Bon Ami Left scratches
- Thread starter Dalton
- Start date
imported_kgb
New member
It sounds like you did not soak the Bonami enough. I went to use that stuff on my window one time and said, "Hells no." Just seemed too rough. What problem were you having? I found Stoner's Invisible Glass gets rid of everything and works AWESOME for windows.
imported_kgb
New member
DFTowel said:
Bon Ami has been used for years and years and years. I went to use it then got scared and did not.
imported_BretFraz
New member
As you have found, modern auto glass is rather soft. Using an abrasive cleaner can cause damage. Now.... what to do. A couple suggestions:
1. You can try an auto glass polish (the product you should have used in the first place). Look for polishes from Autoglym, Zaino, Detailers Pride, and Griots. I can't assure you these will remove the scratches but I do know they're safe for auto glass and are worth a try. You can apply them by hand or PC.
2. Find a local detailer or glass shop that polishes glass. There are a few glass polishing systems out there using stuff like cerium oxide which can fix your problem. It takes an experienced hand to use it right but with a polisher and the right product the glass can be fixed.
BTW, I did a search on "bon ami" and found many threads and comments suggesting you don't use Bon Ami and that there are TSB's from automakers like BMW stating it will scratch.
1. You can try an auto glass polish (the product you should have used in the first place). Look for polishes from Autoglym, Zaino, Detailers Pride, and Griots. I can't assure you these will remove the scratches but I do know they're safe for auto glass and are worth a try. You can apply them by hand or PC.
2. Find a local detailer or glass shop that polishes glass. There are a few glass polishing systems out there using stuff like cerium oxide which can fix your problem. It takes an experienced hand to use it right but with a polisher and the right product the glass can be fixed.
BTW, I did a search on "bon ami" and found many threads and comments suggesting you don't use Bon Ami and that there are TSB's from automakers like BMW stating it will scratch.
imported_kgb
New member
Don't feel like an idiot man. Not only did you elarnf rom your mistakes but we all learned from it. That is what this site is here for and I for one, appreciate you posting this cause now I know better too.
Bill D
Hooked For Life
The glass and multi surface spray cleaner from Bon-Ami ( similar to Invisible Glass) is supposed to be top notch for regular window cleaning.
Lowejackson
New member
2001civicex said:
100% agree. Yes it was a mistake but we have all made mistakes, in fact there are several threads all about the mistakes we have made.
In terms of your glass, bretfraz is correct, at worst you will need new glass so it is worth a little experimentation first. Do not put up with a damaged windscreen. A shinny car is great but a smashed car is no good.
2wheelsx2
New member
Dalton said:
Dalton, I think this is a case of mistaken identity. I think the recommendation is the Bon Ami "glass cleaner", but you used the Bon Ami "abrasive cleaner" which is like Ajax.
Hey, bretfraz! :wavey You say "As you have found, modern auto glass is rather soft." What's "modern"? I've used Barkeeper's Friend on some 70s/80s windshields successfully, and I know other Autopians are taking care of antique cars. So .... when did windshield glass become "soft"? Is there a sorta rough "cutoff date" about when we should treat the windshields more carefully?
Bill D
Hooked For Life
I read Audi windshields are "soft" unfortunately and not as durable as windshield glass made in the USA 
imported_BretFraz
New member
Lynn said:
From what I've gathered from speaking to people when writing The Glass Cleaner Test, its been in the last 10 years or so. It's really mfr dependent. One vivid clue of soft glass is if you hear/read people complaining about chips and cracks that seem excessive on a certain make and model of car. Of course for some that's a "day late and a dollar short" but at least it's an indicator of sorts.
A caring product mfr will frequently test their products on current glass and reformulate if needed. I know of one product mfr who has reformulated their glass polish FOUR TIMES over the past few years in order to prevent their polish from scratching soft glass.
Old Rattle Flat
New member
The following is a quote I just took of the RainX FAQ board. I notice that they differentiate between Bon-Ami Cleaning Powder and Bon-Ami Cleanser.
"1). How do you remove Rain-X® Glass Treatment from exterior glass?
Rain-X® Glass Treatment can be removed from exterior glass by using either Rain-X® Glass Polish (Under "Glass Cleaner") or Bon-Ami Cleaning Powder or Soft Scrub cleaner. (Bon-Ami Cleaning Powder is sold at True Value Hardware Stores and Ace Hardware Stores. It can be obtained by calling Agelong Catalog at 1-800-892-8022. If you cannot find this product, Bon-Ami Cleanser - a different product - can be used, only if you add enough water to make it a "soapy" solution). If you require further assistance or have any additional questions, please call 1-800-416-1600."
"1). How do you remove Rain-X® Glass Treatment from exterior glass?
Rain-X® Glass Treatment can be removed from exterior glass by using either Rain-X® Glass Polish (Under "Glass Cleaner") or Bon-Ami Cleaning Powder or Soft Scrub cleaner. (Bon-Ami Cleaning Powder is sold at True Value Hardware Stores and Ace Hardware Stores. It can be obtained by calling Agelong Catalog at 1-800-892-8022. If you cannot find this product, Bon-Ami Cleanser - a different product - can be used, only if you add enough water to make it a "soapy" solution). If you require further assistance or have any additional questions, please call 1-800-416-1600."
Bill D
Hooked For Life
Heard about the Soft Scrub for windows. I did use it once with good results on a very dirty windshield.
imported_Dave Holmes
New member
Lynn,
I have to agree with bretfraz about modern auto glass. It may be manufacturer specific, but in my case, age plays a factor, too. My '97 Maxima has a very chip susceptible windshield (speckled pits would be more like it), and scratches easy, as did my '96 Maxima. My wife's '88 Nissan p/u's windshield doesn't have the pitting problem at all, and I removed water spots with a wet S.O.S. pad with no scratches. (disclaimer: I do not recommend that as a viable cleaning method without testing first, and only if you're prepared to replace the glass).
My '78 Camaro's windshield may have been bulletproof. I constantly heard rocks hitting it, and never found any marks, but my Maxima's windshield has needed repaired twice so far. And I owned the Camaro for twice as long!
These are just my observations from a limited number of vehicles. I could say Nissan glass is to blame, but that wouldn't explain my wife's '88 not having a problem. I can only speculate that newer glass is somehow different.
Dave
I have to agree with bretfraz about modern auto glass. It may be manufacturer specific, but in my case, age plays a factor, too. My '97 Maxima has a very chip susceptible windshield (speckled pits would be more like it), and scratches easy, as did my '96 Maxima. My wife's '88 Nissan p/u's windshield doesn't have the pitting problem at all, and I removed water spots with a wet S.O.S. pad with no scratches. (disclaimer: I do not recommend that as a viable cleaning method without testing first, and only if you're prepared to replace the glass).
My '78 Camaro's windshield may have been bulletproof. I constantly heard rocks hitting it, and never found any marks, but my Maxima's windshield has needed repaired twice so far. And I owned the Camaro for twice as long!
These are just my observations from a limited number of vehicles. I could say Nissan glass is to blame, but that wouldn't explain my wife's '88 not having a problem. I can only speculate that newer glass is somehow different.
Dave
