Caring for Your Car's Windshield

Posted by Ben Davidson about 2 years ago

As a vehicle owner, it is really important that you take good care of your car’s windshield because, if it is dirty or damaged in any way, it can cause problems for your visibility ad be expensive to repair.

With that in mind, here are some tips to help you take better care of your car’s windshield starting right now:

Cover it

When your car’s windshield is not in use, it can be a good idea to cover it. Doing so will minimize the chances of it being chipped and cracked by stones and pebbles that get thrown into the air when other vehicles pass, and it will also help to protect it from things like bird droppings which can be a disaster for your windshield too.

Make timely repairs

If your windshield is cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged, then you need to book in for an auto glass replacement or repair as soon as possible. Not only will this ensure that you have the full range of visibility you need to drive safely, but it will also minimize the chances of the chip or crack growing and becoming even more dangerous and expensive to repair.

Get rid of mist

If your windshield gets misty, it is important to demist it from time to time, You can do this by turning on your car's heater, first on cold to remove moisture from the cab, When the air feels dry, turn the heater up to hot and ensure that there is no moisture left in the car.

If you would prefer, then you can often achieve similar results by simply running the air conditioner for a while, and opening the windows when you are driving and the weather is find can help a lot with this too. So, it is really up to you, but just make sure you do not leave mist to form.

Wash it regularly

It should go without saying that you need to wash your windshield on a very regular basis, to ensure that you have good visibility and to stop it from getting too grimy.

The best way to wash your windshield is to start by using a soft cleaning cloth or brush (make sure they are made for use on car windshields) to gently rub the first from your windshield, after first moistening it with clean tepid water. This will enable you to get off all of that dried-on dirt and grime very effectively.

If you find that the dirt and grime are not shifting easily when doing this, then using a little hot water and car shampoo, or white vinegar should do the trick, but take it slow and remember to be very gentle if you want to avoid scratches.

Polish it regularly too

It is also important that, once your windshield is clean, you take the time to polish it too.

In order to polish your windshield, you will need to use a soft microfiber cloth and an alcohol-based glass cleaning product, preferably one that has been formulated for use on cars.

Start by carefully moving the windshield wipers aside so that you can polish the windshield without them getting in the way.

Next, you are going to want to cover the entirety of the windshield with your alcohol-based glass cleaner, making sure that you get right into all the corners.

Once that’s done, you should rub your windshield in a vertical motion, taking care to be as gentle as you possibly can while also ensuring that you give the glass a good shine.

Now, do the same, but move your microfiber cloth in a horizontal motion, ensuring that you cover every single inch of the windshield.

Spray some alcohol-based cleaner on your windshield wipers ns use your cloth to very carefully remove any mud or debris from them too.

Take a clean microfiber cloth and use gentle circular motions to buff the windshield until it is looking as good as new.

What about the interior?

Of course, you will need to clean the interior windshield from time to time too. In order to do that, you can start by simply rubbing a microfiber cloth in circular motions to loosen any stubborn dirt.

Do the same, but in vertical and then horizontal motions. This will likely remove most of the dust and dirt, but just to be on the safe side, you should now apply a little glass cleaner and give it an extra buff.

Your windshield is an important part of your car, so be sure to treat it right!