how to clean the film off the windows?

[brandont]

I have used Stoners as well as RainX. I believe that for whatever reason, the aerosol cans of foaming window cleaner work 10x better than anything in a pump-spray. I don't know why, but bug splatters that took soaking and multiple shots with a pump spray come right off with any foaming cleaner. One caveat to prevent the streaking - you must, MUST use a clean dry terry cloth towel, especially the final wipe/buff dry. The dirt comes off right away, but keep rubbing with a clean dry towel until it's dry and you won't have streaks. Use 2 towels if you have to.

After making this discovery there was one fact that came to me like a smack in the face:

All racing pit crews use foaming cleaner on their windsheilds. If it didn't work, they would use something else.

[xridgelinex]

After you clean the interior windows well, use a dry clean micro-fiber towel once a week.

I have not had to re-clean the windows with any type of cleaner for over a year now.

[Truckin']

Last summer while driving around Yellowstone (and then back through) we had this odd optical illusion from a dreadful film that built up on our windshield. We re-entered Yellowstone through the East Gate late in the day, so we were driving right into the sunlight.

I'd been using Stoner's and microfiber clothes for over a year. I am generally very pleased with the results, but this time it took more elbow grease AND newsprint (which I happen to carry in the truck; I have everything I need).

The photos don't really show what we saw. The main beam of white light in the glare really looked like it was shooting from the front of the hood into space. It did not look like it was near the window at all.

I am a complete, sometimes raving, fanatic about the windshield when we are in places I want to photograph.

One of the tips I've come across is to never use fabric softener when you wash the microfiber clothes you'll use on windows. Apparently that stays in the fabric and can cause film or streaking.

I finally broke down and bought these special window washing clothes from the Solutions catalog. They're called Miracle Cham-EZ™ Cloth. I have to admit that I haven't used them in either vehicle yet and that will be the true test, but I'm quite impressed with them in the house.

http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?it...ProductID=9965

[jpphoto]

I use Invisible Glass. After a 700 mile drive to last years Ridge Run I was trying several types I had in my trunk with little progress. I'm talking about bugs that crack when they hit the windshield they are so big. For about 20 miles to the west of Indianapolis to 20 miles east it was like every 20 seconds or so. Massive splatter. That afternoon it poured for like 2 1/2 hours so I couldn't clean anything up.

CUinaRidge brought over his Invisible Glass and with no trouble had the whole windshield cleaned off. The rain hadn't loosened up anything and I had spent the better part of 20 minutes spraying both Windex and a foamy stuff and letting the soak with absolutely nothing happening. I've used it ever since, and love the stuff. I have never had streaking. I just use a clean microfiber towel.

[X-Brawn]

Originally Posted by mtrotman

Stoner's "Invisible Glass" is the only way to go. I keep a can in my truck.

I've used that stuff for years since trying it on a whim. Using a glass microfiber towel and Stoner's Invisible Glass I get an awesome cleaning job. You can also follow-up with some of those glass treatments to help with water beading, AND don't forget to clean and inspect your wiper blades when you clean your windows!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

As for the newsprint trick, be careful. Sometimes the ink comes off and sticks to your hands. I might recommend wearing some laytex or similar gloves if you're concerned about that. But, I found Stoner's Invisible Glass helps on removing the ink from your hands, AND can clean some stains on non-porous materials too! It works AWESOME, as I've found, on cleaning bed liners and plastic beds.

[Brent]

The fabric softener is basically and "oil" and that is why your microfiber towel doesn't work well anymore. After a mistake I washed my towel 3 times and dried with no new softener and still could not get the towel to not streak. Trashcan solved the problem.

[scottIN]

Originally Posted by Brent

The fabric softener is basically and "oil" and that is why your microfiber towel doesn't work well anymore. After a mistake I washed my towel 3 times and dried with no new softener and still could not get the towel to not streak. Trashcan solved the problem.

If your MFs start streaking and / or get contaminated with a lot of soap or sometheing else that won't come out, you can do a final rinse (like you would with liquid fabric softener) with 1/2 cup of vinegar to renew them. It's actually not a bad idea every few washes anyway just to keep them top notch. Alternatively, you can use Charlie's Liquid Laundry Soap exclusively. It leaves zero residue. I've got towels from '98 that still work perfectly.

[Order 66]

The film on the inside of the windshield has been driving me crazy. I thought it was just me. Thanks ROC.

Stoner's it is!

[bobpres]

I, too, use the Stoner's. I have been buying it in a 3-pack of the cans at Sam's Club. A couple of weeks ago, I found Stoner's in a pump spray (ala Windex) at Wal-Mart. I didn't buy it since I still have 4 cans of the foaming spray, but the price was the same as the spray can sitting next to it, but had more fluid ounces.

Hopefully, someone here will buy the pump spray type Stoner's and let us know if it's as good as the foam in the can.

[xridgelinex]

I use "Sprayway" and not stoners... It's in the white can and can also be bought at Sam's club for less then the stoners. It works great especially on the bug guts and bird droppings....

"The most versatile glass cleaner available - cleans glass, windows, mirrors, windshields; enamel surfaces, chrome, tile, porcelain and other hard surfaces.

• Dissolves dirt, grease, grit, and grime.

• Heavy-duty foam clings to vertical surfaces.

• Guaranteed to leave no film.

• Contains perfume-grade alcohol for best performance."