Glass cleaner in place of wiper fluid?

[Chris Nemlich]

My friend was helping me detail my car today and he thought of a somewhat weird but interesting idea. He suggested putting meguiars glass cleaner in my car in place of wiper fluid. Any reason to or not to do this? Maybe mix some with the wiper fluid?

[gb387]

Re: Glass cleaner in place of wiper fluid?

Originally posted by williams22
My friend was helping me detail my car today and he thought of a somewhat weird but interesting idea. He suggested putting meguiars glass cleaner in my car in place of wiper fluid. Any reason to or not to do this? Maybe mix some with the wiper fluid?

They do have additives designed for washer fluid to increase cleaning/water repelling/whatever. One thing, you might think about.... how would the glass cleaner (not designed to go in a washer tank) react with washer seals/washer motor/washer pump. Just a thought, it may not do anything

[Rick]

I would think that if the glass cleaner would corrode the seals it would do so in the sprayer nozzels. I was told that if you leave all season dressing in a sprayer for too long it will eat the seals in the sprayer so I clear mine when done with it. On my glass cleaner I never de-prime the pump and it's been working just fine.


Just a thought. BTW, you actually use your wiper fluid? In all honesty I'm still on my factory fill of wiper fluid at 31K miles.

[Rockpick]

It seems like a decent idea but, with the corrosive nature and the 'slosh factor' figured in, I think you're making a potion for problems.

Windshield wiper fluid, as we all know, is pretty diluted so that a little goes a long way. Also, you'll note that you've probably never popped the hood and seen your reservoir full of 'suds' from the product sloshing around within the tank.

Also, I've seen a vehicle with staining actually on the paint from windshield cleaning solutions. I wouldn't want a drip or two to leak out and sit on my paint...With that in mind, I'd definitely say to avoid that procedure.

RP

[2000]

also freezing could be a problem.

[gb387]

Just a thought. BTW, you actually use your wiper fluid? In all honesty I'm still on my factory fill of wiper fluid at 31K miles.

Wish I had that problem

here in Iowa in the summer its bugs, bugs and more bugs. Then in the winter its snow, snow and more snow then after the snow its dirty water splashing off the roads when the snow starts to melt, it seems to never ends!

[scrub]

It seems to me that the wiper fluid is designed for removal with minimal wiping. Some glass cleaners require a good deal of rubbing to remove.

[mikevsop]

If you are looking for a good wiper fluid the best stuff I found is Prestones "Bug Wash" wiper fluid. It is the best wiper fluid I have ever found. It's about 3 bucks for a gallon. It works great for removing bugs and heavy road grime. Also another thing I do is prep my windows by scrubbing them with Bon Ami and a cotton cloth than rinse that off and apply a coat of Rain X. That makes your windows easier to maintain with out having to do them by hand all the time.

[scrub]

RainX makes a good washer fluid.

[nes]

2nd the bug wash...I think the problems arise trying to use window wash to clean the windshield! doesnt make sense?
well, here i go...a gal of wash should last a long time, it is not a replacement for a product like stoners & elbow grease & MF towels. think of window wash to spot clean.

unfortunately window cleaning boils down to chemistry, when a product stops working well, use another (different chemicals)

about glass cleaners:
some info here