Cleaning Glass (Damn you Streaks !!!)

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CleanCarGuy

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Hey all, just picked up a brand new car (2016 VW Passat) and have been trying to clean the windows/glass but I get nothing but STREAKS !!!

I have used glass cleaners from Windex, Stoners, Invisible Glass and 3M Glass cleaner and although it'll get the windows clean
they have all STREAKED when put into the direct sunlight. When the sun is shining directly on the glass, you can clearly see streaks all over.

I have used terry towels, microfiber towels and recently I have been using newspaper as someone said this will really eliminate streaking (not true).

I am thinking about trying Einszett 1 Klarscheiben (Glass Cleaner) or SprayWay Glass Cleaner (both on Amazon) and have excellent reviews and folks claiming no streaking. Not sure if I should spend the cash on these items?

So for you detailing professionals, what Glass Cleaner are you using that DOES NOT give streaks and any type of special method/towels I should be using?
 
I'm no professional, but I've had really good luck with the Griot's Garage PFM window microfibers. Before that I used their regular window microfibers which are a tighter weave than your normal towels. Makes a huge difference. I think it matters less, but I use their window cleaner. I've have had success with pretty much any window cleaner.

I've also noticed less is definitely more for cleaning windows. Especially if they're already clean I use barely a spritz.

Hope this helps.
 
Give it a deep clean with a clay bar and possibly a glass polish followed by a IPA wipedown. Then you might as well put a glass coating on it. Makes glass so much easier to clean.
 
Are you doing the two towel method? I've found invisible glass to be the best I've tried so far. I used to use the aerosol can, but new they have a regular spray bottle. Another thing would be what the steaks are coming from. If you put armor all on the dash and it gets really hot out, I've find that it evaporates off and gets on the wind shield, and is a huge pain to get all off.
 
Use a high end glass cleaner like Pinnacle McKee's etc. Use a waffle weave towel clean glass, spray a second time and clean again. Have not tried the Griot's PFM window microfibers oneheadlite mentioned but sounds interesting.
If that does not work try a polish, may have oil or road grime.
Here is a Mike Phillip's video on using polish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMraMEBOodk
 
AuroraDetailing said:
Are you doing the two towel method? I've found invisible glass to be the best I've tried so far. I used to use the aerosol can, but new they have a regular spray bottle. Another thing would be what the steaks are coming from. If you put armor all on the dash and it gets really hot out, I've find that it evaporates off and gets on the wind shield, and is a huge pain to get all off.
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Not using the two towel method. Spraying the cleaner directly onto the windshield then taking a big piece of crumpled up newspaper and wiping across until "clear and clean". When car is reparked in sunlight, streaks are showing.

Should I stop using newspapers and get a waffle towel? (never used a waffle towel before)

I do not use Armor All on the interior. My go-to interior cleaner is Einszett1 Cockpit Premium. Thats the only interior cleaner I use on all of my cars.
 
I must be a wierd because I have never used a glass cleaner on the outside of my windows. They get washed when the vehicle gets washed via 2 bucket or rinsless. They do get the occasional polish though.

On the inside I use the griots pfm with either megs D114, ONR, or opti clean. I stopped using glass cleaners on the inside too. I have also used fast glass towels with water only and great success!

If it's the exterior you are talking about give it a polish and start fresh. Try a rinseless wash if you have any.
 
are you following up with a second clean and dry microfiber? That always does it for me.
 
Two towel method with DEDICATED GLASS TOWELS! Cant stress this enough, you've likely used that same towel to apply a dressing, remove a polish etc. Any left over residue will cause headaches and frustration. Wet a plain short nap microfiber with glass cleaner of choice and scrub, follow up with dry waffle weave glass towels and buff away.
 
I used to have that same problem ALL the time even with the two towels method.
Now I use towels dedicated to only glass and wash them with the same "class" of towel.
Not a problem anymore.
 
yg1829 said:
I must be a wierd because I have never used a glass cleaner on the outside of my windows. They get washed when the vehicle gets washed via 2 bucket or rinsless. They do get the occasional polish though.

