A clean windshield and car windows are essential in ensuring that you have perfect visibility when driving. Unfortunately, there are times when a simple car wash cannot remove dry gunk or stains. You might need to use some special tools and cleaning agents to make your car windows and windshield spotless. A Subaru dealership in Albuquerque shares some handy tips when dealing with tough-to-remove stains and streaks.
Inside or Outside? Why not clean both?
Often, people are so focused on keeping the exterior clean that they forget to clean the windows and windshield from the inside, too. After all, it’s easier to clean the outside glass with a squeegee. However, the interior requires more work since you need to remove all the accumulated dust and stains without damaging the dashboard or harming your tint (if you have one).
In addition, cleaning takes more than just spraying liquid cleaners onto your windshield and hoping for the best. It is always best to wipe your windshields and car windows with a damp microfiber cloth to remove the dust and dirt before using your choice of a cleaning agent.
Experts at Subaru in Albuquerque, NM, may differ in their opinions on the best cleaning agent for your car windows and windshield. The cleaning agent you should use depends on the type of stain you want to remove.
- If it is just light dust or dirt, automotive glass cleaner will do the trick.
Starting with the easiest stain to clean, a simple automotive glass cleaner will do the perfect job of leaving your windshield and car windows streak-free. Some people might say that an ammonia-based glass cleaner, the one that is often used to clean household windows, should be enough. However, ammonia can cause irreparable damage to your tint and dry out your car’s rubber seals. So, don’t skimp out on buying a specially formulated automotive glass cleaner. You can dilute the cleaner with pure or distilled water for best results before spraying the solution to your car’s windows.
- You don’t have the budget to buy an automotive glass cleaner? Here’s a home remedy.
If you are a little tight on the budget, you can make a glass cleaner solution from everyday household things. Just mix 3 cups of cold water with half-cup white vinegar. Put this solution in an empty spray bottle, and you’re good to go.
- Bug splats? A sprinkle of baking soda is all you need.
Just picture this – you are driving on a wide country road, enjoying the view, and suddenly you have a bug splattered on your windshield. Bug stains are a bit difficult to remove, especially if it is already dried out. There are specially formulated cleaning products for bug splatters. However, if you are low on budget, you can use a wet cloth to loosen the stain, then wipe it away with a microfiber cloth. You can also sprinkle a little baking soda on the affected areas to buff the stain out.
- For hard to remove water spots, a mixture of water, rubbing alcohol, and white vinegar will take care of that.
Water spots are pretty hard to ignore, considering they form crusts that won’t come off with a regular car wash. Ideally, just like bug splotches, you’ll want to wipe these away before they dry up. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. To clean hard water spots, you should mix a tablespoon of vinegar, a cup of rubbing alcohol, and a cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture on the affected area and buff it dry with a microfiber cloth until the water spot is removed.
- Need to remove a sticker from your windshield? Use vinegar and a razor blade.
If you live in places where you need car stickers to indicate parking or residencies, there’s a high probability that you faced this problem more than once. Stickers tend to leave unsightly and sticky residues that are tough to remove. Fill a spray bottle with two cups of white vinegar. Spray the vinegar on the sticker to loosen its hold on the glass. Using a razor blade, carefully scrape the sticker off from the windshield. If for some reason, you don’t have any white vinegar in your kitchen, you can always use rubbing alcohol as a substitute.
- Oil film on your windshield? Use an oil remover.
Remember that “new car” smell you happily inhaled when you drove off your vehicle away from the dealership? That is often a product of off-gassing from the plastic and vinyl components of your car’s interior. The smell also often breaks down and produces an oily residue that clings to the insides of your windshield. When sunlight hits your windshield, this oily residue becomes burnt and hard to remove no matter what type of cleaning agent you used. The best way to deal with this kind of stain is to use an oil film remover (or an abrasive cleaner) to remove it.
- Keep your windshield and car windows clean by treating it.
There are many products available in your local hardware or automotive stores that can keep your car windows and windshield clean for some time. You can use water-repellent glass coatings and conditioners. Just remember to purchase ammonia-free chemicals to prevent damaging your car.
Cleaning car windows and windshield is no easy feat. When washing your car, always remember to do the windows and windshield last. Also, whenever possible, park your car under a shade to prevent off-gassing. For more tips on how to take care of your vehicle, Check out Fiesta Subaru car dealer in the Albuquerque, NM area.
