Glass Cleaning Tricks

[Sportin' Wood]

It seems there is an art to cleaning glass. I'm not sure why, but it always interests me how to get the best possible finish on glass. Either a windshield, windows or even the shield on a helmet. What's your trick? I'm trying to step up my glass-cleaning game.

Currently use CRL Industrial Strength Hi-Sheen glass cleaner on glass

and

Plexis on the plastic screens and goggles.

I've not found the perfect option for cleaning reading glasses.

Angie has the hard water hack, I'll let her share that.

I'm guessing someone on here has the ultimate self-made recipe, for a perfect finish.

 

[FreeBird236]

I've never had enough energy or patience, but I've had some tell me it's all about polishing the glass, basically scrubbing it clean. Most glass products leave residue, but I've had decent luck with Invisible Glass, but I think it's full of silicone, but ok for amateurs like me.

 

[evantwheeler]

It seems there is an art to cleaning glass. I'm not sure why, but it always interests me how to get the best possible finish on glass. Either a windshield, windows or even the shield on a helmet. What's your trick? I'm trying to step up my glass-cleaning game.

Currently use CRL Industrial Strength Hi-Sheen glass cleaner on glass

and

Plexis on the plastic screens and goggles.

I've not found the perfect option for cleaning reading glasses.

Angie has the hard water hack, I'll let her share that.

I'm guessing someone on here has the ultimate self-made recipe, for a perfect finish.

I use any readily avaliable glass cleaner with a microfiber cloth for initial clean and wipe. Then a minute or two later, use a DRY microfiber for final dry and "polish". If you use the same initial clean and wipe cloth for final clean, it seems to leave witness marks.

Have used a water/vinegar mixture with good results for regular cleaning. For real hard water spots have used lemon juice as the liquid and also baking soda as an abrasive.

 

[YeahYeah01]

It seems there is an art to cleaning glass. I'm not sure why, but it always interests me how to get the best possible finish on glass. Either a windshield, windows or even the shield on a helmet. What's your trick? I'm trying to step up my glass-cleaning game.

Currently use CRL Industrial Strength Hi-Sheen glass cleaner on glass

and

Plexis on the plastic screens and goggles.

I've not found the perfect option for cleaning reading glasses.

Angie has the hard water hack, I'll let her share that.

I'm guessing someone on here has the ultimate self-made recipe, for a perfect finish.

I am all eyes for he hard water hack lol

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I use any readily avaliable glass cleaner with a microfiber cloth for initial clean and wipe. Then a minute or two later, use a DRY microfiber for final dry and "polish". If you use the same initial clean and wipe cloth for final clean, it seems to leave witness marks.

The dry wipe after is key. I like Spray A Way.

 

[warpt71]

brand new rags work best I think

 

[Mandelon]

Interesting, I find the microfiber towels work better after they have been laundered a couple times. New ones are not absorbent at all.

 

[DLC]

On exterior home windows, I use a Good glass cleaner soap and rinse w/ DI water

Inside same soap and a squeegee and extra rags to catch the dirty soap water
I bought the window cleaning tools, supplies & rags at a janitorial supply

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I am all eyes for he hard water hack lol

Hard Water Shower Cleaner for Sale in CA - Bring It On Cleaner

Shop online for top-rated hard water removers and window spot cleaners in the USA. Act now for cleaner showers & windows!

bringitoncleaner.com

 

[DWC]

I’ve tried every cleaner possible. This is my current go to. If the glass is really dirty I’ll hit them twice. Once with a regular microfiber and drench the window/rag. Hit it a second time with a light spray and glass cloth.

 

[hallett21]

The dry wipe after is key. I like Spray A Way.

Spray away aka the cleaning lady spray. Works so good

 

[Bails]

old school, use newspaper or paper towels. You have to crumple up the paper to created ridges that catch the dirt. I use this method with windex and it does a great job. I carry micro fiber towel in my canam and they don't work as well as paper.

 

[ltbaney1]

old school, use newspaper or paper towels. You have to crumple up the paper to created ridges that catch the dirt. I use this method with windex and it does a great job. I carry micro fiber towel in my canam and they don't work as well as paper.

coffee filters work well too.

 

[BabyRay]

This with paper towels.


Our Ridgeback rubs her nose all over our kitchen sliders, and once over with this usually does it.

