How to effectively clean a cars windshield from inside and also side mirror

nRiTeCh

nRiTeCh

Skilled
This is with reference to my earlier thread here where discussion is about a slightly related but a different issue.

Here, I want to to discuss on the most effective way to clean the windshield esp. from inside.
Its only last week that I observed in night light that my cars windshield from inside is oily with stainy marks.


What I tried today is to first clean the screen dry using a dry old banyan cloth.
Then I had prepared a mixture of vinegar and equal amount of water in a small spray bottle. Test sprayed on a small area and tried cleaning using the same cloth but from the side which was unused and seems it was working fine.
But soon realized that the cloth I used wasn't sufficient and it resulted in more stains but did cleaned few spaces which seem to be too oily/stainy.

The end result was too messy for this patch as seen below:

1724522613949.png


But with tips received on my earlier thread, as soon as I turn on AC and defoggers, the windshield goes crystal clear as if its sparkling with zero stains. But the moment I stop the AC etc. within 8-10min its back to this.

I dont have a micro fiber cloth which is usually recommended for car glass cleaning.

SO this was for the inside of the windshiiled.

Another issue is with side mirrors getting tough water-drop stains.

Image taken from the net as I wasn't able to capture the pic of my cars mirror due to rains.

This hampers the rear vehicles viability.

1724522835696.jpeg


For this issue as well, internet recommends vinegar solution. I tried in rains just after I was done messing my windshield just for tp but it didn't worked as it needs to be done once the rains stops.

But anyways, what home solution's can be recommended for these two typical annoying issues which spoils the fun in rains endangering visibility both from the rear and front.
 
nRiTeCh said:
I dont have a micro fiber cloth which is usually recommended for car glass cleaning.
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There is your entire problem, the cloth you use to clean glass should be 1. Clean and 2. Not leave behind any lint. The baniyan cloth you are using fails on both. 'Just buy a pack of microfiber cloth, they are so cheap now. Follow this simple process.
1. Use one microfiber cloth with mild soap solution (handwash or dishwash or any product you prefer) to clean the glass.
2. Use the same cloth with water only (or another cloth with water only to save time) to wipe off the soap as much as possible.
3. Use another separate dry microfiber cloth to do a final wipe.

Once you are done, wash all your microfiber cleaning cloths using mild soap and store them after drying so they are dry and clean for next use.
This I can guarantee will 100 percent remove any marks and smudges from the glass. If you have lots of scratches on the glass those will still be sites for moisture to condense though but from the pictures it looks like your problem is the improper cleaning which is leaving behind some residue.
 
Diluted IPA + clean, new micro fiber cloth or thick paper towel that does not leave behind lint. This is better than even glass cleaners since it's stronger (you control the dilution), dries super fast, and dissolves almost any cap on the glass.

Vinegar is for exterior surfaces where hard water stains are present.

PS: Don't spray either on rubber/plastic parts.
 
nRiTeCh said:
What I tried today is to first clean the screen dry using a dry old banyan cloth.
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Won't work. Just like it never did on any other glass. So why use it.
nRiTeCh said:
I dont have a micro fiber cloth which is usually recommended for car glass cleaning.
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You want thick and plush microfiber to clean glass.


There are lighter microfiber cloths available but for glass thick is best. Will clean any monitor, tv screen or phone screen way way better than cotton. Which just pushes the dirt around instead of picking it up.

If it does not look like the image then return it. What is shown in the image is what you want.

Only liquid clothes detergent to clean microfiber. Never use powder detergents as the powder will ruin the microfiber.

nRiTeCh said:
But anyways, what home solution's can be recommended for these two typical annoying issues which spoils the fun in rains endangering visibility both from the rear and front.
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RO water won't leave any streaks or residue. Otherwise tap water. Not borewell water. Softer water is best.

Few drops of liquid dishwash in a bucket of water. Use a sponge and then wipe it clean with dry microfiber cloths.
n1r0 said:
Diluted IPA + clean, new micro fiber cloth or thick paper towel that does not leave behind lint. This is better than even glass cleaners since it's stronger (you control the dilution), dries super fast, and dissolves almost any cap on the glass.
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Dishwash detergent (something branded like Pril) cuts through grime and grease just as well for cheaper. You don't need a whole lot of it either.
n1r0 said:
Vinegar is for exterior surfaces where hard water stains are present.
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I don't know how that happens unless hard water was used during car wash. Rain water is very soft. But yeah an acidic solution is acting like a rinse aid here. My preference is for citric acid dissolved in water (2% concentration should be enough) as its as effective at cleaning but less corrosive than vinegar on plastic and rubber parts.
n1r0 said:
PS: Don't spray either on rubber/plastic parts.
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No problem with dishwash detergent or citric acid.
 
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use news paper - paper, I have seen various cloth, jewellery & electronics showroom keepers, spray some water (or may be Colin or homemade surf water) on showcase glasses every morning and than clean it 2-3 times with old news papers.
 
blr_p said:
Won't work. Just like it never did on any other glass. So why use it.
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Works great on home mirrors many people in their homes use the same.
blr_p said:
RO water won't leave any streaks or residue. Otherwise tap water. Not borewell water. Softer water is best.

Few drops of liquid dishwash in a bucket of water. Use a sponge and then wipe it clean with dry microfiber cloths.
Click to expand...
Ya, will try this later and ho hard water worries for me.
Emperor said:
use news paper - paper, I have seen various cloth, jewellery & electronics showroom keepers, spray some water (or may be Colin or homemade surf water) on showcase glasses every morning and than clean it 2-3 times with old news papers.
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Nope. it leaves ink marks as the current gen ink used by papers is of cheap quality, does more damage than good!
 
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