How to Super Clean Your Windshield with Steel Wool
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- It sounds crazy but rubbing STEEL WOOL on your WINDSHIELD won't hurt it! Laminated windshield glass is higher on the MOHS scale of hardness than steel wool, so it won't scratch.
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We demonstrate how to make the windshield of your RV or car cleaner and clearer. We'll show you how to improve the clarity of the glass and improve visibility.
After a little time goes by, every windshield gets a little hazy. That goes double for autos that are towed right behind a large motorhome. Using our toad (towed car), we show you how to use fine steel wool, Rain-X and Invisible Glass to make your view just a little bit clearer.
Although our car's windshield has a lot of little nicks from over a decade of being towed behind our motorhome, we still want to keep it as clear as possible. Regular washing can't remove the fine dirt that gets into the pores of the glass, so we use a little detailer's trick that we learned years ago: 0000 steel wool. While you'd expect that steel wool would scratch the glass, it's exactly the opposite. Just like furniture makers use extra-fine steel wool to rub out the surface of the wood after each coat of stain, it polishes glass the same way.
NOTE: We use extra-fine 0000 steel wool in this video. It's EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE, so exercise care in storing and using it.
UPDATE: A viewer wrote to say that he experienced some areas of scratching after trying this. I've never heard of it scratching before, so I just did a little Googling, and while there seem to be some people who question using steel wool, others swear by it. Some also think you should never us a razor blade on glass, and others do it all the time. One suggestion was to use wet steel wool (of course it will then rust, so pitch it afterwards). Another mentioned buying something called "Poli-Flex Rubberized Clayblock" for cleaning. Although I cannot guarantee that scratching is impossible, many people who've tried steel wool since seeing this video have been thrilled with the results. Either way, proceed slowly and with caution and at your own risk.
The piano music is my own performance of Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag from 1899.
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@Dawn Key Balls 0000 steel wool is not as hard as glass, and will not scratch it at all. It cleans really well, and we find it to be a quick, inexpensive and effective way to polish the glass.
+RVgeeks Hi. Great video! I have also had a lot of luck with an automotive clay bar and a spray bottle of water instead of steel wool. Seems to work pretty well. I'd love to see how you think it compares. The only advantage i can see, is if you accidentally run the clay bar over the plastic or rubber surrounding your windshield there is no chance of a scratch.
+RVgeeks For those who think steel wool will scratch glass, I'm reminded of Brillo or SOS pads being used to clean Pyrex glass baking pans. Not an ounce of damage was done to the glass.
+wannawatchu66 thanks. I was worried little bit about scratching the windshield, until you made the point about scrubbing glass dishes without damage
juck huo
Sure thing.
+RVgeeks Won't a piece of clay bar do the same as steel wool?
I'll be 81 next month. I love the Internet because of opportunities to learn.
This site is impressive.The forum is informative & funny.
SAME HERE I LOVE LEARNING ONLINE !!
still young. nowadays, people live longer than before, so you'll probably live up to 110+
This was a good tip. I cleaned my 12 year old pitted windshield with the recommended steel wool and the results were amazing.
@@truthrock9548 he's already passed away. 😩😩
@@captainamericaamerica8090 Are you sure? Ho do you know?
I washed my car twice and the rain stains would not come off . I came across your video , then went to my local Ace hardware store to buy this Steel Wool. It works great , and I’m in shocked . Thank you so much bro 🙏🏼✊🏼
I tested on rear window. Can't truly believe everything you see on the internet. I'm a believer. It's like new
A real good video and some solid advice. I've used RainX on my cars and I also use Invisible Glass. I took us years of buying and trying to get the finest products honed down. You've now saved thousands of viewers time, money and aggravation with your advice.
This is one of the best DIY videos I've watched. Very thorough, articulate and well described! I know just what to do now and will try it out!! Thank you for this great fix!!
Before you steel-wool your windshield, first clean it as well as you can with glass cleaner! The steel wool won't harm the glass, but there could be grit in the dirt on your windshield that WOULD scratch the glass. He tells you not to do it but I would recommend pre-cleaning the glass first.
+John Schulien this sounds legit so i agree
+John Schulien kill 2 birds with one stone, use glass cleaner while you use steel wool,I would never use steel wool dry like this guy did .13 years as a professional car detailer
I do stained glass restoration, and my procedures are designed to clean the glass in a way that minimizes the risk of damaging the glass. The purpose of cleaning first with glass cleaner is to get anything off the glass that might be harder than the glass because the steel wool might drag it around and scratch the glass, even if you wet the steel wool with glass cleaner. I mean, if you're detailing the windshield, why would you not soap and squeegee it before you do anything else? You can certainly use wet steel wool first, but using dry steel wool really gets the surface clean and is safe provided that the glass is cleaned before you use it.
the cars are fully washed before the glass and paint is clayed or steel wooled, Id still never use any abrasive on glass without something to lube it John Schulien
+shredBucketheadshred Steel wool is cheap. The only reason to not wet clean the glass with the steel wool is because you're cheap as hell and you want to get as much mileage out of that steel wool pad as possible. GTFO with saying to use it dry just because it will rust.
I haven't used Rain-X for a good 25-30 years because all my prior efforts left my windshield badly streaked. After watching your video I decided to try it again only this time I first cleaned my windshield with a brillo pad (steel wool with soap). My windshield was thoroughly wet as was my brillo pad as I lightly went over the surface to remove anything, bug guts, oil, everything. I thoroughly rinsed the windshield with water to remove the soap & then dried it using micro fiber rags.
I then applied the Rain-X & let the haze form.
Like you, I then went over the windshield with a clean, dripping wet micro fibre rag.
