Best glass cleaner for interior windshield?

Brrr said:
I was using Invisible glass with a regular microfiber towel for my windshield and mirrors on my semi truck. They would appear clean, but when the sun or a cars headlight hit them, it looked like instant fog/smear. I bought some Rag Co FTW towels and P&S glass cleaner to try.
I also have the Sprayway foam glass cleaner and I can’t hardly use it. I always over saturate the glass.
9 times out of 10 I find it’s easy just to lightly mist a towel (maybe half a trigger pull) and clean it that way. In my experience, my mirrors stay more clean. Sometimes I don’t even spray cleaner on them. I just buff them clean with a microfiber towel and they stay clean for the most part.
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Even after over 2 decades of detailing I have to plead guilty of frequently over using glass cleaner

I know better, it’s like an involuntary muscle memory thing

Heavy sigh…


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Clarify works streak free in the Camaro, Invisible glass and Sprayaway tired and true. Got 5L of Bilt Hamber traceless with discount was double the price of 1L.

Biggest thing that makes all products work for me is the towels.

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They’d probably work with water…


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Glass cleaners I've tried.
Stoner's
Nexzett
Bowden's Own
Garage therapy
Trace-less
Angelwax
KKD = Trace-less very similar
Poor boy's world
Repco brand
Polish Angel
Mckee's 37
Gyeon
And maybe a few i forgot.
 
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Tasmania said:
Glass cleaners I've tried.
Stoner's
Nexzett
Bowden's Own
Garage therapy
Trace-less
Angelwax
KKD = Trace-less very similar
Poor boy's world
Repco brand
Polish Angel
Mckee's 37

And maybe a few i forgot.
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I bought a gallon of plain blue Chemical Guys glass cleaner once in Hawaii, from Amazon I guess

Nothing special but it was tinting safe and as long as the glass wasn’t hot it worked

Plus it was cheap


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Tasmania said:
Glass cleaners I've tried.
Stoner's
Nexzett
Bowden's Own
Garage therapy
Trace-less
Angelwax
KKD = Trace-less very similar
Poor boy's world
Repco brand
Polish Angel
Mckee's 37

And maybe a few i forgot.
Click to expand...
Krystal Klear Bubble Gum Blitz Glass Cleaner.

I've still got one bottle you sent me, I keep it in the car, still one of my favourites.
 
I love a good spreadsheet, these are products I've used for glass. Note that I've included a couple of prep sprays, which also function as glass cleaners, in fact they can help cut through that hazy film on the inside of glass a little better. This is one occasion where pretty colors and scents is not warranted as I suspect they tamper with the ability to deliver a streak-free finish.


PRODUCTCOLORSCENTVERDICTNOTES
Angelwax VisionGreenNoneSledgehammerContains Ammonia
Bilt Hamber Trace-lessClearYesJunkI despise this stuff because it actually does leaves traces behind.
CarPro ClarifyClearYesOkI've had this work, but can be streaky
CarPro EraserBlueYesBrilliantLove this for glass, great for an initial mow down on hazy interior glass
Carpro ClarifyPhobicClearYesJunkToo streaky to persevere with
Gyeon Q2M GlassClearYesNiceGreat premium option, can be a bit streaky
Gyeon PrepPinkYesBrilliantLove this for glass, great for an initial mow down on hazy interior glass
Koch Chemie Speed GlassClearYesOkThis isn't actually IPA based, which gives it a slicker feel. Can streak
NV ClarityClearNoneJunkAvoid this, it sucks as a prep spray AND for glass
P&S True VueBlueNoneExcellentOther than the scent, this is simple and effective
Opti-coat Clean & ProtectClearNoneBrilliantUnlike ClarifyPhobic, this stuff actually works. Vastly better in fact
Stoner Invisible GlassClearNoneBrilliantNo scent, no color, just a glass cleaner, and the better for it
Stoner Invisible Glass Si02ClearNoneBrilliantAs per the regular version and Opti-Coat
Wowo's Glass CleanerPinkYesJunkSecond worst glass cleaner I have used

A couple of points -

- Carpro ClarifyPhobic requires a very specific technique to make it work, and even then it can be streaky. Personally, I would never order this again, not when Stoner or Optimum make something similar that actually works.

- Bilt Hamber Traceless I have given enough leeway. Yes, it certainly impressed for user experience in how it flashes away so quickly, I even like the scent. But the real test, driving into the sun, reveals it does leave streaks behind. Trust me, I wanted to love this, I tried multiple different application methods, less or more product, different towels, different ambient temps...............................doesn't matter what I do, it streaks. I have a big problem when a product is hyped to the moon and back but doesn't deliver.

- Of the above products, Invisible Glass (both versions), True Vue and Eraser work the best.
 
DFB said:
I love a good spreadsheet, these are products I've used for glass. Note that I've included a couple of prep sprays, which also function as glass cleaners, in fact they can help cut through that hazy film on the inside of glass a little better. This is one occasion where pretty colors and scents is not warranted as I suspect they tamper with the ability to deliver a streak-free finish.


