Best glass cleaner for interior windshield?

[Eldorado2k]

Cleaning the inside of a windshield can sometimes be a task that I almost prefer to skip if and when it’s possible, but that’s not a good habit, in fact it’s a terrible habit when you’re dealing with customers vehicles because as we all know imperfections in glass aren’t always visible under certain lighting, so just because it looks ok doesn’t guarantee it’s truly clean.

So that’s why I’m curious to know if you guys have found any glass cleaners that you can say do an extraordinary job at making the task of interior windshield cleaning easier?

I’m currently using Sprayway and it does ok, but I’m wondering if there are any real game changers available these days. What’s your experience?

You can also chime in regarding any particular towels that you consider above and beyond ordinary towels for cleaning glass.

 

[Tasmania]

Mckee's 37.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Mckee's 37.

How’s it better?

 

[Bosko]

The towel used will make a huge difference over the chemical you use.....IMO
I can get better results with a good waffle weave towel and water Vs. say windex and a paper towel.
Sprayway and a waffle weave towel works well for me.....I like spray way foam because it clings to the glass and doesn't run...

 

[Tasmania]

How’s it better?

I tried so many glass cleaners over the years, Smear free buffs away clear and contains no alcohol.

Little effort for good results try it or a rinse-less wash like ONR is also good, Waffle weave cloths and get to it.

 

[BLM]

Dont know if its the best but i know the following combo works pretty well.

For the towels I use the Grants glass towels from Harbor Freight and for the cleaner i use Totally Awesome cleaning vinegar which i dillute approx 4:1.

Both are very economical to use and they work pretty well. So I see no need to use anything more expensive.

 

[Big DaveBig Dave is verified member.]

The best thing I've found for removing all residue from the inside of windshields is Autoglym Car Glass Polish. It's not really a polish though, and it is safe on interior glass, but I've never used it on tinted glass though, that's a step too far for me. The only downsides I've found are that it sometimes leaves little white specks on the dash when buffing off on the inside, but they easily wipe off with a moistened MF, and if there are stone chips on the outside it will leave a little white residue in the chips on the outside when buffed off. I actually carry it in my car as it will remove any and all haze off the interior of the windshield, a common problem here with the heat we get in summer, something you probably understand. The below is from the Autoglym website.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I'll second what Bosko said that the towel is the most important part. I just use the Meg's Detailer line glass cleaner, and don't you use those Zap cloths?

I only clean the windshields on my cars and sometimes friend or family, so I may not be running into the kinds of dirt that you do. That being said, I still frequently have the experience you do, where you clean the glass (inside or out) and it looks perfect, then under different lighting it's all streaky and you have to re-do it.

Other than the Sprayway and Invisible Glass that are foaming aerosols, the only glass cleaner I remember hearing about being "different" is the Labocosmetica Nitido, which apparently has a gel-consistency. I'm not sure how that helps because I almost always spray the towel, when doing inside glass.

 

[DFB]

While I'm happy to pay a price premium for a product, but when it comes to glass, the simpler the better........................

- Waffle weave towels
- A non-scented and non-colored glass cleaner such as Invisible Glass or True Vue.
- For hard-to-reach areas at the base of the windscreen, a Reach & Clean tool



I've found the fancier the glass cleaner, the worse it performs, almost like the scent and color they use taints the effectiveness of the product. And that includes Bilt Hamber Traceless, easily one of the biggest letdowns I have encountered. At first I thought it was just me, but I have since had a number of people from the US, UK and Australia say that it streaks for them as well. Which is not good enough when you consider how much it was hyped and the excessive premium price they ask for it.

 

[Texchappy]

While I'm happy to pay a price premium for a product, but when it comes to glass, the simpler the better........................

- Waffle weave towels
- A non-scented and non-colored glass cleaner such as Invisible Glass or True Vue.
- For hard-to-reach areas at the base of the windscreen, a Reach & Clean tool



I've found the fancier the glass cleaner, the worse it performs, almost like the scent and color they use taints the effectiveness of the product. And that includes Bilt Hamber Traceless, easily one of the biggest letdowns I have encountered. At first I thought it was just me, but I have since had a number of people from the US, UK and Australia say that it streaks for them as well. Which is not good enough when you consider how much it was hyped and the excessive premium price they ask for it.

Only used it a handful of times up I haven’t noticed that yet.

Btw, I still haven’t found anything much better than GTechnic

 

[chilly]

I agree with the KISS principle here, good dedicated glass towels and a good simple cleaner. Stoner's has been in my kit for 2 decades and if that won't clean something I will use a tiny bit of the best glass cleaner I have ever seen, original Einzett Scheibenklar glass cleaner. I have been hoarding that bottle for a long time and it is my last resort for the most stubborn interior haze and film. I had to replace my "reacher" tool last year and while the new bonnet material is a waffle weave now and cleans better, I prefer the older bonnet style with the elastic hem that stayed on the tool head better

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Chilly, I have never used Invisible Glass in any form, I didn't realize (or have forgotten if I knew) that they made a trigger-spray version in addition to the aerosol can.

