Cleaning windshields

[Al Launier]

The best thing I've used so far is white vinegar. It not only cleans, but also eliminates haze For a few days anyway.

[Scott Winners]

I have been using isopropyl alcohol for a while. With the 'rona my windows aren't looking their best lately.

When isopropyl is plentiful squirt it right out of the bottle onto a rag and just kind of wipe it around. Alcohols will dissolve or break up, waheter, alcohols will ruin wax in a hurry, so keep it off the paint.

With a visibly dirty window just use the alcohol to loosen the dirt and kind of wipe up the wet dirt mush without using a lot of pressure to avoid causing scratches. Once it is visibly clean, then scrub with a clean rag and isopropyl.

I used to buff with wadded newsprint. There used to be a fair bit of obsidian in newspaper ink, but I haven't done that in probably 20 years. I used RainX on my glass for a long long time, have been trialing other products without finding a new clear favorite lately.

One other tip, for the windshield on the outside I stroke/wipe up and down, for the inside of the windshield, wipe side to side. That way if there is a streak I know what side of the glass to work on.

For the side windows I go left right on the outside of the vehicle, up and down inside. Basically wipe with the airflow on the outside, and then turn 90 degrees for the inside.

[John K Jordan]

...
One other tip, for the windshield on the outside I stroke/wipe up and down, for the inside of the windshield, wipe side to side. That way if there is a streak I know what side of the glass to work on.
...

Now that's a clever idea!

[Brian Elfert]

I used to buff with wadded newsprint. There used to be a fair bit of obsidian in newspaper ink, but I haven't done that in probably 20 years.

My mother also loves to use plain newsprint to clean glass. A lot of newspapers use soy based ink now. The big local paper has been using soy based ink for 25+ years.

[Rob Luter]

My mother also loves to use plain newsprint to clean glass. A lot of newspapers use soy based ink now. The big local paper has been using soy based ink for 25+ years.

One of the reasons that works so well is the clay content in the paper. It's a mild abrasive. One of the best windshield cleaners going is Turtle Wax. Scrub off all the bugs and dirt first and rinse well. Apply the wax, let dry, and buff out. There are aerosol products that do a similar job

[Kev Williams]

Vinegar works because the 5% acid in it dissolves calcium. Want more power, find some 6% 'cleaning' vinegar. And HD sells a 30% acid version... holy crap! Coke/Pepsi dissolves calcium because of the phosphoric acid in them, but the colored sugar water won't clean much else

I've laser engraved probably 5000 wine glasses in the last few years, I clean off the shards & other residue with 0000 steel wool, and it's never left a hint of a scratch. Green 'kitchen' scotchbrite pads on the other hand, because they're impregnated with aluminum oxide will scratch the bajeezus out of glass. And don't even dare use the red 'metal' scotchbrite!

Off the 'glass' path a bit speaking of abrasives, while Magic Erasers will remove paint, scuff up plexiglass, and screw up the protective finish on boat upholstery, the things won't scratch stainless steel... But I've never thought to even try magic erasers on glass...