How to Clean and Maintain Your Car Windshield for Maximum Visibility
All auto glass is essential, but your vehicle’s windshield plays an especially important role. Every time you drive, this pane of glass gives you a clear view of the road while keeping you and your passengers safe from wind and flying objects, both big and small.
Given enough time, however, even the best auto windshield will start to get affected by the dirt and debris it is designed to protect you from. When this happens, your glass will need a bit of attention to bring it back to full functionality. Here are recommendations for cleaning and maintaining your vehicle’s windshield from Max Auto, a Tucson auto glass repair shop.
Why Is Car Windshield Cleaning Important?
Auto detailing is a highly effective way to keep your car looking as good as possible for as long as possible. Still, this service shouldn’t just involve washing and waxing your car’s body. Along with this, it’s crucial to make sure your windshield gets cleaned often, whether you do it yourself or find professionals to do it for you.
Your windshield should always look clean, but even if you can see through the glass, it might not be giving you the level of visibility you need. Dealing with inclement weather, bugs, and dirt can take a toll on your windshield over time. Spots or film can build up on your windshield, impeding your ability to see the road (especially when driving in bright sunlight). Because of this, regular windshield cleaning is essential.
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Clean Your Windshield the Right Way
Windshield cleaning may sound straightforward, but you’ll need to know what you’re doing to ensure this work goes off without a hitch. When it’s time to clean your windshield:
- Get rid of dirt and debris. Before you actually begin cleaning your windshield, it’s a good idea to get rid of the particles on its surface. You can use a microfiber towel or a brush with soft bristles to remove things like twigs and leaves.
- Apply a cleaning solution. After getting rid of the dirt, it’s time to wet your windshield. The best way to apply cleaning solution is with a spray bottle — just be sure to spray the entirety of your windshield’s surface, including easy-to-miss spots like corners and edges.
- Wipe the solution away. Begin at the top of your windshield and gradually work down, wiping off your cleaning solution in a circular motion. You should use a microfiber towel while doing this — these towels can get rid of particles without leaving unsightly streaks behind. By folding your towel occasionally, you can lower your risk of spreading dirt and grime to other parts of the windshield.
- Dry your windshield. Once your windshield is clean, use another clean, dry, microfiber towel to dry it off. That will prevent the formation of streaks and spots.
In addition to following this method, you’ll want to use the right cleaning product for the job. Auto-glass cleaners are obviously well-suited to this task, but you might be curious about the possibility of using household glass cleaners on your windshield. Unfortunately, this is not a good idea; most of these products contain ammonia, which can seriously damage materials like leather, vinyl, plastic, and rubber and can affect the tint on your glass. You also shouldn’t bother with DIY hacks like cleaning your windshield with shaving cream.
Since your car windshield is responsible for protection from debris and hazards, you might assume that only the outside needs to be cleaned. But this is not the case — it’s also wise to clean the inside of your windshield. While doing this work, put a towel over your dashboard to protect it from any potential spills and sprays.
Take Care of Your Windshield Wipers
Your windshield wipers are responsible for keeping your windshield clean while you’re on the road, so they need to be maintained, too. Clean your wipers with the same auto glass cleaner you use on your windshield, and regularly inspect them to ensure they function as expected. If your windshield wipers are worn or dried out, they’re overdue for replacement.
Since windshield wipers work so hard, you’ll need to replace them every so often. Ideally, drivers should replace their wipers every six to 12 months, though their replacement schedule will vary, based on factors such as weather conditions and frequency of usage. This is essential because worn windshield wipers don’t just leave streaks — if their rubber wears down to a certain point, they can actually scratch your windshield.
This means you’ll want to replace your windshield wipers well before they can get to that point. If your wipers show signs of wear and tear, buy and install a replacement set or visit a trustworthy auto shop to take care of this work.
Other Windshield Maintenance Tips
Windshield cleaning and wiper replacement are highly effective strategies for keeping your windshield in good shape. To further protect your windshield and its visibility, you should:
- Clean your glass last. Auto-glass cleaning should always be the last step in your detailing process. This way, you can clean any residue generated from this work at the same time.
- Consider getting a bug deflector. These products can “push” bugs over your vehicle’s roof while you’re driving. Because of this, insects will be less likely to hit your windshield, keeping it clean in the process.
- Avoid cleaning your windshield in direct sunlight. When they’re in the sun, cleaners can evaporate before you know it, potentially leaving streaks or other marks on your newly cleaned windshield.
- Try not to slam your car doors. Closing your door with excessive force causes vibrations throughout your car. These vibrations can create small chips or cracks in your windshield/windows or worsen existing windshield damage. To deal with this problem, you may have to schedule a car window replacement or, at the very least, an auto glass repair.
Get Tucson’s Best Auto Glass Service
By following the advice listed above, you’ll be able to keep your windshield as clean as possible while knowing what to do when it does need to be cleaned. However, most auto windshields will eventually face more than dirt and grime. If your windshield develops even a small crack or chip, you can’t afford to ignore the situation.
Does your Tucson vehicle have a damaged car windshield? If it does, you’ll want to stop by Max Auto Glass right away for auto glass replacement or repair. Our Auto Glass Safety Council™- and Dow-certified mechanics know precisely how to deal with any type of windshield damage, and we can take care of this work where you are thanks to our mobile auto glass repair services. Request a quote to get started!
