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Keeping your glass clean is one of the boldest statements your vehicle can make, and in this article we will equip you with the proper tools and knowledge to keep your glass sparkling with crystal clarity. Clear glass not only looks amazing next to a fine, waxed paint job, it also provides you with the highest level of visibility available. By adding a segment of glass cleaning to your weekly car regimen you’ll benefit yourself in immeasurable ways. You owe it to yourself to read how simple it is to achieve unblemished, brilliant glass windows.
Glass Cleaners
The most important decision to make is deciding between products containing ammonia, or those of the ammonia-free variety. The advantages of ammonia are exploited heavily by the cleaning industry, however not all ammonia based products are streamlined for automotive use. Because of its intense formulation, ammonia may damage certain types of leather, vinyl or even remove tinting from windows. Should you desire to use an ammonia based product, be conscious to avoid applying it to areas which it may cause deterioration. There is no shame in using a less potent, more effective, non-ammonia substitute such as Sprayway Glass Cleaner to treat your precious tinted windows. Other great brands to use are Stoner Invisible Glass and DP Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner. The aforementioned products will have statements such as “Ammonia Free” or “Safe for Tinted Windows” proudly displayed. If you come across a brand that doesn’t clearly present its ammonium allegiance, assume that it contains ammonium and take no chances with it on your tint.
 If you are still unsure on how to work with your tinted windows, a great tactic to employ is to use Plexus. Most tints are composed of a material called Mylar, and by polishing the inside of your window with Plexus you will effectively seal it. Plexus is non-streaking and does not accumulate any unwanted static. For remarkable clarity on gorgeous tint, Plexus is the name to trust.
Another overlooked approach is to combine Cobra’s excellent Waffle Weave Microfiber Glass Towels with the time tested dependency of plain H2O. While using water alone might not be enough to take on sticky situations involving bug carcasses and bird droppings, grouping it with microfiber technology will easily remove the stubborn contamination. To achieve results that would make the professionals awe, simply dampen the towel and use a calm circular motion to replenish your shine. You might be excited to learn that Microfiber towels do not produce any type of lint or fallout, like most other cloths would. With your dry Microfiber, buff the glass until you create a streak free glow.
Integrated Glass Cleaning Tips
Here is a collection of tips that can help you breeze your way towards a quality shine. Creating the typical showroom shine is not a magician’s coveted trick, but a hard science that is easily understood. Using the best techniques and top of the line products is the formula for perfect shine, every time. Review these tips often and gain the knowledge to achieve the results you desire.
1. Work indoors. The sun is a great light source, but in the arena of glass care it can become an enemy. Working outside in the heat may cause your products to evaporate too quickly. If you must work outside, use your cleaners under a canopy or overhang to prevent this tragedy.
2. Ventilate. It is common knowledge that ammonia can be extremely harmful if inhaled. What many don’t know is that using these products in an enclosed space can reduce the airflow to your brain. Allow air to circulate freely from your work area by taking steps to open windows and provide fans to keep the air moving. If you find yourself getting light headed from the fumes, discontinue immediately and seek fresh air.
 3. Windows Last. If you are in the process of doing other detail work on your vehicle, be mindful to finish with that before moving on to your windows. Failing to do so may create extra work for you by redistributing debris from the detailing process onto your recently cleaned windows. By doing things in the proper order you can always maximize your efforts.
4. Straight to the top. A commonly neglected area is the edge of your windows. Rolling them down partially will give you access to the top of the glass. Cleaning the edges is crucial for clarity, because structurally speaking, glass is weakest at its extremities. Glass can withstand amazing impact from its sides, but as little as ten pounds of pressure applied to the edges could cause a catastrophic crack. It is also possible to scratch windows under dirtied conditions, as dirt can get lodged in the rubber inlays and scratch the glass as it climbs up or down. By dislodging the grit from the tops, you are avoiding quite a costly repair job and ensuring a perfect shine.
5. Order of operations. Many agree that cleaning the inside of your windows first is the most effective way to go about glass cleaning. No amount of speculation can prove or disprove any proposed window cleaning order. Instead of concentrating on which sides of the glass to clean first, focus on using the best products and techniques available.
World Class Glass Care
Preventative maintenance for your glass is similar to techniques designed to protect your paint from corrosion. Chemically, glass is very different from paint. While you want your paint to be as visible as possible, you want your glass to be practically invisible. The one thing you want from both materials is for them to exhibit a beautiful an unblemished sparkle. Regardless, you’ll want to protect your windows from water spots. Water spots don’t refer to the water itself, but rather the contaminating minerals contained in all rainwater. When water evaporates, it leaves all of these damaging materials behind. It’s almost impossible to expect someone to dry their vehicle every time it comes in contact with water; instead, try to wash your car if it receives an unexpected visit from the elements. If the process of etching is already visible on your vehicle’s glass, employ a glass polish like DP High Performance Glass Restorer. This product does away with the typical cloudy areas caused by water spots. Although it is preferably used with a polisher on a low speed, you may also apply it by hand. If you do use a rotary polisher to apply it, set it to 1,000 to 1,200 RPM. Avoid using high pressure when using a polisher, as a gentle amount of force will do all of the work for you. A dual-action polisher calls for 5,000 to 6,000 OPM for the job, and for both processes a polishing pad should be used. However you choose to go about removing the water spots, you should always wipe away the residue with the remarkably effective Cobra Microfiber Towels.
If you’d like to try another great cleaning system, Diamondite offers an excellent solution for glass contamination removal in its Diamondite Glass Cleaning System. This kit includes both the Diamondite Shield and Diamondite Glass Cleaner for post-cleaning protection. The shield will cause water to bead instead of allowing it to settle, giving you extra protection against mineral deposits. Another advantage of this product is that it also increases your visibility by forcing moisture out of your viewing area. Also included in the kit is a product that will remove embedded contaminants called Diamondite Spray Clay. Putting these tools at your disposal in one convenient bundle is just one of the ways Diamondite goes above and beyond the expected standards.
Sharpen Your Blades
Windshield wipers are like seatbelts - when used properly, they can save your life. When used correctly, your wipers provide essential visibility during tense moments when split second decisions could mean the difference between an accident and getting home safely. Your wiper blades should always be moist and supple to the touch. If they are not, 303 Wiper Treatment Wipes can help restore the blades with a saturating element. When your blades are treated with these wipes, they should hug the glass properly and dislodge dirt and water drops without making any discernable sound. If your wiper blades make irregular noises, or seem to work sluggishly, make an effort to replace or restore the worn out rubber and always check your wipers to make sure they are functioning- you never know when you may need them. Wiper treatment is not just another vanity for car care connoisseurs, it is a serious requirement in many states to have them in top working order.
If your windshield wipers are doing fine, then it never hurts to focus on making their job easier. To do this, look into nurturing your blades with helpful fluid additives like P21S Windshield Wash Booster or Wurth Windshield Wash Additive. These chemicals are formulated to reduce the stress from your wipers and dig into tough messes like bug splatter and other stubborn debris. If you live in a particularly cold climate, it is imperative that you use Wurth Windshield Wash Additive to take advantage of its formulated anti-freezing capabilities. It stands up in the face of chilling temperatures and delivers great cleaning power when you need it. Both mentioned products are added to your wiper fluid to maximize their effectiveness.
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