Windows are one of the most difficult areas of a vehicle to clean. A window that appears clean may look dirty and swirled as soon as you hop behind the wheel.
Detailers have been trying to perfect the art of glass cleaning for generations, and over time new ways and products have arisen. From the old-fashioned way of using the Sunday newspaper, to chemicals, steamers, and special tools – the tips and tricks are endless.
However, how many of these tips and tricks have actually worked for you? Read on to learn the best way to clean car windows.
Steps to Cleaning Windows
The trick is that there is no trick – simply determination. Any streak or mediocre effort on your part shows up on the not-so-finished product. Adding injury to insult, some streaks don’t appear until after the cleaning solution has dried, leaving you – the “professional” auto detailer – looking silly.
How to Clean the Windshield
- Spray a Black Diamond Glass Towel with Crisp RTU Streak Free Window Cleaner and wipe the outside of the windshield. *clean half of the windshield at a time
- Take a 2nd Black Diamond Glass Towel and buff away streaks (or flip to the dry side).
- *Repeat steps 1 and 2 with light pressure.
- Repeat steps 1 through 3 on each side of the interior of the windshield.
Note: It is always best to not clean windows in direct sunlight.
Watch this video to see these tips in action:
How to Clean Side and Rear Windows
- Use a clean Black Diamond Glass Towel and Crisp RTU Streak Free Window Cleaner to wipe all of the side windows
- Pro Tip: Lower windows 2” to clean the tip of the window hidden by the car door
- Take a 2nd Black Diamond Glass Towel and buff away streaks (or flip to the dry side).
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the interior of the glass as well.
Detail King’s Crisp RTU Window Cleaner is safe to use on all automotive glass, mirrors, and metal trim.
Check out all of our window cleaning products.
How to Protect the Windshield
- After cleaning the windshield, use a medium-duty or heavy-duty clay bar with the Wonder Lube Clay Lubricant to decontaminate the glass
- Pro Tip: First, work the clay bar horizontally across the glass, then flip the clay bar & clay the glass vertically
- Wipe down the windshield with Crisp RTU Streak Free Window Cleaner
- Apply a protective and hydrophobic coating using our Water Glyde Glass Treatment and a Rag Company Pearl Coating Towel
- Use a 2nd Pearl Coating Towel to buff the product in and work area until all excess product is gone and coating is evenly applied.
Aerosol or Liquid Window Cleaner?
One area of debate among detailers is aerosol vs liquid window cleaners. Some detailers strongly prefer one over the other, but ultimately the choice is yours. Here are some things to consider:
- Aerosols will dispense product in a thicker foam for cleaning
- Liquids will be more cost-effective
- Aerosols will dry more quickly than liquids
- Liquids will provide more working time
No matter what type of product you prefer to clean with, it is important to note that window-specific towels should be used, and it is extremely important to make sure that they are not contaminated or dirty which will induce streaks!
How to Clean Tinted Windows
The steps outlined above for cleaning windows will be the same for cleaning tinted windows:
- Use a clean Black Diamond Glass Towel and Crisp RTU Streak Free Window Cleaner to clean the window.
- Pro Tip: Lower windows 2” to clean the tip of the window hidden by the car door
- Take a 2nd Black Diamond Glass Towel and buff away streaks (or flip to dry side).
All of Detail King’s window cleaners are safe to use on tinted windows. The only thing to be conscientious of is to make sure there are no tears or rips in the window tint. If the glass cleaner gets under the tint it can start to remove the glue which will make the tint peel up or peel up worse if already peeling.