The longevity and optimal functioning of your car and its parts depend on how regularly you maintain them. Routine care will minimize the chances of major breakdowns and mishaps while also keeping the driver and passenger safe.
One aspect of the car that owners usually don’t pay much heed to is the glass components. The windows and windshields are normally just wiped down during a wash. Both components are vital to the safety of everyone within the car. Any form of crack can be a hazard for those inside the car because you never know when it can break.
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Besides properly cleaning the windshields and glass, you need to make sure parts such as the wiper blades are in good, working condition. When in use, the blade wipes across the outer surface of the windshields. However, a damaged blade will likely leave scratches. So, it might be a good idea to have your glass parts checked by a professional windshield service every now and then.
The following tips will help you take better care of the glass parts in your car, so they don’t cause any hindrance or become a safety hazard as you drive.
Glass Parts Maintenance Tips
Maintenance starts with regularly cleaning your windshields and windows. You must use products that are designed for the task.
Cleaning cloth
You need to be mindful of the cloth you buy for cleaning glass parts. Remember all cleaning cloths are not created equally, some are more suitable for the job than others. A low-quality cloth will leave marks and can even end up scratching the glass.
When shopping around for cloth, keep the following in mind:
- Look for a cloth that has microfibers. This will ensure a thorough clean without marks.
- The cloth must be free of lint.
- The cloth should be washable and reusable.
- The ideal size of the cloth is 16 by 16 inches. Don’t buy anything bigger than that.
You don’t necessarily need to buy a cloth designed specifically for car windows and windshields. A cloth that fits the description mentioned above should work. Also, keep in mind that as the season changes from normal, moderate weather to the winter, you will require a sturdier cloth with similar qualities.
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Cleaning the inside of your glass parts vs. the outside
The approach to cleaning the inside and outside of windows and windshields is quite different because the two glass have to deal with different environments.
- Inner surface: Consists of a window film and is exposed to hazy build-up from the chemicals emitted by the A/C and other parts of the car.
- Outer surface: Constant exposure to the dirt, water, weather, amongst other things such as rocks.
This of course means that the outer surface experiences more wear and tear which requires a little extra care. The following tips will help you differentiate how to clean the two surfaces for optimal maintenance:
Outer surface
- Fold the cloth before you start to wipe down the windshield and windows. This allows you to use the different sides without the need to wash them after you wipe down each glass part.
- Work your way around the car, start with the front windshields, and work your way around. Spray the glass cleaner and wipe the surface down from top to bottom. Avoid using circular motions as it will leave marks.
Inner surface
- Wipe it down with a damp towel first then use a spray and a microfiber cloth to clean it.
- You can use distilled water or rubbing alcohol to get rid of any residue.
The final maintenance tip is to seek professional help if you notice any damage or cracks in the windshield or windows. Not getting the proper auto glass care promptly puts everyone in the car at risk of injury if the glass part eventually breaks.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to properly care for the glass components of a car. You just need the right tools and approach to ensure proper maintenance and the longevity of such parts.
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Tarek Salam is a Canadian auto glass repair technician with over a decade of experience repairing automotive glass for all makes and models of vehicles in Canada. He loves sharing interesting and useful information with the intention of educating and helping people make better automotive decisions.