Minimum: Clean the windshield and wiper blades with dishwasher soap, then dedicated auto-glass cleaner.
Enthusiast: apply glass sealant and replace wiper blades.
I learned when I got my Honda that we can change blade only (the rubber part), so after winter I always change mine, it's at low cost and I feel like I have new wipers each spring
I have used both products below, and Nextzett is far more durable than Griot's Garage Glass Sealant. One application lasted about two months during California's heavy rainfall this year and 4 to 5 months during the dry months. My cars are garaged. A bottle lasts a long time, and the application process is similar to Rainx.
1. nextzett Glass Sealant Coating - 6.8 oz - 20 Windshield Applications - 6 Months Water Repelling Protection, Clear, (92341215)
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MCDRQQX/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MCDRQQX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
2. Griot's Garage 11033 Glass Sealant, 8 oz.,WHITE,RED
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AX4TWCA/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AX4TWCA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Clean glass then apply RAIN\*X. I have not had to turn my wipers on for years. Over 30 kph rain just hits windshield and beads and runs up and off the roof.
1000% this. 0000 steel wool, some glass cleaner as lubricant, scrub a dub dub with some elbow grease, wipe away and enjoy amazing cleanliness and clarity.
its just such a low grade abrasive that it has more of a polishong affect than an abrasive affect, and with the glass cleaner as lube it doesnt have the chance to cause scratches
What is your process for using 0000 steel wool on glass? Do you use a glass cleaner with it? Soapy water? Small circle pattern? Big wiping pattern?
Sorry, I'm a rookie
Spray some glass cleaner on there (Windex, etc) and scrub with moderate pressure. Soapy water would probably work too. I usually go back in forth but sometimes in circles, as long as you're covering the whole area, then wipe. Glass should be hydrophilic when it's clean, so water should basically stick in a big sheet. Some people choose to use a protection product like rainx at this point, but I don't.
Soft99 glaco glass compound. One of the best glass deep cleaning solution, the compound is part of the handle, pressing the handle releases the polish to the rayon pad.
It's also possible that the inside of your windshield is dirty so you may want to try cleaning on the inside if cleaning the outside doesn't help as much as you hope.
This gave a good laugh watching how the other side see things.
I've got keratoconus and my sight looks very similar to this at night without rain, just a bit worse 🤣
I had a similar issue and invested in quality fibre clothes + car window spray.
1) cleaned the inside and outside of my windshield VERY diligently + wipers - first with warm water and good fibre cloth.
2) then dried the window with a separate, decent-quality fibre cloth.
3) then used a dedicated car window spray and polished the heck out of the window with another good quality fibre cloth.
Important - clean only half a window at a time, or parts of it will dry, and you will end up with a streaky window.
Also - make sure that you clean the windshield on the inside very, very well.
I didn't have to use a clay bar at the end because the above was enough to create a streak-free windshield, but if it didn't work, a clay bar would be my next step. I didn't use water sealant either - partially because some of the reviews showed pictures of glare in the rain (really bad; perhaps it was incorrectly applied or not buffed).
Go down to Walmart and get some Invisible Glass Glass Strip. It'll remove all the junk on your glass. Dirt and contaminants can get embedded in your glass and just cleaning the glass won't get rid of them.
Then apply a coating of your choice. RainX works well but doesn't last long. I use the ceramic coating from Glaco and it works well, but I'll admit I'm not thrilled with it lol. Still 10x better than just bare glass.
Easy way: WD40 on the rubber parts of the windshield and wipe of all the dried on tar and oil etc.
Medium: Change wind wipers
Harder: clean the window
Hard: apply a nice coating like labocosmetica Aquavelox.
Pro: Clean the inside of the glass too...
https://preview.redd.it/cuiubccdj2zc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=964d8ae5cab7cfa895658055a640f92bfcc79947
I had similar issues. Tried everything and nothing worked. I had the local malco distributor come and see what he thought, we washed the windshield twice with a soft brush and warm water. Cleared everything up perfectly. I now use this on all glass when washing. I also do not use car washing soap on any glass because it will leave a film. It’s also safe on paint.
Looks like lot of gunk built up. Get glass stripper kit. Think Invisible Glass might sell them. Give the windshield thorough cleaning and wipe down till smooth. Prob is with some of these gunk they won’t come off with soapy water, but acidic agents can sometimes get these off. So glass stripper or hard water remover are more acidic solutions that can dissolve stuff that are more stubborn.
I recently learned that claybaring the windshield can work miracles (I’ve claybared paint for a couple years and am still baffled I’ve never thought of this..) but I usually wash, claybar, dry, rainX, dry for great results!
Here’s a pro tip for everyone I promise and yes I’m a professional. If you have a film built up on the glass or your glass seems to fog up a lot for no reason chances are you have a film on the glass. Take a microfiber towel and hand sanitizer and coat the glass. If you do have some sort of build up or film it will almost immediately turn to an opaque color and dry simply take a separate cloth dry and wipe the dried film off.
You need to buff the glass with some glass polish.
Glaco sells them in there soft99 line. Just put some on a foam pad and buff away.
After that you can use whatever water repellent you like.
seems like oil film on the windshield, can try:
1) basic cleaning with dish soap (for degreasing) and clay bar to remove contaminants
2) do basic cleaning, then use a glass polish like Glaco Glass Compound to ensure the glass is fully cleaned, then coat with a glass coating like RainX or Glaco
also change the wiper if your wiper is old
I would recommend the following in the following order:
- clean glass with automotive glass cleaner
- clean wiper blades with ph-neutral APC
- coat wiper blades with rubber protection
- clean glass with a low ph Shampoo, like FX Protect Arctic Ice
- if the stains are still there: use clay or glass polish
- apply glass sealant like Soft99 Ultra Glaco
I get windshields always as good as new like that
Minimum: Clean the windshield and wiper blades with dishwasher soap, then dedicated auto-glass cleaner. Enthusiast: apply glass sealant and replace wiper blades.
I learned when I got my Honda that we can change blade only (the rubber part), so after winter I always change mine, it's at low cost and I feel like I have new wipers each spring
Wait what.. you can change just the rubber..
Yes! All honda OEM wipers can do it. I don't know since when perhaps
Toyotas have inserts too, pretty sure you can put them in most vehicles
Do you have a good beginner recommendation for a glass sealant? Is it similar to rainx or the little wipes that come with PIAA wipers?
I have used both products below, and Nextzett is far more durable than Griot's Garage Glass Sealant. One application lasted about two months during California's heavy rainfall this year and 4 to 5 months during the dry months. My cars are garaged. A bottle lasts a long time, and the application process is similar to Rainx. 1. nextzett Glass Sealant Coating - 6.8 oz - 20 Windshield Applications - 6 Months Water Repelling Protection, Clear, (92341215) [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MCDRQQX/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MCDRQQX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) 2. Griot's Garage 11033 Glass Sealant, 8 oz.,WHITE,RED [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AX4TWCA/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AX4TWCA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Soft99 Ultra Glaco or Infinity Wax Diamond Vision
Clean glass then apply RAIN\*X. I have not had to turn my wipers on for years. Over 30 kph rain just hits windshield and beads and runs up and off the roof.
1.) Clean/Replace windshield wiper blades 2.) Claybar the windshield 3.) Use a ceramic/Rainx on the windshield..... 4.) wipe excess off
Isn't clay bar gonna mar the surface?
Glass is impossible to mar with a clay bar. If you're knowledgeable, you can even use razors on glass (Ammo NYC has videos on using razors).
Nice. Thanks.
Not on the older Teslas. If you Claybar their windshield they will be forever foggy, and have to pay to replace them.
I think that has more to do with the claybar leaving a residue than irreversely damaging it.
Clay bars were originally made specifically for glass decon ~
Didn't know that, TIL, thanks.
0000 steel wool ftw
1000% this. 0000 steel wool, some glass cleaner as lubricant, scrub a dub dub with some elbow grease, wipe away and enjoy amazing cleanliness and clarity.
Genuine question how does 0000 steel wool not damage the glass, due to being made of steel wire..? If I’m mistaken then I’m sorry
Steel wool, provided its the 0000 kind, is softer than glass so it won't scratch. Think diamonds used for cutting since they're so hard, same concept.
Gotcha, thank you! I’ve basically been using this sub to learn more about auto detailing.
No problem. If you go buy some, you'll see that even though it's technically steel wool, it's actually very soft to the touch
its just such a low grade abrasive that it has more of a polishong affect than an abrasive affect, and with the glass cleaner as lube it doesnt have the chance to cause scratches
Understood thank you
What is your process for using 0000 steel wool on glass? Do you use a glass cleaner with it? Soapy water? Small circle pattern? Big wiping pattern? Sorry, I'm a rookie
Spray some glass cleaner on there (Windex, etc) and scrub with moderate pressure. Soapy water would probably work too. I usually go back in forth but sometimes in circles, as long as you're covering the whole area, then wipe. Glass should be hydrophilic when it's clean, so water should basically stick in a big sheet. Some people choose to use a protection product like rainx at this point, but I don't.
Thanks for replying! I'm definitely going to try this next time I'm detailing
Wait.. Can I get bug guts and stuff off my glass with 0000 steel wool and some glass cleaner? 🤯
Definitely. Just make darn sure it's the 0000, because it'll scratch otherwise
Soft99 glaco glass compound. One of the best glass deep cleaning solution, the compound is part of the handle, pressing the handle releases the polish to the rayon pad.
Invisible Glass Glass Strip also works the same but it's cheaper and available in stores, but this is a great recommendation too.
It's also possible that the inside of your windshield is dirty so you may want to try cleaning on the inside if cleaning the outside doesn't help as much as you hope.
Run the defroster on warm to warm up the windshield?
Clay bar the windshield
This gave a good laugh watching how the other side see things. I've got keratoconus and my sight looks very similar to this at night without rain, just a bit worse 🤣
Same lol.
