Ammonia-based products Many household cleaning products contain ammonia—think Windex—and leave streaks that can create glare as you drive. The ammonia present in these products will cause any tint on your glass to peel off, leaving you with a terrible-looking windshield and windows. Avoid the ammonia-based products!
Paper Products and Old Towels
Paper towels and old towels are staples in most home car washing kits. If you're using these items to clean your auto glass, now is the time to stop. Paper towels are dangerous for glass, as the rough texture of the paper towels can leave behind scratches.
Cracked Windshield Laws Across Different States
– California: A crack that is larger than 1.5 inches in diameter or that impairs the driver's vision is considered a hazard.
Always check your cleaners to make sure they have the correct formulation for auto glass. Use of glass cleaners will keep your glass in good shape. Avoid Paper Towels and Dry Cloths. Rough surfaces on paper towels can scratch the surface of your glass, even when wet.
Rub Vaseline on Your Windows:
Petroleum jelly will create a barrier between the glass and the moisture, preventing condensation from forming on your windows.
When you rub the cut side of the potato on the windshield, it leaves behind a thin layer of sugar. This sugar layer acts as a protective barrier between the glass and the frozen surface. As a result, during icy conditions, this layer makes it easier to brush away the ice using your windshield wipers.
A magic eraser is a safe and effective cleaning tool to clean car glass. It won't scratch the glass and only removes dirt, such as insects, debris, haze, and smoke films. A clean windshield and windows are essential for a driver's safety and visibility.
Follow this short but effective process: Apply a quality streak-free glass cleaner and use a microfiber cloth or windshield cleaning tool with horizontal passes. Then, apply an anti-fog solution to the windshield after cleaning for the best results.
Use a microfiber cleaning cloth instead of paper towels. Microfiber cloths don't leave small paper fibers behind like paper towels, and they're also less likely to leave streaks. Use a reach-and-clean tool to reach the corners of the windshield.
Comprehensive coverage on a car insurance policy may help pay to repair or replace your windshield if it's cracked or shattered by a rock. Another coverage, called full glass coverage, may also be available to help protect you against the cost of fixing or replacing a windshield.
The simple answer is yes, you can go to jail for smashing a car window. Criminal mischief is a misdemeanor in New York. But as always, the issue is complicated.
In a few states, insurance companies are required to waive the deductible for windshield replacement. This supports driving safety by allowing motorists to have damaged glass replaced promptly by an auto glass specialist at no cost.
You can also use a towel, a piece of carpet, cardboard or even a shower curtain to protect your windshield from freezing over. Another trick is to park in the right direction: Just have your car front window point east – that's where the sun rises.
Pure rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol can damage your windshield and the rubber seals around it. Otherwise, it's a great cleaning agent that's easily available, budget-friendly, and does an excellent job of cleaning off grime, dirt, and oil.
The last way to safely de-ice your windshield is to mix one tablespoon salt with two cups of water. Apply the mixture to your windshield and the salt will melt the ice. To speed this process up, you can use a plastic ice scraper to remove the ice as it begins to thaw.
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.
Vinegar Spray
Mix three parts vinegar and one part water into a spray bottle. Take the mixture outside and spray it liberally on your windshield, side windows, and rear window. Then wipe down each window with an old rag or squeegee. If you forget to do this the night before, no worries.
Instead, opt for a high-quality glass cleaner specifically designed for automotive use. You can also make your own cleaning solution by mixing parts of water and vinegar in equal portions. This solution is effective in removing dirt and grime from your windshield and is also safe for the environment.
Apply a dab of (baking soda) toothpaste to the area and firmly but gently rub it into the scratch with a clean, wet microfiber cloth. Wipe away any excess toothpaste, spray the area with clean water, and wipe it away. If that fixes the scratch, then wonderful, you're covered, temporarily, at least.
Household cleaners: Harsh chemicals in products like dish soap, multi-purpose cleaners, and even some glass cleaners can damage automotive window coatings and leave a residue that causes streaks. Sponges: Their textured surface can be too rough for delicate glass and may even trap dirt particles that lead to scratches.
Get a mix of warm water and salt to spray on your windshield. Be sure that you don't overspray this mixture as too much of it can damage the glass on your windshield. Use a mix of rubbing alcohol and water to pour over your windshield, which will remove any remaining layer of ice.
Petroleum jelly, or Vaseline as it's more commonly known, can be used in small amounts to help soften the rubber component of your windscreen wipers. This is particularly handy for vehicles which have been parked in direct sunlight for long periods of time, which can cause the rubber to harden.