 

[27Daytona]

For Exterior Windows the best thing I’ve found is a bucket of Hot Water and Dawn Dishwashing liquid. Apply with a sponge and remove with a squeegee. I have a shit ton of west facing glass on my Havasu place. (1) 8’x16’ Slider, (2) 8’x8’ Sliders and (1) 5’x7’ plate glass window. If they’re not cleaned perfect they look terrible when the sun starts going down and you can see every little cleaning imperfection. This method ensures zero streaks, and is also cheapest and the fastest! Yore Welcome

 

[JDKRXW]

Exterior windows; mix up about 2 gallons of HOT water, a squirt of dish soap and about solid cup of white vinegar.
Apply with a window cleaning sponge and finish up with the widest squeege possible.
Wipe the squeege dry after every swipe.

 

[JDKRXW]

For Exterior Windows the best thing I’ve found is a bucket of Hot Water and Dawn Dishwashing liquid. Apply with a sponge and remove with a squeegee. I have a shit ton of west facing glass on my Havasu place. (1) 8’x16’ Slider, (2) 8’x8’ Sliders and (1) 5’x7’ plate glass window. If they’re not cleaned perfect they look terrible when the sun starts going down and you can see every little cleaning imperfection. This method ensures zero streaks, and is also cheapest and the fastest! Yore Welcome

You got me by 1 minute!

 

[Justsomeguy]

I use shine supply window cleaner as it also acts like rainx and beads the water. But cleaner I think has less to do with it.

If I have hard water stains, they sell a glass polish also that works really well. I've used it on shower doors before.

I use specific window microfiber towels. The weave of the fibers is much different than a regular towel.

I spray just a bit on one towel wipe and clean. Flip and dry. Then I grab a completely clean towel and go both side to side and up and down. Streak free windows.

 

[ElAzul]

I use good car wash soap with a splash of spray detailer for hard water

 

[YeahYeah01]

I use shine supply window cleaner as it also acts like rainx and beads the water. But cleaner I think has less to do with it.

If I have hard water stains, they sell a glass polish also that works really well. I've used it on shower doors before.

I use specific window microfiber towels. The weave of the fibers is much different than a regular towel.

I spray just a bit on one towel wipe and clean. Flip and dry. Then I grab a completely clean towel and go both side to side and up and down. Streak free windows.

Not sure I want to take advice from just some guy but this sounds pretty good lol.

 

[lakemadness]

One of the services my business provides is high-rise glass cleaning. Any glass actually, we just specialize in high-rises.

I cannot clean glass, sure a shit not doing it hanging off the side of a building. It's an art. A lot of practice and skill. Most of our guys have 20-25 years of experience.

They say just a tiny amount of dawn soap and water. Get the glass wet and squeegee it dry. Rags are for newbs that don't know how to work a squeegee. It's the squeegee where the talent is along with being able to do it with both left and right hands, so you have a wider reach while you repel down thus saving you some trips down.

We also have pure water-fed pole systems for lower-rise buildings we cannot repel. The poles reach 70ish feet and are made of carbon fiber. R/O, DI filters put out pure water that will not leave any minerals behind once it dries.

A couple of shots of our guys.

 

[Desert Whaler]

This with paper towels.
View attachment 1251097

Our Ridgeback rubs her nose all over our kitchen sliders, and once over with this usually does it.

. . . it's almost impossible to leave streaks with Sprayaway . .. it's the goods.

FWIW - I picked up one of these Griots synthetic clay pads to do my trucks paint.
It works really well on the windshield with soap /water.
Takes off all those baked-on bugs & sticky crap.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

For Exterior Windows the best thing I’ve found is a bucket of Hot Water and Dawn Dishwashing liquid. Apply with a sponge and remove with a squeegee. I have a shit ton of west facing glass on my Havasu place. (1) 8’x16’ Slider, (2) 8’x8’ Sliders and (1) 5’x7’ plate glass window. If they’re not cleaned perfect they look terrible when the sun starts going down and you can see every little cleaning imperfection. This method ensures zero streaks, and is also cheapest and the fastest! Yore Welcome

This is what I do too. Soapy water and a squeegee, and it's way easier the using glass cleaner and a roll of paper towels, and no swirls.