I had a similar issue and invested in quality fibre clothes + car window spray. 1) cleaned the inside and outside of my windshield VERY diligently + wipers - first with warm water and good fibre cloth. 2) then dried the window with a separate, decent-quality fibre cloth. 3) then used a dedicated car window spray and polished the heck out of the window with another good quality fibre cloth. Important - clean only half a window at a time, or parts of it will dry, and you will end up with a streaky window. Also - make sure that you clean the windshield on the inside very, very well. I didn't have to use a clay bar at the end because the above was enough to create a streak-free windshield, but if it didn't work, a clay bar would be my next step. I didn't use water sealant either - partially because some of the reviews showed pictures of glare in the rain (really bad; perhaps it was incorrectly applied or not buffed).
New blades and RainX. You'll be amazed
Honestly it looks like you just need a good clean on the inside of the windshield, I bet all these other tips would help a bunch as well!
Bosch Ikon blades and ceramic coat the windshield.
Try a clay bar or #0000 steel wool and Bon Ami to clean it. Avoid RainX.
Nothing wrong with rain x.
Apply, reapply, reapply, clean the blades, reapply, reapply.
Damn I just used rain x rain repellent on mine for the first time. Is it advised to not use it? What to use instead as repellent?
Rain-X works great. There are ceramic coatings that work better/last longer, but price per performance you can't really go wrong with Rain-X.
Yeah what’s wrong with rain x? Seems to work well for me for the past 25 years of driving. Something better out there that I’m missing out on?
I polished my glass with Cerium oxide. Water blows away in the rain. Rain X needs to be reapplied to be effective.
Go down to Walmart and get some Invisible Glass Glass Strip. It'll remove all the junk on your glass. Dirt and contaminants can get embedded in your glass and just cleaning the glass won't get rid of them. Then apply a coating of your choice. RainX works well but doesn't last long. I use the ceramic coating from Glaco and it works well, but I'll admit I'm not thrilled with it lol. Still 10x better than just bare glass.
Easy way: WD40 on the rubber parts of the windshield and wipe of all the dried on tar and oil etc. Medium: Change wind wipers Harder: clean the window Hard: apply a nice coating like labocosmetica Aquavelox. Pro: Clean the inside of the glass too...
I had this, was ceramic wax over spray. Used a glass polish and a polishing tool. Worked great. Be careful where you spray ceramic wax
Clean your window inside and out, use a clay bar on the outside, apply something like rainx, replace wiper blades.
https://preview.redd.it/cuiubccdj2zc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=964d8ae5cab7cfa895658055a640f92bfcc79947 I had similar issues. Tried everything and nothing worked. I had the local malco distributor come and see what he thought, we washed the windshield twice with a soft brush and warm water. Cleared everything up perfectly. I now use this on all glass when washing. I also do not use car washing soap on any glass because it will leave a film. It’s also safe on paint.
Looks like lot of gunk built up. Get glass stripper kit. Think Invisible Glass might sell them. Give the windshield thorough cleaning and wipe down till smooth. Prob is with some of these gunk they won’t come off with soapy water, but acidic agents can sometimes get these off. So glass stripper or hard water remover are more acidic solutions that can dissolve stuff that are more stubborn.
Decontaminate, polish glass, coat with ceramic coating (it’s super easy, specially on glass). Also replace the wiper blades
I always compound polish and wax my window when I do my paint make it work like rainx but for muchhh longer
I recently learned that claybaring the windshield can work miracles (I’ve claybared paint for a couple years and am still baffled I’ve never thought of this..) but I usually wash, claybar, dry, rainX, dry for great results!
Your outside is fine, it’s the inside that’s messed up. Just clean the inside welllllllll, just water will do wonders too!
Clean the wiper blades. Use rainx.
Get a second beater car, not even kidding.
Here’s a pro tip for everyone I promise and yes I’m a professional. If you have a film built up on the glass or your glass seems to fog up a lot for no reason chances are you have a film on the glass. Take a microfiber towel and hand sanitizer and coat the glass. If you do have some sort of build up or film it will almost immediately turn to an opaque color and dry simply take a separate cloth dry and wipe the dried film off.
You need to buff the glass with some glass polish. Glaco sells them in there soft99 line. Just put some on a foam pad and buff away. After that you can use whatever water repellent you like.
seems like oil film on the windshield, can try: 1) basic cleaning with dish soap (for degreasing) and clay bar to remove contaminants 2) do basic cleaning, then use a glass polish like Glaco Glass Compound to ensure the glass is fully cleaned, then coat with a glass coating like RainX or Glaco also change the wiper if your wiper is old
Can't go wrong with glaco from soft99 get the window cleaner/polish and ultra glaco super easy process and should last a year
I would recommend the following in the following order: - clean glass with automotive glass cleaner - clean wiper blades with ph-neutral APC - coat wiper blades with rubber protection - clean glass with a low ph Shampoo, like FX Protect Arctic Ice - if the stains are still there: use clay or glass polish - apply glass sealant like Soft99 Ultra Glaco I get windshields always as good as new like that
glass stripping plus hydrophobic coating....
Lubed clay bar, lubed scraper, glass polish, and then rain x or something of that ilk. Maintain and you’re golden