How to clean a window!

[MachNU]

I dont mean by just wiping it off, I mean how to take the fade out of a window, clean off acid rain, and remove very light and fine scratches. Unlike headlights, taillights, and paint, you can not remove medium and heavy scratches in glass. Once their there, its done. Now acid rain, heavy water(mineral) spots/deposits on windows can be removed if you know what you are doing and have the right tools!

Now I did this on my Blazer that I am working on cleaning up, and the windows on this thing, where NEVER taken care of. One of the previous owners before me, either ran the rear wiper blade down to nothing, and keep using it, or had dirt under it and decided to use it. Granted when I first got this thing it looked like it had been used for mudding, so most likely they used the wiper to clean mud off the window while it was covered and scratched the living hell out of it!

Now these where taken with two different camera's so... :(

Now to start, you need some things like this. Good rotary buffer, wool cutting pad, and a good low grit compound.
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/7383/firstbuffbefore.jpg (http://img44.imageshack.us/i/firstbuffbefore.jpg/)

Have the window taped off, to protect from hitting the paint and burning the window seals.
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/6213/rearwindowtapedoff.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/rearwindowtapedoff.jpg/)

Unforently I did not take any pictures of the process and applying the compound, well because that is kinda the simple part, and anyone that can use a rotary, nows how to apply the compound, what amount(depends on condition of window), and every detailer has there own buff pattern they use. But for first time user's trying this, a simple up down left right pattern will suffice.

Now after, notice the pad has a slight dark tint to it, from all the things it cleaned off the window. Which yes both sides of the window where cleaned & clayed prior to doing this.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5620/1stpadafter.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/1stpadafter.jpg/)

Now second buff, using a nice simple polish, and a light cut polishing pad. Not always required but I do it, just to go that little bit further.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/807/2ndbuffbefore.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/2ndbuffbefore.jpg/)

Now the last buff, simple DA Polisher and a very fine polish, this was just to kinda finish down, and get that last little bit of cut and polish. Not really required but hey it did not hurt.
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/1637/thirdbuffbefore.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/thirdbuffbefore.jpg/)

Now after, pulled it outside and into the sun and this is the result after...Left side was buffed, right side untouched.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/8708/afterhalfandhalfoutside.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/afterhalfandhalfoutside.jpg/)

After. Notice the line just to the right of the shot.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/7996/afters.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/afters.jpg/)

Before
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6230/beforeir.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/beforeir.jpg/)

Again like I said, this is not meant to remove deep or medium scratches, because once their there, there not coming out. But this is good for getting light, fine scratches out and acid rain out.

[Austin?]

nice

[D3UC3S]

Im seriously gonna have to get you to work some magic on one of my cars very soon.

Amazing work!

[Grimm Reeper]

I'm a :ninja: all up in this thread lol

Wool Pad FTW

[MachNU]

Im seriously gonna have to get you to work some magic on one of my cars very soon.

Amazing work!

:goodjob:


I'm a :ninja: all up in this thread lol

Wool Pad FTW

:lmao: :ninja: ------>

[Mmmm_Bacon]

how much to do a car? LOL

seriously though i might have to do this! my windows are horrible and been looking for a good write up!

thanks man!

[imprtguy_94]

thanks for the thread homie need some cleaning tips like this once my truck gets out the shop :ninja:

[tdurr]

hmm.. gonna have to try this soon. good stuff man.

[redneckhatch]

good write up

[MachNU]

thanks for the thread homie need some cleaning tips like this once my truck gets out the shop :ninja:

:ninja:


hmm.. gonna have to try this soon. good stuff man.

:goodjob:


good write up

:goodjob:

[Justin.]

Nice advertising. :goodjob:

[MachNU]

Nice advertising. :goodjob:

Far from advertising. I have not solicted any work, made mention of any business, or posted what I would charge to do this, etc. :goodjob:

[97_c1vic]

Nice advertising. :goodjob:How is he advertising? He's showing us HOW to do it in the DIY section.

[Halfwit]

i use a razor and just scrape the window, like they do for paint overspray.

[03RCode]

I really need to have you detail my Titan.

[MachNU]

i use a razor and just scrape the window, like they do for paint overspray.

Razor blade only helps remove overspray. This removed ALOT of more fine scratches. If I had a good enough camera I would take a picture from the inside facing the sun. Its actually a big difference.

Now granted its not clear so you cant remove the deeper scratches, mostly done for acid rain, and very very FINE scratches.


I really need to have you detail my Titan.

Tis the tax season! :D

[HachiDori]

Still looks like poop!

[MachNU]

Still looks like poop!

your next detail just went WAY up in price...

Also yes the blazer still looks like shit! But what will be sad after I wet sand the truck, that 15 year old paint will be cleaner than yours! :taun:

[ChnkyLao]

now how to you do the inside windshield?

[MachNU]

now how to you do the inside windshield?

With window cleaner and a towel.

[ejohnson88]

haha nice.

[UpSideDownDesi]

good stuff..

[J_Mee_5]

thanks for the great info..

[HachiDori]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xNH3RuEjBfQ/SwVhynwH4rI/AAAAAAAAIJk/6H9LLbnkdnk/s400/windex.jpg

http://www.cannonconsumables.com/files/CE714CC2-3CE1-4FC7-ACB0-98EC00D900A8.aspx/HAND%20TOWEL.jpg


duuuuh!

[MachNU]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xNH3RuEjBfQ/SwVhynwH4rI/AAAAAAAAIJk/6H9LLbnkdnk/s400/windex.jpg

http://www.cannonconsumables.com/files/CE714CC2-3CE1-4FC7-ACB0-98EC00D900A8.aspx/HAND%20TOWEL.jpg


duuuuh!

Wrong. You need the Amonia(sp) Free Windex! :tongue1:

[claybird]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xNH3RuEjBfQ/SwVhynwH4rI/AAAAAAAAIJk/6H9LLbnkdnk/s400/windex.jpg

http://www.cannonconsumables.com/files/CE714CC2-3CE1-4FC7-ACB0-98EC00D900A8.aspx/HAND%20TOWEL.jpg


duuuuh!


Wrong. You need the Amonia(sp) Free Windex! :tongue1:

but i like the smothering smell hen i wipe the inside of my windshield down with the windows rolled up in the hot summer!

[ACCORDPRIDE]

great write up- wish i would have seen this a lil earlier i jus paid someone to do mine lolz

[MachNU]

great write up- wish i would have seen this a lil earlier i jus paid someone to do mine lolz

Well unless you have the right tools, which since detailing is what I do professionally, you would still need to pay someone to do it. Or make a $300 investment to do 2 hours worth of work.

[Kevykev]

I need to do my tsx all windows have acid rain residue - previous owner -

time for some dewalt action.

Think waffle pads will polish up fine?

I have a wool cutting pad.

I have no clay bar...will that be a big deal?

[MachNU]

I need to do my tsx all windows have acid rain residue - previous owner -

time for some dewalt action.

Think waffle pads will polish up fine?

I have a wool cutting pad.

I have no clay bar...will that be a big deal?

Sub the clay bar with a razor blade. Glide the razor blade at an angel over the window, will give you the same effect. But if you apply to much pressure it can scratch the window.

Use the wool cutting pad to make a few passes over the window, then use a polish to finish up.

[Kevykev]

Sub the clay bar with a razor blade. Glide the razor blade at an angel over the window, will give you the same effect. But if you apply to much pressure it can scratch the window.

Use the wool cutting pad to make a few passes over the window, then use a polish to finish up.

I appreciate it! I'll hit it when the warmth comes again

:cheers: