Cleaning Glass

[Hook]

Ok, I'm new to detailing & obsessive car care,but I would have thought cleaning windows was easy. Well, I should remember that nothing is easy.

I borught some Griot's Window Cleaner & some of their Window Cleaner Wipes. Two nights ago I sprayed it on my windows & wiped it off. It looked like it was doing a good job & the glass felt nice & slippery when I was done.

But while driving the car the next morning, I noticed that when the light was just right, there were "smears" all over the windows.

Since then I have tried using a MF cloth instead of the wipes, but I get the same results. I have tried rubbing harder, using more cleaner, less cleaner, spraying the cloth first. But, no matter what I do, I end up with these smears.

Any ideas what could be going on?

[Don]

Try some NXT Glass Cleaner...best stuff I've ever gotten my hands on

[mcrimm]

NXT

Wife even used it in the house last week on a huge picture window - I've got a couple bottle of the stuff.

Mike

[JG_Detailing]

I use a cloth that I got from AutoZone or Walmart. It doesn't leave streak's on the glass. I usually use foam glass cleaner.

Here is the glass cloth

[roushstage2]

If you did it at night that might be why. Every time I have cleaned windows at night, they have streaked. Has to do with it being too cool, I think.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Here is a thread regarding the NXT Glass Cleaner; the best glass cleaner I have used!

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4552&highlight=NXT+Glass+Cleaner

Tim

[Hook]

Originally posted by roushstage2
If you did it at night that might be why. Every time I have cleaned windows at night, they have streaked. Has to do with it being too cool, I think.

Weird It was at night each time I've tried it so far. I'll try it during the day & see what happens. I'll let you know.

[Dragpakmach]

Usually cleaning glass at night leaves streaks due to humidity in the night air no matter what brand glass cleaner you use.

[roushstage2]

Originally posted by Dragpakmach
Usually cleaning glass at night leaves streaks due to humidity in the night air no matter what brand glass cleaner you use.

or that too...

[sean]

I've been using Windex for awhile, guess I'll pick up some nxt glass cleaner. Windex claims to be streak free, but it always leaves them, also it really dulls the trim.

[Hook]

Claening Glass, Again

This is a follow up on my post that started this thread. I am still having difficulty getting my windows clean & wonder if there is a technique I'm missing.

I tried a few more days of using Griot's Window Cleaner & finally gave up, as the windows remained streaky.

I then bought some NXT Glass Cleaner & some of the duo-fiber window mf towels. It works better, but I'm still not getting great results.

Although the windows look clear as I'm cleaning them, they look different the next day when I'm driving, depending on the way the light strikes the glass. What I'm seeing is a fair amount of streaking & even some dried water spots.

So, what am I doing wrong? Do I need to use more the cleaner (to saturate the glass)? Rub harder?

[gb387]

Have you seen this thread: Glass Polishing... Deep Cleaning... there is some good info there that might help you.

Is the problem on the outside or inside of the glass?

[01sc496]

Hi, I'll throw in my $.02 here.

I've found that using LESS cleaner actually works better for me in terms of avoiding streaks and other glass cleaning frustrations.

I have two of the Meg's duo-fiber towels which work great for glass. I fold one of them into quarters and most times apply the NXT glass cleaner directly to the towel unless there are significant bugs or dirt on my windows. I then apply the cleaner with the towel and rub it down until almost "dry" (this is a bit hard to explain as the towel surface will remain damp).

I then switch to the other towel and just use it dry to clean up any remnants of the NXT cleaner that would be causing streaks. I'm sure I look funny in my garage, bobbing my head all over the place looking for streaks from different angles, but this is what it seems to take.

Hope this helps!

[Hook]

Originally posted by gb387
Have you seen this thread: Glass Polishing... Deep Cleaning... there is some good info there that might help you.

Is the problem on the outside or inside of the glass?

Thanks. I'll read through that.

The problem is on the outside.

[Don]

Originally posted by 01sc496
Hi, I'll throw in my $.02 here.

I've found that using LESS cleaner actually works better for me in terms of avoiding streaks and other glass cleaning frustrations.

I have two of the Meg's duo-fiber towels which work great for glass. I fold one of them into quarters and most times apply the NXT glass cleaner directly to the towel unless there are significant bugs or dirt on my windows. I then apply the cleaner with the towel and rub it down until almost "dry" (this is a bit hard to explain as the towel surface will remain damp).

I then switch to the other towel and just use it dry to clean up any remnants of the NXT cleaner that would be causing streaks. I'm sure I look funny in my garage, bobbing my head all over the place looking for streaks from different angles, but this is what it seems to take.

Hope this helps!

Couldn't have said it better myself

EDITED TO ADD: Except I usually do my windows outside the garage for the better lighting and in full view of everybody