Expensive Mistakes to Avoid when Cleaning Your Auto Glass

Many people think that cleaning your auto glass is a pretty simple and straightforward process. They spray on the cleaning solution, wipe it down with a cloth and leave the excess fluid to evaporate. However, what they don’t know, is that some cleaning fluids and techniques can actually do more harm to your auto glass than good. So we decided to help you keep your auto glass in top conditions but also to information about the costly mistakes you might be making during cleaning.

Wiping Down Already Dry Auto Glass

Wiping down your auto glass when it’s dry is something you definitely shouldn’t do. You might not notice, but there are tiny little particles that accumulate on the auto glass when your car is parked. When wiping down the dry auto glass, these particles can create little scratches. You have probably seen this when you look at the auto glass and you notice that it looks a little bit cloudy, no matter how many times you clean it. So resist the urge to wipe down the glass when it’s dry and only wipe it when it’s damp or wet.

Say No to Home Cleaning Solutions

No matter how much does cleaning auto glass and cleaning your house window glass look alike, there are not the same. Even more so, the two types of glass are not the same at all. Auto glass has a special protective coat on it which can be susceptible to damage and deterioration if you use the wrong kind of cleaning solution. Furthermore, the edges of the auto glass have special sealants that ensure the glass stays in place. This can also deteriorate if you expose it to harsh cleaning solutions which contain ammonia (most house glass cleaning solutions contain ammonia).

There are special auto glass cleaning solutions and for a good reason. But in case you don’t have it you can make some of your own by combining:

• One-part white vinegar and one part distilled water
• One tablespoon of white vinegar, one cup of isopropyl alcohol and one cup distilled water
• One-part isopropyl alcohol and one part distilled water

When mixing these solutions, make sure that you always use distilled water. Tap water isn’t clean enough and it has lots of impurities for this purpose. Also when working with alcohol, be careful. This is concentrated and if you spray it on your day, you can cause discoloration.

Use the Right Type of Cleaning Cloth

Yes, even this is important. Many people use paper towels or regular washcloths and this is not the safest option for cleaning auto glass. The same goes for old clothes or clothes made from disposable materials. They will scratch your auto glass.

Paper towns, no matter how soft they are, can leave tiny scratches on the auto glass. At first, you won’t even notice these scratches until the auto glass becomes cloudy. Washcloths are as dangerous, but if you wash them with the rest of your laundry, they might contain fabric softener residue which can leave stains on the auto glass no matter how hard you clean it.

So instead of commonly used cloths and paper towels, we recommend that you only use microfiber cloths because they are the safest bet when it comes to auto glass cleaning. And if you do end up using microfiber cloths, don’t wash it with the rest of your laundry. This way you’ll avoid auto glass streaking.