The top 13 best car window cleaners available today are listed in the following paragraphs, along with some tips on how to wash your own car windows effectively. Please read on.
3M Glass Cleaner, Meguiar’s Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner, Invisible Glass Car Window Cleaner, Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner & Rain Repellent, Shine Society Glass & Window Cleaner…
Let’s take a look.
Best Window Cleaner for Cars
Here is a list of the best window cleaner for cars:
3M Glass Cleaner
This is our winner for the best overall: 3M Glass Cleaner. We adored the aerosol can’s controllability and ease of use, and this product’s superior cleaning ability, quick drying time, and dry feel propelled it to the top.
The cleaner sprayed out and foamed up on the window instantly, making it simple to use the can. There were some minor streaks in the first few seconds of wiping, but they evaporated quickly.
3M left behind a slightly grippy dry feel, but that was better than every other non-ceramic option. It is simple to use and safe for tint. This is the item to purchase, and as a result, it is our top pick for automotive glass cleaner in general.
Meguiar’s Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner
Meguiar’s Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner comes in second in our test and is a fantastic option if aerosol cans aren’t your thing. We noted the streak-free cleaning performance and bottle ergonomics as the top perks.
Nothing was left behind as evidenced by the picture below, which also shows how effective it was at cleaning. The only thing keeping it from being the best was a grippier dry feel than the 3M; this grip will grab onto dust and dirt a bit easier and shorten the longevity of the clean look.
But this is a really good option if you’re looking for a quick, effective glass cleaner.
Invisible Glass Car Window Cleaner
As its name implies, the Stoner Invisible Glass cleaner takes pride in leaving no streaks behind. This glass cleaner is made with a 100% residue-free formula and does not contain any scents, dyes, or soaps that can leave streaks behind. Additionally, it has a risk-free guarantee that enables you to return the item for a full refund if you’re not satisfied with it.
Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner & Rain Repellent
Designed to tackle both grimy streaks and torrential downpours in one fast-acting formula, this glass-cleaning spray evaporates quickly so you only need to spray and wipe once. Additionally, it enables raindrops to bead and roll smoothly off the glass.
One Amazon reviewer rated it five stars saying, “Rain simply flies off my windshield, leaving a good, clear window to look out of. I firmly advise purchasing this item.”
Shine Society Glass & Window Cleaner
The all-natural, kid- and pet-friendly ingredients in this glass cleaner will disinfect as well as clean your windows. Spray and wipe once to get rid of the dirt and germs, then do it again to make the windows appear truly transparent.
Griot’s Garage Window Cleaner
Besides removing dirt and smudges, this window cleaner promises to defrost windows faster. It serves as a cleaner for interior glass as well. Reviewers laud the formula for being nearly odorless and for not containing dyes or perfumes. An Amazon reviewer who gave this window cleaner five stars said, “It doesn’t smell strongly, which is nice.”
Chemical Guys Signature Series Glass Cleaner
This ammonia-free glass cleaner does not contain any harsh-smelling chemicals, so it is just the right product for vehicle owners with sensitive noses. Additionally, the Chemical Guys Signature Series Glass Cleaner can be used to safely clean tinted windows as it does not contain any alcohol.
Hendlex Car Windshield Coating & Glass Cleaner
The manufacturer of this two-step car windshield cleaner and protector claims that after applying this product, windshield wipers aren’t needed in the rain when driving more than 40 miles per hour. Wipers or not, a five-star Amazon reviewer called it “magic in a bottle,” and another five-star reviewer said, “Even after almost two months, the water is still beading as if I just applied it.”
McKee’s 37 Krystal Vision Glass Kit
For glass that needs true TLC, the McKee’s glass kit is a five-step process that will restore perpetually cloudy auto glass. It’s a bit of a splurge at $40, but an Amazon reviewer who gave it five stars said, “The etching was too deep in the glass, an auto repairman informed us, so there was nothing that could be done to remove [the water spots]. After some searching, I discovered McKee’s 37 MK37-515 High Performance Glass cleaner on Amazon. What an amazing cleaner! The cleaner required two rounds, but the fact remains that THIS STUFF WORKS.”
Xindell Windshield Cleaning Tool
It sometimes takes a certain approach to get flawless, transparent auto glass. This reaching tool extends up to 16 in. so it’s easier to cover the center of the windshield. That allows proper muscle to be applied so there aren’t streaks.
AutoEC 2-in-1 Windshield Wand
Also in the extendable handle category, this reacher-style winshield cleaning wand can double as a snow and ice scraper. The handle extends the tool’s length to 19 inches. from end to end, and two reusable fabric pads are included. Check out our favorite car window cleaner tools.
Armor All Glass Wipes
For a quick clean, we feel you won’t find many products as simple to use as these Armor All Glass Wipes to use inside and out of your vehicle.
First off, they don’t contain ammonia, making them appropriate for use as directed on tinted and auto glass.
Moreover, they’re described as being residue-free, so should leave no streaks for incredible clarity and shine with no hazing that may impair your vision on the road.
