cleaning the windshield

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clint316

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hey all i have this problem that i need help trying to figure out.it's my windshield no matter what i use i can not keep from getting streaks.i have used water vinegar and rubbing alcohol mix(streaks)also used window cleaner with amonia(streaks)i have fried regular paper towls and glass towls still same out come i have also tried my squeege and still get same results.dont know if this will make a difference but both my wife and i smoke in the car....PLEASE HELP
 
clint316 said:
hey all i have this problem that i need help trying to figure out.it's my windshield no matter what i use i can not keep from getting streaks.i have used water vinegar and rubbing alcohol mix(streaks)also used window cleaner with amonia(streaks)i have fried regular paper towls and glass towls still same out come i have also tried my squeege and still get same results.dont know if this will make a difference but both my wife and i smoke in the car....PLEASE HELP
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You're answer is the smoking, plain and simple. You know how much crap comes off cigarettes, just leaves a nasty film. If you want streak free windows, quit smoking, good motivation.:dblthumb2:
 
Quit smoking and get a new windshield...
Problem solved

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4
 
Your doing something wrong.
Smoke doesn't add to the streaking.

Make sure your using clean Micro Fiber Towels, very little product, spray the towel and not the window.
Wipe with one and dry with another.
I love Meg's new Clarity Glass Cleanner. Never get streaks, no matter what car I'm working on.
You'll just have to figure this out. Windows are tricky.
 
Car Windows are hard to clean, you will need to practice until you get it right.

First, I usually clean the Windows twice.

Here are the steps I take:

Use a glass cleaning microfiber towel (they are the ones with no plush). I fold it in 4 and spray one side with product.

I then spray the window directly unless it's the interior of the windshield. For that part I only spray the towel.

Wipe the window up and down then left and right several times.

Use a second microfiber towel folded in 4 to dry the window.

Repeat making sure you flip your second microfiber towel to a dry side before doing the final wipedown.

I think products matter little. 50% water/vinegar should work fine. If you use a dedicated commercial glass cleaner it should work fine also. It's really a matter of technique.

If you smoke you Windows are simply gonna be extra dirty and you might have to clean them more often and it will take a little longer to clean them. But you should be able to achieve a streakfree result with the proper technique.
 
Watch this video, the end part is about cleaning the Inside. I think this will help you a lot.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUtdlzrktI]Car Glass: Cleaning and Polishing -- /DRIVE CLEAN - YouTube[/video]
 
One easy thing to overlook are gloves. If you don't wear nitrile/latex gloves, then when you flip the towel, then your hand contaminates (oil, dirt, sweat) are now being used to wipe dry the glass.
 
Calendyr said:
Watch this video, the end part is about cleaning the Inside. I think this will help you a lot.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUtdlzrktI]Car Glass: Cleaning and Polishing -- /DRIVE CLEAN - YouTube[/video]
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+1 First thing that popped in my mind was this video
 
The windshield is one of the worst parts of a detail. I find that if I do it frequently it greatly reduces the chance that I get streaks.

I think I need that wand from Mike Phillips' post....
 
Nick told me once that you can clean a window with one towel. And now I see why. It yeilds perfect results 100% of the time.

Lightly mist a microfiber towel wipe down the window. Then before it dries, take a separate dry towel and wipe off the cleaning agent.

With the waffle weave glass cut MF towel and Pinnicale glass cleaner I get perfect streak free glass....every time.
 
I too hate doing windows. I think it's because I always do them towards the end of a detail and I am tired and ready to be done. Anyways, I am going to try and use some of these tips I am reading.
 
I could never get streak free windows even after cleaning according to different methods. There were always a couple of streaks. I decided to try the "Streak free microfiber cloth" similar to the Car Pro Fast Glass cloth (most likely the same, just branded differently, but not sure). Anyway, you just get it wet, wring it nearly dry, and go to town. I was totally amazed. Most of my windows weren't that dirty, so one swipe was all it took, but for the inside of the back window, it needed two to three passes because it was super dirty. No streaks at all. I really was surprised by how easy it was. I did use a little Sonax glass cleaner on the back window, but don't think I'll let it ever get that dirty again.
 
Clean it at least twice, depending on how dirty it is. Personally, I just use ONR. The first time, you're not aiming for perfection, you're aiming to get as much dirt as possible and to make your next "pass" as easy as possible. When you've done your last wash, use a fresh dry towel to dry it. With ONR, if you find any streaks later on, you can usually just wipe them away with a dry towel.
 
I don't know if you have a steam cleaner, but they work great for windows.
 
I still like using newspaper, followed by a glass microfiber towel with a really short nap. It's always worked for me. I liked that video too.
 
i had to use the polisher and some 205 on my rear window it was tinted but a good quick pass on it then some window cleaner cleared it up almost all the way i can still see it in my rear view mirror
 
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