How to Clean Glass

Consumer

Auto Glass

Supplies:
The first supply needed in the cleaning of glass is, of course, the cleanser. There are a wide variety of off-the-shelf cleansers to choose from. We highly recommend the professional Binswanger Glass Cleaner by Spray Way Inc. for the best results. But if you just happen to run out of Binswanger Glass Cleaner there are many homemade concoctions as well. The simplest homemade recipe is 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water. A more complicated one is:

• ½ cup sudsy ammonia
• 1 pint 70% isopropyl alcohol
• 1 tablespoon dishwashing detergent
• 1 gallon water

We have provided various methods for cleaning glass. Some are different from others and require different tools. Here is a list of widely used supplies involved with cleaning glass. You can choose which tool and method best suits you.

• clean cloths or sponge
• bucket
• squeegee
• rubber gloves
• 1 capful of ammonia
• paper towels
• newspaper
• razor blade

Methods:
A good method we suggest for cleaning automotive glass involves three parts. The first is washing the glass along with the car. The second part involves a more thorough cleaning with a cleanser and a dry wipe. The third part is another dry wipe and inspection for blemishes. The steps are as follows:

• Wash the glass with regular soap and water with the rest of the car. This can be done with a sponge or a clean, cotton cloth. When the glass is saturated with water and soap, run your bare fingers over the surface of the glass. This is for finding blemishes, smudges, or residue sticking to the glass. When all blemishes and residue are removed use your chosen cleanser to clean both the inside and outside of the glass. Decomposition of the vinyl and plastic components of the interior cause problems with cleaning the inside surface of the glass. UV(ultra-violet) rays from the sun cause this decomposition of the vinyl. This creates a build up of contaminants on the surface of the glass (the by-products of this are gaseous, and are commonly called "that new car smell").
• The next step will involve the actual cleaning of the glass with a specialized cleanser (may we suggest Binswanger Glass Cleaner by Spray Way Inc.?). This is best done with two cotton towels. One for cleaning the surface of the glass, the other is for drying. In order to prevent the cleanser from getting on the surface of the dashboard, spray the cleanser on the towel first. Those conditioning products that you use on your dash will be removed by a cleanser. Make sure to get all the hard to reach corners of the glass. Contaminants tend to build up there. A glass setting tool (used to install windshields) can be helpful for this. But any thin, blunt and flexible piece of plastic will do the job. Do you have a line of film or soil near the top of your car door window? Lower your windows a little to expose the recessed part in the car door. Then clean the outside first. This allows for easier detection of streaks when you're doing the interior. This will eliminate that line of soil that collects on the window. When the inside and outside of all your windows have been cleaned, use the second towel for a dry wipe.
• Lastly, do another dry wipe on both the inside and out. A clean paper towel without any cleaner on it can be used as well. Be sure to inspect for residue, streaks, and scratches. But there should be no streaks if the steps are followed properly.
  

Special Note:
Proper cleaning and handling of windshields Saves Lives! The windshield serves a primary function in the car's structure. If a wreck occurs it keeps an unbelted passenger in the car, it keeps the airbag in place, and prevents the roof from caving in. If the windshield is not installed properly these life-saving functions are lost. This reverts to the cleaning process. Be sure to wipe it down with a clean cloth without leaving residue or wet spots, especially along the edges. Afterwards, when handling the glass be sure to wear special, factory gloves. Never touch it with your bare hands. If oils from your skin get on the edges of the windshield it weakens the adhesion. In case of an accident this increases the chances of the windshield popping out. Be mindful.

Tips and Tricks:

• There are times when it is hard to tell if the streak is inside or out. Wash the inside of the windows in one direction and the outside in the other. Then you know which side has the streak.
• In order to keep your windows streak-free, use some old newspapers. They leave no fuzzy lint and they add a polishing effect.
• If using paper towels use a fresh one for each portion of the glass.
• Sometimes you will find sticky residue or thick spots that won't come off. Take a sharpened razor blade between your forefinger and thumb pressing it firmly down on the glass at roughly 180 degrees. Scrape it along the glass through the spots and residue. They will peel right off without any scratches on the glass.
• When preparing a washing solution, use as little soap as possible to avoid streaking.
• Glass cleaning is best attempted when not in direct sunlight. The cleaning solution will dry before proper cleaning has occurred. The dry surface may also allow scratching to occur.