 

[The Prisoner]

On people saying paper towels….make sure they are not the kitchen type…those have chemicals to make it soft which causes streaks. You need the brown or white”bleached” type.. think towels for industrial use.

 

[ltbaney1]

. . . it's almost impossible to leave streaks with Sprayaway . .. it's the goods.

FWIW - I picked up one of these Griots synthetic clay pads to do my trucks paint.
It works really well on the windshield with soap /water.
Takes off all those baked-on bugs & sticky crap.

View attachment 1251105

got a link for that? my windshield got hammered last month on the coming back from Havasu on the 40, i have tried just a normal clay bar and it got a little bit better, id be willing to give this a shot before i just replace it.

 

[The Prisoner]

While we are on the “glass” subject. My mom’s headlight s are so bad it’s dangerous at night. I’ve tried all the tricks but nothing works…I think I will have to replace the lenses….we never use it at night but July 4th I needed it and oh boy was it dim. I’ve tried the drills with the compound thing even way back on the Escalade I had but nothing works…maybe after a certain point it’s just trashed..

 

[Sportin' Wood]

While we are on the “glass” subject. My mom’s headlight s are so bad it’s dangerous at night. I’ve tried all the tricks but nothing works…I think I will have to replace the lenses….we never use it at night but July 4th I needed it and oh boy was it dim. I’ve tried the drills with the compound thing even way back on the Escalade I had but nothing works…maybe after a certain point it’s just trashed..

 

[Desert Whaler]

got a link for that? my windshield got hammered last month on the coming back from Havasu on the 40, i have tried just a normal clay bar and it got a little bit better, id be willing to give this a shot before i just replace it.

I'm not sure how much better it'll do over the normal clay you already used. Don't wanna mislead You into spending more $$$.

I bought it cause my clay bars were old & filthy . . . . and I liked the idea of rinsing this one as you go.

Here's an Amazon link to it . . .

https://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-10691-Synthetic-Brilliant/dp/B072HHT8NF/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3LLOP7NEBDSMV&keywords=griots+synthetic+clay&qid=1689030261&sprefix=griots+syn%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-2

 

[ltbaney1]

I'm not sure how much better it'll do over the normal clay you already used. Don't wanna mislead You into spending more $$$.

I bought it cause my clay bars were old & filthy . . . . and I liked the idea of rinsing this one as you go.

Here's an Amazon link to it . . .

https://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-10691-Synthetic-Brilliant/dp/B072HHT8NF/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3LLOP7NEBDSMV&keywords=griots+synthetic+clay&qid=1689030261&sprefix=griots+syn%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-2

perfect, thanks. no problem, ill burn another $26 before i call my glass guy. i hate to replace the factory windshield if i dont have too. if had already been replaced id have called my guy from the freeway before i got home.

 

[TPC]

Marine Corps Barracks it was wadded up newspaper and vinegar.

 

[lbhsbz]

It seems there is an art to cleaning glass. I'm not sure why, but it always interests me how to get the best possible finish on glass. Either a windshield, windows or even the shield on a helmet. What's your trick? I'm trying to step up my glass-cleaning game.

Currently use CRL Industrial Strength Hi-Sheen glass cleaner on glass

and

Plexis on the plastic screens and goggles.

I've not found the perfect option for cleaning reading glasses.

Angie has the hard water hack, I'll let her share that.

I'm guessing someone on here has the ultimate self-made recipe, for a perfect finish.

Glass...a bit of dawn soap and water with one of those fuzzy round mop/think non-rolling paint roller things...then a squeegee. Follow that up with 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water....glass will be as clean as it's gonna get after that. My Grandpa taught me this...he escaped from Czech when the Russians invaded so I sort of gave him the benefit of the doubt when it came to the best/least expensive ways to get shit handled. He used to light a camp fire under the oil pan of his bulldozer an hour or so before he hand-crank started the diesel in the middle of an eastern european winter....so he wasn't one of the pussy's we take advise from today....

I've been doing it this way and the results are excellent.

Polycarbonate eye glasses....I can't offer much as I just shot 2 part clear coat on some parts yesterday without taking mine off, and now they're fucked. I was quick on my feet though...and took them off and sprayed an even coat of clear instead of just overspray on the lenses and wetted it out nicely...can still see through them properly, and they (if the advertising is correct) should have better UV resistance...lol....and I can polish and wax them now like a car.

