Two ingredients, three tools and 3 minutes of work. An excellent overview will make visibility better and the trip more enjoyable.
I know drivers who are not bothered by dusty or splattered glass. “Visibility is zero, I’m using instruments” - that’s about them.
I noticed that smokers' car windows get dirty faster - the tar settles on them very well. And in winter, when you turn on the heating, marks appear on the windshield from the flow of hot air from the heater deflector.
I’m not a fan of perfect cleanliness; I don’t wash my car until it’s sterile, but a dirty windshield really infuriates me. Stripes and stains catch the eye and distract from the road. But I learned a simple way to wipe the glass so that it will seem as if it is not there at all.
Causes of glass contamination
Contamination appears no matter how carefully the driver uses the car. This happens due to:
- weather conditions and precipitation - most often pollution is caused by rain and snow;
- accumulations of street dust are an inevitable phenomenon that occurs even with minimal use of the car;
- accumulation of condensation on the inside of the windshield and side windows - a particularly common cause in cars with interior heating systems;
- smoking - nicotine settles on the glass, resulting in stains (the wind window is most susceptible to contamination).
Car windows remain stained when washed incorrectly, no matter how often this task is performed.
Ammonia
Almost all automotive glass chemicals contain ammonia or ammonia. It not only removes all dirt, but also prevents fogging and the appearance of new stains.
There are two ways to use this tool:
Thus, for a couple of rubles you can clean your car perfectly.
One important note: alcohol has a very strong odor, so you should not use the car immediately after cleaning. It is better to leave it to air for several hours.
Preparing to wash
Before you start washing car windows, preparation takes place. This action is divided into two stages: creating conditions for washing, as well as preparing the necessary accessories. Washing is carried out in a clean room, or outside in sunny weather.
Necessary to prepare:
- sponge and napkins;
- detergents;
- aerosols.
A dish sponge can be used to clean the surface. But as cleaning agents, it is allowed to use special detergents and aerosols for washing inside and out, sold in auto parts stores.
"Lenore" for protective film
To prevent the absorption of chemicals, the windshield will need to be covered with a water-repellent film. Lenor household detergent for washing machines is suitable.
It is necessary to choose bottles with a neutral drug, without dyes or flavoring additives. Lenor dissolves in water in the proportion of one cap per liter of liquid. Then the Lenora solution is evenly rubbed over the glass with rags and washed off with cold water.
The effect will be noticeable at the first snowfall. While driving along the road, you can see how melt water collects in drops and leaves the glass along with the dirt. The same thing happens with droplets of chemical suspension. White stains will be washed off noticeably better than before.
True, the protective coating does not last long. After just a few hours, the effect disappears, but repeated spraying of the product will restore the water-repellent film. This way you can wash and treat your windshield once a week.
What is “triplex” in a car and how does it work? More details
Common pollution
In the presence of normal contaminants, chemicals are not used. For cleaning, use a standard cloth and soap solution. Special rags or napkins will help you wash windows more effectively and absorb moisture, reducing the likelihood of streaks.
If the contamination is not very large, you can mix water and alcohol and use this mixture to clean the glass. This method is more suitable for indoor window cleaning. The ratio of components should be one to one. An additional advantage of using the solution is the elimination of unpleasant odors in the cabin.
Water and newspapers are used as a budget alternative. Products containing ammonia are not recommended for use in the car. When cleaning glass internally, this element can cause harm:
- plastic;
- skin;
- rubber.
With the help of such products, contaminants are better washed off from the outside.
To prevent windows from sweating, you can use:
- glycerol;
- soap solution;
- alcohol solution.
To protect the coating from dirt and dust after washing, it is recommended to use Aquagel. This product provides a longer period of stain-free windows.
If chemicals are used, the proportions are strictly observed. It is necessary to dilute the water with detergents in a ratio of one to five. After washing, wipe the surface with a rag or paper. A rag cannot be used for this task. Most often, divorces occur precisely for this reason.
Car glass care
This issue also needs to be given time to ensure that the surface remains clean and lasts a long time. Dust will certainly get inside the cabin, trapping it even more when condensation forms on the windows. In summer and winter, it is recommended to ventilate all windows before parking the car for a long time.
Regular cleaning of the inner surface with a sponge dipped in soapy water is considered useful. At least this will be enough for prevention. In cold weather, it is a good idea to use de-icers. An alternative is to wipe the windshield with solutions containing vinegar or glycerin. Another reason for frequent contamination is an improperly replaced cabin filter.
The interiors of those motorists who allow themselves to smoke in the car suffer the most from the inside. As a result, oil stains appear, caused by the tars that make up cigarettes. However, dust also somehow penetrates inside the car and settles on the inner surface. Of course, you should only use clean microfiber cloths or paper napkins.
You need to be very careful when choosing windshield cleaning products. But, on the other hand, you can also use folk methods that have been known for many years. If anyone has any thoughts on this topic, feel free to share them in the comments!
Special washing cases
Special cases include pollution that cannot be dealt with without the use of chemicals. Complex contaminants appear in the form of:
- dense soot deposits;
- oily film;
- insects crashing on the windshield.
It is recommended to purchase cleaning products designed for cleaning from the inside. Such substances will not harm the elements of the vehicle interior, and, if necessary, they can be used for external cleaning. Automotive chemicals are recommended for glass and mirrors, since after their use no stains or streaks remain. Modern products do not contain ammonia.
