My E-Type is a driver and I’ve owned it over 20 years. I keep it
looking good, but in those 20 years the windows have never been
satisfactorily cleaned. I could use some help.
I’ve never smoked, but I keep the original interior clean and use
chemicals for the leather, vinyl, and floor mats. The only thing I
can think of that gets on the windows is the cleaning chemical
residue. I can’t get it off. I’ve cleaned them inside and out and
many times in a row, but I’m always left with streaks. I’ve read
the archives and tried most of the techniques that made sense. But
still no joy.
Any sage advice?–
Bruce Bellrose, '71 SIII 2+2, Florham Park, NJ, USA
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
Bruce, have you tried using the finest steel wool with your glass cleaner?
I use it on all my cars’ exterior glass from time to time to get rid of
buildup.----- Original Message -----
From: “Bruce Bellrose” bellrose@ix.netcom.com
To: concours@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 8:55 PM
Subject: [concours] Glass cleaning insanity
My E-Type is a driver and I’ve owned it over 20 years. I keep it
looking good, but in those 20 years the windows have never been
satisfactorily cleaned. I could use some help.
I’ve never smoked, but I keep the original interior clean and use
chemicals for the leather, vinyl, and floor mats. The only thing I
can think of that gets on the windows is the cleaning chemical
residue. I can’t get it off. I’ve cleaned them inside and out and
many times in a row, but I’m always left with streaks. I’ve read
the archives and tried most of the techniques that made sense. But
still no joy.
Any sage advice?
Bruce Bellrose, '71 SIII 2+2, Florham Park, NJ, USA
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from Bob Hotaling sent Sat 24 Sep 2011:
Wow, I thought I was brave with toothpaste or cerium oxide on a
foam pad. Steel wool???
Andrew–
The original message included these comments:
Bruce, have you tried using the finest steel wool with your glass cleaner?
I use it on all my cars’ exterior glass from time to time to get rid of
buildup.
Note I said, “finest” steel wool. Works like a champ and I learned it many
years ago. Try it somewhere else first if it sounds too crazy to you.----- Original Message -----
From: “JagWaugh” andrew.waugh@bluewin.ch
To: concours@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 10:55 AM
Subject: Re: [concours] Glass cleaning insanity
In reply to a message from Bob Hotaling sent Sat 24 Sep 2011:
Wow, I thought I was brave with toothpaste or cerium oxide on a
foam pad. Steel wool???
Andrew
The original message included these comments:
Bruce, have you tried using the finest steel wool with your glass
cleaner?
I use it on all my cars’ exterior glass from time to time to get rid of
buildup.
I agree it works great and, yes, the finest grade…“0000” I think. Maybe
there’s stuff out there with even more “oughts” Or maybe aluminum wool?
is there such a thing?
Anyhow, I’ve used steel wool with great results. Of course the idea is to
gently clean the glass …not scrub the unmerciful s**t out of it as
though you’re trying to clean pots and pans
Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRFrom: “Bob Hotaling” bobhotaling@cfl.rr.com
Note I said, “finest” steel wool. Works like a champ and I learned it
many years ago. Try it somewhere else first if it sounds too crazy to
you.
Doug,
It’s funny that this subject came up now as bought a new Fiesta to
run around in, love it, and I have the same problem with trying to get
the inside of the windshield perfectly clean. Seems as though there’s
a film that wont come 100% off.
Bob
889076
Plymouth, Mi.On Sep 24, 2011, at 12:20 PM, Doug Dwyer wrote:
I agree it works great and, yes, the finest grade…“0000” I
think. Maybe there’s stuff out there with even more “oughts” Or
maybe aluminum wool? is there such a thing?
Anyhow, I’ve used steel wool with great results. Of course the idea
is to gently clean the glass …not scrub the unmerciful s**t out
of it as though you’re trying to clean pots and pans
Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR
Over the years I’ve had a few cars, including my XJR, that suffered
“outgassing” from the interior plastics…which leaves a hazy, oily-ish film
on the glass. Difficult to clean with most glass cleaners.
Try the steel wool. Or try the same polish that you use on your paint. Or
try a stronger cleaner first, like Simple Green, followed by regular glass
cleaner.
Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRFrom: “Stevenson Robert” bobanddarl@comcast.net
It’s funny that this subject came up now as bought a new Fiesta to run
around in, love it, and I have the same problem with trying to get the
inside of the windshield perfectly clean. Seems as though there’s a film
that wont come 100% off.
