Cleaning and restoring glass tip!!!

[flaatr]

My 90 DSM had one major problem... lots of hard water spots on the glass. The front windshield and mirrors were so bad I even considered replacing the windshield. No matter what I did the glass was cloudy and nothing I tried worked i.e. Windex, simple green, vinegar... I even tried claybar. There were other things I could have tried, some harsher chemicals like CLR but these worry me because one mistake like a spot or spill on the paint could mean disaster.

After talking to a few people I found P&S made a water spot remover but I couldn't find it locally... what i did find was Mothers also made one and my local auto parts store had it in stock.

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I applied this using a 6" DA at low speed and the results were amazing. Photographing the before and especially the after was difficult but here is the best example.

Before:

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Note there is a little dust but the calcium deposits and hard water spots are tough... I tried knocking these down with every thing and they are still there.


After:

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What a difference!!! the black surround on the rear quarters and front and back glass are once again black and the glass is clear!!!

I simply masked off the glass and let the DA do all the work... I removed the mirrors, rear spoiler, and other easy remove parts to make things easier to get to, I even did my side mirrors... I used painters tape to mask off the paint and body to make things simpler.

Hope this is helpful to others!
-Raffi

 

[Ghost_92TSi]

Pictures? Don't see them. My mom got this for her kitchen window. We haven't tried it yet.

 

[flaatr]

Oops... fixed!
-Raffi

 

[Ghost_92TSi]

It looks nice, Have to try it out now, Too bad there is nothing for pitted glass

 

[sccrbrandon4788]

Wonder if this would help with other issues like blotchiness when the windshield wiper makes a pass. Not sure if that makes sense but the only way I know how to explain it.

 

[performance]

I use a high-speed buffer with a wool pad and some compound. It restores it back to showroom condition.

 

[flaatr]

It looks nice, Have to try it out now, Too bad there is nothing for pitted glass

Unfortunately no...

Wonder if this would help with other issues like blotchiness when the windshield wiper makes a pass. Not sure if that makes sense but the only way I know how to explain it.

if it's just build up it will probably work...

I use a high-speed buffer with a wool pad and some compound. It restores it back to showroom condition.

I'd be very nervous using a rubbing compound... as a rule compounds need to be followed with a glaze or other steps to get all the scratches and swirls they leave behind out. Remember glass is soft.

-Raffi

 

[Dsmkauai]

If you really want something that works and takes little to no effort, look for a product called bring it on. I used to do stone, tile and glass restoration and that stuff with a white scotch brite pad work amazing. I would even use it with a small orbital sander and cut the white pads to work, takes out alot with very little effort. Bring It On Cleaner to remove water spots and mineral stains from glass, tile and hard surfaces

 

[performance]

I understand glazing. I ran a detail crew for rv's. A mild cut compound is exactly what that mother's product is composed of
.

 

[Nasty Dream]

I thought about replacing my glass. I will definitely try this.

Think it will get out micro scratches and improve visibility?

 

[lasthope05]

Unfortunately no...




if it's just build up it will probably work...




I'd be very nervous using a rubbing compound... as a rule compounds need to be followed with a glaze or other steps to get all the scratches and swirls they leave behind out. Remember glass is soft.

-Raffi

Glass is actually very hard. I do detailing and a harsh compound for paint is actually mild on glass. To really polish and remove scratches/defects and such you need a slurry of cerium oxicde and water unless its an above suface contaminate.

Also there is a misconception about glazes. By true definition, glazes contain no polishing abrasives and its main intent is to nourish/rehydrate paint with oils or polymer gloss enhancer.

 

[flaatr]

I thought about replacing my glass. I will definitely try this.

Think it will get out micro scratches and improve visibility?

Made a huge difference for me... couldn't hurt to try. Low to mid speed on the DA and medium pressure, let the product do the work.

Replacing the glass = $$$

-Raffi