I then took clean micro fibre rags to dry the windshield using horizontal strokes figuring if there were any streaks they would be running from side to side, telling me the streaks were on the outside surface of the windshield.
After using clean, brand new micro fiber rags, I carefully inspected the windshield. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THERE WERE NO STREAKS, just a nice clean, clear windshield. I took your suggestion & also applied some Rain-X to the wiper blades.
In retrospect, I think my prior streaky problem was because I didn't thoroughly clean the windshield before applying Rain-X + I used a dry cloth to remove the haze.
The added step of using thoroughly dripping wet micro fiber rags instead of a DRY cloth was another big change in my procedure.
I believe using micro fibre rags was a huge factor in eliminating streaks to DRY the windshield, something I didn't have 25-30 years ago.
I'm so pleased, I'm going to be re applying Rain-X to my windshield from now on as part of my routine.
+Bill Cole Absolutely correct. The glass has to be extremely clean before applying Rain-X or else you will get haze mixed with dirt and streaks and so on. The video is how I've been doing my cars for over a decade and it works like a charm every time. The product is amazing IF applied right. Safe driving!
+Bill Cole, your experience (and time period) is like mine. I gave up on Rain-X after trying to do the right thing with it and starting with a spotless windshield (I thought). Buffed it after it hazed till clear. But what I got was a problem when I did actually need the wipers and the arcs were smears that made night driving in the rain disastrous.
Yes (AZ) I hope you did by now give Rain-X another chance!!
I've been a Rain-X'er since 1979. So firstly,I've tried all the other brands of similar that I could find over the years, and found that only the Rain-X could achieve a non-streaked finish.
What people might think as 'streak', is more likely a 'haze'.
I have found Rain-X can cause a haze, if I try applying when the glass is already damp.
I now clean the windscreen, by applying the Rain-X, letting it do all the work to clean even the worst case of dirty windscreen ( i.e. I don't ever wash the windscreen clean prior to applying Rain-X )
I apply Rain-X:
with a Kleenex face tissue, folded again & again, down to a 2 inch square pad.
Never again use a sock etc, as the acetic acid will destroy the sock's material.
Also, because once I have used a sock (or any cloth material) with Rain-X, I don't re-use, as it will only re-introduce old soil back onto the window from your previous wiping...
Apply Rain-X with circular motions, always overlapping the circles.
Never do it with straight wiping motion.
Once the entire window has been treated,
leave it to dry for about 15 mins.
Once dry, do not wipe with another 'damp' cloth to attempt the removal of the haze.
Instead, get your hose ready, with a 'mist' head setting.
Standing at the centre front of the car, direct the mist ( at fairly high pressure) towards the centre of the glass at first, and start fanning the mist towards all parts of the glass.
What this is doing is to assist creating a grain of flow over the window, replicating the approx airflow path of how subsequent rain hits the window whilst driving
So the main thin trying to say is that the only time the glass is actually wiped, is the initial application wiping of the Rain-X itself.
Streaking is a result of the latter wiping with the 'dampened'cloth, that is mentioned in the Instructions on the bottle.
The Rain-X Instructions themselves need to be re-written.
When (late 70's) Unelko (trademark) first revealed this product to the aerospace marketplace, the Instructions were much more comprehensive, than what they are now...
Oh yeah! never apply Rain-x directly to a wiper blade rubber, as, again, the acetic acid will cause premature deterioration.
On the same note, after you have applied Rain-x, do not lower the blads to the glass until the final spray 'misting' of the glass with the water hose.
That brillo pad works wonders for removing bug guys from the hood too. You should do that next.
AZ Claimjumper . I have used Rain-x from the beginning (and sold a lot of people on it). The alcohol it is dispersed in does a good job of deep cleaning. Getting that stubborn haze off is the biggest problem though - sometimes I use dry, sometimes a damp cloth. Perhaps a damp micro-fabric is best. The coating does not last a long time and nothing is said about why it disappears - wind friction? UV light? Wipers? Ammonia-based window cleaners? Heat?
Just finished trying this on my SUV and it works GREAT!!!! Had a sticky film on the windshield after getting the vehicle out of the body shop since it had been in a minor fender bender. We had tried washing it off and a few other products but nothing we used seemed to work. But thank goodness I remembered seeing your video going around on FB so looked it up again on TH-cam n so happy my windshield is SUPER clean!! Thank you!!!
Probably the lazy body shop people did not cover the windshield very well and you were actually spraying off paint overspray. That's what I'm dealing with as well.
The steel wool is an interesting idea! Although you mentioned that it’s not necessary to wash the window before applying the steel wool, I would think washing the windshield thoroughly first is a good idea so as to make sure you aren’t grinding whatever tiny particles and grit are on the surface further into the glass.
It’s the same concept as when cleaning glasses, just on a larger scale.
Well made video, thanks!
The windshield must be free of moisture.
@@jerrycallender9927 Ah, in that case, I would wash it and then let it dry! Thanks for the reply!
I use Mr Clean dry erase pads slightly damp,….
@@prvtjy My wife had some leftover fine steel wool which I used on my 2006 vehicle and was very satisfied with the results. I used water while using the steel wool.
I actually discovered this trick by accident when trying to clean up an old toaster oven.
I was using super fine steel wool to remove a few stubborn stains and decided to try it on the glass as well since it was a cheap old appliance.
It worked so well for that application that I figured I'd give it a go on my windshield. Florida windshields tend to have a lot of hard water spots around the edge of the wiper tracks. I was pleasantly surprised by the results.
Now I keep some steel wool handy for any stubborn, dirty glass in and around the house.
Very well explained and to the point.
This is exactly how I do it and I can attest to the results.
I actually seldom use my wipers and in fact in heavy rain driving I see better without the wipers going.
It's especially useful when passing big rigs that throw off lots of spray.
