Removing cigerette smoke from windows

keeotee

keeotee

Detailing Stare
I expect to get several opinions on this and that is great. What's everyone's opinions on this?
 
A dedicated glass polish or any chemical polish.


Personally, Autoglym Glass Polish has worked the best in this case for me.
 
If the aerosol cleaning followed by a "regular spray" alcohol based cleaner doesn't do it, perhaps this deep window cleaning routine I learned from Ketch may help:

Mask off any paint or interior vinyl
Apply a solvent ( I tried OTC Prep-All wax remover, naphtha , and New Car Prep) to the glass.
Let it dwell
Spray on an APC.
Let it dwell briefly and then agitate the two cleaners with an upholstery brush ( OK for glass, doesn't seem any more aggressive than the steel wool but can reach deeper into the glass)

Wipe clean and inspect.

It will probably then require a "normal window cleaning".


I tried this technique to remove "ghost lettering", left over from writing on a window from a dealer's lot. Unfortunately it didn't remove it although longer dwell time and more agitation might have worked. For something like smoke residue, which I wouldn't think would be as deeply embedded in the surface of the glass, it might do the trick.

There's also always various experimentation with various window cleaners and window cloths as well as utilizing steam.

Hope which ever one works out for you.
 
Something I remembered from a little while back, if you follow the above mentioned method and then put a plastic sheet over it and let it sit for an hour. Liquid adhesion should hold the plastic on and should hold the cleaning solutions in place, it should ramp up the effectiveness of the cleaners and, possibly, eliminate the need for a recleaning of the window.
 
Sounds like an excellent addition. Would something like Saran Wrap be sufficient to serve as the plastic?
 
I'll speak from experience being a smoker, so I know what buildup can look like.
One of the easiest is Isoproply alcohol, I have been using it for years on my computer monitor and it cleans up some of the worst tar buildup quickly. If it's just normal build up any good glass cleaner should be able to take care of it

"J"
 
Thanks guys. Lots of good ideas. Much appreciated. The wife had bought some no-name brand of windex type cleaner. I must have gone over the window four or five times to no avail, thus my reason for posting.

Appreciate the info and input.
 
Smoker here...I use Griots Window Cleaner and never had a problem..I do go through about 6 MF's though.
 
A maintanance that help is..if you have window shields..crack the window some and smoke is drawn out.
 
jaybs95 said:
I'll speak from experience being a smoker, so I know what buildup can look like.
One of the easiest is Isoproply alcohol, I have been using it for years on my computer monitor and it cleans up some of the worst tar buildup quickly. If it's just normal build up any good glass cleaner should be able to take care of it

"J"
Click to expand...


This works well for me too. If something stronger is needed I break out the AIO.
 
Some thing very simple that I have used with great results....White wine vinegar with water on a MF towel...I use a 50/50 blend for this...Followed up with Sroners IG and a MF towel.
 
I ended up getting me some of Meguiar's NXT Gen window cleaner. It did a great job for me. I'm really very impressed with it.
 
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