sick of windex | Page 2 | FerrariChat

sick of windex

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by bobby355, May 16, 2010.

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  1. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 19, 2006
    6,262
    Indiana/North Carolina
    Full Name:
    JIM
    Go to Bed Bath and Beyond and pick up some "Hope's Perfect Glass". I got LOTS of compliments at the "308's in '08" event from it. It works wonders. :)

    I really like Stoners as well. I'll have to try the Sprayaway next time I'm out.

    JIM
     
  2. Jackmb1

    Jackmb1 F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2005
    3,329
    Invisable glass works for me.
     
  3. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #28 Paul_308, May 17, 2010
    Last edited: May 17, 2010
  4. Jean-Claude

    Jean-Claude Karting

    Sep 23, 2009
    187
    Atlanta
    This is the best advice. Exactly how I do myself. :D

     
  5. peterp

    peterp F1 Veteran

    Aug 31, 2002
    6,699
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Peter
    Stoners Invisible Glass is very good. I notice more dash glare when using Stoners, which I guess is a testament to it making the glass really reflect, but I feel like the glass gets dirty easily after using Stoners, not sure why.

    What I find works even better for getting the glass truly clean is a blend of 2 cups water (preferably distilled), 1/2 cup distilled vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon Dawn. This works better than any commercial product I've tried. My wife got me started down this road by buying "green" cleaning products at whole foods -- I found that their window cleaner (vinegar based) is quite good. With that as a baseline, I looked up the formula above online and found that the Dawn really helps remove oils that vinegar alone doesn't take care of.
     
  6. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    I agree that technique is more important than the product you use. Two or three times with lots of fresh paper towels usually work fine for me.
     
  7. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,609
    Gates Mills, Ohio
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    Jon
    What he said.

    Also, the best thing I've learned on this site excluding in the bikini thread: clean one side using horizontal strokes, then the other side using vertical strokes. That way you know which side has streakiness, if any remains.
     
  8. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
    4,866
    Atlantic Beach Fl
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    Stuart K. Hicks
    #33 climb, May 17, 2010
    Last edited: May 17, 2010
    All brands mentioned in this thread are fine but it's all in the technique.

    The windows may look streak free in one light but leftover streaks may appear at night or as the light hits the window at different angles. You need to buff the streaks out with a microfiber. Take a 500 watt light and shine it on the windows from different angles to find any streaks that don't present themselves right away.

    When i really want the streaks to go away i use 0000 steel wool to buff them out but usually just use the microfibers and accept what few faint streaks that appear later in different light
     
  9. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
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    MidTN
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    DGS
    #34 DGS, May 18, 2010
    Last edited: May 18, 2010
    Do you know which brands have such treatment?
    (I wouldn't want to use that kind of paper towel in microwave cooking, either.)

    I haven't had that issue, but I tend to use the cheap paper towels made from recycled paper ----
    ---- I'd like to think there's *some* benefit from all those government reports. ;)
     
  10. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

    Jun 7, 2006
    1,779
    USA
    Full Name:
    Tony K.
    #35 Tony K, May 18, 2010
    Last edited: May 18, 2010
    I don't know about chemicals on paper towels, but since paper towels have been brought up a few times now, I'll add that I've had the best luck with the straight-up plain white Scott brand. They leave the fewest bits and shreds behind of all of the brands I've tried, and hold up well when wet, both for window cleaning and other more rigorous uses. I've found Scott to work better for all around use than other paper towels, including their own blue shop towels. Specifically regarding windows, I've never had a problem getting windows streak free with Stoner and Scott plain white paper towels. :)
     
  11. bill brooks

    bill brooks F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2007
    6,088
    waynesburg,pa
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    bill brooks
    i use spit and dead moleskin hides.
     
  12. bill brooks

    bill brooks F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2007
    6,088
    waynesburg,pa
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    bill brooks
    p.s.
    the customer service babe that works at valentine#1 told me NEVER to use
    high quality paper towels to clean glass. there is lanoline in the towels.

    her recommendation was the cheapest chinese towels one can find or a
    handful of unused coffee filters. watkins glass cleaner is they're preference
    (or dead moleskin hides and spit).
     
  13. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

    Feb 16, 2003
    14,656
    The fabulous PNW
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    Han Solo
    Reminds me of the Moleskin cookies Mom used to make....................................:)
     
  14. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2001
    11,013
    panama city beach FL
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    rick c
    the real secret to streak free windows is to use hot water. i worked for ppg making dual pane window units. we washed the glass with hot water, a little rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish washing soap. newsprint will not leave fuzz like some paper towels.
     
  15. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    If that was all PPG used to wash IG units they would have been out of business long ago.
     
  16. BigJay2050

    BigJay2050 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2014
    7,193
    I've had pretty good luck with windex, but I use the version that is vinegar based, not ammonia based. I started using it on my Saltwater Reef Tanks (can't use ammonia-based anything anywhere near it) and it just seemed to translate well to the cars.
     
  17. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
    5,083
    Missouri
    I worked at a restaurant with miles of glass and the trick there was to use coffee filters instead of a cloth or paper towels as they leave no lint nor have anything like dryer sheet residue. Cheap too.
     
  18. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Now I understand how Rifle Driver feels.
     
  19. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
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    FelipeNotMassa
    #44 PhilNotHill, May 30, 2014
    Last edited: May 30, 2014
    My wife insists paper towels are better. I insist microfiber (MF) towels are better. But I use them 1x and then put them in the laundry. Costco sells some nice MF towels.

    I used to use 000000 steel wool but it rusts (nasty). Now plastic wash pads work great to remove bugs from the windshield. It also works on headlight covers but check a small spot to make sure it does not scatch.

    Wash the windshield,
    & light covers after each drive while the bugs are still juicy and haven't bonded to the car surface.

    Will try Sprayway at Costco. Thanks.

    BTW I spray windex over the 3m covered front of the car after each drive, let it soak in and then wipe off with MF while the bugs are still juicy. Works great.

    Best
     
  20. 1stFerrari@71

    1stFerrari@71 Formula Junior

    Jun 21, 2013
    518
    Commerce, Texas
    Full Name:
    Joel Jacobs
    50/50 - distilled water and white vinegar.... great for washing the car too - no water spots.... and a minimum of work - I mean _minimum!_

    Old guy.....
     
  21. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

    Apr 1, 2011
    3,726
    Montreal
    Full Name:
    Fab
    I use newspaper....works great, no streaks
     
  22. jpk

    jpk Formula Junior

    #47 jpk, May 31, 2014
    Last edited: May 31, 2014
    If you want the best for automotive glass, then Einszett is what you want. It is made in Germany and a few online retailers import it. The glass product is called Windscreen Klar and is streak free.
     
  23. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

    Nov 25, 2010
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    #48 Todd308TR, May 31, 2014
    Last edited: May 31, 2014
    Double post.
     
  24. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

    Nov 25, 2010
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    #49 Todd308TR, May 31, 2014
    Last edited: May 31, 2014
  25. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,804
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    This is what I use.
     

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