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February 19, 2024
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Clean windows are more than just a pretty face on your vehicle. They’re also essential to keeping you and your ride safe while traveling around town on your monthly commute.
At Zenith Auto Glass in Duluth, Minnesota, we specialize in convenient, friendly auto glass installation throughout Duluth/Superior and the entire Northland. In this post, we’re sharing tips to keep your car window replacement glass sparkling clean for a safer, more pleasant drive.
Check out this guide and call us for all of your Duluth auto glass replacement needs!
When you need your windows cleaned in a hurry, there are a few options on the table. The trouble with DIY methods is that not all cleaners are created equal, and using the wrong one can even damage your windshield. Add to that the challenge of cleaning the irregular shapes of car windows, and getting it right on your own can seem downright algebraic.
You can drive through the automatic car wash for a quick clean without leaving your vehicle. Or you can always use the free squeegee next time you stop at a convenience store to fill up on gas. But while all these quick-fix solutions are meant to eliminate the worst dirt, bugs, and debris, you can still expect to have streaked, spotty windows after you’re done.
On the other side of the coin, there’s nothing quite like getting your vehicle professionally detailed to leave your windows and interior looking pristine. But if you want sparkling fresh windows without having to shell out for professional detailing, all it takes is a little elbow grease and a lot of know-how.
The answer to preventing streaked windows is to park in the shade. The key to avoiding hazy or streaked windows starts with understanding what causes them.
Anytime you’re cleaning your windows in the sunlight, no matter how cool it is outside, solar heat can cause the solution to evaporate faster than you can wipe your windows down. Although most of the solution is gone, a light residue remains.
One of car owners’ most common mistakes is assuming that their windows can handle any type of chemical or cleaning agent. The wrong cleaners can actually damage your window tint or cause the rubber seals around your windows to crack. Worse, it can lead to etching in the surface of the glass.
For this reason, auto glass repair experts recommend avoiding ammonia-based window cleaners. Instead, choose a specialized glass cleaner formulated especially for automotive glass.
In addition to automotive glass cleaner, gather the following supplies:
● Bucket if using concentrated cleaner
● Distilled water
● Sponge
● Microfiber or clean, lint-free cotton cloths
● Windshield wiper treatment
After gathering your supplies, it’s time to get to work. If you’re planning to wash your car at the same time, you should always save your windows for last, as this prevents smudges on your window from cleaning the rest of your car.
If you’re mixing concentrated cleaner, mix it thoroughly in your bucket with distilled water. Apply your cleaner to front and rear windshields first using a sponge.
It is a common misconception that windows should be wiped in circles. Instead, thoroughly wipe up and down first, then switch from left to right, all while moving in a top-down pattern. This ensures you don’t miss any details and helps to prevent smudging. Run your cloth along the outside edges and corners so you don’t miss anything.
Additionally, you should clean the exterior first before cleaning the interior windshield. When cleaning your side windows, don’t forget to roll them down a bit. These windows can become especially dirty where the window is hidden beneath the rubber seal.
To remove the line that can occur behind these seals, you may wish to use extra cleaner in this area.
Biological residue from birds and insects can be extremely difficult to remove. Unfortunately, the longer you leave them on your vehicle, the harder they can become. Auto glass repair technicians recommend never leaving bug splatter on your vehicle for long for this reason.
To remove tricky bug splatter spots, apply auto glass cleaner to a cleaning towel and lay it across the area of concern to let the cleaner soak in thoroughly. After waiting several minutes, attempt to wipe the splatter away with a microfiber towel.
For tricky spots, some car glass repair pros recommend using a small amount of baking soda with the same method. Many auto stores also sell special cleaning agents designed for insect splatter removal.
After cleaning your windshields and side windows, use your cleaner to wipe your mirrors. Next, use your cleaner to remove any built-up dirt from your windshield wipers, and then clean and dry the wipers with your cloth.
While cleaning your windows, examine your automotive glass for signs of small chips and cracks. Although they may seem minor, even the smallest chips can worsen over time.
By scheduling windshield chip repair now, you may save yourself the trouble and expense of windshield replacement down the road!
While all the tips above can keep your windows looking great, winter months mean extra care. While going out in the cold to clean the windshield might not be your priority, it can save you time and give you safer driving conditions, so let’s look at our expert’s top winter cleaning recommendations.
Having premium wiper blades is one of the best ways to keep the glass cleaner, especially if you’re driving on salted roads. Make sure your wipers have no cracks, are solid all the way through, and have no tears. Even if they look okay, but you’re still finding streaks; this indicates they need to be replaced.
You don’t want to wash your windshield in temperatures below 30 degrees because water on the glass can freeze and make it much more challenging to clean. Wait until temperatures are above freezing, and avoid using hot water on the glass if the windshield is frozen because the shock can cause glass damage.
Water repellent is an excellent product to add to your auto glass at any time of the year and works great in the colder months. The repellent creates a hydrophobic coating that repels snow, ice, and water, giving you better visibility, decreasing water spots, and making it easier to remove bug splatters because it keeps moisture from sticking to the glass.
If you identify any cracks or chips while cleaning your windows, our team at Zenith Auto Glass can fix them fast with minimal disruption to your day. Our priority is to make your experiences as easy as possible, and our 5-star reviews let you know you are working with a local and trusted expert!
To schedule your convenient windshield chip repair, give us a call at 218-275-5555 or contact us online today!
