Windows are often the most overlooked in detailing, and at home. But having properly cleaned glass can make all the difference in the final outcome.
First, you want to work in a shady, cool environment. Unless the glass is new, you'll probably need to do some correction. If the glass is badly scratched, you might want to get it replaced. If its not bad then you can buy a glass polishing kit and use a polisher to help remove them. You can also use white toothpaste and work it in by hand, let it dry, then clean it all off. This is a temporary diy filler.
Next, you want to use #0000 steel wool DRY to get sap and contaminants off the window. Make sure to get all the edges. In my experience, I have never scratched a window with this and is much safer then a razor blade in my opinion. Do NOT use the steel wool on mirrors.
Make sure you spend a long time with the steel wool, getting every little imperfection out. If your scared of the steel wool or razor blade, you can supposedly use dilluted muriatic acid. I haven't tried this but muriatic acid is serious business. It will eat you skin and lungs alive if your not careful. I haven't used it but I know NEVER EVER ADD WATER TO ANY ACID. ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER. DO NOT MIX CHEMICALS. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. This stuff is tremendously powerful.
The window should look really good by now. Its not entirely necessary to clean it again if you used the steel wool, but heres the best way Ive found:
Use a high quality aerosol glass cleaner such as invisible glass or plain water. Windex or anything with suds will add a film over the window because the evaporation happens too fast. Evaporation may seem like a good thing but it leaves a haze behind. Plain water actually works the best but you must thoroughly dry everything to avoid water spots. You also want to make sure the surface was thoroughly corrected if using water because water has no solvents. The beauty behind water is the purity.
Have 2 or more CLEAN towels ready, one for washing one for drying. I suggest microfiber cloths or squeegees for the drying. Paper towels leave lint everywhere.
Evenly Spray *just enough* product on the window to get the job done. Most people use too much, and end up getting the dry towel all wet and leaving the rest of the windows still wet, water spotted, and smeary. You will get the feel for how much product is just right.
Do all the edges first. Use firm pressure and make even, horizontal passes across the window. You want the work to get done in one pass, so dont go over it again unless you re wet the window. Now, take your dry towel and with firm pressure, get the edges. Then make vertical passes to buff out your window for streak free transparency. Its vital that you use a dry towel for the drying process, or else you will smear product back on the window. Dont forget to do inside and out, and roll down the windows to get those edges.
Even if you do it all properly, there is bound to be a streak somewhere. You can use the #0000 steel wool for touch ups so you dont have to rewet the window. When inspecting, do it in sun and look at the glass from all angles.
Windows are just like floors in the sense that if you keep them clean, the rest of it will seem cleaner than it actually is. Keep up on your windows and practice proper technique, and it becomes quick and easy eventually.
First, you want to work in a shady, cool environment. Unless the glass is new, you'll probably need to do some correction. If the glass is badly scratched, you might want to get it replaced. If its not bad then you can buy a glass polishing kit and use a polisher to help remove them. You can also use white toothpaste and work it in by hand, let it dry, then clean it all off. This is a temporary diy filler.
Next, you want to use #0000 steel wool DRY to get sap and contaminants off the window. Make sure to get all the edges. In my experience, I have never scratched a window with this and is much safer then a razor blade in my opinion. Do NOT use the steel wool on mirrors.
Make sure you spend a long time with the steel wool, getting every little imperfection out. If your scared of the steel wool or razor blade, you can supposedly use dilluted muriatic acid. I haven't tried this but muriatic acid is serious business. It will eat you skin and lungs alive if your not careful. I haven't used it but I know NEVER EVER ADD WATER TO ANY ACID. ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER. DO NOT MIX CHEMICALS. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. This stuff is tremendously powerful.
The window should look really good by now. Its not entirely necessary to clean it again if you used the steel wool, but heres the best way Ive found:
Use a high quality aerosol glass cleaner such as invisible glass or plain water. Windex or anything with suds will add a film over the window because the evaporation happens too fast. Evaporation may seem like a good thing but it leaves a haze behind. Plain water actually works the best but you must thoroughly dry everything to avoid water spots. You also want to make sure the surface was thoroughly corrected if using water because water has no solvents. The beauty behind water is the purity.
Have 2 or more CLEAN towels ready, one for washing one for drying. I suggest microfiber cloths or squeegees for the drying. Paper towels leave lint everywhere.
Evenly Spray *just enough* product on the window to get the job done. Most people use too much, and end up getting the dry towel all wet and leaving the rest of the windows still wet, water spotted, and smeary. You will get the feel for how much product is just right.
Do all the edges first. Use firm pressure and make even, horizontal passes across the window. You want the work to get done in one pass, so dont go over it again unless you re wet the window. Now, take your dry towel and with firm pressure, get the edges. Then make vertical passes to buff out your window for streak free transparency. Its vital that you use a dry towel for the drying process, or else you will smear product back on the window. Dont forget to do inside and out, and roll down the windows to get those edges.
Even if you do it all properly, there is bound to be a streak somewhere. You can use the #0000 steel wool for touch ups so you dont have to rewet the window. When inspecting, do it in sun and look at the glass from all angles.
Windows are just like floors in the sense that if you keep them clean, the rest of it will seem cleaner than it actually is. Keep up on your windows and practice proper technique, and it becomes quick and easy eventually.
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