cleaning and improving a windshield

Any tips on cleaning and improving an old windshield?

There's a layer of muck around the seal, pits, chips, scratches, boogers, etc. What cleans really well? Maybe just a real good cleaning would be enough, or a good start.

Then, it seems if you could get some of the pits and scratches out it'd be easier to see through, clean, and keep clean. In other words, when I finally stopped by a gas station to clean my windshield it seemed like it'd be nice to have a new one, but that's not gonna happen any time soon.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

I remember seeing a gl*** polishing kit somewhere to remove wiper marks, small scratches etc. Don't remember where. Eastwood maybe?

 

Yes, Eastwood sells a complete kit, I think their website is eastwood.com

 

Use your fav cleaner and a single edge razor blade, follow up with lots of cleaner and a cotton cloth.

 

Auto-Glym gl*** polish first ( really expen$$ive )and then Rain-ex.

 

I know this is gonna sound like BS but you can use steel wool on a windshield without scratching it to get the tough to clean spots off, infact I thought that the guy who told me this was trying to get me fired till he took the pad and did it himself (aka: someone else to blame ). Works well on paint overspray. Best if used with gl*** cleaner.

 

Clean it with Bonami, if you can find it. Its a mild enough abrasive that it wont scratch the gl*** but it will clean anything that is on it including really old water stains. Put a couple of tbsp of Bonami in a small bowl and put enough water in it to make a runny paste then Take a damp cloth or sponge and polish the gl*** with it. It wont take out the scratches but it will get it super clean.

 

Not just any steel wool, #0000 ,it also works on Chrome bumpers. Br*** wool is less abrasive though(safer).

 

I just woke up this am and realized I mentioned to use Boraxo to clean a windshield and I meant to say Bonami so I edited my previous post. THats what happens when you drive 1000 miles in 2 days then try to be coherent.

 

When buffing a car with a *****y looking windshield I'll hit the gl*** with fine cut compound. Seems to take 50% of the nastiness out. It's also a good solution if your wipers chronically smear with new blades, seems to clean at a deeper level than soap.

 

If, after the above tips gets you clean but not optically perfect. Do the Eastwood gl*** grinding kit.

My 54 Chevy with original windshield and backgl*** was so bad it was almost impossible to drive at night from the glare off the haze scratches that would light up at night.
I tried all the common simple fixes, cleaning, waxing, rain-X, nothing really helped. Daytime was fine, just night time problems.

As a got-nothing-to-loose, last chance, I bought the Eastwwod gl*** grinding kit. Followed directions and in about 1/2 hour I had almost NEW windows. The front came out so good I did the rear, too. I'ts not 100% perfect, but another hit would surley fix it up.

Did this about 5 years ago. And it hasnsn't deteriorated since either.

Frank

 

After I painted a '58 Thunderbird for a guy, I polished his windshield with the Eastwood kit. Took a long, long time to get the heavier pits and scratches out, but it looked great when I was done. Beats buying new expensive gl***...

 

I have rubbing compound and the milder polishing compund (Simonize stuff in the green and white container) keep it lube with water or windex.

 

Eastwood kit works well, but you have to have patience when doing it.

I've heard from an old auto gl*** guy that the older the windshield, the harder they are to polish.

 

I use lacquer thinner to loosen up the crud, and a new razor blade.

 

a brick...is what i was debating b/c of the wife wont let me loose with the credit card for a new windshield....i think i might try the eastwood kit