I've noticed a lot of bug guts, tar and other minor road debris stuck to my windshield. Soap and water with some elbow grease doesn't do the trick. I'm cautious about using a chemical spray on my windshield. Does anyone recommend a good way to get my windshield back to normal?

 

I use Rainex double purpose. It's a spray on and then I scrub it with a microfiber. Works really well because it applies rainex properties of water beading and also works as a light cleaner.

Honestly, I've removed everything from intense road trips (tons of bugs on backroads) to tracking multiple events. All it requires is a rough hand with a microfiber and some sort of cleaning product.

You would be amazed how hard it is to remove wheel-rubber from a windshield and bodywork...had a 991 GT3 panic in front of me and spray my windshield/bodywork with all of his glorious MPSC2 tires. It took me a week to get the personal courage to remove all the damn streaks but if those came off with just rainex, bugs and tar are easier imo.

 

I agree with RainX. I seldom use my wipers, except in slow traffic when it rains, RainX takes care of the rain. Plus - the layer of RainX on your windshield lets bugs and other stuff clean off very easily, much like dirt cleans off easily off a waxed surface on your paint.

 

I use Audi wiper fluid that has a rainx like additive in it. Lays down a nice rain repellent film and use windex to clean the bugs off easily,

 

This may sound funny, but it really works. I learned this on the RV forums when after travelling the United States in a fifth wheel and we had hundreds of bugs to clean.

Dryer sheets

No, really !

Wash the car or even just wet the dryer sheet and rub the tar and bug remains. They will come right off with minimal pressure. The only thing left is to clean up the lanolin or whatever stuff is in the dryer sheets.

The sheets wont scratch the paint, although you need to ensure you don't drag bug remains, which may scratch the paint.

Give it a try on a less cared for vehicle and see what happens !

 

3M window cleaner

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Would a wet clay bar work too?

 

Mothers Revision -

 

Goo-gone. The orange citrus stuff. Bugs, tar, rubber, cleans them right off with very little effort.

 

I hear very good things about Stoner's Tarminator. (seriously!).

 

The southern people seem to love the RainX. I'm sure they wash their cars every other month if they need to or not. I'm not a rainX lover. While it may let rain bead off the windshield, it has the same effect with windshield wiper fluid. Dirty windshield, fluid that you squirt just rolls off without touching the sand, salt or road grim.
I use stoner invisible glass to clean my windshield and a micro fiber towel. And maybe a clay bar once or twice a season. Bugs or tree sap? lighter fluid, wd40, bug spray, a little piece of paper towel and let it sit on the spot. Like when you cut yourself shaving.
Wife must have followed a leaking tar truck for a few miles. Car was covered. Bumper to bumper, running boards to sunroof. White X5 looked like it had been in the Drakar. No clay bar, no RainX would work. Gassy cloths, done outside. What a job. Then a few soapy baths, and wax.

 

Clay bar your windshield.

 

you can do almost anything to glass to clean it. Thats why its a easy job. Unless you scratch it with metal it doesnt get hurt very easy. I would lightly scrape it with a razor blade, use some wax and grease remover, then clean with strong glass cleaner or soap. If you want to get pitting or wiper scrapes off you can buff it with compound or the clay. I usually polish off the glass everytime I polish or buff the car. Get it really spotless then put on alot of rainx

 

Make your own glass cleaning solution with 1 part denatured alcohol to 2 parts distilled water in a spray bottle. Use dedicated glass cleaning towels, NEVER washed with fabric softener. Wet one towel, clean glass, buff dry with 2nd towel.

A better product than RainX is a product called Aquapel. Tire Rack sells it, too.

 

Interesting ... never heard of this. Thanks.

+1 - I use Goo-gone as well. Afterwards, just use your normal windshield cleaner to remove any remaining Goo-gone. Stubborn ones, just let it sit for a minute. Works great on removing tire rubber scuff marks from the track too. Never had it cause any problems with window glass or clear coat paint.