So, generally speaking, you should never use Windex to clean your car, whether it's the car's paint, interior, dashboard or windshield. The fact is, Windex is too harsh to use on these surfaces and is only appropriate for window cleaning around the house.
Using Windex on your car's paint or gloss finish is generally not recommended. While Windex is designed for cleaning glass, it contains ammonia and other chemicals that can potentially damage the clear coat or paint over time, leading to dullness or discoloration.
Create a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the affected areas and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a microfiber cloth or a soft brush to gently scrub the water spots. Rinse the area with clean water and dry it thoroughly.
Dish Soap: A few drops of mild dish soap mixed with water can be used for washing the exterior of the car. It helps remove grease and dirt without damaging the paint. Baking Soda: This can be used as a gentle abrasive for scrubbing surfaces, especially on the wheels or tires.
Windex (or ammonia) isn't the most efficient manner of removing wax from your car. It will likely cause some minor paint stripping, which can be repaired with polishing. However, Windex will successfully degrade and eventually remove the wax from your car without permanently damaging its finish.
Car wax contains oily, plant-based substances with similar properties to butter or cooking spray. So as you can imagine, dish soap removes wax from your car same way it removes grease from your skillet or frying pan after your morning bacon. Chances are, you won't notice this happening right away.
Regular household glass cleaner does not have the right formulation for auto glass. Tint in auto glass will break down over time from the ammonia that household glass cleaners contain. Ammonia is a powerful cleaner that breaks down anything. Regular household glass cleaner also causes streaking on auto glass.
Once your car has been completely washed and dried, whip-up a distilled white vinegar spray solution. Vinegar is an amazing, super affordable cleaning product and odor eliminator, and when blended to make a 50/50 distilled water mixture, has the ability to remove many types of tough surface stain.
Never use dish soap to wash your car. According to Consumer Reports, dish soap isn't formulated for use on a car's paint. Even a detergent like Dawn is an abrasive cleaner and can strip away a vehicle's protective top coat.
Mixing an ounce of dish soap per gallon of water creates a powerful car wash shampoo that can remove most contamination from the paint or glass. Bug removal – Mixing an ounce of dish soap per gallon of water will provide enough strength to remove a moderate accumulation of bugs.
For the DIY enthusiasts, household items such as dish soap, baking soda, or baby shampoo can serve as car wash substitutes.
Please do not use soap with vital ingredients as they may harm your vehicle's finish. Use a gentle car cleaning soap. It will not ruin the coat that protects the paint. It is advisable to use a microfibre cloth instead of a sponge.
Add 1oz of Rain‑X Spot Free Car Wash to an empty bucket and mix with 1 gallon of water. Rinse off with clear water thoroughly. Watch the water sheet off and dry spot free before your eyes.
I always used aerosol window cleaner as paint prep when I worked auto body. Always had great results and it seemed to kill the static too.
For The Car Owner
To be on the safe side, you shouldn't directly apply rubbing alcohol straight from the bottle or container to your car's paint. Dilute the alcohol by mixing it with water. A mixture of 10% to 20% rubbing alcohol to 80% to 90% water is effective and won't damage the paint.
Yes, you can use Windex on car windows and to clean the inside of your windshield. While some will advise you to skip the Windex with tinted windows, there's no evidence that Windex with ammonia causes problems. If your windows have been tinted by a third party, you may want to play it safe and skip it.
It's advisable to used products specifically formulated for automotive use. pH neutral car shampoos are and excellent choice as they are gentle on the paintwork and protective coatings.
Nonabrasive dish soaps are safe to use when washing a car. Soap maker Dawn even recommends using its dishwashing soap to remove grease and grime from exterior car surfaces. Although dishwashing soap is acceptable under certain circumstances, it should never be the first choice for a well-maintained car.
Apply a liberal coating of Vaseline to the area and leave on for several days. Pressure washing should remove the paint from the area. Applying an alcohol such as Solox or rubbing alcohol to the area in the wheel well will help to soften any residue left from the Vaseline.
White vinegar
This home staple is a versatile multi-purpose cleaner and is great for many surfaces, including the exterior of your car and upholstery. While white vinegar is acidic, when diluted it won't damage your car paint – just avoid using it regularly and only when there is dirt that just won't budge.
Residue – While WD-40 can be effective for cleaning and shining, it may leave a greasy residue if not properly wiped off. This residue can attract dust and dirt, potentially leading to a dirtier surface over time. Potential Damage Over Time – Frequent use of WD-40 on car paint is not recommended.
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
Ditch the paper towels—they're scratchy and leave fibers behind. Waffle weave microfiber towels are your streak-free, dirt-trapping best friends. Stick with ammonia-free, glass-specific cleaners. They're safe for tints and won't damage your car's interior finishes.
DIY Window Cleaner with Rubbing Alcohol
To make this homemade window cleaner, first add 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 2-3 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar to a spray bottle. For best results, make sure your vinegar says "made from grain" on the label. Then add 1 cup distilled water.