Best way to clean exterior of windshield

P21s Paintwork Cleanser with a mf applicator.


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Now that I'm comfortable using my Griot's buffer, I'm assuming the Griot's brand glass polish pads are just fine for the windshield and glass roof.

Because there are a lot of different approaches on this thread, for a novice, I'm assuming I need to:

clay the windshield (done this past weekend) after washing the car (will do this before I polish)
use the griot's glass pad with fine glass polish
apply the griot's glass sealant (is this typically done by hand?)
follow up with a good glass cleaner (I have Mothers ReVision)

Should be good enough for a first attempt - may get adventurous with the steel wool if I don't like the results.
 
There glass sealant is the one product that let me down.


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Glass polish and a glass cutting pad if it is a badly sandblasted and pitted glass.

For regular thorough cleaning I use a clay pad and ONR and then just follow up with my glass cleaner on a waffle weave. Claying has solved my skipping and noisy wiper blades in the past as well as making sure there is no oxidized rubber on the blades. Rubbing alcohol for that.
 
Glass polish might be a little agressive for just cleaning the windshield. That is designed to remove damage in the glass.

All the method listed work. My favorite is #0000 steel wool but you can use clay for the same result. You are just trying to remove the stuff that won't come off with normal cleaning, glass polish is designed to abrade the glass.

As for sealant, when I switched from Aquapel for McKee's 37 glass coating, I was sold. On my own windshied it lasts about 1.5 year (I don't drive much in the rain). For my customer, I tell them about a year.
 
I did try a regular clay bar that didn't have much effect on the glass - may have improved it a little but not much. I know there are glass "cutting" pads out there so I just assumed a polish pad, by comparison, would be a fool proof way to clean it up nicely.
 
fju2112 said:
I did try a regular clay bar that didn't have much effect on the glass - may have improved it a little but not much. I know there are glass "cutting" pads out there so I just assumed a polish pad, by comparison, would be a fool proof way to clean it up nicely.
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Try using a foam cutting pad with a regular compound and see how it goes. Keep the glass polish for scratch removal in the glass and if you ever decide to do that, you will need the pad designed to do it, a rotary polisher and a lot of patience.
 
Sounds like it is time to start polishing your glass. That will truly clean the surface. And not all glass polishes are created equal. Meaning there are some designed to cleanse the glass rather than trying to remove wiper marks. Any of the ones Bobby posted will work.

It will be optional if you choose to apply some sort of rain repellent afterwards.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...ay-clean-exterior-windshield.html#post1727983
 
fju2112 said:
Any recommendation for a different sealant?
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I ‘m going to use Gtechniq g1 in fall. Right now Griots Ceramic Glass Cleaner.

Just as good as their sealant but easy to use weekly or when needed. Clean and protect in one step


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The Guz said:
Sounds like it is time to start polishing your glass. That will truly clean the surface. And not all glass polishes are created equal. Meaning there are some designed to cleanse the glass rather than trying to remove wiper marks. Any of the ones Bobby posted will work.

It will be optional if you choose to apply some sort of rain repellent afterwards.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...ay-clean-exterior-windshield.html#post1727983
Click to expand...

Thank you, this is more what I was looking for. Seems there's a lot of different methods on the forum but I'm happy to use some purpose-specific products. I did see Mike's video on test spotting when buffing the paint, and he did clay the glass with a regular clay bar, which I've already done, and just didn't do enough for me.

Also, the way Benz does pano roofs, the entire roof of the vehicle is glass, so I want to do something more than just clay it (clean it real good and add a sealant).

What is best for headlamp lenses to keep them protected - I'm not going to use anything abrasive on the lenses as they have a factory coating on them to keep them from fogging up, so maybe just claying/cleaning them good, and adding a sealant?
 
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