In reply to a message from Doug Dwyer sent Sat 24 Sep 2011:
Doug,
You can get bronze wool at places that sell furnituremaker or
boatmaintenance supplies, or Home Despot. The upside of bronze is
that it won’t leave particles that cause rustspots on stainless, or
oak, the downside is that the paticles can’t be picked up with a
magnet.
Recently a glass specialist who was installing a shower
enclosure for us told me that you shouldn’t use microfibre cloths.
He claims that they microscratch the glass and it goes milky.
I'm going to try the bronze wool. Till now I have used Silvo or
Brasso (the Ammonia combined with the abraisive will cut through
most everything), on a foam pad, then multiple cycles with rubbing
alcohol and paper towels. Although this will remove pretty much all
residue, it does make one helluva mess, even on the outside
surface - getting the brasso off the rubber is a PITA. I did do
this once on the inside on a car that had had a small electrical
fire… next time I will remove the glass, and polish it with
cerium oxide outside of the car.
All the glass is currently out of my car, so the cerium oxide
polishing is not a problem for me. I haven’t quite decided if I
will also try one of the nano treatments - these make keeping the
surface clean much easier, at least on porcelan and glass surfaces
in the bathroom. Anybody have any experience with these?
Andrew–
The original message included these comments:
there’s stuff out there with even more ‘‘oughts’’ Or maybe aluminum wool?
is there such a thing?
Another unusual suggestion, but we use WD-40 on glass shower doors and
mirrors to both remove any buildup and the surface then has a certain
resistance to moisture and therefore buildup. I have NOT tried this on car
glass as I believe it probably leaves a slight surface that is not
discernable in the bath area.----- Original Message -----
From: “JagWaugh” andrew.waugh@bluewin.ch
To: concours@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 3:55 AM
Subject: Re: [concours] Glass cleaning insanity
In reply to a message from Doug Dwyer sent Sat 24 Sep 2011:
Doug,
You can get bronze wool at places that sell furnituremaker or
boatmaintenance supplies, or Home Despot. The upside of bronze is
that it won’t leave particles that cause rustspots on stainless, or
oak, the downside is that the paticles can’t be picked up with a
magnet.
Recently a glass specialist who was installing a shower
enclosure for us told me that you shouldn’t use microfibre cloths.
He claims that they microscratch the glass and it goes milky.
I’m going to try the bronze wool. Till now I have used Silvo or
Brasso (the Ammonia combined with the abraisive will cut through
most everything), on a foam pad, then multiple cycles with rubbing
alcohol and paper towels. Although this will remove pretty much all
residue, it does make one helluva mess, even on the outside
surface - getting the brasso off the rubber is a PITA. I did do
this once on the inside on a car that had had a small electrical
fire… next time I will remove the glass, and polish it with
cerium oxide outside of the car.
All the glass is currently out of my car, so the cerium oxide
polishing is not a problem for me. I haven’t quite decided if I
will also try one of the nano treatments - these make keeping the
surface clean much easier, at least on porcelan and glass surfaces
in the bathroom. Anybody have any experience with these?
Andrew
The original message included these comments:
there’s stuff out there with even more ‘‘oughts’’ Or maybe aluminum
wool?
is there such a thing?
In reply to a message from Bob Hotaling sent Sat 24 Sep 2011:
Have you tried using a Clay Bar ?
It works wonders you will not believe how much crud it
removes even after cleaning with glass cleaner
Regards
Bleasie–
The original message included these comments:
I’ve never smoked, but I keep the original interior clean and use
chemicals for the leather, vinyl, and floor mats. The only thing I
can think of that gets on the windows is the cleaning chemical
residue. I can’t get it off. I’ve cleaned them inside and out and
many times in a row, but I’m always left with streaks. I’ve read
the archives and tried most of the techniques that made sense. But
still no joy.
Any sage advice?
In reply to a message from Bob Hotaling sent Sat 24 Sep 2011:
In europe I’ve used a special glass cleaner that worked
great for me called Radora Brillant. I don’t know of a
stateside or GB source, but it is available on eBay
Germany. (I’m not affiliated)
Made my windshield seem to not be present.–
The original message included these comments:
I use it on all my cars’ exterior glass from time to time to get rid of
buildup.
can think of that gets on the windows is the cleaning chemical
residue. I can’t get it off. I’ve cleaned them inside and out and
Or maybe aluminum wool?