Windshield Cleaning - Inside

[Zed Head]

Is it just my old Z, so degraded by the sun, that is really hard to keep a clean windshield?  I i get a a light haze within a couple of weeks of cleaning that is really hard to remove.  For a while I thought it might duck(t) tape that I had on the seats releasing plasticizer, but it's gone now.  Then I thought it was a small coolant leak, depositing antifreeze stuff, but that's fixed now.  

 

Whatever it is is difficult to remove.  Windex and paper towels, Windex and shop towels, clean damp wash cloths from the house, newspapers, etc. none of the cleaning tricks work.  The only thing I've found that works for a while is a new OCELO sponge, straight from the wrapper.  No cleaner, just the sponge, as a last step after the bulk of the residue is removed.  Even other brands of sponges won't work.

 

Anyone have any unusual cleaning tricks.  Does everyone's windshield dirty up fast or is it just mine.

 

p.s. I also have Home Depot outdoor carpet in my back panel with might be releasing plasticizer in to the air, redepositing on the windshield.  Might be time to change that out just to see, but still wondering if it's just old plastic degrading in general.

 

p.s. 2 - I've probably cleaned the windshield on my Pathfinder twice since I bought it new in 1994.  It just doesn't get dirty on the inside.

[CanTechZ]

I've been reading about using clay bars to clean auto glass and plan to try it soon when I put my car back on road, it seems they even have clay bars specifically for glass. This one even mentions cleaning the inside:

 

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/glass+cleaning+clay.do

 

I have had good luck with clay bars for paint, has anyone else tried it on glass?

[Pop's Z]

I've had good results from using"Invisible Glass". Our old dash plastic and vinyl outgasses more than new cars do. I also use newspaper instead of other wipe-off materials. I was told by a glass installer that Windex and wipe cloths are not good cleaners. Just my 2 cents.

 

Cheers, Mike

[jfa.series1]

Any cleaners or preservatives used on the interior may be out-gassing and contributing to haze.

[northernz]

I use Auto Glym glass polish and a clean microfiber cloth. Best results of anything I have used!

[grannyknot]

Methyl Hydrate on a paper towel then Invisible Glass cleaner to remove the streaks.

[Zed Head]

Methyl hydrate being methanol?  With a little hydrogen dioxide added or straight up?

 

I did try ethanol and it cuts through it pretty well.  I think the clean rag might be one key.  Seem like fabric softener or lanolin is everywhere.  I've never had any luck with newspaper.  Maybe paper and ink vary geographically.

 

I took out my Home Depot carpet to see if I get a few more days or weeks per cleaning.  We're hitting hot weather here so outgassing should be high.

[Chickenman]

I've had good results from using"Invisible Glass". Our old dash plastic and vinyl outgasses more than new cars do. I also use newspaper instead of other wipe-off materials. I was told by a glass installer that Windex and wipe cloths are not good cleaners. Just my 2 cents.

 

Cheers, Mike

Yep....agree 100%. Windex sucks big time. For ANY window cleaning. Leaves a lot of streaks and hazing.

 

Invisible Glass or GM Glass cleaner work very well. So does " Glass Plus"...if you can find it.

 

Stay away from Blue shop towels. Something in them leaves a haze. Cheap plain Paper Towels work just dandy.

 

If you drive in the rain and still have fogging problems, Rain-Ex Antifog works really well. Windshield should be cleaned first with a good glass cleaner as mentioned above.

Edited May 30, 2015 by Chickenman

[Zed Head]

I took out my Home Depot carpet to see if I get a few more days or weeks per cleaning.  We're hitting hot weather here so outgassing should be high.

I replaced the "rubber" backed Home Depot carpet with another that was a more typical sewn/glued fabric backing.  Made a huge difference.  The rubber was probably PVC with plasticizers, and they were vaporizing and redepositing on the windshield.  The windshield still needs more cleaning than my other car but much less than before.