I love RainX.
Worked in the OEM show car industry for a lot of years - we used the 4x steel wool method for our ride-and-drive cars with great results. We would actually use a rotary polisher for the mid stage and then a cheap cleaner wax to finish.. good vid my friend.
Thanks so much. Good to hear that kind of validation from someone in the business.
love the invisible glass myself I also use a product called glass wizard which is just a microfiber buffing cloth stretched over a wand that has a triangular shaped flexible plastic mounting plate on it - makes cleaning the inside of a windshield super easy and doesn't leave streaks when you use it with the invisible glass cleaner
New subscriber here and I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your easy to follow, step by step, instructions on the use of steel wool and the RainX product. A friend told me about the steel wool years ago and I never followed up on it; looking at your video here reminded me of our conversation, and I will now be doing this. Thanks, again!
Thanks Bro for posting a solution to a problem I didn't know I had.Now that I have removed it it was indeed a problem.
l did the first step only. I cleaned the windshield using just steel-wool.The glass is really clean now.
I don't know what to call that thing that I removed from the glass but from inside I looks like a soap film.Over the years I have tried scrubbing it with a hard brush and soapy water,diluted bleach and glass cleaner.None worked.
Just a bit of advice for anyone wanting to try it.
* steel wool can't scratch the glass.
*the steel wool produces a fine steel dust.Wear safety goggles and a dust mask.You don't want that dust getting in your lungs.
*windup your car windows before you start.
*If your place is windy stay up -wind.
*If you use a rag to wipe off the dust,get rid of it.Fine metal particles will get stuck in it.
Good luck and thanks.
This is almost exactly the method I've used on my cars for over a decade. Rain-X is amazing stuff IF the glass is clean and it's applied just as you showed: some on a rag first and then splash it on and rub it in good. THAT step has made a huge difference. And total agreement on Invisible Glass. It's that product or nothing. Great video!!!
+LS Invisible Glass ROCKS! :)
I've been using steel wool on glass for 20 years. I recommend spraying the windshield with glass cleaner first (any glass cleaner) and scrub it with the steel wool when wet... Then use paper towels to dry... News papers work in a pinch. You have to wipe it dry though. Any residue left will leave streaks. A wet/damp paper towel or paper will leave streaks always.
Could I combine it with pumice hand cleaner?
I watched your video a few weeks ago, wanting to believe this worked. I bought some #0000 steel wool today to give it a try. I'm shocked and amazed how well this worked. I did not use it on my car (yet), but on my sun porch windows. I have a home built in '79 with the original windows. As much as I wash them, they've lost their sparkle. Well that changed as of this afternoon. I started on the door glass, did both the inside and outside and it is so clean, it's hard to see there is glass in it.. The smokey coloring on the edges are gone as well. I plan on using RainX on the exterior of the windows. My son was like, don't do it ... but he's now a believer. Thank you for this great tip.
Steel wool is an abrasive, and it will create swirls in the glass over time, even if you don't see it immediately. Add to that the stones that hit the windshield as a natural part of driving, and you will cause your windshield to deteriorate at a greater rate than necessary. It is MUCH better to use brass wool (available at boat supply stores), which is far less abrasive. It also doesn't leave tiny pieces of steel wool on the windshield, which rust and leave rust stains on the windshield that are difficult to remove. The brass wool doesn't leave anything behind that will rust. Additionally, if you have milky residue left by rain-x, use wet cheesecloth to remove them. It works better than a wet cloth. In wintertime, if you live in a cold climate, use regular wax on the windshield instead of rain-x, because it will make ice and snow much easier to remove. You will have to use the wax more often than rain-x, but it will provide the same benefits that rain-x does - like water beading up and rolling off the windshield, and it will lubricate the rubber blades on the wipers better than rain-x does.
WRONG!
I like that idea with the brass wool
It is better to wash and dry the windshield before rubbing with steel wool, as dust particles may consist of silica and alumina - minerals that are hard enough to scratch glass. Washing removes these particles, but rubbing with steel wool just pushes them around, like working with sandpaper.
It is for this reason that I don't use my windshield wipers with washer fluid to get rid of dust in dry weather. I've driven cars whose owners would do that regularly, and the result is microscopic scratches in arcs defined by the wiper blade motion that produce a diffraction effect at night or when driving toward the Sun in the morning or evening, making driving difficult and dangerous.
Milosz Ostrow 👎
'I drove commercial trucks for 20 years and I did use the steel wool always work plus " RAIN X",, excellent,, 👍👍👍👍👍
Same 0000 brand?
I worked in autobody for years and this is what we used to make car glass as clear as the day it was new. 0000 steel wool (4 ought). ONLY four zero steel wool. Not 3 or anything else. We also used an old style razor blade, the one sided kind, to scrape off tough to remove stuff, at a 30-60 degree angle off the glass. Obviously you don't use it as a cutting blade, but a scraping blade only. And yes clean the glass first with a hose or water to remove as much dirt and grit as possible.
As I said I tried this process, and mentioned it to one of my brothers, so did both his cars and loved it. I shared your video on my Facebook page so that my family scattered across canada so they can try it. It rained here last night and the water just beaded off our cars. Thank you so much for this informative video.
Love it! Fellow Canucks here, too. :)
You guys are the best!
Tackling the RV and my tow car today, all around window cleaning!
I ended up just doing the car yesterday and I tackled the whole RV today. Quite pleasant work with the right weather conditions.
Now I’m going to use the invisible glass on the inside, it already looks brighter, and I’m so excited to see how it handles the next storm and drive!
Never would’ve thought to do that without you guys🙏🏻💕🌻
🙏🏻💕🌻
Since we've been watching your videos I am amazed at the variety of topics you cover. Good stuff as usual.
