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

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    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

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    Invisable glass works for me.
     
  3. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

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    Last edited: May 17, 2010
  4. Jean-Claude

    Jean-Claude Karting

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    This is the best advice. Exactly how I do myself. :D

     
  5. peterp

    peterp F1 Veteran

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2010
  9. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    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. ;)
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2010
  10. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

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    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. :)
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2010
  11. bill brooks

    bill brooks F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

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    i use spit and dead moleskin hides.
     
  12. bill brooks

    bill brooks F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

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    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

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    Reminds me of the Moleskin cookies Mom used to make....................................:)
     
  14. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    Now I understand how Rifle Driver feels.
     
  19. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    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
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2014
  20. 1stFerrari@71

    1stFerrari@71 Formula Junior

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    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

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    I use newspaper....works great, no streaks
     
  22. jpk

    jpk Formula Junior

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    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.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2014
  23. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

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    Double post.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2014
  24. Todd308TR

    Todd308TR F1 World Champ

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    Last edited: May 31, 2014
  25. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran Owner

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    This is what I use.
     

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