AUTO GLASS MAINTENANCE

Dirt, bugs, bird droppings and other debris can affect the cleanliness of your windows on your vehicle. There are certain steps you can take to ensure you windows are clean and sparkling again in no time. Here are some tips that many Toronto Auto Glass companies recommend.

Choose a Cleaner

You will want to choose a cleaner that is specifically made for auto glass. You should make sure that the glass cleaner does not contain ammonia, alcohol or any ingredient that could produce harmful fumes. The fumes are not only harmful to inhale but are also very hard on the environment. Ammonia can also damage any tint you may have on your windows. You should look for a cleaner that is environmentally friendly. There are several eco-friendly products available on the market.

Choose a Towel

You should try to choose a microfiber towel to do your window cleaning. Microfiber towels can hold up to eight times their weight in water, will not cause scratches and don’t leave lint behind. A microfiber cloth uses an electrostatic charge to lift dirt and debris away from the surface, rather than dragging across it. Other towels or options can cause scratches, streaks or missed spots.

Avoid cross-contamination

If you are cleaning your whole vehicle you will want to clean your auto glass and mirrors last to ensure that no dirt or grime gets transferred from other areas of your car. You will obviously also want to ensure you are using a totally different cloth for the windows and mirrors than you used for the rest of the vehicle. Cleaning your windows last will also help you to remove any overspray that may have occurred from cleaning the rest of your vehicle.

Use a Buffing Motion

You will want to use a buffing or circular motion when cleaning your auto glass. This will help to ensure you won’t get any streaks. It will also prevent scratches from occurring. It is the most effective way to ensure that you windows get as clean as possible.

Keep Several Towels on Hand

You will want to keep several towels on hand. You can use one for buffing and the other for wiping clean. You can also switch up towels for different windows to avoid tracking dirt from one location to the next.

Avoid Cleaning in Direct Sunlight

You will want to avoid cleaning your windows in direct sunlight. This is particularly important if you are using cleaning products with stronger chemicals in them because the liquid will heat up and evaporate causing the fumes to disperse quickly. You also want to be careful to not use cold water on your windows when it is a particularly hot day as this could cause the glass to weaken.

Roll Windows Down

The easiest spot to miss on your windows is the top portion of the window. You should roll your windows down to ensure you are cleaning the entire glass surface. This area is particularly prone to dirt build up because of the rubber lip that protects that part of the glass. You will want to be sure to clean this area on both the exterior and interior of the window.

Clean your Wipers

In order to prevent damage to your windshield many MississaugaAuto Glass area companies suggest wiping down your wiper blades often. You can also use a microfiber cloth and just use a bit of windshield washer fluid to clean the blades. Ensuring that your blades are well maintained will protect your windshield from scratches and scrapes.

Winter maintenance

You will want to be particularly careful with your windshield in winter months. You should only use scrappers that are meant for vehicles to scrape your car off. Ice and debris should be removed from the windshield before you attempt to use the wipers. You should always ensure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid on hand in the winter months. It is very bad for your windshield if you are running wipers across a dry glass surface. You should also avoid pouring hot water on your windshield to melt ice or snow. This temperature change could cause your auto glass to crack.

Avoid Exposure to Sunlight

You should avoid direct exposure to sunlight whenever possible. Parking in the shade or in a covered area is preferable. If you do have to park in the sunlight you should roll your windows down to allow some air to circulate through the vehicle. Another thing you can do to help protect your vehicle’s windshield from the sunlight is to tint your windows. Window tinting can help to block out UV rays and avoid some of the damaging effects of the sun.

Replace Wipers

You should replace your wipers at the first sign of wear. Damaged wipers can cause damage to your windshield. It is also a hazard if your wipers are not working properly causing your visibility to be reduced.

Get cracks repaired immediately

If you happen to get a crack or stone chip in your windshield you should get it fixed immediately. Often times small cracks or chips can be repaired rather than needing a full windshield replacement. The sooner you get the issue looked at the easier it is to repair. Insurance companies would often prefer to help pay for a repair job than the cost of full replacement.

Avoid construction zones

You should try to avoid construction zones as much as possible because you are more likely to get debris or stones flying up at your windshield. The risk of getting a stone chip is significantly higher in construction areas. You should also try to park your vehicle away from any construction work that is being done near parking lots.

Avoid following too closely

When you are driving be sure to leave plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. Often times the vehicle in front of you can kick up rocks or other debris that could cause damage to your windshield. It is a good rule of thumb to try to stay back at least three to five car lengths from the vehicle in front of you.

Inspect your windshield regularly

You should try to inspect your windshield quite regularly to avoid missing potential problems. You can quickly check it when you are getting gas, that way it becomes part of your routine. If you catch a chip or crack early enough it can be repaired more easily. It is also important to keep your windshield clean. You should be sure to wash your vehicle as often as you can. You might need to be particularly focused on windshield maintenance in the winter months, as this is the time when your windshield can really take a beating.

Many ScarboroughAuto Glass companies would be happy to assist you with deciding on the best ways to maintain your windshield. They may be able to offer cleaning product recommendations, and other care tips. If you are concerned about any aspect of your windshield then you should have an expert take a look at it. This can provide you with the peace of mind you need to be assured that you are taking care of your own safety.