I just tried to clean up the backgl*** for my '56 Chevy and discovered a problem. Although at first glance the gl*** appeared to be in really nice shape, it has some stains on it that cannot manage to remove. I have tried hot soapy water, steel wool and even a razor blade and nothing seems to change at all. You can only see them from certain angles in a well lit area, but it will forever drive me crazy just because I know they are there. I ***ume the stains are from being exposed to the elements for the last 40+ years. Is there any way to get the gl*** cleaned up? Or do I just have to get a new gl***? Sorry for the lack of pictures. But as I said the stains are somewhat difficult to see and I was unable to get a picture that you could see them in.
Are you sure the stains aren't the laminations coming apart? If it's the lamination your only choice is to replace the gl*** since it is between the layers.
It might be de-lamination as aaggie eluded to or even the effects that UV light has had on 40 year old gl*** over the years. HRP
Guessing de-lamination also, I've buffed gl*** with the same compounds as paint and seen some improvement on hazy gl***, don't cut it hard it'll make it worse.
uh...the original back gl*** on a 56 chevy is tempered, not laminated. I vote that it's NOT delamination.
Try a small area with rubbing compound just to see if it is on the surface. You can then polish it. I have had some luck with wiper marks. An expert probably has a trick.
There was an aftermarket replacement gl*** that was laminated so you need to make sure it's original. One way to tell that it is original is to look for the factory date code that will be located in the bottom center of the gl***. Factory clear gl*** will say "SOLID" and "SAFETY PLATE". Factory tinted will say "E-Z-EYE". If it is factory try using wood stove gl*** cleaner or possibly vinegar which will remove mineral deposits.
Could be calcium deposits from water. Hit it first with WD40. Rub it around lightly and let it soak. Clean off. Then use a good quality wax or rubbing compound. Mothers/Meguires works well. Work on gl*** lightly in larger circular motions. Those steps should clean anything off gl***. Other than that? Don't know.
Gl*** vendors can use a special compound formulated just for gl*** to remove calcium deposits and to polish the gl***. They use the compound to clean up gl*** showers. When they are finished the gl*** looks like new. I would think it would work on whatever is wrong with your gl*** window as long as the problem is on the surface of the gl***
32v and Marcos are right. My '63.5 Galaxie sat under trees for 30 years! The gl*** was waterspotted so bad nothing would touch it. The gl*** guy brought Pro-Clean Hard Water Spot Remover, tried a little spot, and said 'Bring it by, bring your wallet...' A month later we went to Goodguise in Pleasanton, young wife talked to the 'Pro-Clean' vendor, he gave her a deal on it. Man...worked like a charm.
bio clean also works on stained alum , be careful as it is co**** , finish with alum polish . great stuff
I had a 64 Impala that a farmer owned, he apparently washed it with hard well water it's entire life, it had reeely water spotted gl***. It was a lot of work but I managed to get it looking pretty good just by using ultra fine steel wool, can't remember what I used for liquid though. A general tip for cleaning (dirty) gl*** is to use newspaper and vinegar.
Maybe cerium oxide... http://www.bing.com/search?q=cerium...=&ghc=1&cvid=F5B6D4A4E1554179B02ED17C6C001413
Griot'ts garage that caters to the high end sporty car brigade has some decent products including gl*** polish and gl*** polishing clay https://www.griotsgarage.com/category/wash+detail/gl***+plastic+liquids.do I haven't used either of those but have used other products they sell with good results.
CLR is for calcium, lime or rust and should clean it. As has been said, a buffer with a little rubbing compound will clean gl*** well.
Try some Bon Ami or Barkeeper's Friend cleanser powder. Feldspar based can't scratch the gl***. I have used it on gl*** to remove ac***ulated surface contamination. Find it in the household cleaner section of the grocery store. Use only those two, other cleansers are silicate abrasive based and will scratch the gl***.
Safelight the windshield place you see on tv sells tall boy sized cans of gl*** cleaner that seem to really take a lot of stuff off dirty gl***
Someone, I think it might be Eastwood, makes a kit for polishing gl***. That should take off any build up on the surface. Charlie Stephens
Newspapers quit using Carbon Black Ink a while back. Now they use a Soy based ink. I always used Ammonia and H2O 50/50 mix and the old newspapers. Newspapers on windows don't work like they used to.
The Jalopy Journal
