Glass & Plastic Cleaning Method

[TOGWT]

Exposure to bugs, road oil and tar, and catalytic converter emissions makes automotive glass cleaning a challenge. I discourage the use of ammonia-based glass cleaners on your car; ammonia is harmful to many car surfaces including vinyl, rubber, and leather. As a substitute I prefer (Stoner’s Invisible Glass) or a citric acid, alcohol, or mechanical cleaner.

Put your hand in a plastic sandwich bag and lightly run your fingertips over the windshield's surface. Chances are, it will have a rough, gritty feel. Glass cleaners will not remove this grit, the method I use:

Outside glass –

1.Wash glass surface to remove dirt, dust and etc

2.Apply clay (Magic Clay) and lubricant solution (Woolite / Water 5:1) onto the glass surface (Do not apply to plastic as dulling may occur.)

3.Wash off any residue from glass and dry with a damp waffle weave towel

4.For ‘water spots’ use a water/distilled white vinegar solution, 5:1 (adjust ratio as required) to dissolve the alkaline-based mineral water deposits.

5.Apply a quarter size amount of Autoglym Car Glass Polish to a dry 100% cotton or Microfiber cloth

6.Apply to half of the windshield, polishing first in an up and down motion then in a left-to-right motion and then repeat on the other side.

7.Go over the glass several times in each direction. (Glass will polish virtually residue free.)

8.Wipe off any residue, and polish with a clean dry 100% cotton Microfiber cloth.

9.If any ‘water spots’ remain apply Distilled White Vinegar un-diluted to a 100% cotton micro fibre towel, using a medium/heavy pressure on glass surface.

10.If this does not remove the ‘water spots’ use Autoglym Car Glass Polish and #0000 steel wool.

11.Wipe off any residue from glass and dry with a damp waffle weave towel

12.Inspect glass for clarity and smoothness. Repeat if necessary.

13.Apply 303 Wiper Treatment to the wiper blades to clean, restore suppleness, eliminate wiper noise or ‘skipping’ and to avoid glass smearing. .

a) Inside glass –

Wipe glass with a damp waffle weave towel; apply Stoners Invisible Glass to 100% cotton Microfiber cloth and rub glass surface with a light to medium pressure (it will dry streak-free / lint-free and shining)

B) (Convertible) plastic window –

Wipe glass with a damp waffle weave towel; apply Plexus Plastic Cleaner, Protectant and Polish. Safe for all types of clear and coloured plastics, Perspex, Lucite, Mylar (window tinting) and clear acrylics.

c) Rear window – I use a Glass Master (it has two swivel paddle heads that fit on to a handle and comes with three bonnets, terry, and Microfiber and bug scrubber. This allows access to sloped rear window glass) to apply the Stoners Invisible Glass with a light to medium pressure (it will dry streak-free / lint-free and shining)

d) Vehicle Headlights (glass) -wipe glass with a damp waffle weave towel; apply Stoners Invisible Glass to 100% cotton Microfiber cloth and rub glass surface with a light to medium pressure. Apply 303 Aerospace Protectant to provide UV protection

e) Vehicle Headlights (plastic) – wipe glass with a damp waffle weave towel; apply Plexus Plastic Cleaner, Protectant and Polish to 100% cotton Microfiber cloth and rub glass surface with a light to medium pressure Safe for all types of clear and coloured plastics, Perspex, Lucite, Mylar (window tinting) and clear acrylics.

Apply 303 Aerospace Protectant to provide UV protection