Using 0000 steel wool on windshield

[Calendyr]

Hey guys,

I just watched a video explaining how to polish the windshield using 0000 steel wool.

Do any of you guys use this technique and if so how does it compare to using a DA with a glass polishing pad and glass polish?

 

[stilltipping3]

No, I don't use the steel. I use another little kitchen scrubber that's like that but made of rubber with little wholes on it for friction. It has good cleaning power without the fear of scratching. I also still use the DA if need be and some nice sealer. A razor is always good practice if you keep the razor fresh and sharp with a nice lube on the window. These are my practices. I have no problem and my windows feel awesome!!

 

[statusdetailing]

It won't polish the glass and is nothing like using a polishing pad. Back when I did very bad cars on a daily basis, I would quickly go over the windshield with "0000" steel wool to remove the worst contaminants before claying.

If used with something like ONR it won't leave any scratches and does an excellent job of removing contaminants.

You can also quickly go over the windows with a razor blade (lots of lube and at a 45 degree or less angle) to quickly remove contaminants before claying the windows. This is actually used even in very high end detailing.

These methods are normally used during the wash or prep process before detailing.

 

[FUNX650]

I don't use "steel-wools", no matter the grade, near vehicles.
There are always the multitude of nearly undetectable pieces (at first/until oxidation occurs), that break-off while it's being used;
and, that also no longer have the oil-laden rust preventatives from the factory, of which later to contend.

IMHO...If you must use this type of abrasive product:
Stainless-steel and/or brass "steel wools" are 'better alternatives'.



Bob

 

[swanicyouth]

Glass is like paint, albeit doesn't scratch as easy - but it will scratch. I think you'd have to be nuts to use steel wool on your windshield. There are specific products made for glass that work wonders, why not use them?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Count me on the "don't use steel wool on glass" gang...


I don't use steel wool on glass, never have and never recommend it.


I know there are a lot of guys and even detailers that recommend it but steel scratches glass. Just because you cannot visually see the scratches doesn't mean they are not there.

Plus there are a lot of glass polishes available that are safe, no risks at all.

 

[statusdetailing]

I don't use it anymore. :doh:
I'll admit, when I was doing dealer cars on a daily basis, I didn't really care what type of minute damage it may have caused, compared to the condition these vehicles in, it would have not been noticeable.

It was fast, and as a production detailer, it's all I cared about. I grew up and moved on.

 

[octane]

I can just imagine a client's face when you pull out the steel wool...

 

[Calendyr]

Ok, so no steel wool then

I am unsure what those kitchen scrubbers made of rubber are... can you post a picture?

If I can find something that is fast to do, and that I can do during the wash without having to pull out the polisher and spend 20 minutes on the windshield I am all for it. I could use that in low cost détails.

What about magic eracers (mr. Clean stuff) on the windshield? Would that do a decent job?

I have yet to find a razor blade+handle. Where do you guys get this? Closest I found was at the dollar store, the razor blade is attached and the handle is much shorter. Also the blade is twice as wide so I don't think it would conform to the curvature of the windshield as well.

I am also wondering if Nano Skin Medium Grade (red) sponges would do a decent job for this.

So many questions Sorry guys

 

[swanicyouth]

Ok, so no steel wool then

I am unsure what those kitchen scrubbers made of rubber are... can you post a picture?

If I can find something that is fast to do, and that I can do during the wash without having to pull out the polisher and spend 20 minutes on the windshield I am all for it. I could use that in low cost détails.


What about magic eracers (mr. Clean stuff) on the windshield? Would that do a decent job?

I have yet to find a razor blade+handle. Where do you guys get this? Closest I found was at the dollar store, the razor blade is attached and the handle is much shorter. Also the blade is twice as wide so I don't think it would conform to the curvature of the windshield as well.

I am also wondering if Nano Skin Medium Grade (red) sponges would do a decent job for this.

So many questions Sorry guys

What are you trying to accomplish? Defect removal (scratches) or just decontaminating the glass? If the later, I would just use clay or a clay substitute with ONR. Another thing you could use is a non or slightly abrasive polish (like PB's Pro Polish) on a Polishin' Pal with a white LC 3.5" beveled pad. That would make short work of it. Even AIO, like Mother's Liquid AIO Cleaner Wax can work wonders on glass by hand.

If your going after defects, you going to need big *ss Popeye muscle man arms to get out scratches without a machine (ask me how I know).

 

[ken tuep]

Nanoskin autoscrubber, I use the 4 inch for the cyclo. It gets into the corners better than the 6 inch. Use their hydrophobic lube, and you'll be set.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using AG Online

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hey guys,

I just watched a video explaining how to polish the windshield using 0000 steel wool.

Do any of you guys use this technique and if so how does it compare to using a DA with a glass polishing pad and glass polish?

