How To Clean Your Windscreen? (1 Viewer)

[rosalan]

I have seen several versions including this same formula, which I am a little nervous to try. Basically scrub your windscreen with the finest steel wool. Then use a product called Rain-X (several times), apparently Halfords sell it. Finally polish the screen with first a damp cloth (T-shirt) then a dry cloth (T-shirt).
I had not come across this before but it seems this is one way to clean an RV in America.
Has anyone tried this that I could trust?
Alan

 

[Ivory55]

Not used wire wool but have used rain x , it's weird after you have used it and drive when it's raining the rain just goes straight off of the screen.

 

[DiggerJon]

Used it on my visor in my motorbiking days and it worked brilliantly. The secret is to have the screen/visor absolutely clean to start off with and use as little Rain-X as possible as it seems to smear otherwise. Never been brave enough to try it on a windscreen though!

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[grumps147]

Ok until there is a heavy infestation of insects, which you have to scrub off with insect remover, then you have to re-apply. Tried it at work, even though at that time it wasn't recommended on the windscreen itself (can't remember why). Useful on other windows as insects were not an issue, but you would need a reason to keep other windows clear. Can't remember if you could use it on plastic. Seem to remember it wasn't worth the hassle, but others may have had better experiences.

 

[Bailey58]

Sits in the garage and used it in the past with great success but often too lazy to bother when I clean the vehicles now.

 

[Ivory55]

I use auto glym glass polish first to clean the screen then use the rain x. If you use it on side windows , the water seems to collect and form funny shapes and dance about the glass but that is only on the side windows.

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[Don Quixote]

Been using RAIN-X for 5 years both car and MH on windscreen and ALL windows without problem. Not seen wire wool used before hand to clean screen, be worried about that one............

 

[rosalan]

After a bit of a think. I tried the wire wool on my mirrors and side windows, lubricating the task with a spray of somebody's cheap glass cleaner. After all, what could go wrong? As it happened, nothing went wrong and my mirrors came up better than usual and could have been even better if I had not used a polishing cloth that had remnants of Simoniz polish on it leaving an interesting bloom to enjoy.
I must think before I do. I must think before I do. I must think before I do. I must think before I do.

 

[pappajohn]

I can't see wire wool damaging glass.
It's not the most abrasive substance known to man after all.

If you use it on copper pipe it brings the copper very clean and shiny with no scratches.

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[FJmike]

Not sure about the wire wool myself but if you want a windscreen sealer (thats what RainX is) there are far better longer lasting ones on the market and for about the same price. My favourite is Aquapel

 

[Mikey RV]

Always use rainX clean the screen then put the rainX on surprising then when you drive say on the motorway and its light rain the rin just beads off the screen no need for wipers.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

@cruiser has a good device for cleaning windscreens, especially that awkward to get at bit under the Luton......

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[JJ]

Cripesy Cripes...

I am well out of date!

I clean my screen and windows with water, a drop of Fairy Liquid, a squeegy, a wipe dry blade and a chamois leather.

Just like I used to do when I helped my mate out on his window cleaning round all those years ago.

JJ

 

[ianandkath]

rainx is good but a bit dear, but saying that only need to use it 3 times a year

 

[Stagman]

Put some RailX in the washer bottle as well then it gets replenished every time you squirt (sometimes the words just don't come out right)

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[DBK]

I suspect the wire wool will slowly disintegrate as you use it and lots of very fine wire will collect along the bottom of the windscreen - where it will go rusty. I guess you could rinse it away with a powerful jet of water but it is something to be wary of.

 

[TheBig1]

surely a nylon pan scourer and some lubricant would be safer than wire wool. the steel is hard enough to scratch the glass, only microscopically maybe but still damaging to the surface

hard to beat vinegar for cleaning glass and removing all traces of bugs and polish. it used to be common for people to use vinegar and old newspaper. it still works very well

 

[Stagman]

Apparently full-fat Coke is a good cleaner of glass (and chrome on classic cars)

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[TheBig1]

Apparently full-fat Coke is a good cleaner of glass (and chrome on classic cars)

yes the citric acid content, but the sugar content leaves a residue

 

[TheBig1]

Apparently full-fat Coke is a good cleaner of glass (and chrome on classic cars)

yes the citric acid content, but the sugar content leaves a residue

 

[Jabberwocky]

Detailing clay works wonders on glass, I guess rainx is the glass equivalent of car wax, causes the water to bead and reduces friction so airflow pushes it off the glass better.

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[TheBig1]

Detailing clay works wonders on glass, I guess rainx is the glass equivalent of car wax, causes the water to bead and reduces friction so airflow pushes it off the glass better.

its a silicon polymer that fills the microscopic pores on the surface of the glass preventing the water from adhering

 

[JackieP]

I use water, a drop of washing up liquid, a sponge, the Karcher and a polish with a window cloth. It takes me about 5 minutes and it leaves it sparkling.

 

[ianandkath]

come over and do mine@jackieP, ill lend you the ladder

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[Calypso a go go]

While driving my sister to her home, my windscreen wipers were leaving greasy film across the screen. I explained I needed to clean the blades, she said "here, use this" and gave me a freshly removed wet nappy from her month old baby. She explained that its high ammonia content would do the job, and it did, perfectly clear, like new operation of wipers on screen.

Vinegar and other high acidity fluids can also cut through greasy film better than some detergents for a squeaky clean screen.

 

[Jaws]

I can't see wire wool damaging glass.
It's not the most abrasive substance known to man after all.

If you use it on copper pipe it brings the copper very clean and shiny with no scratches.

Tried it yonks ago and yes it works ok..
HOWEVER !!!!!

Do not under any circumstances use it ( or indeed anything that is even slightly abrasive ) on any glass if the temperature is close to or below freezing.
I have absolutely why it should be, but I have seen some seriously damaged windscreens when folk have used odd things to clean the ice of off a screen
The funniest one was one of those thin cheap plastic flower pots.. Apparently it was all the guy could find but it left the windscreen looking like an ice rink after a particularly vigorous game of hockey !

 

[mitzimad]

newspaper usede to work until they went over to synthetic inks the old stuff had meths in it youll have noticed it no longer comes of on your fingers

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[injebreck99]

We had Rain X on the windscreen of my wife's Hyundai i20 when we bought it, compliments of the dealer,all good so far, but last year when we went to have a chip repaired in the screen, it would not work due to the Rain X on the screen so the repairer said, he had come across this before apparently.

 

[Our Bumble]

Not tried the wire wool but used rain-x and its quite good. Also tried the rain-x on the shower door...works a treat.

 

[Old Soldier]

OK, good timing this. By chance I was watching a program about old coaches and busses last night and one old driver happened to say that cutting a potato in half and smearing the windscreen with the open ends was great for keeping them clean and preventing water spotting. Not tried it yet, anyone else heard of it? I was going to try it out lunchtime but I was eating chips at the time....

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