If additional protection from dust and dirt is needed, an aerosol anti-fog agent is used.
Nicotine hit
Removal of nicotine deposits from the surface of glass is carried out at above-zero temperatures. If it is frosty outside, you must first warm up the air in the cabin. If the temperature is below zero, the car windows will not be clean after washing.
To eliminate nicotine plaque, use:
- aerosol "Second";
- alcohol-containing substances for cleaning glass;
- detergent "Mr. Muscle".
In the absence of the listed means, the use of ordinary alcohol is allowed. Before applying to the surface, the substance must be diluted in water. Application to the surface is carried out using:
- microfiber cloths – rinse well after use or throw away.
- a rubber rag is the most effective method, since when purchased it already contains a detergent;
- paper towels or newspapers - must be changed periodically during use.
The washing procedure is the same for all substances. After diluting the substance, carefully apply it to the surface and wash the nicotine stains. Then the surface of the glass should be carefully wiped with a napkin or rubber scraper. To prevent plaque from appearing again, the surface must be wiped regularly.
Oil and fat
Oil and grease stains are easier to wash off immediately. If this type of contamination hardens, it is much more difficult to get rid of it. The most effective car glass cleaners against oil and grease:
- foam detergent;
- ammonia.
The substance is applied to the stain and then washed off using:
- a lump of newspaper;
- faux suede cloths.
Suitable Cleaning Tools
To effectively clean a windshield from the inside or outside, the industry has long been producing proven automotive chemicals. However, a clean rag won’t hurt either - the first thing you need to do is wipe off any remaining dust. After this, you can proceed to washing with a cleaning agent, and at the very end - to finishing rubbing.
As for rags, soft microfiber cloths are the ideal option. These are convenient for cleaning the glass surface, both outside and inside. You can also find special car mops on sale. If you use paper and fabric napkins, you need to choose ones whose structure is not loose. Therefore, many drivers successfully replace rags with paper newspapers. They are convenient for rubbing the surface until it shines.
Folk remedies
To wash the windshield, rear and side windows of your car, you can use available household products. The list of acceptable substances includes:
- ammonia;
- laundry soap;
- potassium permanganate;
- table vinegar;
- chalk solution.
You can also wash car windows using dishwashing gels and household window cleaners. The listed products are first diluted in warm water and then applied to the dirty surface. Allow at least 15 minutes to pass before wiping off the substance.
How to quickly and easily remove limescale from glass
Usually, limescale deposits are cleaned with household acidic compounds, but such experiments are dangerous for a car - paintwork, decorative plastic, and chrome do not tolerate aggression. It is better to use the mildest and most effective products that are designed specifically for cars.
Everyone knows how difficult it is to remove a gasoline oil film. Trigger spray Turtle Wax Extreme Nano Tech GLASS CLEANER can handle this quite well. It promises not only efficient operation, but also economical consumption.
Products from the TOP line will cope with old, stubborn stains. There will be no trace left of salt, minerals, alkali, bitumen or vegetable film, or adhesive tape.
Useful tips
- To extend the service life of the windshield, it is necessary to turn on the wipers at high speed only during heavy rain or snowfall. In light precipitation, the equipment should operate at low speed. If the wipers move on a dry surface, the windshield will quickly fall into disrepair.
- You cannot use your windshield wipers if ice is frozen to them. You can fix the problem by turning on the heating system in the cabin. As the temperature rises, it will melt.
- It is not recommended to use scrapers and brushes in winter. These products can cause microcracks. To eliminate such damage, glass will need to be polished in the spring.
- Using special products for cleaning car windows reduces the risk of streaks after washing.
- You can wipe the surface of the glass unit, often changing the napkins, if they absorb moisture well.
- To reduce the rate of wear on the windshield, it is necessary to periodically change the wipers.
Follow the washing rules and your car's glass will always be in excellent condition.
Why do you need to clean glass?
We figured out what causes plaque to form. The only question that remains open is: how can he stop us?
Will we see him? see also
How to easily clean a windshield using nail polish remover
The answer is: yes, it can impair our visibility, but only under certain conditions:
- at dusk;
- into the fog;
- in poor visibility;
- at night when blinded by the headlights of oncoming cars.
In these cases, visibility, especially at the periphery of your vision, will be blurry, as if in fog, and sharp directional light sources will be especially distorted and blind the driver. A completely unpleasant and extremely dangerous situation from which you need to move away.
So how can you clean the inside of your windshield to make driving as safe as possible?
ehow.com
see also
How to remove scratches from a windshield
Here's what you need to prepare to begin the washing process:
- protective glasses;
- nitrile gloves (or any other rubber, medical);
- microfiber towels (do not use paper towels);
- spray;
- dish soap (but you should apply it a little, because it doesn’t wash off very easily);
- alcohol solution (made from alcohol, white vinegar and water);
- glass cleaner (without ammonia);
- towel
What to do?
- To begin, park the car on a flat surface in the shade and spread a regular towel along the entire length of the dashboard (this is necessary to collect debris and drops);
- Now take one of the dry microfiber towels and wipe down your windshield to remove as much dust as possible before you start wet cleaning.
Here you can choose two ways:
- surface cleaning;
- deep cleaning with complete degreasing of the windshield.
see also
How to extend the life of your windshield wiper blades
