Dust, bugs and grime can accumulate on the windshield which, when dirty, can obstruct the driver's view and make the car look scruffy. Fortunately, there are many products and techniques to clean it without leaving any imperfections. This is a simple but extremely important job of making the vehicle safer for you and other drivers.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Clean the Exterior of the Windshield
Step 1. Lift the windshield wipers
Before you spray any cleaner, you need to make sure that the surface under the brushes is also cleaned. Lift them up and leave them in this position all the time.
Step 2. Spray the windshield with glass cleaner
You can decide to start either on the right or left side, but try to distribute the product so as to cover the largest possible surface of the area you want to treat. Generally, two or three sprays are sufficient; However, if the windshield is very large, apply four or five sprays of cleaner as needed.
Step 3. Rub the glass with straight and vertical movements
Hold a microfiber rag in your hand, stretch your arm towards the center of the upper part of the windshield and move it down to create a vertical stripe. Return your hand to the starting point, bringing it slightly closer to you and rub down once more, creating a strip parallel to the first. Continue in this way, progressively moving towards the side you are on until you have cleaned all the surface.
If you have trouble leaning over the front of the car to reach the center of the windshield, use a stool to gain a few inches in height
Step 4. Clean the glass with straight and horizontal movements
When you have scrubbed the entire surface vertically, repeat the procedure horizontally. Start in the center of the top portion of the windshield and drag the rag to the outer edge where you are. Then draw a second parallel line, starting just below the first; continue in this way until you have treated the entire half of the windshield you chose to start with.
Step 5. Repeat the procedure on the other side
When the first part of the glass is clean, repeat all the work on the other half. For example, if you started rubbing the right side of the windshield vertically and then horizontally, move to the left to finish the job; in this way, you are sure that the whole surface will be cleaned.
- If you have to scrub a certain area more than once, do straight forward and backward movements.
- Do not move the rag in circles, as you would for polishing, or you will leave streaks on the glass.
Step 6. Polish the windshield
The first vertical and horizontal movements are meant to get rid of dirt and cleaner, but to polish the surface you have to move your hand in a circle. Replace the rag you used with the cleaner with a new, clean one. Depending on the size of the windshield, several microfiber rags may be required. Rub one side of the glass in circular motions and then switch to the other half, until the entire surface is shiny.
The windshield should sparkle like a freshly cut diamond
Method 2 of 5: Clean the Inside of the Windshield
Step 1. Lay some microfiber rags on the dashboard
This way, you protect it from detergent residues dripping onto it. You can spread the same cloths that you used to clean and polish the outside of the glass, to avoid quickly soiling all the rags at your disposal.
Step 2. Spread the cleaning product on the scouring pad
Apply a few sprays to the middle of the windshield surface and, starting from the upper left corner of the passenger side, move the sponge down in parallel strips, moving more and more towards the driver's side. You will need to stop after cleaning the first half of the glass to apply the cleaner to the driver's side.
Always sit in the passenger seat or stretch out in the passenger compartment from this side to avoid bumping or leaning on the steering wheel while cleaning
Step 3. Continue cleaning the windshield on the driver's side
Just like you did for the first half of the glass, move the sponge from top to bottom until the entire surface is clean. When finished, use a dry microfiber rag to scrub all the glass and remove any liquid residue. Proceed with small circular motions.
Method 3 of 5: Organize Windshield Cleaning
Step 1. Choose the right cleaner
Avoid products that contain ammonia, as they can damage tinted windows. Almost all household glass cleaners contain this substance; if your car has tinted windows, look for a product that says "safe for tinted windows"; you can find it in auto parts stores.
- Plain water is a perfect windshield cleaner. However, it does not contain the same substances as a commercial product and is still less effective. If you want to use it to wash the glass, you have to combine it with a microfiber rag to remove all traces of dirt.
- Remember that ammonia can damage many different materials; it is also dangerous for your health, so you must be careful when using it to clean the inside of the car.
Step 2. Schedule windshield cleaning
It should be the last step when you wash your car or give it a detailing procedure. If you want to apply polish or wax or are about to repaint the body, you must do this before washing the windshield. Otherwise, some residue of polish or other unwanted substances could end up on the already cleaned glass. If you need to clean the inside of the other windows of the car, do so before treating the inside of the windshield to avoid staining it with detergent drops.