Here's a car that had horrible gunk and overspray paint all over it including the glass and the link to the original thread.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-phillips/67249-polishing-glass-using-da.html


He says you can use a DA in his video, and hes using a cyan cutting pad:

[video=youtube_share;X17e8QDqgXU"]How to remove water spots off glass - YouTube[/video]​

And here's another one...

How to Polish Glass with Pinnacle GlassWork Water Spot Remover

:xyxthumbs:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Nanoskin autoscrubber, I use the 4 inch for the cyclo. It gets into the corners better than the 6 inch. Use their hydrophobic lube, and you'll be set.

Sure did the job on the yellow overspray paint all over the paint and the glass on this truck and the links to all the products are in the write-up.


How to remove overspray paint using the Cyclo Polisher


Cyclo has added Nanoskin Autoscrub Pads to their line of high quality products. Pictured below are the Fine Grade and Medium Grade.

To remove the overspray paint off this 1949 Chevy Pickup we used the Medium Grade.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Here's another one with the man himself, Dennis Gage...


Autogeek on My Classic Car - Episode #18 Glass Polishing

[video=youtube_share;SMraMEBOodk&hd=1"]Autogeek Pinnacle Glass Cleaning[/video]​

Episode #18 Glass Polishing on My Classic Car

This episode features James Otto and some of the cars in his car collection and in the Autogeek segment we feature,

Pinnacle Glassworks Water Spot Remover

Pinnacle GlassCoat Window Sealant with Rain Repellent

Porter Cable 7424XP

4" Spot Repair Pads


All kinds of ways to get glass clean...

 

[Calendyr]

What are you trying to accomplish? Defect removal (scratches) or just decontaminating the glass? If the later, I would just use clay or a clay substitute with ONR. Another thing you could use is a non or slightly abrasive polish (like PB's Pro Polish) on a Polishin' Pal with a white LC 3.5" beveled pad. That would make short work of it. Even AIO, like Mother's Liquid AIO Cleaner Wax can work wonders on glass by hand.

If your going after defects, you going to need big *ss Popeye muscle man arms to get out scratches without a machine (ask me how I know).

Nah just decontamination. For scratch removal I really doubt steel wool would do anything. Anyway I have glass polishing pads and glass polishing compound for that from Car Pro. Just hope no one asks for that service, after reading the thread on it I am not sure I want to spend 6 hours correcting glass.

 

[Calendyr]

Had already seen all those videos, I think I saw them all actually Hehehe

I was just curious if there was a quicker way to do it so it could be included in an entry level detail package. Doing the glass polishing on the entire car will take about an hour, maybe a bit less.. So that's a no-no for a 60$ detail. But if I can take a nanoskin sponge and rub the glass for 2 minutes per pannel, then it's doable.

 

[HateSwirls]

+1


That's how I do it also, never had any problems, in fact always had great results. :dblthumb2:

It won't polish the glass and is nothing like using a polishing pad. Back when I did very bad cars on a daily basis, I would quickly go over the windshield with "0000" steel wool to remove the worst contaminants before claying.

If used with something like ONR it won't leave any scratches and does an excellent job of removing contaminants.

You can also quickly go over the windows with a razor blade (lots of lube and at a 45 degree or less angle) to quickly remove contaminants before claying the windows. This is actually used even in very high end detailing.

These methods are normally used during the wash or prep process before detailing.

 

[HateSwirls]

You always make things look easy to us Mike:dblthumb2:
Can't tell you how much I've learned from your post and vids.

Thanks

Here's another one with the man himself, Dennis Gage...


Autogeek on My Classic Car - Episode #18 Glass Polishing

Autogeek Pinnacle Glass Cleaning​

Episode #18 Glass Polishing on My Classic Car

This episode features James Otto and some of the cars in his car collection and in the Autogeek segment we feature,

Pinnacle Glassworks Water Spot Remover

Pinnacle GlassCoat Window Sealant with Rain Repellent

Porter Cable 7424XP

4" Spot Repair Pads


All kinds of ways to get glass clean...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I was just curious if there was a quicker way to do it so it could be included in an entry level detail package. Doing the glass polishing on the entire car will take about an hour, maybe a bit less.. So that's a no-no for a 60$ detail.

But if I can take a nanoskin sponge and rub the glass for 2 minutes per pannel, then it's doable.

If you're washing the car with a normal car wash approach then use the Nanoskin Wash Mitt.

You could also use the Nanoskin Autoscrub Towel, either with a clay lube or while washing it with any procedure.

The idea is to get that part over at the time you're cleaning/wiping/washing the car.

You always make things look easy to us Mike:dblthumb2:

Can't tell you how much I've learned from your post and vids.

Thanks

Thanks for the kind words...

 

[ClayR]

+1 autoscrub (on a DA) using glide.