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Glass Cleaner

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Old 10-26-2022, 06:45 PM
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Glass Cleaner

I have a hard time cleaning inside glass. I use blank newsprint instead of paper towels (which does help) but I still can't find a cleaner that seems to remove all the film that collects on the interior glass. I regularly use Stoner's Invisible Glass and Rain-X glass cleaner. I think Stoner's used to be a better product than it is now, and Rain-X seems better but I still have some left behind.

Years ago I never had this problem. Maybe a combination of newer glass, Armor-All on the dash, and off-gassing plastic interiors make it harder to keep the glass clean.

If you have something that works for you please reply. Thanks.
Old 10-26-2022, 07:01 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

Sprayway works well for me. It's what all the dealership detail shops used back when I used to haunt such places. Make sure your glass is cool to the touch and out of direct sunlight.
Old 10-26-2022, 07:13 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

I hate cleaning glass. So I like to get it right so I don't have to do it as often.
There are alot of great glass cleaners on the market today, I have a number in the cabinet. I really like Sonax glass cleaner these days, find it works well. I have a process now.
I wipe glass with Sonax glass cleaner with glass towels. Then I use CarPro's new glass mitt with CarPro Eraser. So glass is getting a double cleaning, always comes out cristal clear, no haze or streaks.
The glass mitt is really nice, one side is for cleaning, the other for streak free final wipe. And because it's a mitt your hand is in it so you don't have your skin touching glass as your trying to clean, like the low end of the windshield.
And Eraser is just a final complete cleaner, oils residue, etc. Wipes easy, almost evaporates so helps no streaking, and it smells great.
I also have one of those reach tools for windows, for doing low parts of windshields, I will use it with the Sonax the first stage.
With the use of a protectant like Armor All or others, you do get the off gas effect on hot days, so anything to make it easier to clean.
Old 10-26-2022, 07:22 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner


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Old 10-26-2022, 09:31 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

I start with a soapy wash mitt after washing the car. Wring it out, wash the glass, dry it with a chamois (shammy). Then use some Windex and several paper towels. Generic windex stuff is usually not near as good as the real thing. That protectant outgas coating is almost as bad as cigarette smoke.
Old 10-27-2022, 07:11 AM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

CarPro Eraser is AWESOME! -though I've never used in my glass cleaning. Hmmmm. I've been using Sprayway for many years now and have no problems. Cleaning the inside of the windshield can be a challenge, but I find that twisting my arm around to get good pressure is more of an issue than the cleaner I use. For whatever reason my wife is much better at it than me. I do all the maintenance, so SHE cleans the inside of the windshields!!!!!
Old 10-27-2022, 07:45 AM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

Originally Posted by Komet
Sprayway works well for me. It's what all the dealership detail shops used back when I used to haunt such places. Make sure your glass is cool to the touch and out of direct sunlight.
Glad it works well for you, and it is a popular choice, but I have a very hard time with it. I'm have almost used up my last can of it, and can't wait for it to be gone. It leaves a milky film on the glass that I have to go back and polish off with a dry cloth. PITA.

The best cleaner I have found is GM glass cleaner. I use it on the interior (particularly the back glass) where it's harder to clean, and harder to polish off what's left behind by Sprayway. When the last little bit of Sparyway is gone, it's all I will use.


I also find that this tool (or one like it) helps a lot, particularly with the inside of the rear window.


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Old 10-27-2022, 04:21 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

Glad it works well for you, and it is a popular choice, but I have a very hard time with it. I'm have almost used up my last can of it, and can't wait for it to be gone. It leaves a milky film on the glass that I have to go back and polish off with a dry cloth. PITA.
I can't of course speak to your experience, but that's absolutely NOT typical. ...and in fact it leaves such little residue (typically) that a lot of bodywork guys will use it as a cleaner on their body work before paint. Hate that you had poor results.
Old 11-05-2022, 01:08 AM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

Originally Posted by T.L.
I use the blue windshield washer fluid. I buy the gallon jugs and pour some into a spray bottle. Has always worked great.
If there is a stubborn film that won't come off with that, use acetone, but DO NOT get any on your interior parts.
And Armor All is garbage, Don't ever use that crap on your cars..
Agreed on not wasting your money on $5/can of glass cleaners. I saw a $7/can last month and i just had to shake my head... Just stick with the windshield stuff that isnt rated for sub-freezing temps. Couple years ago i got curious, like MSDS curious about what is actually in glass cleaners and now i just brew my own. I have different combos for different purposes but your basic choices for ingredients are going to be alcohol, denatured alcohol, vinegar, ammonia, dish soap and lemon juice. After that its just cool glass, no direct light and paper towels. If you still have residue on the window then you don't have enough detergent or the cleaner is drying too quickly.
Old 11-05-2022, 12:37 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

I just use a dry microfiber rag. the cheap kind that you can buy at homedepot, bags of 10 or so.
Old 11-05-2022, 05:27 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

I guess I'm a simpleton. I keep a towel behind the passenger seat (that I stole from my wife's bathroom) and just wipe the inside of the window to remove any film.
Old 11-05-2022, 06:42 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

I’ve had good luck with Stoners glass cleaner, lol the name is funny but it’s good stuff and I am old school and still use newspaper for that streak free shine.
Old 11-13-2022, 08:53 AM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

Use clean interior microfiber towels…

have a spray bottle with 50% water 50% alcohol (can also use as panel prep before polishing)

spray the interior windows, let dwell 10 sec and then wipe down with a microfiber.

next, spray glass cleaner (invisible glass, spray away, etc). Use a new clean microfiber to wipe off the cleaner and a second clean microfiber to buff and pull any residue off (like removing wax)

your windows will never be more crystal clear!

if you follow that with Meguiars Synthetic Spray Wax (D156) they’ll be easier to clean and resist finger prints and fog…

exterior windows are easier because they don’t accumulate breath, oils, and plastic fumes like interior windows do…

the glass cleaner itself doesn’t matter that much as glass cleaners really aren’t made to remove oily residue… they’re like polish for glass… the 50/50 alcohol-water mix will break up the residue, the microfibers will pull it off with their fingers and the glass cleaner and microfibers will polish the glass to a crystal shine.

Last edited by 88IROCvertZ; 11-13-2022 at 09:01 AM.
Old 11-14-2022, 05:54 PM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

I use warm water and wash cloth, dry with micro fiber cloth. All the fancy sprays and cleaners would leave streaks.
Old 11-15-2022, 07:23 AM
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Re: Glass Cleaner

As long as it is just the film that needs cleaning, I agree with those above that use nothing but a dry microfiber cloth or just a towel. This has worked the best for me and leaves less streaks than any cleaner I have tried.
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