Windscreen cleaning

[johno2004]

Hi,

Can anyone give advice on best way to clean windscreen to prevent smearing when wiper going in rain.

I Have bought some autoglyn glass clean but to no avail.
Even when im cleaning screen with that there seems to be what can be described as a oily residue on screen when cleaning it as you see the same effect when water hits oil, rainbow colours.

Its becoming frustrating now as cannot see a thing when its raining.

Also got blitzt by stones from a lorry a few weeks ago and screen got a few chips in one being about 5p round in A zone.

Have had it repaired but it is still visable, will this pass MOT ? if not should i get it replaced now as an unsucessfull repair, as MOT not due till Oct and insurance might have a issue then saying why have i waited so long.

Any idea's
Thanks
Johno

 

[Dec]

Clean the windscreen with Cif (formaly called Jif) household cleaner.

Gently rub it on the glass generously and leave for 5 minutes and WIPE IT ALL OFF with a clean cloth and rinse off with plenty of water. Cif contains silica sand, it will not harm the glass if it is done GENTLY. DO NOT GET ANY OF IT ON THE PAINTWORK. I use this method occasionally when dirt and grime build up on the screen, with no damage to the glass whatsoever. Remember you are trying to remove the dirt residue from the glass, you not trying to wear a hole in the glass, gently dose it.

Bear in mind, there will always be a certain amount of oily water thrown up onto the windscreen from the road in rainy conditions but your screen wash should be able to deal with this.

Check that the washer tank is clean and not contaminated with anything oily. Be sure to clean the edge of the blade that contacts the glass. If the wiper blade has not been changed recently it may be time for a new one, smearing indicates a worn or incorrectly fitted blade.


Dec

 

[Richard Moakes]

Hi,

Also got blitzt by stones from a lorry a few weeks ago and screen got a few chips in one being about 5p round in A zone.

Have had it repaired but it is still visable, will this pass MOT ? if not should i get it replaced now as an unsucessfull repair, as MOT not due till Oct and insurance might have a issue then saying why have i waited so long.

Any idea's
Thanks
Johno

I recently had a windscreen replaced by Autoglass, all legit and covered by insurance. The previous owner got Auto Windscreens to perform a repair and in the opinion of Autoglass it wasn't properly repaired, and as it couldn't be reworked, the only option was a new screen.

So, with any luck, you may not have an issue.

Good Luck,

 

[Aussie Nick]

I agree with Dec that the problem is the wiper blade. Lots of people will wash their cars but never give the wiper blade a good wipe with a damp rag. The oil builds up and sticks to the wiper blade so after you have cleaned your windscreen the next time you use the wiper the grime reappears. Another alternative to the jif is dishwashing detergent which will also remove grease off grimy hands. Make sure to place a towel under the windscreen, whichever method you use, to avoid the cleaning solution reaching the paintwork. Clear wash residue quickly after application. I was going to add an Irish joke here but I think I better desist.:smile:

 

[David Nock]

If you are keeping your screen, and get it clean, then consider silicone wiper blades from PIAA corporation. (Internet).
They have a silicone wipe treatment for a precleaned screen and then, using their blades, you get perfect vision. I'm up to about 5 years use now on the Mazda; screens perfect, same blades, (but admittedly only low miles).

 

[johno2004]

Thanks will try the jif

Have cleaned wiper blade.

You can actually see the residue on screen when attempting to clean it when buffing off all seams to be well untill the rain comes and smears again.

Going to change wiper blade anyway is it best just to get MB one or are there any good equivelents.

Thanks

 

[M6AJJ]

Meths or a little white spirit works well for removing grime and rubber residue.

 

[Dec]

Bosch, I think are the best, it is very important that a blade is fitted correctly.

The guide claws on the metal blade side into the channel that hold the rubber blade in place, the should not grip or pinch the spine channel of the rubber blade and should be loose enough to allow the blade to flex.

Usually a single stainless steel clip with a spike in it is fixed to the bottom end to prevent the rubber blade from sliding out of the channel. Pliers should not be needed to change any part of the blade and the guide claws should not need any adjustment if the metal part of the blade is in good condition.

The metal and rubber blade combined seems to becoming more popular when changing blades nowadays.

Dec

 

[wireman]

I have used Car plan glass polish to get rid of the nasty film, it took three attempts and lots of elbow grease to get the stuff off, you must have a clean blade or it will smear again as soon as the wiper is used. They used to rccomend vinegar for cleaning wiper blades and rubbing half a spud on the glass to remove the film.

