waterspots.html</ref>  Avoid glass cleaners with ammonia.  Ammonia can damage cares with tinted windows.  Almost all household glass cleaners contain ammonia.  Look for a glass cleaner which is labelled “Safe for tinted windows” if you have tinted windows.  These are readily available at auto stores.<ref name="rf3" />

#Plan your windshield cleaning.<ref name="rf3" />  Cleaning the windshield should be the last thing you do when cleaning or detailing your vehicle.  If you’re applying wax or polish, or repainting your vehicle, ensure you do it before you begin cleaning your windshield.  Otherwise, you might end up getting a bit of polish or other undesirable substance on your windshield after it has already been cleaned.  If you’re cleaning the windows on the interior of your car, do them before cleaning your windshield from the inside so as to avoid getting the cleaning agents on your clean windshield.<ref name="rf1" />

#Choose the right place to clean your windshield.<ref name="rf3" />  If your vehicle is parked out in the sun, your glass cleaner might evaporate before you get to scrub it off.  Park your car beneath a shady tree or in your garage before beginning a windshield cleaning.

#Choose the right towel to clean your windshield.  Obtain a high-quality microfiber towel to clean your windshield.  Ensure it has a weight of at least 300 GSM.  These towels can hold up to eight times their weight in water and are gentle on the smooth finish of your windshield.  Further, they prevent scratches by inducing electrostatic attraction in the particulate affixed to your windshield.  The matter is thus lifted from, rather than dragged across, your windshield.<ref name="rf1" />  Microfiber towels are readily available at your local auto care shop.

#Pull the windshield wiper lever toward you.  When you pull the windshield wiper straight back and away from the steering column, two parallel streams of windshield wiper fluid should eject onto the windshield.<ref name="rf4">http://toyota.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7878/~/how-do-i-operate-the-variable-intermittent-windshield-wipers-in-my-2014-corolla%3F</ref>  If your windshield wiper fluid does not come out when you pull the windshield wiper lever, or if it only comes out in a weak stream, check the level by opening your hood and locating the wiper fluid tank.  Refill it if necessary.

#Obtain a 3 or 3.5 ounce bar of detailing clay.  Detailing clay (or glass cleaning clay) is an elastic compound which can capture grit and grime lodged within a crevice and pull it out.<ref name="rf5">http://www.autopia-carcare.com/how-to-clean-your-windshield-glass-windows-detailing-101.html</ref>  If your car’s windshield has any dings in it, dirt can accumulate within.  Even if there are no visible indentations, the fine particulate matter which has accumulated across the surface of your windshield can be removed with detailing clay.  Obtain detailing clay at your local auto care shop.

#Grip the detailing clay lengthwise in your hand.  Grip it in the manner you would a bar of soap.  Keep your middle and index fingers on top of the clay, your thumb on one side and your remaining fingers on the opposite side.  Move the detailing clay through the lubricant/water you’ve applied to the windshield.  The clay should glide back and forth smoothly across the wet glass.<ref name="rf6">http://www.autogeek.net/griots-glass-cleaning-clay.html</ref>

#Clean any grit you encounter.  When you feel the clay slow or stick in its motion across the windshield, you’ll know it has encountered some grit or grime on the windshield.<ref name="rf7">http://www.autopia-carcare.com/glass-clay.html#.V0Z__5ErKUl</ref>

#Move to the other side of the vehicle and repeat the process.<ref name="rf7" />  Start again by placing the clay on the the bottom center of the windshield.  Move the clay up in a straight vertical line toward the roof of the vehicle.  After completing a vertical line, bring the clay back down to the base of the windshield.  Position it at a point slightly closer to you, but directly next to the location you originally moved the clay from.  Continue moving the clay up the length of the windshield in straight vertical lines, gradually bringing the clay closer to you.

#Wipe the glass clean when finished.<ref name="rf7" />  Take a microfiber towel in one hand and move it across the windshield in broad, circular motions.  This will remove any excess clay which may still be attached.  You can choose to use either the same hand or a different hand on the two different halves of the windshield.

* If you do not own a microfiber towel, newspaper will work just as well.<ref name="rf8">http://www.incrediblydetailed.com/car-window-cleaning-tips-perfect-glass-windows-mirrors/</ref>  The ink acts as a solvent and the wet paper doesn't leave any lint behind.