Ok, after 35 yrs. of trying to find something to clean windows, I give up. Since your advice so far has been great (yes, the Vinylex makes the door handles look wonderful), I thought I'd ask if you guys have any wonder goop that will easily clean windows (especially inside) without streaking? I admit it, I'm lazy and don't want to rub the things to death. Thanks.

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89 190E 2.6 Auto, 48k mi

Just use Windex (ammonia-free if you have tinted windows) or whatever's handy; it's all in your technique. Just spray the window down, and wipe it thoroughly with a paper towel. That done, grab a dry paper towel and go over it again. Should do the trick. If it's really humid where you are, you may have to go over it another time, but that should get the job done.

Best of luck, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

Trial & error always kind of leads you to what will work the best for you in your area. I use Eagle One 20/20 Cleaner for the exterior. I follow it up with RainX on the windshield. On the inside I use Windex and lots of paper towels.

Phil
300CE

There are glass cleaning towelettes that are easier to use than Windex and paper towels. I bought one at a car wash vending machine and it dissolved the film much faster and more thoroughly than any other glass cleaner I've used. One pack of towelettes was enough to do all my inside windows. Maybe check PartsShop for them.

Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 165K miles




[This message has been edited by Robert W. Roe (edited 08-21-1999).]

This is a big problem with Benz's.

The trick I use when I show my car is isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70%) with clean cotton baby diapers (not cotton towels in this case) It does a fantastic job! Of course my windows are already fairly clean. I'm not sure how it would work with really dirty windows or smoke stained inside windows.

Another trick that works well on inside glass is DRY paper towels (good brand name not generic that will leave a powder or fall apart) I've had some great results with good dry paper towels inside. It will take the film right off.

Another show car trick is a chamoi(sp?) sponge to "rub" out any marks on the window before the judge comes.

I think than RainX is fine for a daily driver, however if your car is a toy, garage queen or show car....stay away from the RainX! First off, your not going to be driving your car in the rain anyways and second, it will take almost forever to get the RainX off and it's harder to really clean the window with it on there.

Good luck!
Mike

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1986 300E 139k
MBCA Concours Judge
Board Member -
Western Reserve Section
1966 Mustang Coupe
Mustang Club of America
Mahoning Valley Mustangs

Thanks for all the responses, guys. I'll give it a shot.

Windows can be a real pain in the butt. Just when you think you have seen all the gunk the light changes and reveals 15mins more of work.

Windex sprayed on a paper towel works pretty well for interior windows that have heavy crud on them (like RainX interior anti-fog) After cleaning your interior windows well once, wiping with a clean/dry (top quality as Ytown said) paper towel seems to be the best way for interior windows. Exterior windows seem to do best with spraying the windex on, lots of paper towel agitation, and multiple buffings of a dry paper towel. Here in Atl lately it is so humid that the Windex sometimes does not want to evaporate... For deep cleaning of the windows try Bon Ami or a specialized windshield cleaner at any auto-specialty store.

One other item of note. When on a trip to the ocean recently hosing + windex + buffing did not remove all the salt spray on the windows but a spritz of the OEM washer fluid did quite easily. Perhaps the best window cleaner is closer than we might think. I'll admit I have not tried dipping or spraying the washer fluid on the window and agitating with a paper towel. But with the bugs and humidity here a test is just a walk to the garage away.

Will let you know how that goes...Lee

Incidentally, if you haven't tried it already newspaper makes a good paper towel substitute. It leaves no stray paper fibers, and doesn't streak as much as paper towels do. Surprisingly enough, it doesn't leave ink all over the glass, though it will get on your hands and fingers (wear disposable gloves). They don't behave like paper towels though - you'll have to change your wiping technique a bit.

anthony

I use windex and newspaper to clean the windows on my 300E. The newspaper cleans the windows very well and leaves them streak-free. As stated in a previous post the ink will come off on your hands but not on the windows. This method is excellant for cleaning the film that builds up in the inside of the windows.

Good luck

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Donwo
1987 300E (60,000 mi)

[This message has been edited by donwo (edited 09-03-1999).]

I found a spray cleaner called SprayWay, which I think works the best so far. P21s or Ps21 (I can never remember the numbers) makes a towlette that works well too.

John, where did you find this SprayWay? I'm willing to give it a try. Windex works only marginally well (too much streaking for my tastes.) Those P21S towelettes must be similar to what I got at that car wash. Well worth it. I want to expend minimal effort keeping my windows clean.

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 165,655 miles

People in my city usually save money and use old-yellowish newspapers. They do a good job. Spray your cleaning agent on the window... wipe with newspaper... then use another piece of dry newspaper to remove any static. Works for me all the time.

Hi Dave and everyone!

Let me tell you about a new product that I recently discovered.....Windex move over!

My method of cleaning glass has been using a glass cleaner with newspaper...nothing else, but it would never seem "perfectly clean" to me. So a few weeks ago, while at Advance Auto Parts, I purchased a glass cleaner to detail my 300E (lots of glass).

It's called "Invisible Glass" manufactured by Stoner, and can be located on the web at http://www.invisibleglass.com . I'm not a paid spokesperson, but let me tell you, it will do the trick without a doubt!! It doesn't streak or haze!

They also have a questions or comments line at (717) 786-0804, M-F, 8am to 5pm EST.

This stuff cleans so good that birds [IMG]3D_bird.gif[/IMG] are now flying into my windows! NOT!! Just kidding! But for real, if you don't like it, then you should stick with plain ole white vinegar and newspaper (family secret before Invisible Glass came out! )

Hope this helps someone!

[IMG]3D_bird.gif[/IMG]

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__________________
'87 300E | 2.6 engine
Artic White - Navy blue interior, chrome rims, very clean and sharp!
91 300E
89 300E


The rest of my collection are just cars and trucks...no more "automobiles"...

I use just about any window cleaner, but what really seems to make the difference is using a microfiber towel to take it off with. In a lot of circumstances, the microfiber towel alone does the trick. Those towels are awsome.

__________________
95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

I've used many glass cleaners as well including Sprayway, Stoners Inv. Glass, Cosco Brand and so far the best cleaner I've found is:

30% Isopropyl Alchohol (80% Concentration) / 70% Distilled Water Blended and used in a nice sprayer.

The other trick is a tightly woven cotton cloth which traps dirt and doesn't lint. Griots sells some nice cotton polishing cloths perfect for cleaning glass.

For shows I also purchased plastic handle which holds a cotton and microfiber bonnet to reach into the edges of the front/rear windows, works like a charm.

__________________
Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

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