Charlie and Martha
Thanks so much Charlie & Martha! There seems to be a never-ending supply of things happening on and around an RV, so we're happy to share. Wait til you see the video coming out this Friday about some little invaders on our rig and how we stopped them! ;-)
Wow thanks. I knew about steel wool for chrome but never even considered it for the glass. I also stoped using rain x because it was a pain to remove....a damp cloth it seems so obvious yet it never dawned on me. Lastly invisible glass is a staple in my home as well. Thanks for the info.
Steel wool destroys chrome. Use brass wool it's much softer...
Nice video.
Been doing this for years. Instead of RainX, I use regular car wax to finish, I find it beads water great and think it lasts longer than RainX.
Also, hit the wiper blades with a rag with some glass cleaner on them. You don't want dirty wiper blades smearing dirt on your nice clean and slick windshield.
This is a very very good DIY tutorial. Thank you very much sir. Heading to Walmart now, I'm going to buy those.
Amazing! I almost got in an argument with my partner over using this on my new (to me) Cadillac Deville & I refused to try it for fear of scratching. All of the windshields had water spots so bad it was nearly impossible to see through. Finally after nothing else I tried even touched it I gave it a try & Wow! You can see everything come right off as your scrubbing with no scratching at all~ Thank You! :)
Alex Sanford
I've induced some light scratches on glass using the 0000 steel wool dry. Using a thick lubricant will greatly reduce the risk and give the same results. Oddly enough regular cheap liquid chrome polish is the best we've found overall.. Glass cleaner or detail spray tends to be too thin, but most polish, wax, etc. will do the job fine. Your steel wool MAY rust, but it's cheap and worth the peace of mind. We toss them after finishing a car anyway, you want to minimize the steel "dust" as much as possible. But done safely with the correct grade steel wool and lubricant there is no easier way to remove deep etched water spots on glass. If you're still not willing to chance it, a product called Quick-Glo can get the job done without the steel wool, but it will take more time and labor. Nothing else has come close to working as well on deep etched spots as these two methods, and I've tried dozens of dedicated water spot removers and techniques. The ultimate takeaway here is to always clean them when they're fresh and don't let them etch in if you can at all help it. I'd also recommend using a dedicated glass ceramic coating if you can afford it and feel comfortable applying it, though Rain-X helps and is far better than nothing. A Magic Eraser with distilled water and vinegar is an easy and cheap method to remove what glass cleaner and/or clay won't. Always begin by testing with the least aggressive method and work up. Start with simple glass cleaner, then clay, etc. Windows are just not fun at all no matter how you do it.. 😠😤
Would this method do anything for glass that has a lot of scratches and dings?
@@thomasschwarting5108 Nope. At that point you’re at cerium oxide, or CeriGlass and a felt glass pad on a rotary and lots of patience. But it can be done.
Thank you for the info. I haven’t done the steel wool yet.
If you have ever worked in a auto body shop, that's how we got spray dust of the glass after painting. It won't scratch the glass because the steel wool is way softer than the glass.
Just a note for the side windows, I recommend the window visors (WeatherTech, Husky, whatever brand)! We had ‘em installed on our F-250 and it’s a surprising difference in how clean they stay!
Plus we can leave the windows cracked in the Texas heat without rain getting in!
I have used 0000 steel wool to clean the glass of my oven as well as the Corningware cookware that has baked on food.
And I drove through Houston on the highway in a pouring rain without having to use my windshield wipers because I had RainX on my windshield - 1971.
When I was a detailer at a dealership, the used car dept. would buy old rentals from Enterprise in Hawaii and they had etched in water spots from the salt water on the glass. We'd use Soft Scrub & a wet wool pad on a buffer at it's lowest speed. Worked like a charm. We usually used a pneumatic buffer, but if we had 2 guys going at the same time we'd use a regular electric high speed buffer. Amazingly, no one ever got electrocuted. It left the glass sparkling clear.
+timbemann Excellent! :)
So I live in Hawaii and have been trying to find a solution to etched in water spots on my suv. We bought it not realizing it must have been sitting in front of a sprinkler for a very long time. I don't have a buffer, would this work for me. When you say wool pad you mean a sheep's wool pad or a steel wool pad?!?! Sorry stupid questions but I am desperate for a solution that doesn't involve replacing the windows! Mahalo!!
It’s extra-fine steel wool, rated 0000, often used by fine furniture makers between coats of varnish. It can remove some pretty bad water spots. Try it on an inconspicuous spot first. There’s a link in the video description where you can buy it on Amazon.
Thanks for the tip about the steel wool, I'll have to give it a try. I've been using Bon Ami or Barkeepers Friend, essentially fiberglass glass cleaners that don't scratch the glass either, it can be applied dry, but you need a damp cloth to use it to clean the surface.
As a retired body man I can vouch for 0000 steel wool. I would add another secret, use windex with the steel wool and it won't rust the steel wool. You can also use this method on a glass cooktop stove also...works great. On a car I would be careful to clean off the small pieces of wool crumbs that break off during cleaning...if you leave them on they will rust and leave rust spots when water hits them.
Don't have an RV yet, but besides using the steelwool you recommend, which I'll probably try on a small spot first, Instead of Rain-x, I simply use my car polish on my windshield, then buff to a clear, and the windshield becomes as water-resistant as Rain-X does & (IMO) last much longer; just as the wax on the car does.
Less products, less cost... give it a try.
Yes ❤️ It works. I was worried about windshield haze after bodywork and I came across this video. Thank You!
