Car Care & Auto Detailing Blog

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.

READ: HOW-TO MAXIMIZE YOUR SELF-SERVICE CAR WASH EXPERIENCE

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. 

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. 

First things first, you need a wash. Car fanatics know, if you’re entering a car show, your car should be in pristine condition. Start off by washing your car then following with a polish, glaze & wax.

If there are any minor imperfections on the car, you can use a smoothing hand polish to gently buff out the imperfections. After the car has been polished, it’s helpful to apply a finishing glaze and sealant to lock in your shine. Glazes are used to gently fill in minor scratches on the surface of your car and help them to appear less visible.

There are few worse things than cleaning your car, taking a step back and noticing the remnants of hard water spots all over your vehicle. We are going to give you some quick tips on how to remove hard water spots so you can confidently show off your clean car!

What Causes Hard Water Spots?

Have you ever noticed leftover spots on the surface whenever you’re done cleaning? They often appear hazy or white on the surface and seem impossible to remove. More than likely, you are experiencing hard water spots. This happens when there are materials in the water and a build-up of alkaline.

These spots can be difficult to remove and often are a source of frustration while you are cleaning. But, fear not! With a little elbow grease and CleanTools products, you can remove those spots in no time.

Nothing beats the feeling of a clean vehicle. Washing your car can be one of life’s great pleasures, provided you take the time to do it properly. Unfortunately, many of us have learned some bad habits that could be doing more harm than good to our cars’ exteriors.

Knowing what not to do can be just as important for improving the look of your machine as knowing what to do. Although many enthusiasts take their hose and bucket outside every weekend, they may be making some mistakes that hurt their finishes. To help you get the most out of your weekly wash-up, here are some basic dos and don’ts:

Mistake No. 1: Using the same mitt for the wheels and body.

Your wheels typically pick up a lot of grit and brake dust. When you use the same washcloth or mitt to clean them and then the body, there could be particles trapped in the fibers. You might be unknowingly scratching your paint as a result.

Solution: Choosing the right tools for the job.

Having a high-quality mitt such as CleanTools’ Premium Wash Mitt designated for the wheels and another specifically for the rest of the vehicle will prevent scratching. It’s also a good idea to use a separate bucket for each, to keep abrasive materials from getting stuck when you rinse them.

Mistake No. 2: Washing in direct sunlight.

A sunny day might seem like the perfect time for a good washing. However, the sunlight can cause water to evaporate quickly and leave deposits on the surface.

Solution: Wash during the morning or evening.

When you work while the sun is not at full power, there isn’t as much risk of evaporation as at midday. This gives you more time to rinse and dry properly.

Mistake No. 3: Using dishwashing soap.

The detergents you use to clean your dishes weren’t made for cars. In fact, many of them can damage finishes because of their alkaline content.

Solution: Choose the right soap.

Specially formulated soaps will help keep your vehicle clean and protect its paint job. You can find these soaps at an auto parts store or in many department stores.

Mistake No. 4: Using a bath towel to dry.

A terrycloth towel might feel soft enough on your skin, but it’s most likely too rough for your vehicle. It’s also going to become waterlogged fairly quickly, meaning it won’t effectively dry your vehicle.

Solution: Use a PVA.

There’s a reason why professionals and beginners alike continue to choose The Absorber. They work quickly and don’t give water a chance to leave spots on your paint. The Absorber from CleanTools utilizes a unique polyvinyl alcohol construction for superior drying capabilities. To extend the life of your wax job in between waxes, you could use The Glosser, which provides a coat of wax as it lifts light surface contaminants with one swipe. 

A good cleaning can ensure your ride looks and feels its best. Follow these guidelines to make the most of your weekly driveway ritual.

If you don’t take the time to dry your car properly after washing it, you might as well have not washed it at all. Despite all the effort you may have put into cleaning the exterior, letting Mother Nature handle the final step is a bad idea. Leaving your vehicle to air-dry in the sun leads to water spots, which can hurt its look and do lasting damage to its finish.

When the droplets evaporate, the dirt and minerals they contained don’t always float away with them. They can remain on the surface, leaving unsightly dull areas. What’s worse, dust and grit get another chance to scratch your paint. This is why knowing how to dry your car after a wash is just as important as using the right cleaning techniques.

Here are some pointers to show you how to dry your car after washing or how to dry out the car after washing so it will continue to look its best:

Start With a Rinse

The best way to dry a car after washing begins with proper rinsing. Spray the outside indirectly with your hose on a medium or light setting. The trick here is to wet all of it evenly without using too much pressure. You want the water to be heavy enough to pull anything on the surface with it, without splattering. Allow the water to run off for about a minute or two before moving to the next step.

Get the Right Tools

Many people wipe their cars with an old beach towel or rag. That’s dangerous because your standard terrycloth towels may be more harmful than you think. The best way to dry the car after wash is using a high-quality chamois or microfiber cloth will do the job well because it can absorb more moisture without scratching your paint. It's considered the best way to get moisture out of the car. For example, The Absorber from CleanTools uses a unique polyvinyl alcohol material that helps soak up more water than other types of towels.

Dry Your Wheels Separately

One of the most crucial car drying tips is to use a separate towel for your wheels. The brake dust and grit from them can be transferred easily to whatever cloth you’re using. That means you’ll be working these abrasive substances into your finish as you dry the body. You should also learn how to dry your brakes, the wet brakes might not do their job properly as dry brakes.

Work Quickly

This is especially important if you’re working on a hot summer day. The longer it takes you, the more likely it will be that droplets will have a chance to evaporate and leave spots on your vehicle. The good news is that once you learn how to properly dry a car, you’ll be able to move as fast as you need.

Looking Good

Knowing how to dry off your car after a wash is just as necessary for a good-looking vehicle as the soaping and rinsing. Follow these tips, and you’re sure to get great results.