DIY - Hard Water, Spot removal on Windshield etc.
 

Background:
So I searched this forums and tried several methods; and have not found anything that works effectively in removing spots from my windshield. I did about 5 more weeks of research calling several detailing shops and most of them told me to use a fine steel wool and some house hold cleaner (Do not do this!) I figured this would cause permanent damage to my windshield, so I searched until I found 1 shop that did nothing but remove water marks for $150 per window. And I found out how they did it... :smoker:


Materials:
You will need the following.
Bar Keepers Friend (Get the can powdered version, at your local supermarket.)- $2.99
Rain-X Glass Treatment- $3.99 (Small bottle)
Small Squeegee (If you need to do side mirrors you might want a tinting squeegee or a can of air.)
4-5 Cloth rags
Bucket or Small container (I used an old food container)
Optional water bottle spray.


Instructions:
Make sure your vehicle is parked in a shaded area!
Here we go, soak rag#1 with water make sure its damp but not dripping. Soak rag#2 in water this one will actually be used to drip water so you can be generous on the water if you have the water bottle spray then you won't need this. Put Bar Keepers Friend on rag#1 and spread evenly, it sometimes comes out in chunks so you'll want to spread it a bit more. Apply on the affected windshield in a circular motion, you will notice it will bubble up as you do. Continue doing this for 5-10 minutes (depending on the severity of the spots) If the soapy substance starts to dry or cake up drip some water in to it and continue. You will notice it will feel like sanding the surface of the glass, which it is but in a very minute manner. Wash the soap off with water then squeegee the excess water. If there are still spots you can do it again, until its gone but you will notice a big difference from before you did this. Once you are done, apply Rain-x and let it dry, buff the glass until its clear. (This will seal the micro pores and prevent water from coming in.)


It took me 1 hour to do my front windshield and 2 side mirrors. My squeegee was too big for my side mirror so I used a can of air to push the water out of the glass. I hope this helps others who have come across this problem, I'm not sure if this will work on other surfaces but you are welcomed to try. I've had to endure this for about 1 year lol. :wallbash: (I'll post pictures tomorrow, but it's super easy to do)




Pictures as Promised:
Front and Rear passenger windows are not yet cleaned(I will do these this weekend.) The front windshield is what I did on Saturday it used to look like the other two windows. You will notice that there are no wiper marks either :) It's a little dirty because it just rained here in SoCal so forgive me:dunno: Let me know if this works for you. It's cheap and effective total cost was under $15.

pics pleaeseee thx for the DIY, definitely will try it asap

Griot's glass polish, by hand or using a random orbital buffer, cures all windshield ills. :)

Two polish stengths dependent on your need:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

My detail shop uses steel wool and water you just rub and it comes right off. if it has sat on there to long they use wax and steel wool and it will look like new again. takes like 5 minutes

It's raining her in SoCal I'll take pics when it stops. I have had friends use the steel wool method it leaves swirls invisible to the eye until you get fog inside, then you know your glass is damaged. It's not always visible so if you're not too picky then go ahead. I wouldn't do it.

I had 3 years worth of spots removed in 10 minutes. I tried alot of things and spent alot of money. Some of the detailing shops I went to couldn't take it off. The steel wool method wasn't an option I wanted to take.

this is what i used..it worked GREAT!!
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...60#post3347260

I use Meguiar's #4 Heavy Cut Cleaner and a yellow cutting pad on my buffer. Not sure I'd try the steel wool either, but I've seen people use it on other things successfully.

its the type of steel wool that's used. u need an extra fine one, the swirls happen because the steel wool that was used was waaaay too abrasive... using a buffer is wayy too much work for such a little task... if the spots are caked on really bad wash car and when its still wet and soapy hand scrub the windshield with the wool. rinse, dry car and wax winshield.
Ive detailed the worst cars ever chevy work trucks and suburbans and the owners of those vehicles dont care as much as you guys would so there cars are outrageously dirty. the worst case was one that i had to use a buffer but i highly doubt u guys have that situation, where the rear window was literally tinted with calcium and hard water....

That's nothing but comet or in other words baking soda.

Yes, you can use fine steel wool. triple lot or quad lot (000,0000) It is actually as fine as a polishing cloth.

Also, distilled vinegarworks.

Make sure the first thing you do is clean the window and mirrors when you was the car to prevent spots.

Also, if you were to add a little distilled vinegar in the bucket.... you wouldn't get spots in the first place.

ding, ding.

white vinegar.

beers :beer: