Cleaning the OUTSIDE of your windshield...

[WuNgUn]

I`m looking to find info on thouroughly cleaning the exterior of my windshield, to remove anything that can impair my wiper performance...
I`m tire of streaking, chattering, smearing, etc. with my wiper. BTW, my wipers are new and in good, clean condition...
Thanks

[Beemerboy]

I`m looking to find info on thouroughly cleaning the exterior of my windshield, to remove anything that can impair my wiper performance...
I`m tire of streaking, chattering, smearing, etc. with my wiper. BTW, my wipers are new and in good, clean condition...
Thanks

Chatter some times is not caused by a dirty glass rather than the pressure of the arm on the windshield..if that is not the case then.


I`d start with white wine vinegar mixed with water 50/50 at the wash stages that should remove about anything that is on there ...then polish is what I would do next.. last Stoners Invisible glass cleaner to remove polish residue and you should not have chatter.

[CalgaryDetail]

Clay your glass, it works really well.Do it the same way you wold clay the paint.I find it makes them so clear and nice looking, give it a shot

[vwgtivw]

Clean it with Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend (NO COMET OR SOFT SCRU.

[joe.p]

Clay,AIO, Rain X and After using APC on the rubber wiper blades treat them with 303 wipe..

[Krodad]

I have NO IDEA if this is going to work, but I just did my truck today and used Aquawax on the glass. I just misted a MF and wiped it on until it evaporated perfectly clear. I did clay and IG first. No streaks, and the glass looks great. It`s got to last better than rain-x, I would think.

[DFTowel]

IMO the very best thing to use on glass is a good window cleaner and the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. That thing is amazing on glass, far superior to clay on glass, you won`t believe how clean and shiny it comes out.

Leo

[joe.p]

IMO the very best thing to use on glass is a good window cleaner and the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. That thing is amazing on glass, far superior to clay on glass, you won`t believe how clean and shiny it comes out.

Leo

DFTowel,
this very well makes sense to me as stated above, but i don`t beleive people should apply anywax to the windshield as it eventualy cause the windsheild to streak in heavy rains..I do polish the side glass and rear but i will never apply a layer of wax to the front windshield. JMHO

[WuNgUn]

Me either...I don`t want any kinda coating on the glass at all. A friend of mine, who NEVER washes his car, has perfectly quiet, streak free, non-chattering wiper performance! Pisses me off! lol
I`ll try a Magic Eraser with a strong glass cleaner, and some SprayNine on the blades...
Should I dress the blades themselves afterwords (i.e. Armour All)?

[WuNgUn]

Found this...hmmmm

Focus Hacks: Ford Focus Style, Maintenance and Performance Instructions

[Krodad]

My reason for putting a barrier on the glass is simply to protect it from water spots. The sunroofs on my vehicles had terrible spotting that was very difficult to remove...once that was done, I wanted something to keep it from getting so bad. I have used AIO and SG on the wifes sunroof once, and so far, no ill effects, and no further (difficult) water spotting.
I`m just experimenting to see if it lasts any longer than Rain-X, which is a coating anyway.

[WuNgUn]

I am running Rain-X windshield washer fluid...I`ll be not reusing it!
BUT, this morning, I drove into town and purchased the aforementioned Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, the extra strength version...
I liberally sprayed Windex all over the windshield, and proceeded to then `polish` using the eraser. I kept it up until the Windex started to `lather`, then I wiped it down (with some fresh Windex) with my MF window cloth.
I was so impressed I did the inside as well, and now the glass looks great!
We`ll have to wait for a rain to see if there was a noticeable improvement to the wiper performance...
As a side note, the Magic Eraser discoloured on the edges with black gook, similar to what you get from claying your paint finish, so I think it helped!

[Krodad]

Well, once again the advice of the pros is best.
I used aquawax on my glass the other day and thought I was so smart. This morning I hit the road and the low east sun hit the windshield, and all i could see was aquawax residue. I thought it was perfectly clear in the garage, but it was far from that. I had to stop on the side of the road and buff like heck (thank goodness I keep a MF in the truck) to make it driveable.

so you were right, I was wrong, and I`ll stick to things that are meant for glass, although I`ve never had the problem with AIO.

[WuNgUn]

Well, we had our rain, and I was able to test my windshield in it!
Conclusion: The Magic Eraser certainly helped, as the wipe is clean and streak free....however, the wiper still chatters and skips (most times) and makes a horrible noise while doing it. Still looks like there is `something` on my glass, maybe leftovers from the hand-wash car wash?

As a side note; Anyone seen the wiper/wash system on the new Camry`s? Very nice...hydroformed arms, aerodynamically contoured for `downforce`...
I want `em!!

[DFTowel]

...however, the wiper still chatters and skips (most times) and makes a horrible noise while doing it...

Ever think that the fault is with the wiper blades and/or arms? My wife recently had her car inspected and the station said one of her blades was split, I don`t think so but that`s another whole thread! Anyway, they put on some blades and the next rain they chattered like mad. They were cheapies as far as I`m concerned. I went to K-Mart and bought the triple edge blade kind with four "bows" for support. The chatter vanished and they clean great! I have a set of these on my Lincoln and have not changed them in FIVE YEARS! They are like new.