unclejosh

Guys,

I was perusing the last Griots catalog and noticed that they are selling a clay bar especially for cleaning windshields-they dyed it blue.

Out of curiosity, I got out my Griots "regular" clay bar and Speed Shine and did my windshield, and wow, it works great.

There has been a lot of sun lately here in Cali, which can be a real hardship, but I am happy to report that clay bar'ing the windshield results in more clarity and noticably less glare and defraction, especially when driving into the sun.

Example:

I parked under a pine tree at work in Menlo the other day and it threw some sap on the windshield and car, which surprised me because it is winter and has been cold, around 40 to 60 F.

Windshield cleaner that I had with me was not effective. In the past I had to really rub with windshield cleaners containing alcohol to get sap off. This time, the clay bar and Speed Shine combo took off the sap easily.

I think I am gonna keep a clay bar and some speed shine in the cars trunk from now on.

Hope this tip helps.

Have fun drivin,

Unclejosh

TerpsRED

I never would have thought of that! I'll give it a try.

Marine Blue

I have been using standard clay on glass for years, it is definitely a great tool to get ultimate clarity.

Another use for clay is on the wheels, it's the best way to remove the embedded brake dust. I would recommend using a small piece for each wheel and discarding it when done.

WJGreer

I read about that product in the Griot's catalog and have thought about trying it myself. Thanks for the report.

40 - 60 degrees in Menlo Park. Wow, chilly!

okbarnett

you can use any kind of rubbing compound on the windshield, you can buff it etc. To get it clearest you should use a orbital waxer and polish or clear coat polish, swirl remover etc. Then put rain x on it.

Edgy01

It definitely helps with things like you are experiencing settling on your windshield.

unclejosh

I would have to disagree here. Rubbing compound contains abrasives which can scratch the window glass and potentially ruin the windshield.

I realize that optics are polished for clarity with very fine abrasives, but I would not risk using rubbing compound on a windshield.

A clay bar and silicone lubricant work together to pick up embedded or adherent debris without scratching paint or glass-therin lies the utility.

okbarnett

Ive done it for years on every type of windshield, and I keep all my windshields clear

Mike in CA

+1

brad@tirerack.com

Glass is pretty tough. I have used a rotary polisher with my most aggressive compound on mirrors (remember, the chrome is on the back) and it didn't scratch.

AYHSMB

In the old days we used to use toothpaste and newspapers to polish glass. Make sure to get an old fashioned toothpaste that doesn't have bleach or any of the weird chemical junk in modern stuff. It's basically a very fine abrasive, perfect for glass.

Doc Steve2

Borax works well too and will not scratch..

unclejosh

Guys,

I can see that there are a few proponents of abrasives and rubbing compounds.

May somebody could share products used and a procedure.

UJ

okbarnett

get a buffer, put compound on the windshield and buff it
get a orbital waxer, put polish on the windshield and polish it
get a cloth, put rain x on the windshield and rub it on

rdstemler

I'd guess diatomaceous earth would work pretty well also!