Thank you! I had painted the chrome trim on my girlfriend's car and didn't prep it properly so it started chipping off. I used paint thinner to remove it and got streaks all down the glass. I tried everything with no luck. The 0000 steel wool took it right off 😁👍👍👍👍
Just a thought. I used to work in the antique and repro furniture industry, we always used 0000 steel wool for cleaning glass and polishing wood, never scratched any surface. Considering the price of this type of furniture you wouldn't want to ! I even use 0000 for cleaning the ceramic hob, gets even the most stubborn marks off.
Thanks for sharing that!
We really like Invisible Glass as well. I havent tried Rainx since it first came out.... Didnt care for it back then... Leaning with steel wool is a great method of getting everything off the glass.
My experience....many, many years ago I had a fleet of approximately 25 to 30 cars (year dependent) that did a daily interstate drive of 260 miles each day/night. Half the cars had Rain-X, the other half did not. The cars that had the Rain-X needed their windshields replaced every year or so due to micro-chipping. Those cars caused huge amounts of grief with the drivers who were driving west as the sun was going down. The windshields were nothing but millions of rainbow bright spots making it hard to see through due to the millions of micro chips in the glass. The cars without the Rain-X, driven on the same route, by the same drivers did not have this issue. Also, as the drivers returned to base after the trip, they had issues with the Rain-X again at night if it was raining. When going under a street light, the millions of micro-drops on the windshield would turn opaque white, which would make it very hard to see through. Depending on the aerodynamics of your car, the windshield may clear water at 30 mph, or it may clear at 50 mph. So if yours is the latter and you are driving down a residential street, you are getting blinded by the white haze quite often, as your window is not clearing rain by itself due to the reduced speeds. You might say to use your wipers then, but if you've ever used Rain-X, then you know that it causes your wipers to chatter back and forth across your windshield, as it's kind of jumping across the glass instead of sliding smoothly across the glass. If you use your wipers, you can see that the Rain-X wears them out quite quickly as you will find long, vertical, streaks of rubber being left on your windshield in various locations. Maybe they've changed the formula over the years to eliminate the damage it does to the glass, but me personally, I will not use that product, as it makes it dangerous to drive in the rain at slower speeds, under street lighting at night, and damages the glass long term. There are other products out there that do a similar job to what Rain-X advertises, that do not damage the glass, work at slower speeds, don't cause wiper chatter and rubber deposits on the glass, and don't white-out at night in the rain when under street lights. Some last even longer than Rain-X between coats. I'm not a shill for any company, so I will not name a particular product, but look for products that are for sealing or coating car paints, and see if they are recommended for use on glass, particularly windshields. Note, there are coatings out there that are listed as glass-safe, but should definitely not be used on windshields as they leave a long lasting visible distortion to your windshield, and/or an oily looking film...both can be removed by use of a good deal of elbow grease! Look for liquid ceramic, or silicon dioxide coatings. Again, my experience with Rain-X is from a long time ago, and maybe their product formula has changed...but I believe there are better products out there today, and they are not limited solely to use on your auto glass.
what
I tried this on my 2002 truck. It was resl hard and took a lot of rubbing. I used a razor blade scraper first, and it easily removed almost all of a grit that was on it . I then used the steel wool and it turned out really nice. Much easier.
I was a quality engineer in the glass cell at Mercedes Benz in Alabama, that's how we cleaned the glass on the SUVs, but we ALWAYS used windex with it, never dry, and we used steel wool CLOTH not the pads. The cloth doesn't break apart leaving steel wool particles everywhere.
does it remove scratches too?
Pretty good job man, I'll been doing this like tomorrow.
I've been using steel wool to clean my windows for years and years. Works great!
How often does this have to be done?
We usually do ours once or twice a year.
This is a very practical and effective informational session. Thank you for the helpful visuals + clear communication lesson. Pro instructor!
Excellent. I have been using 0000 steel wool for a long time on my windshields however I have never used it dry. I like your way better because the steel wool will obviously last longer. I wasn't sure it could be done dry safely, now I know,...thanks. During rain storms on the interstate I rarely have to use my wipers.
I've been using steel wool on windshields for a day. Works great!
I recently purchased a Ford Focus Hatchback and the owners manual specifies using 0000 steel wool to maintain the glass...Oh, Turtle Wax makes a GREAT cleaner called Dash & Glass...Spray it on the glass and wipe whatever fell onto the dash into the dash to clean it...Greats stuff; I love it!
ive been a big fan of RainX and I use to have professional applicator bottle (that usually comes why buying 55 gallon drums of oil). I have never had to use wipers much at all when living in Seattle
RainX eventually wears off and since it has coated the wipers with silicone, they need to be replaced since they do not work after that.
Every good invention has it's dark side.
Yah I know that if I use wipers at all with rainx that it becomes pretty much useless. Though with RainX I never had to use wipers at all tell the point that RainX started wearing out which is about the time I normally replaced wipers previously. So with that said I just keep up on re-applying the RainX on and never have to use the wipers.
I live in a very dusty, windy environment, so RainX wears out within 2 or 3 weeks... I can't afford to replace wipers each time, and RainX doesn't work well enough for deluges, snow, and hail, etc. enough to let me not use wipers at all.
But otherwise, I agree with your comments.
Yah with that I agree. Also talking about snow, the deicer used on some roads can cause rainx to turn milky colour. I've had wipers work years while using rainx though but cannot seem to find them
you use carbuna wax. there is a video out there where the guys said it will last longer than rain x
Glass wax was the best!!!! I used this on golf carts in the early 70s, had a case of it that lasted until the 80s. Wouldnt you know it worked well because it contained lead!!!! So like the shiny lead paint that worked so well..see ya!!! Something about death made them remove from the shelf.
PRIOR to steel wool for heavy bug action cover windshield with a wet beach towel. Reduces the wool labor time. But if I was stuck with the wife in the motor home 365 days per year i may just do the labor.
