Properly washing your car is crucial to getting the desired and accurate result. Unfortunately, many car owners do not know how to wash their vehicles properly, leading to a less-than-perfect outcome. In this article, we’ll focus on how to clean car windows and provide a step-by-step guide to ensure you get it right.
After reading this article, we aim to ensure you’ll feel satisfied that you have learned how to wash your car windows properly. We’ll provide you with a clear and concise guide that is easy to follow and understand.
How to Clean Car Windows Without Streaks
1. Save your windows for the last washing
The optimal way to clean your car windows is to save them for last. When washing your car, start with the body and wheels, then move on to the windows. Doing this prevents contaminants, grime, or streaks from other parts of the car from sticking to the windows. Thus, it ensures a crystal-clear view and an overall sparkling vehicle.
2. Pack your car into the shade
Start by parking your car in an area where it can quickly absorb heat. If your vehicle feels too hot to the touch, park it in a cool, shaded area and wait for it to cool down. This will help ensure the cleaning process goes smoothly and without any complications.
It’s best to avoid washing your car during hot weather conditions. This is because the soap or water you use may evaporate too quickly before you clean the windows, causing streaks on the surface. To prevent this from happening, wait until the weather cools down or wash your car during the cooler parts of the day.
3. Gather your window cleaning supplies
After parking your car in a suitable spot, the next step is to clean your car windows and other parts without delay.
Numerous products are available for cleaning car windows, which can be found in retail stores. It is essential to consult your car manufacturer or mechanic to obtain the best cleaner that can be used to clean your car windows and other parts.
Using the appropriate cleaning material or detergent is crucial to ensure your car windows are thoroughly cleaned and in good condition. Many household window cleaners are ammonia-based, which may harm tinting or dry out your car’s rubber seals.
It is recommended to purchase a glass cleaner specifically formulated for automotive purposes from a nearby retail store. If you buy a concentrated formula, dilute it with distilled water to achieve optimal results.
To clean your car windows properly, you’ll also need the following:
- Automotive glass cleaner
- Bucket
- Cloth
- Distilled water
- Sponge
- Wiper treatment
4. Clean the front and rear windows
Prioritizing cleaning the front and rear windows is crucial due to their size and angle, making them the most challenging parts of the car to clean effectively.
If necessary, mix the window cleaner and apply it to the window by spraying it or using a sponge from a bucket. Next, use a clean cloth to wipe the front windshield and rear window until they are spotless.
It is recommended to clean in various directions to ensure that smudges or missed spots are visible and can be rectified.
5. Target stubborn bug splatter on your windows
If you notice your cleaning solution and cloth are not effective enough to remove dried protein from bug guts, it is necessary to take drastic action. Various specialized products are available to eliminate stubborn bug stains from your car windows. However, you can try loosening the stain by placing a cleaning product-soaked cloth on the affected area.
6. You need to wipe the splatter away with your microfiber cloth
A lot of auto experts recommend sprinkling a little bit of baking soda atop affected areas. Now allow the solution a few moments to set on the stain, then buff it out with your microfiber cloth again
7. Roll down your side windows
When cleaning car windows, it is common to overlook the top section where the window fits into a rubber seal. To avoid leaving streaks, it is necessary to roll down the car window to reach this area and wipe it clean with a cloth.
In cases where this part of the window is soiled, apply a small amount of cleaner to the affected area before cleaning it.
8. Wipe down side windows, from the top to bottom
To effectively clean your car windows, begin by wiping the outside edges of the window to eliminate any accumulated buildup along the seams. Once the edges and corners are cleaned, wet or re-wet the surface of your side window before wiping it in opposite-direction strokes from how you wipe on the inside.
It is best to clean your windows from top to bottom to prevent drips from spoiling your newly cleaned windows. Additionally, while cleaning the side windows, remember to spray and wipe clean the side mirrors.
9. Clean your wiper blades to finish
It is common for individuals to wash their car windows and overlook the wiper blades and other parts of the wiper mechanism.
To properly clean the wiper blades, use a small amount of cleaner to break up any buildup on the windshield wipers, and then dry both wipers with a cloth. Neglecting to clean the buildup on your wiper blades can harm your windshield and result in the blades wearing out quickly if not maintained.
To prevent this, applying a wiper treatment to your car after wiping the blades clean is recommended.
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