My friend just bought himself a new car and it is several years old with horrific watermarks on the glass. Not sure if the previous owner ever dried the glass after washing or not. We've tried numerous glass cleaners and cloths and it seems we cannot get the spots off the glass and mirrors. Any suggestions? Should we use a more caustic cleaner? or a porter cable polisher or something?
Yes, You are going to need a machine to get the water marks off the glass, Also might want to try some vinager to get the minral deposits off. I also have used a glass cleaner and some steelwool, it worked but be carefull I've heard of people scratching the glass with steel wool. You may want to try these: http://www.properautocare.com/prglpoki.html http://www.properautocare.com/glassscrub.html http://www.properautocare.com/glcapr.html I order my stuff throught these guy fair prices and great to work with.
As stated above, you might have to use a glass polish. You could also try using a clay bar - just be sure to use plenty of spray lubricant or soapy water with it.
DO NOT use abrasives! No clay, no steel wool, no polishing compounds! These will scratch! Caustics probably will not work, either (although you can try - be careful of the paint!), but acid should do a great job. Use straight vinegar. If that doesn't work, try a little mineral spirits (again being careful of paint). Finally, you can try a cleansing powder that has oxalic acid, like Bar Keeper's Friend (read the labels to be sure there are no abrasives). Get it wet as a paste and let it work for a minute or so before washing off.
I've used both of the following with great results. http://www.griotsgarage.com/product...eyword=glass polish&sortby=newArrivals&page=1
I don't know where you are located, but I had a similar problem corrected while I was at Roadster Homecoming last August in Greenville/Greer SC. Karen Rambow of Rambow's Glass Repair did an awesome job of removing permanently etched "water" marks on the windshield of my roadster. She is based in Atlanta Ga. and can be reached at 404-402-9633. At the bottom of the article in this link http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=25956 is a list of other regional companies/individuals who use the same products and techniques that Karen used on my car.
"No Clay?" Are you saying clay will scratch the windshield? If clay scratches the windshield, what will it do to the paint which is much softer? An article on detailing in the December 2008 Roundel said that clay "works great on glass to get it squeaky clean."
I'm no detailing expert, but IIRC, clay works because it is an abrasive. It may be very fine, but that's how it works and eventually, it can work through paint, if overused. The other big difference is, you don't look through your paint. The very fine haze it might leave on paint, or clearcoat, is filled by waxes, but I wouldn't bet on it being optically clear. That would not be the first time questionable advice was offered in ROUNDEL, nor will it be the last.
