Best way to clean windshield and windows?

[ryan's camaro]

I rarely drive my camaro so most of the time it is in the garage. Yesterday I finished washing it and parked it back into the garage. 7 hrs later, a bunch of dust had fallen on the car. So I decided to take some invisible glass and a microfiber and starting cleaning the windshield. Apparently, there are fingerprints that are like "stained" into the windshield and the sticker that goes on the right side of the windshield is imprinted into the glass. There are also some water spots that can't be taken out, no matter how much invisible glass i spray or how hard I wipe with the microfiber.

What is the best method to clean the windshield and window to keep it shiny, clear, and protected?

[XQIZT]

If your glass cleaner of choice isn't cutting it, you can try using a clay bar on your glass. That might remove the deeper issues. You can also polish glass if there are really stubborn spots. Keep in mind too that not all glass cleaners and glass towels are created equally.

[FL1CK]

If the above doesn't work as well... 0000 (notice 4 zeros) steel wool works well. Also, the ghosted sticker won't ever leave until you get that car in the sun...

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by FL1CK

If the above doesn't work as well... 0000 (notice 4 zeros) steel wool works well. Also, the ghosted sticker won't ever leave until you get that car in the sun...

This. Then dry it off with some newspaper. - not kidding about the newspaper

[ryan's camaro]

Wouldn't the 0000 steel wool or newspaper scratch the glass?

[FL1CK]

Originally Posted by ryan's camaro

Wouldn't the 0000 steel wool or newspaper scratch the glass?

Only if you press extremely hard with the steel wool, but if you use it like a cloth, then no. Newspaper won't scratch glass at all... and leaves no streaks.
Had to emphasize extremely, as it's hard to scratch the glass with 0000, but it can be done.

[Myfirstgixxer600]

It will sound weird but you can use chrome polish to clean your glass too.

[haulingoods]

QUOTE=FL1CK;4586675]Only if you press extremely hard with the steel wool, but if you use it like a cloth, then no. Newspaper won't scratch glass at all... and leaves no streaks.
Had to emphasize extremely, as it's hard to scratch the glass with 0000, but it can be done.[/QUOTE]


Learned about using newspaper for cleaning windows from our Drill Sergeants while going through U.S. Army basic training back in the '70s, actually works really well with just a small amount of water to wet the newspaper to clean, or as other Op stated to dry windshield after washing for a streak free finish.

[RiCorvette]

Originally Posted by stieger

This. Then dry it off with some newspaper. - not kidding about the newspaper

Well...
maybe:

"It does work, but it's not usually the best option, and there may be some serious drawbacks."


http://housekeeping.about.com/od/ide...newspapers.htm

[Rockit_z28]

Please see the link for removing water spots. This is the best stuff I have ever tried.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...oduct_Count=16

[CamaroDreams07]

Originally Posted by Ricamaro

Well...
maybe:

"It does work, but it's not usually the best option, and there may be some serious drawbacks."


http://housekeeping.about.com/od/ide...newspapers.htm

I've never had that problem at all. I like using it for windows because it doesn't leave any fibers behind like some of those glass microfiber cloths.

[FL1CK]

Originally Posted by Ricamaro

Well...
maybe:

"It does work, but it's not usually the best option, and there may be some serious drawbacks."


http://housekeeping.about.com/od/ide...newspapers.htm

That's about old newspapers with old style ink, I haven't seen any that had newsprint come off the paper since the 80s. New process with laser printing makes the ink "burn" into the paper and doesn't smear like the old ink. Unless your newspaper is done the old way, this is a mute point.

[midnighter]

I've used #0000 steel wool on glass and chrome plated steel without scratching (keep wet with something). Don't use it on chrome plated alloy wheels, mirrors, inside your car windows if tinted, plastics/rubber, or paint as it will scratch them bad.

[MKG]

For cleaning a windshield I use a few products. I use a few products from Diamondite. They make a clay that is specially formulated for glass. Its a clay bar designed to extract embedded contaminants glass the same way detailing clay works on auto paint. Then second I use Diamondite Glasswork restorer, polish removes mineral deposits and water spots to leave glass impeccably clear and clean. Then as a final step I seal the windows with Optimum Opti-Seal. Yes its a paint sealant but if spread very thin it works great on glass.