As a quick temporary cure use a generous spray of CIF bathroom moose on the glass, this lasts for about 1 day, keep it in the car and you can give it a squirt at any time if the film gets too grotty to see through.

Do not clean the exterior mirrors with polish they are surface reflecting and will be cleaned of silvering immediatly.

 

[74merc]

You want some TFR - traffic film remover. Some car wash shampoos have this in them. The difference to the cleanliness of your glass when using this is amazing. I use Super Snow Foam which is applied using a foam gun on a pressure washer. Have a look at www.autobritedirect.co.uk for details.

 

[jberks]

Maybe I'm off beam here, but a damp rag with washing up liquid does the trick for me. Blather the screen and the wiper blades then rinse off with a hosepipe (washing up liquid contains salt so rinse well). No abbrassive, just dissolves all the grease from glass which is what washing up liquid is specifically designed to do.
Also leaves a lemon fresh smell !

 

[100%Bitch]

Maybe I'm off beam here, but a damp rag with washing up liquid does the trick for me. Blather the screen and the wiper blades then rinse off with a hosepipe (washing up liquid contains salt so rinse well). No abbrassive, just dissolves all the grease from glass which is what washing up liquid is specifically designed to do.
Also leaves a lemon fresh smell !

Either that or half a lemon/lime/orange . Works a treat.

 

[Omega]

I also hate dirty windows,,,, inside or out.
For inside I tried "ANTI FOG" which made matters worse !
For the outside I tried using an addative to the washer bottle. It wasn't great, but as I had it, I used it,,,,, until it clogged up the nozzle jets.
This addative causes a scum inside the washer bottle & either this moves along the pipes, or the general action of the addative causes the blockage.

They are a pig to clean out !
I ended up stripping out all the pipes, bottle etc to clean - but I can't get the nozzles off the tubes - Any ideas please ?

I wouldn't have dreampt of using CIF, but I might give it a bash next time.
I have used White Spirit (inside & out) which is o.k for a while.

I won't be using an addative again !

Good Luck all

 

[Xtractorfan]

Any of the above methods will work, my own way of cleaning the screen is to buy one of the small bottles of concentrated screenwash and pour it across the top of the screen, then use a piece of kitchen towel to wipe it all over the screen, and finish off by cleaning the blades, then switch on the wipers and and let them clear the soapy mess up, then a few squirts of the washers and .. a clean screen.

 

[Xtractorfan]

I also hate dirty windows,,,, inside or out.
For inside I tried "ANTI FOG" which made matters worse !
For the outside I tried using an addative to the washer bottle. It wasn't great, but as I had it, I used it,,,,, until it clogged up the nozzle jets.
This addative causes a scum inside the washer bottle & either this moves along the pipes, or the general action of the addative causes the blockage.

They are a pig to clean out !
I ended up stripping out all the pipes, bottle etc to clean - but I can't get the nozzles off the tubes - Any ideas please ?

I wouldn't have dreampt of using CIF, but I might give it a bash next time.
I have used White Spirit (inside & out) which is o.k for a while.

I won't be using an addative again !

Good Luck all

To get the washer jets off the tubes use a cigarette lighter.. the long nosed gas lighter is ace.. and gently warm the tubes and then pull off the tubes . if yours has the crimped clips holding them on squeeze the crimped ends with pliers so that the clip is ovaled then insert a small flat blade screwdriver and prise the clips open, then heat and slip off.. oh and cable ties will suffice to hold the pipes in place again

 

[jpbp200]

I always find that newspaper (black and white not colour) gives excellent results both on the screen and the blade. Make sure the screen is damp first and just sort of dry it with screwed up newspaper. Very quick and easy.

 

[hmang]

put a new blade on

 

[Lynz1957]

I've tried using a clay bar with lubricating fluid as a preparation and that worked well on all 3 Mercs that I have. The best bars I've found were the 3M type, and use a good water based lubricating fluid such as KY Jelly or other similar medical lubricant product to stop the clay 'picking up'. After that, thoroughly wash the screen with water and dry with a paper towel. Then apply your Rain-X, or preferred screen protectant. For the blades, provided they are still serviceable, wash them in hot soapy water (rubber gloves on, ladies and gents!!), dry with the paper towel again and then given them a light wipe with white vinegar before rinsing. For your washer bottle, use a light automotive detergent solution with a low surfactant and salt level to stop clogging and deposits forming and top up regularly.

For the rear screeen wash wipe, strangely that appears a little tougher and the only solution is to remove the rear screen.... permanently!!