Also, Nextzett is making that glass cleaner, it should be the same as they were given the formulas (IIRC) when 1Z closed up: https://nextzettusa.com/windscreen-clear-glass-cleaner-16-9-oz/

Of course that doesn't mean you can get it in Alaska.

 

[chilly]

Chilly, I have never used Invisible Glass in any form, I didn't realize (or have forgotten if I knew) that they made a trigger-spray version in addition to the aerosol can.

Also, Nextzett is making that glass cleaner, it should be the same as they were given the formulas (IIRC) when 1Z closed up: https://nextzettusa.com/windscreen-clear-glass-cleaner-16-9-oz/

Of course that doesn't mean you can get it in Alaska.

I know there is nowhere locally to find Nexzett products but I do know where I can order them from

I can find the Stoner's spray at any car parts store up here and always have a house bottle as well as a detailing bottle

What I won't share is my towels, they never get into the stack of garbage "household" microfibers

 

[Setec Astronomy]

What I won't share is my towels, they never get into the stack of garbage "household" microfibers

I also keep my glass towels separate from everything else and wash them separately. Nothing worse than microfiber lint on glass, whether it's home or automotive.

 

[Eldorado2k]

The towel used will make a huge difference over the chemical you use.....IMO
I can get better results with a good waffle weave towel and water Vs. say windex and a paper towel.
Sprayway and a waffle weave towel works well for me.....I like spray way foam because it clings to the glass and doesn't run...

That’s actually my current combo. I like the Chemical Guys Gray Matter Waffle Weaves. Best ones I’ve found for glass. 2 towel method. And I agree, it’s pretty nice how the foam clings to the glass and also it doesn’t over wet the glass.

I tried so many glass cleaners over the years, Smear free buffs away clear and contains no alcohol.

Little effort for good results try it or a rinse-less wash like ONR is also good, Waffle weave cloths and get to it.

Interesting, I might consider the McKee’s Glass Cleaner. Not only because I trust your opinion, but Mckee’s makes solid products and rarely misses the mark.

The best thing I've found for removing all residue from the inside of windshields is Autoglym Car Glass Polish. It's not really a polish though, and it is safe on interior glass, but I've never used it on tinted glass though, that's a step too far for me. The only downsides I've found are that it sometimes leaves little white specks on the dash when buffing off on the inside, but they easily wipe off with a moistened MF, and if there are stone chips on the outside it will leave a little white residue in the chips on the outside when buffed off. I actually carry it in my car as it will remove any and all haze off the interior of the windshield, a common problem here with the heat we get in summer, something you probably understand. The below is from the Autoglym website.View attachment 138816

That sounds like an interesting product and I’m sure it works well, just not sure how practical it would be for use everytime.

I'll second what Bosko said that the towel is the most important part. I just use the Meg's Detailer line glass cleaner, and don't you use those Zap cloths?

I don’t use the Zap Cloths everytime, no. They’re somewhat flawed actually, and not due to what they’re made of, but rather how they’re made that leaves them prone to failing to execute on every surface with interior windshield being among their biggest weakness and it’s due to the pressure points that one puts onto the glass especially when working with such a thin towel like a Zap Cloth.

I’ve noticed just recently on the huge windshield of the Ram Promaster that while it looked good initially, once you encounter different conditions such as condensation/humidity I can see towel marks and all the pressure points from using that thin cloth and that’s a big flaw. They work much better on glass that you can apply firm even pressure on.

On the other hand, 1 of the reasons the CG Gray Matter waffle weaves that I use work so exceptionally well is because they’re a 36x24” 70/30 blend towel that provides great cushion for even pressure applied while cleaning glass, therefore helping to prevent any unsightly towel marks that may appear later down the line.

I also used the Megs Detailer line glass cleaner until just recently when I finally ran out. I currently have a few cans of Sprayway so I’ll I guess I’ll be using them for the immediate future.

I've found the fancier the glass cleaner, the worse it performs, almost like the scent and color they use taints the effectiveness of the product.

I had a similar experience with Carpro Clarify. I didn’t like the results with it. I still have a nearly full bottle in the back of my shelf that’s getting pretty old now and never gets used.

I also keep my glass towels separate from everything else and wash them separately. Nothing worse than microfiber lint on glass, whether it's home or automotive.

I wash my glass towels in the same load with my wash mitts & drying towels. They’ve always stayed good with that batch.

Thx to everyone who’s replied so far.

 

[Optimus Grime]

I use Bilt Hamber Traceless with an Autofiber double flip glass towel. I use the waffle side to clean and the plush side to buff away any residue.

 

[Big DaveBig Dave is verified member.]

That sounds like an interesting product and I’m sure it works well, just not sure how practical it would be for use everytime.



.

Fair call, I haven't had to use it for over a year. If the glass is maintained regularly normal glass cleaners work fine. I think the last time I used it was on my brother's car, which gets washed at every service, wether it needs it or not, I don't think he's ever washed it himself. His wife smokes, and swears that she never smokes in the car, but the cigarette ash on the dashboard tells another story. Anyway, the car glass polish removed the smoke haze easily.