PRODUCTCOLORSCENTVERDICTNOTES
Angelwax VisionGreenNoneSledgehammerContains Ammonia
Bilt Hamber Trace-lessClearYesJunkI despise this stuff because it actually does leaves traces behind.
CarPro ClarifyClearYesOkI've had this work, but can be streaky
CarPro EraserBlueYesBrilliantLove this for glass, great for an initial mow down on hazy interior glass
Carpro ClarifyPhobicClearYesJunkToo streaky to persevere with
Gyeon Q2M GlassClearYesNiceGreat premium option, can be a bit streaky
Gyeon PrepPinkYesBrilliantLove this for glass, great for an initial mow down on hazy interior glass
Koch Chemie Speed GlassClearYesOkThis isn't actually IPA based, which gives it a slicker feel. Can streak
NV ClarityClearNoneJunkAvoid this, it sucks as a prep spray AND for glass
P&S True VueBlueNoneExcellentOther than the scent, this is simple and effective
Opti-coat Clean & ProtectClearNoneBrilliantUnlike ClarifyPhobic, this stuff actually works. Vastly better in fact
Stoner Invisible GlassClearNoneBrilliantNo scent, no color, just a glass cleaner, and the better for it
Stoner Invisible Glass Si02ClearNoneBrilliantAs per the regular version and Opti-Coat
Wowo's Glass CleanerPinkYesJunkSecond worst glass cleaner I have used

A couple of points -

- Carpro ClarifyPhobic requires a very specific technique to make it work, and even then it can be streaky. Personally, I would never order this again, not when Stoner or Optimum make something similar that actually works.

- Bilt Hamber Traceless I have given enough leeway. Yes, it certainly impressed for user experience in how it flashes away so quickly, I even like the scent. But the real test, driving into the sun, reveals it does leave streaks behind. Trust me, I wanted to love this, I tried multiple different application methods, less or more product, different towels, different ambient temps...............................doesn't matter what I do, it streaks. I have a big problem when a product is hyped to the moon and back but doesn't deliver.

- Of the above products, Invisible Glass (both versions), True Vue and Eraser work the best.
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On Angelwax Vision, it is a strong cleaner, but I get a strong smell from it, almost clinical, but I don't think it's an added scent, it's probably the ammonia. Also it ate through the original plastic bottle it came in, but only behind the label, I started to smell it even though I wasn't using it, and when I picked it up I could feel the bottle had gone soft, so I transferred it to stronger bottle. But it does work well.
 
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Big Dave said:
On Angelwax Vision, it is a strong cleaner, but I get a strong smell from it, but I don't think it's an added scent, it's probably the ammonia. Also it ate through the original plastic bottle it came in, but only behind the label, I started to smell it even though I wasn't using it, and when I picked it up I could feel the bottle had gone soft, so I transferred it to stronger bottle. But it does work well.
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What you are smelling is the ammonia, its pretty lethal stuff. Vision is good if have a lot of hazy build up, but I've found you need to follow with a second set of towels and a regular glass cleaner to get it streak free.
 
Big Dave said:
Krystal Klear Bubble Gum Blitz Glass Cleaner.

I've still got one bottle you sent me, I keep it in the car, still one of my favourites.
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Nice it smells so much like Trace-less with the bubblegum scent,
But is better to be honest, it's a shame KKD a UK brand went out of business.
 
Years ago I used to work at a place where we’d make LCD & LED signs & displays. We’d clean them all just before shipping using denatured alcohol out of these little plunger cans using the paper towel rolls that fill the dispensers in the restrooms. The same rough towels you use to dry your hands and it worked absolutely perfect.

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I love this Diamondite glass cleaner. It foams and clings to the glass so it is easier to clean. I use surgical towels too. They do not lint and do a great job of assisting the glass cleaner in removing grime. 20250626_125731.jpg

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I hate cleaning glass. While not perfect for every scenario, I really like Meguiars Detailer line glass cleaner. Its like if a QD and Windex had a baby. It cuts through most stuff but doesn't leave streaks like traditional Windex can. I like the smell, but the grape is a take it or leave it smell, it does dissipate pretty quickly. I never liked Sprayaway, Stoners IG or really any OTC glass cleaner.
 
Cleaning the inside of a windshield can be a chore not only for the dirt and haze but also for the odd contours. You have to bend your arm and wrist in unnatural ways to get to all of the trouble spots. The type of towel that you use is as important as the cleaner. As far as a cleaner goes, I always liked Invisible Glass because it is alcohol based and it dissolves any type of sticky residue. The towels I prefer are Speed Master Waffle Weave glass towels along with CarPro Glass Fiber towels.
 
I wash with Sprayway AEROSOL because its in a can and I don't have to mix concentrate with my hard tap water. Waffle towels or Sonax glass towels washed separately. New clean microfiber applicator sponges can be good to get down in the tight corners.

But the KEY...IS...

Last step polish with a natural leather chamois cloth for streak free windows. Trust me.
 
I found that Sonax glass cleaner and Adams tend to be my go-to. Ive tried more expensive stuff and just can't see a difference, at least not a positive one. Got a bottle of True view for 3 bucks recently. The place is getting rid of it to make room for P&S reflect, which i think is a dumb idea since one contains protectant and one is a cleaner. Not a 1 for 1.

I will echo the sentiment on Gyeon Prep, that has cut some heavy haze for me.
 
Anybody else except me using 1Z....I like their glass cleaner. Cleans the grime better than even spray-a-away.
 
Using two towels to dry is what I use to minimize streaking. Of course, how much people spray on glass also makes a difference - more spray, more to remove.
 
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