| Auto Detailing - Windshield and Glass Service |
From "Car Care Workshop"
episode DCC-103 |
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Driving with a dirty windshield is aggravating, and it can also be a hazard. Here are some window-cleaning tips: - Ordinary household glass cleaner with ammonia is fairly effective at cleaning windshields and car windows. It's good at removing dirt and grease, but it tends to leave streaks. A second application may be necessary to get rid of the streaks. Professional glass cleaners that contain no ammonia are also available. These products are effective but usually more expensive.
- Another option is to use car-wash soap, water and a wash mitt. (Dish soap is not recommended, as it may damage your car's paint finish.) To clean up bird droppings, sap and other stubborn substances, let the soapy water sit for a few minutes before wiping the spot with the wash mitt. Use a hose to rinse the soap and dirt away, then dry and polish the windows with clean towels.
- Another effective technique is to clean the window with a mild solution of vinegar and water, applied to the glass with a spray bottle, then wipe the glass dry with newspaper. The newsprint ink works as a polishing agent.
- To improve the looks of a badly neglected windshield, try glass polish (figure A). Apply according to the manufacturer's instructions, much as you would car wax. Let it dry to a haze, then hose it off, and polish the glass with a clean cloth. Use a toothbrush to remove any residue from cracks and crevices.
- The inside of the windshield can become hazy from smoke and chemical vapors given off by the vinyl and plastics inside the car. Use spray glass cleaner for the window interiors, spraying a cleaning cloth rather than the glass to prevent spraying surrounding areas. Before cleaning side windows, roll them down partially so it's easier to clean the area along the windows' top edge.
Note: For hard-to-reach spots along the curve of the windshield or rear window, turn your hand palm down and support the towel on the back of your hand. This makes it easier to reach high, curved parts of the window. Don't forget to clean your rear-view and side mirrors.
RESOURCES :
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books
Ultimate Auto Detailing
Model: 0879389419
Author: David H. Jacobs
(1995)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Motorbooks International
Auto Detailing: Step-By-Step Procedures for Complete Automobile Detailing
Model: 0801983940
Author: James Joseph
(1998)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Chilton Book Company
Westchester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-738-9280
Fax: 610-738-9354
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