Overall, it appears as though these glass wipes are equipped to offer a quick and simple solution to your window cleaning issues.
Sonax Xtreme Glass Cleaner
The Sonax Xtream glass cleaner is enhanced by what the manufacturer calls its “Pure water” technology. The formula used in this case uses de-mineralized water to thoroughly clean car windows without leaving any residue.
How to Clean Car Windows Properly?
The task of washing a car’s windows may appear straightforward at first. But using the proper procedure will help to reduce streaks and guarantee that the windows are thoroughly cleaned. There are several steps in cleaning car windows, which include:
- Removing Water Spots
- Cleaning Window Ridges
- Cleaning Interior Windows
- Cleaning Exterior Windows
- Waxing & Buffing
To help you comprehend each of these steps better, we will now go into more detail about each one.
Removing Water Spots
When car windows come into contact with mineral-rich water, it results in the formation of water spots. These unsightly stains don’t just make the windows dirty; they also obscure vision.
Therefore, removing water stains from the windows should be your first step in cleaning them. Using a paper towel, soak it in a solution of vinegar and water to remove water stains. After that, take the paper towel and place it on the wet area, allowing it to sit there for a few minutes. After that, remove the paper towel and give the area a quick spray with your preferred glass cleaner. Until the water spots are completely gone, clean the area and then repeat the process.
Cleaning Window Ridges
Cleaning the window ridges is the following step in the process of cleaning windows. You must partially roll down the windows in order to do this. Then, dampen a microfiber towel by spraying window cleaner on it, and proceed to wipe each window edge until it is clean of any dirt or debris. Before rolling the windows up again, go through the procedure on each one.
Cleaning Exterior Windows
After cleaning the window ridges, the next step is cleaning the exterior of the windows and windshield. We advise using two cotton or microfiber towels for this. One should be the wet towel, and the other should be the dry towel.
Spray car glass cleaner directly onto the windows to start the process. Wipe it off with a wet towel while applying moderate pressure. Then, wipe the area again, this time with a dry towel. Streaks won’t form because of this because the area will be completely dried. Don’t forget to periodically replace the dry towel. By doing this, too much water won’t be absorbed by the towel.
Cleaning Interior Windows
It’s time to clean the interior of the windows and the windshield right now. Once again, spray the glass cleaner of your choice onto the windows before wiping them with a wet towel. After that, use the dry towel to remove streaks in a manner akin to how you cleaned exterior windows. But be careful not to spray too much glass cleaner onto the dashboard! If you do, wipe it off to prevent any harm.
Waxing & Buffing
Take several views of each window before beginning the waxing procedure to find any streaks you might have missed. If you find any, wipe the area with a dry towel until it is gone. The widows’ shine will be maintained for a longer period of time with waxing and buffing. Using an applicator pad, apply the wax to all exterior window surfaces. Then, with a clean microfiber towel, buff the wax away.
FAQs
Why is Ammonia Bad for Car Windows?
Ammonia is bad for tint, not car windows. The tint can bubble, lighten, and disintegrate after prolonged cleaning with ammonia-based cleaners. Because of this, almost all automotive glass cleaners are ammonia-free.
How Do You Get Rid of Haze on Inside of Windshield?
Mix one cup of vinegar and one cup of water, and you have an effective glass and windshield cleaner. Others prefer the vinegar to water ratio of 10%. Depending on how bad the haze is, you can always change the ratio.
Is It OK to Use Glass Cleaner on Car Windows?
Yes, you can use Windex on car windows and to clean the inside of your windshield. Despite some people telling you to avoid using Windex on tinted windows, there is no proof that ammonia-based Windex causes issues.
What is Ceramic Glass Cleaner?
In the world of automotive detailing, ceramic glass cleaner appears to be gaining popularity. This stuff features a combination of cleaner and ceramic coating to remove contaminants while leaving behind a water-repelling residue. Some ceramic glass cleaners boast that you won’t need to use your windshield wipers, as the water beads right off as you drive.
It took a little more work for us to properly apply ceramic glass cleaners, we discovered. It is a good idea to have a backup plan in case the backup plan fails. While the durability of ceramic glass coatings varies depending on the product, using wipers will shorten the coating’s life.
Is Window Cleaner Safe to Get on the Paint?
While a small amount of window cleaner on your car’s paint by accident is acceptable, we strongly advise against using it to clean the bodywork of your car.
Depending on the strength of your window cleaner’s formula, the solution may begin to remove the protective layer of paint if used on your car regularly.
If you use window cleaner to clean your entire car, you might start to see the paint peeling away.
Summary: Best Window Cleaner for Cars
A car window cleaner will be your best friend if you’re serious about cleaning your car windows properly. But, which is the best one? We’ll provide you with an answer to that question right now.
This is our winner for the best overall: 3M Glass Cleaner. We adored the aerosol can’s controllability and ease of use, and this product’s superior cleaning ability, quick drying time, and dry feel propelled it to the top.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Don’t forget to share the post. Thank you for reading.