THERE’S NOTHING WORSE than peering through a grubby and smeared windscreen. And while it seems like a simple thing, actually getting your windscreen properly clean is not always easy.
I know, because for years I’ve been looking for the best way to get a crystal clear, streak-free finish, and been frustrated with the end result.
It gets worse in summer when heat causes the chemicals and oils in the plastics and other materials in your car’s cabin to leach out and adhere to the windscreen, creating what is called “vinyl fog”. Using protectants only makes it worse, and if you (or someone else) smokes inside the car, it can add a real film to the glass (and every other surface).
A filthy windscreen is not only annoying, it is potentially dangerous because it limits your ability to see what’s happening around you.
So, here is the definitive way to clean your windscreen, inside and out.
What you’ll need.
A spray bottle. Paper towel. Microfiber towels. Rubbing alcohol. Proprietary glass cleaner. Clay bar. Car wax.
Clean the outside first.
Cleaning the outer glass makes it possible to see how clean (or otherwise) the inside is. You may not realize it, but glass is the second largest surface on your vehicle after painted panels.
Some people like to use a paper towel or a scrunched-up newspaper. I find paper towels will break down, often leaving residue on the screen. Crumpled newspaper has the potential to scratch the glass. The best option is a microfiber towel – they’re relatively inexpensive and leave no residue or fluff. Before you use it, remove any tags.
Work in the shade and turn the towel often, or use a new one. Clean one half of the windscreen at a time. Using proprietary glass cleaner (in a spray bottle or aerosol can), preferably ammonia-free, clean the windscreen in a random, circular motion.
Once you’ve done both halves of the windscreen, that’s where most people stand back and admire their handiwork. But there’s more to getting a really clean ‘screen.
You may have a clay bar and think it’s only for cleaning the paintwork, but a clay bar does a great job on glass. Use warm water in a spray bottle (warm water loosens grime better than cold water) and spray plenty of it onto the glass. Work the clay bar in all different angles. If you feel resistance, concentrate on that area to remove the embedded contaminants. Keep spraying plenty of water on the glass.
Once you’re done, take a fresh microfiber towel and clean the windscreen again with glass cleaner to remove any residual clay. Dry thoroughly using the microfiber towel.
Now, here’s the final step. Take a tin of car wax (just like you use on the paintwork) and apply it across the windscreen glass. Waxing the screen adds a protective layer (just like it does to paintwork). Water beads on the ‘screen and falls away, and bird droppings and other muck wipe off easily. Make sure you’ve covered every part of the windscreen with wax. Apply the wax thinly in a circular motion, using moderate pressure. Wait five minutes and then wipe a small spot with your finger. If the glass comes up clear (not smudged), the wax is ready to be removed. Buff it off, turning the microfiber cloth regularly and use a circular motion. Make sure you remove the wax from black pieces and black trim as the wax will dry white and look unsightly.
Now take another towel and give the windscreen a final buff. Start with a circular motion, then finish by wiping it up and down.
Spray some glass cleaner on a towel and wipe the edges of the wiper blades.
Cleaning the inside
If your car has aftermarket tinted windows, do not use an alcohol-based glass cleaner. Instead, just clean tinted windows with soapy water (one drop of detergent in a spray bottle of water is sufficient).
Now, the windscreen isn’t easy to clean inside, partly because it’s not easy to get into tight areas between glass and dashboard.
First up, wipe the windscreen with a dry microfiber towel.
Here’s a worthwhile hint. Climb in the front of the car and face the rear. Then, using a backhand motion, clean down to the dashboard. This technique means you can get your fingers right into the small gap and apply pressure. Another useful tip is to avoid allowing the cloth to make contact with any surface other than the glass because it will pick up oils and transfer them to the windscreen. If you drop the towel onto the dash top, get a clean one.
Take some rubbing alcohol and spray a little onto a microfiber cloth to de-grease the glass. If any liquid falls onto the dash, wipe it off immediately with a paper towel – don’t use the microfiber cloth. Once you have de-greased the glass, dry with another microfiber towel.
Take your proprietary glass cleaner and spray onto your microfiber towel. Don’t spray it directly onto the glass because there will be overspray on surfaces where you don’t want it. Use a circular motion. Then flip the towel and wipe the inside of the screen up and down from top to bottom.
It sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but the result will be a sparkling clean and clear windscreen. And there’s a bonus: keeping it clean will be much easier.