I can tell by your comment you also like to eat lead paint chips as a child.😂
I just did this method and it worked great, it is hard to tell that there is glass on the car. Also this is where I first heard of invisible glass cleaner. I am getting rid of the windex and will only keep invisible glass cleaner to use in the house as well. Thanks for a great and quick way to clean auto glass.
Great to hear! Thanks for sharing. We feel the same way about Invisible Glass. After we tried it, it was... ahem... clear... that Windex sux!
There's also a rain-x for inside glass, great for stopping windows fogging up. Great video, who would of thought steel wool and glass.
I’ve always used Bar Keepers Friend which also works great on stainless steel sinks and wheel simulators. Great video.
It leaves scratches. Use 00000 steel wool. And invisible glass
I am a detailer and use hand wax of any kind on my windows. It basically does the same thing as rain x, only it seemed to last much longer and it's cheaper in the long run.
Why would you ever wax you hands?
One way to speed up this process is to take about a third of the pack of steel wool and make an almost "mitt" out of it. Covers a heck of a lot more area and is still cheap. Beats one piece.
I use it on the inside also. Beats newspaper.
Thanks for the video! I will try this today because I already have the 0000 steel wool, the Rain-X, and the window cleaner you used.
I did this a week after I bought my first car 4 years ago. I have to go a little faster now for the rain to zip right off though. But thank you for posting this. This technique works great.
I removed hard water on my windows using #0000 steel wool and car polish. the hard water had been there for years and now its finally gone! It didn't really work at first, but when you add a little polish to the steel wool it comes out with some elbow grease
I had a detailer, at a dealership I worked at, show me this years ago. Been doing it ever since 1990.
Could I combine the steel wool with pumice hand cleaner?
@@Phuong_Nguyen_ , I don't think it would really be needed. I/we use a "spray type " foaming window cleaner. The brand I get is called Spray Away. GM dealers sell a similar product.
Spray on, apply just a bit of elbow grease, and your windshield will be clean and smooth as a baby's bottom.
@@tedharvick9010 does this method remove scratches?
@@Phuong_Nguyen_ , not that I've seen unfortunately. Although, I did see our detailer use a buffer and some polish on a windshield once. Never really took note on what he was trying to buff, nor what kind of polish( grit, etc). Best bet might be to find a detail shop and see if it's possible on your particular scratches.
Totally correct ive been using it for years to clean windows - you can also use those pads that have the sponge on one side and the steel wool effect green hybrid on the other side - its useful for more than just cleaning class, gets rid of rust and many other things.
The green side of the sponge will scratch glass, I've got a great old mirror that it was used on in several places, scratched it badly.
A timeless HOWTO video. Great voice, btw.
Thanks for posting this. I tried cleaners, vinegar and other things that people suggested but they didn't do a thing. I was a little scared about using steel wool on my windshield but it worked great. Looks like a new windshield. Thank you!
Good job! Clear and concise instructions and with no extra BS added. You should do this for a living ya know! I would not spray the inside of the window like you did though. Safer and less messier to just spray the rag instead.
I worked a a new car dealership for 30 years and we had to replace new car windshields that were cleaned with steel wool if you drive into the sun it will look like you have spider webs on glass I made them use brass wool not steel not only that but it will leave spots with waste of steel specks on white paint like rail dust use only brass wool
+Robert Ash Funny... we've been steel-wooling our windshield one or twice a year for nearly 15 years, and no spider webs. Guess we're not driving on sunny enough days.
ROBERT ASH
Nonsense. If 0000 steel wool is used on a properly pre-cleaned glass surface it will NOT scratch it unless there is debris in the steel wool or on the glass surface that could cause scratching.
This is the exact way I cleaned and detail my 73' Charger on my 16th birthday 17 yrs ago.
Thank you for the tip and it worked my glass looks great.. thanks again.
Great video bro!! Also invisible glass IS THE BEST!!!💯👍. I got my car windows tinted years ago and they sold me a bottle and ever since I have never looked back best stuff I’ve ever seen to clean any window!! It will not smear its the BEST HANDS DOWN!!
I am planning on watching all of your videos from the beginning until i am caught up to the ones i have watched. Nice job.
+dave cordisco Thanks Dave! Popcorn's on us! LOL
THERE'S AN ALIEN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT 4:54 WHILE APPLYING THE RAINX!!! RVgeeks is an Alien!!! :-)
+t hammer You've outed us!!! :-P
L
Js
@ t hammer Jesus, the hair on the back of neck stood up! That's creepy as hell.
Good catch!
t hammer yeah I see it lol ..Them eyes 😱
I was wondering how long it would take for someone to post this.I have been using the 4-0000 super fine steel wool for 25 years when I was transporting new trucks and frequently there would be some over spray of paint on the mirrors and the steelwool removes this also so easy.I traveled the US as full timers in our RV and most or all of the other campers were not aware of this either The question was asked does it have to be 4 -0000 (FOUR) Yes the 3-000 will scratch glass.Also the 4-0000 will scratch plasticized chrome.Has to be chrome on steel.Also works well for cleaning scum off tubs showers etc with out scratching surfaces.
Im trying this on my side chicks car first before doing it on my gfs car and then ny wife’s.
Yea good idea. Gotta be careful.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👌👌👌
LOL that’s fucking funnnny
it's a pretty rigid person not on purpose but I honestly have a really hard time relaxing unless I'm euphoriclly high which is like... very very very few and far between I do not ever laugh audibly nor do I actually feel Joy in my life on a regular basis. bioskop me the fuck off guard. I laughed audibly while drinking a 20 answer in my car parked in the driveway before I go inside to my empty house and no I do not drink and drive I specifically just sit in here and run the heater in my driveway because it's got to be cheaper than running a whole house heater? anyway fuck all of you and your judgment since I'm explaining myself too much... thank you for the laugh my random internet poster
Thanks for the laugh, made my day man!!