Step 3. Choose the right place to work
If the car is parked in the sun, the product may evaporate before you have been able to scrub it off. Take the car to the shade of a tree or to the garage before you start cleaning the windows.
Step 4. Use the appropriate rag
Buy high-quality microfiber cloths to clean the windshield; make sure they weigh at least 300g per square meter, as this type of fabric can absorb eight times its own weight of water and is gentle on glass surface treatment. In addition, it prevents scratches by electrostatically attracting the particulate matter present on the windshield; this means that dirt is lifted off the surface rather than being dragged over it. You can buy microfiber cloths at auto parts stores.
Method 4 of 5: Clean the Windshield with the Wiper Blades
Step 1. Locate the brush lever
This is typically a rather long, straight or angled lever engaged on the steering column. If you have difficulty recognizing it, consult the vehicle's user and maintenance manual or contact the car manufacturer.
Step 2. Pull the wiper lever towards you
When you pull the control in a straight line towards you, two parallel sprays of cleaner are emitted, hitting the windshield. If no liquid comes out or the flow is very weak, check the detergent level by opening the hood and inspecting the washer fluid reservoir; top up if necessary.
If the wiper blades don't work, take the car to the auto parts store and have them replaced. You can also search for the right parts yourself, but read the machine's user manual before purchasing to be sure of the measurements
Step 3. Release the wiper lever
When you are satisfied with the amount of cleaner and the brushes have scrubbed the glass thoroughly, you can release the control to stop cleaning. If you notice streaks or spots, consider changing the type of liquid as soon as you run out of the one you are using. Alternatively, you can buy two new brushes. Ask the auto parts store clerk for advice to find out which product is best suited for your car.
- Rubber blades should be changed regularly every 2-3 years.
- If the blades are dirty, clean them with a little rubbing alcohol or white spirit.
Method 5 of 5: Remove Dirt with Detailing Clay
Step 1. Purchase a 90-100g detailing clay bar
This product, also called detailing clay, is an elastic compound capable of capturing contaminants and dirt stuck in micro-cracks. If the windshield has a dent, dirt could accumulate inside it. Even if there is no visible damage, very fine particles can accumulate on the glass surface, but you can get rid of them thanks to this product. Purchase a stick of detailing clay at auto shops.
Each brand of clay must be used following the specific indications; read and follow the instructions on the package carefully
Step 2. Spray some water onto the windshield
Then apply a special lubricant. The combination of the two liquids allows the clay to slide on the glass. The amount you need to apply depends on the size of the vehicle - a bus needs more water and lubricant than a small car.
Step 3. Grab the clay bar lengthwise, as if it were a bar of soap
Keep your index and middle fingers on top of the block, thumb on one side and the remaining fingers on the opposite. Rub the clay on the surface covered with water and lubricant; the finger should slide back and forth across the wet glass without difficulty.
Step 4. Lay the clay on the windshield
Reach over it and rest the bar in the center of the window, where the windshield joins the hood.
Step 5. Move the clay over the glass surface
Move it up to the area where the glass joins the roof; when you have completed a vertical line, bring the dough back down, a little closer to you. Draw a second vertical line parallel to the first. Continue like this by cleaning all the glass with vertical streaks, gradually moving towards you.
Step 6. Eliminate all traces of dirt
When you feel that the movement of the finger slows down or is hindered, it means that there is some residue on the windshield.
Step 7. Move to the other side of the vehicle and repeat the procedure
Start by placing the clay back in the center point of the glass base and move it up in a straight line. After cleaning the first strip, return the block to the base, at a point slightly closer to your body, but still adjacent to the first. Continue to rub the clay over the entire surface of the crystal with straight and vertical movements, bringing it closer and closer to your body.
Step 8. When finished, wipe the glass with a cloth
Take a microfiber rag with one hand and use it to polish the crystal with large, circular movements to remove any clay residue. You can always use the same hand for both halves of the windshield or a different one for each.
Advice
- Be patient and work slowly to make sure you don't leave any streaks or stains on the windshield.
- If you don't have a microfiber cloth, you can also use newspaper. The ink acts as a solvent and wet paper does not shed lint.
