I hate cleaning windows!

[Chris@Optimum]

I currently use Sprayway and Invisible Glass to clean glass. These products do well but no matter how good I get at everything else, windows still frustrate the h... out of me. Does polish work better that cleaner or is it a completely different application. Any techniques or alternative products would be appreciated.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Only thing I have ever used that came out perfect every time is Zainos glass polish.



Cons are that its pricey, can be messy when its dried and wiped off, takes more time.

 

[gocubbies]

surf city clearly better glass cleaner. enough said

 

[Chris@Optimum]

'

surf city clearly better glass cleaner. enough said

\r\n\r\nMF, Lint free window towel, or what to use with it?'

 

[Brian_Brice]

^^^agreed, but qd's work very well with little streaking on not so dirty interior glass, a lot of times I'll just use prime or another aio that way I know there will be no streaking and the glass will look it's best.

 

[David Fermani]

I've realized that cleaning windows the best involves working them in proper light and angles (turn the car to show streaking). Some glass cleaners are better than others, but perfectly clear windows can be created with pretty much any product. Also, having a dedicated glass towel (micro fiber and/or huck) makes things easier. Like correcting paint, if you can't see the problem, how can you fix it?

 

[Bunky]

I think a two towel approach is one key. You use one for the cleaning wipes after spraying and then a second dry one for drying to insure you remove what is left.



If there is something visible, the window is probably not really clean. I always attribute streaks to improper drying (removing the dirt/cleaner). In higher humidity times, it seems harder to dry windows.

 

[mixxer]

Surfcity !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Invigor]

I think a two towel approach is one key. You use one for the cleaning wipes after spraying and then a second dry one for drying to insure you remove what is left.



If there is something visible, the window is probably not really clean. I always attribute streaks to improper drying (removing the dirt/cleaner). In higher humidity times, it seems harder to dry windows.

Yup. Clean with 1 buff with the other cloth. I've probably done about 8000 windows this way...never lets me down. Windows saturated with nicotine take a little more effort

 

[RScott29]

ask if they use rain-X washer fliud, those who do are told stop its a bit#ch to clean off .

 

[howareb]

Only thing I have ever used that came out perfect every time is Zainos glass polish.



Cons are that its pricey, can be messy when its dried and wiped off, takes more time.

I agree with Will. Zaino works well, just be sure to have vacuum around because it dusts like crazy. Zaino Glass polish is the easiest approach to take, but the costs keeps me from using it on my customer cars.



For customer cars, I normally use Optimum Poli-seal with my UDM and a white LC Polishing Pad (Now I use an LC glass polishing pad) with good results to clean off the water stains and add some protection. Then I use a "clean" QD like Final Inspection to get the excess polish off, and then Stoners glass cleaner. Doing it this way was very successful and it leaves the galss very clean, it just takes a lot of time. So I rarely do it unless nothing else works. I have also seen others use different AIOs (like Zaino Z-AIO) with success.



I recently did get a Diamondite Glassworks kit for my car, but I did not get enough time to use it yet. It looks like it works off of the same principles as using Poli-seal though.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

I agree with Will. Zaino works well, just be sure to have vacuum around because it dusts like crazy. Zaino Glass polish is the easiest approach to take, but the costs keeps me from using it on my customer cars.



For customer cars, I normally use Optimum Poli-seal with my UDM and a white LC Polishing Pad (Now I use an LC glass polishing pad) with good results to clean off the water stains and add some protection. Then I use a "clean" QD like Final Inspection to get the excess polish off, and then Stoners glass cleaner. Doing it this way was very successful and it leaves the galss very clean, it just takes a lot of time. So I rarely do it unless nothing else works. I have also seen others use different AIOs (like Zaino Z-AIO) with success.



I recently did get a Diamondite Glassworks kit for my car, but I did not get enough time to use it yet. It looks like it works off of the same principles as using Poli-seal though.

I stick to the Zaino for my families cars only also unless someone pays for my higher packages. I have a ton of Klasse AIO so I usually use that. I think that glass is truly thing thing that I hate the most in detailing. Everything else I can do and I am very good at it (wetsanding and paint chip repair I am learning this winter) but man I hate windows

 

[howareb]

I stick to the Zaino for my families cars only also unless someone pays for my higher packages. I have a ton of Klasse AIO so I usually use that. I think that glass is truly thing thing that I hate the most in detailing. Everything else I can do and I am very good at it (wetsanding and paint chip repair I am learning this winter) but man I hate windows

I must be crazy but I love doing the windows and mirrors. It is the only part of a detail that a customer constantly looks at. A clean window really sets off a detail for the average person, because most of it they don't not understand. But mostly every one knows what it takes to get windows clean, so when it is sparkling they seem impressed.



On another note (not trying to hijack the thread here):

I am not a big fan of doing the wheels and tires, especially when a customer has never taken care of them and then expects you to work magic (has anyone ever seen wheels that had more brake pad dust, than they had brake pad. Where the wheel was actually brown, yeah I don't like that very much). I know it sounds weird, but wheels can sometimes be a PITA (and I am not talking about the bread either).

 

[red4.8]

Just ordered some surf city today. I am curious to see how it works.

 

[deathlok]

for the exterior only use autoglym glass polish apply wipe with a mf and no streaks nothing just perfect. (you cannot use it for the inside as it dusts )

 

[BlueLibby04]

On another note (not trying to hijack the thread here):

I am not a big fan of doing the wheels and tires, especially when a customer has never taken care of them and then expects you to work magic (has anyone ever seen wheels that had more brake pad dust, than they had brake pad. Where the wheel was actually brown, yeah I don't like that very much). I know it sounds weird, but wheels can sometimes be a PITA (and I am not talking about the bread either).

I know what you mean. If a tire is really bad Ive got to wash it at least twice and put tire shine on it at least twice. Its like the rubber was just asking for some tire shine and sucks it all up.



Fender wells can be scary at times. :nervous:

 

[howareb]

Fender wells can be scary at times. :nervous:

Yeah especially when there is life existing (Had a mouse run out when I was cleaning one. I did not expect it and it startled me). Now I expect to see one on every detail, it helps the nerves. :nervous2:

 

[BigAl3]

Some glass cleaners are better than others, but perfectly clear windows can be created with pretty much any product. Also, having a dedicated glass towel (micro fiber and/or huck) makes things easier.

agreed....

 

[TGates]

The best glass cleaner I have found is Adam's Glass Cleaner. I like Zaino's glass polish as well. I use a dedicated WW glass towel and my glass always comes out perfect.



Clay also works wonders on glass. Seems like a lot of folks overlook that.

 

[OCKlasse]

I love using Aquawax on windows! Works excellent!