I can't say enough good things about Invisible Glass.......hands down...the absolute best product for windows. I have been using it for 10 years myself. I cringe when I am stuck with the traditional window cleaners. Great tips on using 0000 steel wool and the new rainX..was never a fan of rainX before, but I will try it again, after watching this. Great video...Thanks
That's what I do. I first learned about 0000 Steel Wool was when I complain about the grey primer overspray onto my windshield to a Body Shop Manager. He simply came out to my car with a 0000 Steel Wool Pad in his hand, and with it cleaned my windshield like new. A great hack for cleaning road film off your windshield, BUT NEVER use this technique on your vehicle mirrors ... they will get all scratched up.
I viewed this with great interest.
I use Scotch-Brite on Pyrex glassware all the time, so had no difficulty believing I could use it on my windshield to remove some sticky residue. Boy, was I wrong.
Having scratched a patch of the inside of my windshield, I am curious as to whether your 0000 steel wool technique might work to remove or at least reduce visibility of the scratches (typically worst when driving towards the sun). Stopping at the hardware store today.
did it work?
Beautiful video!! Almost makes me want to go out and buy a car just so I have a windshield to clean!!!
Bahahaha
From the comments above on steel wool and the question of scratching. Utilize 0000 BRONZE wool, instead of steel wool. No matter how fine, steel is harder than the surface of glass, especially tinted glass coatings. If you're cautious and use some soap/water the steel probably won't scratch, but you can be sure bronze will not scratch. It also will not rust so you don't have to discard it as quickly, and I don't think it burns as easily as steel wool. BTW fine steel wool is an excellent campfire starter, equivalent to old school flint & steel and tow-tender
Sorry, but as has been mentioned in these comments repeatedly, 0000 steel wool is non-hardened low carbon steel with a hardness of 4 Mohs. Glass is 6 to 7 Mohs, so steel wool cannot scratch glass.
Good nuff. Knock yourself out. Just trying to help the squeemish w/ a fool proof suggestion. BTW almost all consumer products come from China/Asia today which means all the research on hardness or softness you may be digging up from Western engineering specs/gospel is just a mere suggestion to the modern producers. They don't give a sh-t about the quality or specs-- they produce anything that can slide through and you'll buy at your local China-Made outlet (including auto glass). Vehicle glass is thinner and cheaper today than it was just 10 years back, and relies on external coatings to hold shape and color. These may cause your reader's problems as well as harder than expected s-wool (made from spinning scrap metal) as well as your viewers using Brillo pads not knowing what 0000 even is.
I doubt if I'd be able to research 100s of old comments to find such-- so I didn't see any such comment, just casually replying to a comment concern. Happy glass wiping. Hope you have some nice mountain views this summer. How do you RV guys afford the Gas???? I often wonder when I see those mega-buses pull into a service station. Looks like fun though.
S Tho Fiar enough about the China/Asia factor. Good point. Although we have never had a problem so far.
When the only home you own is an RV, it's still cheaper overall than all the costs associated with a regular house. Even with $4/gallon (at 7mpg) figured in! :)
Yes, I've used 0000 steel wool every now and again on a stubborn glass stain w/ no scratch but I'm not saying it couldn't happen. Things are just getting junkier in production with more plastics and fillers and scrap metal in surprising applications.
My neighbor worked the GM assembly line. He remembers them suddenly using super thin secondary & soft steel (that had been reserved for hidden, non body parts) to make doors during the big US-steel strike. They warped and dented as they went bumped down the conveyor, so they reassigned him to a new nob of spraying the inside of the fresh door w/ tar before putting it on the line, to keep them from denting. When the strike was over, GM continued to use the crumby steel, but now advertised cars as being "soundproofed" in the doors to reduce road noise. Thus your car/truck suffers from door dings easily.
S Tho,
I haven't been able to find any Bronze Wool grade finer than 000. Is there a 0000 Bronze Wool? If so, where did you get it?
thanks for the excellent tip! i was contemplating a new windshield for my 21 year old rv. i tried everything including scraping with a razor blade which actually worked pretty well but the steel wool brought it back to a very acceptable level. not new but close to it.i also did the other rv windows and same result!
Glad it helped!
thanks for the vid! Did my BMW that's been outside for 15 years. Damn thing looks brand new now. I did have to use several razor blades first to get the heavy grime off, then steel wool.
Jim Simpson I know. I was juggling the camera, the rag and the hose all at once, but I've since bought a tripod. :)
BE CAREFUL TO THROUGHOULY **CLEAN*** your windshield before you do this. I cleaned the windshields of 2 cars based on this video. I used Super Fine Steel Wool Grade #0000 from Homax Products. Both windshields were scratched in the process.. The scratches are clearly visible in direct sunlight. They do not normally bother me, but if you happen to turn your car into an intense beam of sunlight at the right angle, the windshield lights up light a million white LEDS and it is difficult to see out of the windshield. I'm not criticizing anyone. Just FYI. I cleaned my windshields first, but I guess I did not clean them well enough. Apparently there was some dirt still on both windshields.
Note that you can scratch glass with #0000 wool if the quality control in the manufacturing process was not perfect, and a few stray strands of larger wool found their way into your bag.
Hans Zarkov I
I would say your windshield probably had previous damage that the cleaning revealed...cause I know 0000 steel wool doesn't scratch auto glass...used it for over 30 years on windows and chrome in a body shop environment.
