Best way to deep clean a windshield? Clay then Sealant?

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Alpha123

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Hey everyone,

Just finished doing a multi-step clean, clay, ironx, seal on my 2013 Highlander. 1000 miles. Chicago winters. No garage.

I see tiny specs in the windshield when looking directly into the sun...even after i clean with glass cleaner and microfiber.

What's the best way to deep clean the windshield? I tried some of the Maguiar's smooth polish clay kit stuff but then felt it with the plastic bag test and it wasn't 100% smooth.

Is putting quick detail "wax" or paint sealant on glass a bad idea?

Should I try a medium grade clay? Is there a clay, clay lube and glass sealant system that works best? I own the 6" Griot's DA Polisher and can use that, if necessary. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
 
[video=youtube_share;aVUtdlzrktI&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL96D52AF54166C886"]Car Glass: Cleaning and Polishing[/video]

Lots of good information. Matter of fact I polished and coated my windshield yesterday.
My process was:

  1. Clean windshield (already cleaned, washed car the same morning)
  2. Clay windshield - I used the baggie test and there were some specks
  3. Cleaned windshield of the clay lube.
  4. Polished windows with DP Glass Restorer
  5. 15% IPA wipe down per instructions for Opti-Glass
  6. Did baggie test again just to see if it made a difference and it made a HUGE difference. Windshield was smooth as glass.
  7. Applied Opti-Glass and buffed off after 2 minutes of drying per their instructions
My windshield still has the specks (a lot clearer to see now after polishing and coating) in it but they are 10 years worth pits in the windshield and I can't fix those. Fixable? Probably, but I am not comfortable in my skills to do so, so I will live with it.
 
Just did mine.

- wash
- clay
- Meguiars Ultimate compound using a DA with orange LC pad. 5-6 Passes with moderate pressure on speed 5

- IPA wipe down.
- DP Glass coating.

Very smooth and no specs visible in sunlight. This of course is a fairly new vehicle.
 
Wow...eye opening. Especially using the top speed on the polisher.

What kind of clay do you guys use? Fine or medium?

I have the griots paint prep. Would that sub for the 15% IPA solution?
 
You can try grade #0000 STEEL WOOL (DRY WASH) go left to right & up & down to clean glass then clay, polish and even wax or just use glass cleaner of choice.
hope this helps
 
I used the clay I had leftover from the Meguiar's Clay Kit which I am sure most clay kits come with fine grade clay. As for the Griot's Paint Prep, I have no input for that since I've never used it so maybe someone else can chime in about that. My question is, why not just use the IPA if you are going to put a coating? I really takes no time at all using an IPA wipe down, spray it like you would window cleaner and follow the same process you would cleaning windows. Probably takes less time too.
 
Cool, thanks. Here's my plan:

1. I will try the clay again
2. Apply 15% IPA (not familiar with IPA but will look it up)
3. Glass polish with the DA on speed 6
4. Apply glass sealant (maybe opticoat or griot's).
5. Apply Invisible Glass (is this the same as IPA?) and wipe off with mf towel.

Sound like a plan?
 
Alpha123 said:
Cool, thanks. Here's my plan:

1. I will try the clay again
2. Apply 15% IPA (not familiar with IPA but will look it up)
3. Glass polish with the DA on speed 6
4. Apply glass sealant (maybe opticoat or griot's).
5. Apply Invisible Glass (is this the same as IPA?) and wipe off with mf towel.

Sound like a plan?
Click to expand...

Sounds good, but you should switch steps 2 and 3 around. Polish glass then do an IPA wipe down to remove any oils left behind. Step 5 is up to you. For me I was done after step 4 which was to apply Opti-Glass.
 
Makes sense. Want to make sure the surface is clean for the sealant to bond right. Hoping this leads to crystal clear glass....the way a new car should be :)
 
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