 

[spectra3279]

Cover the dash with towels. Spray invisible glass and squeegee.

 

[endobear]

I do the dawn dish soap, sponge and squeegee. I'll ad a shot of dishwasher jet dry to the mix.
If they are really filthy ill hit them with a blue scotch bright while it's all soaped up.

 

[riverroyal]

After a long time, my entire life, cleaning my vehicles once a week, I just discovered something.
The actual 'glass' cloths kick ass! I just got some from adams polish. Huge improvement

 

[azsunfun]

I watch. The wife does a damn good job!

 

[Wmc]

My friend just showed me this trick she used. Water on a micro fiber and a glass cleaning rag made for glass. They sell them on Amazon. I shit you not. It works

 

[Justsomeguy]

While we are on the “glass” subject. My mom’s headlight s are so bad it’s dangerous at night. I’ve tried all the tricks but nothing works…I think I will have to replace the lenses….we never use it at night but July 4th I needed it and oh boy was it dim. I’ve tried the drills with the compound thing even way back on the Escalade I had but nothing works…maybe after a certain point it’s just trashed..

Thats a tough one. There is a method. It requires several different grits of sand paper. I watched a video where Jeremy did it. But I've never done it.

Professional Headlight Restoration Kit

Restore headlights the right way. Properly restoring headlights with our professional kit is a great add-on service to your detail menu. There are several "quick fix" headlight restoration kits on the market but the results never last. Our kit will provide long term results because it enables...

shinesupply.com

Not sure I want to take advice from just some guy but this sounds pretty good lol.

incase you decide to.

Sun Shine Glass Cleaning Kit

Cleaning glass just got easier. Sun Shine is a highly concentrated glass cleaner that promises to leave your windows looking perfect. Having crystal clear windows on your vehicle not only completes its desired look, but also provides an advanced level of safety by enhancing the driver’s...

shinesupply.com

Glass Polish Plus 16 oz

Clear up your glass. We gave Glass Polish an upgrade! Here's how we made it better... Easy-To-Use: Engineered for easy application with a quick wipe-off and no residual dust. Performance: Effectively removes stubborn water spots from glass surfaces. Versatile Use: Restores chrome to a...

shinesupply.com

 

[Richard.E]

Wipe first with filtered water on a normal microfiber.
I have a filter for DI water that attaches to the hose for final rinses.

Finish with a Waffle Weave towel.

This also works wonders on car windows, and windows at the house.

HydroView Ceramic Glass Cleaner & Coating | Chemical Guys

HydroView is the ultimate hydrophobic 2-in-1 glass cleaner and ceramic coating protectant. It provides a smooth and contamination-free surface that instantly sheds water for optical clarity.

www.chemicalguys.com

 

[rrrr]

I use Sprayway for most glass cleaning. If I'm doing the big dang deal cleaning of exterior windows, hot water and household ammonia cleaner applied with a long bristle window brush and followed by a squeegee works well and is much faster. I place a towel on the sill when washing the interior side of the window to soak up excess cleaning solution. The brush is available at Grainger.

Sprayway also cleans polycarbonate better than anything else. I have a tip for safety glasses used in workshop and vehicle repair. When not in use, I store them in a clean cotton shorty sock. It prevents scratching of the lens. You'll be surprised at how long they'll stay in as new condition.

One more recommendation. Sprayway stainless steel cleaner is absolutely the best product for cleaning appliance faces. Unlike every other stainless steel cleaner, it doesn't leave an oily residue on the surface.

 

[checkrdpast]

I can't believe no one has mentioned #000 steelwool with vinegar and dish soap trick

 

[Rvrluvr]

Water & a napkin

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

So I use spray way and tried the microfiber towel and BINGO! we have a winner!!!!

 

[PDQH2O]

Surprised no one mentioned this product. With a crumpled up B&W, non color print newspaper, I get great results In no time at all.

 

[srttruck]

I can't believe no one has mentioned #000 steelwool with vinegar and dish soap trick

This or a white scotch brite pad

 

[Bails]

No one else's wife is selling Norwex? my wife swears by the glass polishing towel. I'll stick with the crumpled up paper towel.

 

[fishing fool]

This is what you need...
https://www.amazon.com/Puomue-Micro...4&sr=1-2-c89da9c5-dcc1-49a6-9cc5-d960e714a80a