@@markanthony3275 it's not even possible to scratch glass with steel at all it's too soft
Your videos are so informative. I love them
Been using 0000 Steel Wool for years (like since the 70's) in that every car I detailed the chrome and glass were done and also with a paint sealant on everything but the front windshield as it was done alone with the steel wool . . Even the exhaust and tailpipes on cars and trucks look like new and stay new looking and can now just be washed clean with regular soap. . . . Paint Sealants are great as well as Rain X is for glass as I do my personal cars with it. . . . .Been using the invisible Glass window cleaner since 2004 and Stoner makes a great tire dressing which make the tires look natural. . . Great products,
this past weekend I used this technique and it worked like a charm! The only thing I wish I had done first was to clean the glass w/ windex first before the steel wool. I noticed that when I was putting the RainX on, that the cloth picked up a lot of dirt, too. I was so pleased w/ the results on the windshield that I did all the windows of my wagon. I'll be doing my partner's car too; he was really impressed.
been doing this for 30+ years....works great.
well i admit i havent done it in quite a few years, so maybe things have changed.
but i have done it ALOT and never once had a scratch.
When I get a chance I implore strangers to clean their windshield. I find it amazing that so many are driving with very dirty ones. Clean it before your trip and during the trip. People who don't clean are psychologically impaired. Clean windshield makes for clean mind.
Jerry
I was driving home one night (I hate driving at night and try to avoid it whenever possible. People drive like maniacs at night where I live. And I get the feeling they drive this way because they're stoned on either drugs, booze, or both) when I noticed that the headlights from oncoming traffic were causing a glare on the windshield making it very difficult for me to see the road signs and the road markings. It was horrible driving that night--I could easily have gotten into an accident. Luckily, I made it home ok. The following day I looked at the windshield and found that the outer windshield was clean. The inner windshield, however, was dirty with streaks of a thin, whitish film. I took some Clorox Hand Wipes and started scrubbing the inside of the windshield. I looked at the wipes as I scrubbed and noticed thick, black, soot-like material deposited itself on the wipes. I scrubbed all this soot-like material out of the inner windshield. And the next time I had to drive at night, the glare was gone. And it was a lot easier seeing the road signs and road markings.
Jerry hey, I represent that. How did you spot me through my dirty windshield? Was it my tinfoil hat, my Groucho Marx glasses and mustache or my Clarabelle the clown outfit? I thought I finally could travel in-corg-neato but those Hollywood scouts keep finding me wherever I go.
Signed, Pee Wee Herman
+
georg cantor
YIKES! You might want to have your vehicle checked over for possible exhaust leaks or even heater hose leaks as that kind of buildup is unusual. Or you may want to cut back on smoking coal doobies inside your unit!
Don't ever use steel wool on your windshield! Use bronze wool. If there is any bright work or molding around the windshield or rear window of a vehicle like most older cars and trucks and newer luxury cars and SUVs oh, this is a very bad idea. What happens is, as your cleaning the glass tiny fragments of the steel wool wear off or break off and migrate down in behind the bright work where it rusts. It also migrates down into areas of the firewall and lower areas of the front quarter panels . I hope you remember This is also true if you have any sort of intake in front of the windshield. Many cars, trucks, SUVs have fresh air intakes for the heater and air conditioning unit.
Bronze wool doesn't oxidize or rust. This is why it's used in the marine environment. It's nice and gentle on the glass as it's softer than steel wool. Do not use stainless steel thinking that that will settle your rust problem.. Stainless steel, even if very fine, will still scratch glass if not used with the absolute upmost in care. Also, it may still rust depending on what type the stainless steel is. It would require , at minimum, type 304 or 316. Just some friendly advice from an old fart with decades in the metal industry, manufacturing and restoration.
I use sheep wool. Works great. Make shure it is off an organic sheep.
I use a razor blade in lieu of 0000 steel wool and it works.
I plan to clean my motorhome this weekend. I'll definitely be trying this. You guys are so awesome. Thank you.
Almost 10 years later I saw this video did this to my 07 scion tc I recently purchased the whole roof is glass from the windshield to the window in the back is glass and it had freckles did this procedure couldn't believe the results I even went to buy the rain x product
Wonderful and very instructive video. Thanks!
Add vinegar to the steel wool to remove stubborn hard water spots.
specopsbrat- Interesting. It actually works?
ADD THE VINEGAR TO THE OLIVE OIL TO MAKE THE DELICIOUS SALAD DRESSING
yes.
Would an s o s pad work on hard water stains??
learned this in the first year of autobody school...works on glass top stoves as well.
I work at a glass factory and this is good advice accept I would recommend a water/rubbing alcohol mixture instead of glass cleaner and blue shop paper towels to wipe it up also razor blades are good for stubborn spots but only if u hold it at the proper angle otherwise you'll scratch it
I usually do this twice a year while washing my vehicle. Once in spring, and once in fall. I use a spray foam gun to foam the entire vehicle. Then use the foam as a lubricant and apply steel wool in circular motion. But, watching this video, I might try it dry although steel wool isn’t that expensive. I noticed great results every time.
Thank you, this is exactly the video I was looking for. 👍
I would recommend using brass wool rather than steel wool as the small strands coming off of the steel wool will lay in crevices and rust. I have used the brass version for years. Brass wool costs more but well worth it.
What's the difference between brass wool and bronze wool? I see both being suggested. I'm getting they will be a little less thorough than steel given they are less abrasive.
been using steel wool to clean winscreen for many years. You need to do thid to put on rainex and I have used that for years as well. Use the woll on the inside as well
I'm so glad I found your video. I got bug marks I have not been able to get off from driving down the Florida turnpike. Thanks.👍
Glad it helped!
I love this video brought memories from my childhood in my dads car shop when they detailed cars one the workers just had a madeup wheel of steel. Wool for the polisher and go on with it never seen a scratch or nothing today’s is better by hand great tip!!!
That's awesome Enrique. My dad was a Mechanic, I am a detailer. I totally understand.