On the inside I use the griots pfm with either megs D114, ONR, or opti clean. I stopped using glass cleaners on the inside too. I have also used fast glass towels with water only and great success!

If it's the exterior you are talking about give it a polish and start fresh. Try a rinseless wash if you have any.
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I'm the same way. So I assume the window streaks are on the interior. I treat the exterior glass the same way I treat the paint normally
 
CleanCarGuy said:
Not using the two towel method. Spraying the cleaner directly onto the windshield then taking a big piece of crumpled up newspaper and wiping across until "clear and clean". When car is reparked in sunlight, streaks are showing.

Should I stop using newspapers and get a waffle towel? (never used a waffle towel before)

I do not use Armor All on the interior. My go-to interior cleaner is Einszett1 Cockpit Premium. Thats the only interior cleaner I use on all of my cars.
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The two towel method is using two separate microfiber towels that are dedicated for glass only. Spray the cleaning product directly on one towel, folded in half twice preferably. Then clean a section of the windshield with the wet towel, a small enough area that you can keep it from drying completely, and then use the dry towel to wipe that area while the glass is still slightly moist, and basically polish it with the dry towel. Then do other sections the same way, flipping the dry towel over if it starts to get moist. I can usually do half the windshield at one time. If it's really hot out and the product is drying fast, I'll do smaller sections. I also have a tool for windshields, but I forgot the brand name that has a triangular head on a pivoting handle, and comes with a microfiber cover and another polishing cover. I usually just use the polishing cover with it after doing the two towel method, or if it's hard to reach the corners by hand, I'll use the microfiber towel on it.
 
Another good tip is to not overuse your cleaner of choice. You don't need to drench the glass. All that excess needs to wiped up and may require more towels to get totally dry.
 
yg1829 said:
Another good tip is to not overuse your cleaner of choice. You don't need to drench the glass. All that excess needs to wiped up and may require more towels to get totally dry.
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This is good info too. I'll usually do all the windows with only spraying the towel once, just enough to get it slightly damp on one side.
 
Two words: SURGICAL TOWELS.

great friction to remove streaks and lint free.

this plus invisible glass for a kick-a$$ clean :)
 
What I been doing lately is having a WW towel wet at all times. Not soaked but damped. When it's time to do windows I will grab that plus another MF that gets used on glass only. Take the wet one wipe the window 1 time then follow up with the dry MF. If memory serves me right MF came out so people can clean their houses the "green" way. No chemicals only water.
 
Here is a write up I did on how I get streak free glass

Evan.J said:
We as detailers are always searching for the perfect way to clean glass and leaving it streak free.

Well I am happy to say I have found a method that works for me and I have been very happy with my results.

I will say that if you haven't used Sonax Glass Cleaner yet you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. With any Sonax product less is ALWAYS more. You never need to use a ton of product and if you are you are only wasting it.

autogeek_2272_158006850


From the AG Website


What you will need:
Sonax Glass Cleaner
Glass Towel (I use Sonax Towels AG doesn't carry)
Unger Squeegee with black rubber cleaning blade

Step 1.

Look at your glass! You want to examine your glass so you know where more dirt or film maybe than in other areas.



Step 2

Spray a light even coat of the SOnax Glass cleaner over the entire area that you will be cleaning.



Step 3.

Take your glass towel and go over the entire surface of the area you are cleaning. Since I was doing the windshield I went over the entire windshield all at once. At this point we want to use the towel to remove the film and dirty areas. We are not focusing on leaving it streak free. We are agitating the dirt on the glass.



Step 4

After you have cleaned the glass with the towel now spray another light coat of glass cleaner over the area you are cleaning.




Now, take your cleaning squeegee and start at the top and move from one side to the other. After each pass you want to use a towel or a shop towel to clean the blade and dry the blade. On the next pass over lap the previous pass by 50%. Continue this until you have the window cleaned.







I hope you enjoyed my glass cleaning method for getting clean and streak free glass overtime.

:props:
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