Bon Ami on Windshield??

[valleyguy]

Bought some Bon Ami this weekend to use on my windows. Did the house first (works great), but upon reading the label, it said to not use it on windshields.



What gives? Had several suggestions to use it, but could it possibly damage the windshield? I may try it on a side window first.



I occasionally park under a tree, so there is some coating on my glass that I have been unable to remove with car wash, Windex, or EO glass cleaner.

 

[BradE]

There are 2 different kinds of Bon Ami. The kind you can buy in the grocery store in the gold and red can should NOT be used on windshields, it is intended for household use. There is a different kind in a yellow and red can, that's the stuff you want.



Here is a pic of the proper can. http://autopia-carport.com/forums/attachment.php?postid=70288

 

[valleyguy]

I had seen the recommendation to use the yellow can in a previous search. I do not have the gold can. However, the can states to not use it on windshields.

 

[valleyguy]

Did some further research on Bon Ami. Found a BMW technical post that states that Bob AMi had a complaint of scratching, so they placed that warning on the can. However, they recommended using it on glass, as does the BMW TSB. Here is the site:



http://www.unofficialbmw.com/all/carcare/all_use_bon_ami_on_windshield.html



However, on further research with Google on the Mohs hardness scale, I found that feldspar (the ingredient in Bon Ami) has a hardness of 6.0, whereas glass has a hardness of 5.5. Theoretically, then, feldspar should scratch glass. So I don't know what to think. I know that my house windows have scratches on them after I used Bon Ami, but they're so old, they've probably been that way for ages. :nixweiss

 

[Sirslap2]

Man...an accountant that knows something of geology.

Now I've seen everything.