There’s nothing like driving around with a clean, clear windscreen; it’s just one of those things that gives a little lift to your driving experience!
It looks great, but keeping your car’s windscreen clean is essential, as dirt, stains, and smears could obstruct your vision whilst driving and distract your focus on the road ahead.
As our team of technicians at O'Brien® AutoGlass are experts on caring for your windscreens, we’ve compiled a tried-and-tested guide on achieving a spotless windscreen.
Exterior
What to use:
- Alcohol-based glass cleaner
- At least two pieces of clean, lint-free microfibre cloths or towels
- Rubber gloves & eye protection (optional but recommended)
Expert Tips:
* Avoid using ammonia-based glass cleaners if your windscreen is tinted, as it can cause discolouration.
* Use reusable microfibre cloths or towels for a streak-free finish. These cloths/towels are long-lasting, can be washed after use, and are better for the environment. Avoid using disposable cloths/towels to make your windscreen clean and as green as possible!
* If you see a chip in your windscreen, make sure to get the chip repaired before applying pressure to any of the damaged areas of the chip, as this could cause the damage to spread into a crack.
Steps to follow:
- Carefully lift both the wiper blades outwards and off the windscreen.
- Spray the glass cleaner evenly to thoroughly coat the first half of the windscreen.
- Wipe the windscreen with one of your clean microfibre cloths in straight vertical motions.
- Take another clean microfibre cloth and wipe the same part of the glass in straight horizontal motions, ensuring that the glass is completely dry.
- Moving to the second half of your windscreen, repeat steps 2-4 using either the clean sides of the same cloth or a fresh, new set.
- With the wiper blades still positioned off the windscreen, spray the glass cleaner on the wiper blades.
- With a towel, pinch both sides at the top of the wiper blades and wipe downwards; repeat until dry.
- Lastly, use a dry microfibre cloth to buff the entirety of the windscreen in small circular motions.
Expert Tips:
* Avoid having your hands or fingers touch the glass while wiping. Doing so can leave smears on the windscreen.
* Don’t leave the overspray on the trim and edges of the windscreen unwiped, as this will become visible when it dries.
* Make sure to remove any dirt and grime accumulated in the wiper blades; if left, this may scratch your windscreen when you use the wipers.
* Be sure to remove any leaves and twigs at the foot of the windscreen as well.
Interior
Now that the outside of your windscreen is sparkling clean, read on for more tips from our O'Brien® AutoGlass experts on cleaning the interior of your windscreen.
What to use:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Alcohol-based glass cleaner
- Three pieces of clean, lint-free microfibre cloths or towels
- Rubber gloves & eye protection (optional but recommended)
Steps to follow:
- With a clean cloth, wipe the interior of your windscreen using circular motions, starting at its bottom and moving upwards.
- Flip the cloth to the clean side and wipe the windscreen again, using up and down motions.
- Apply enough rubbing alcohol onto a fresh, clean cloth but not so much that it drips. Wipe the windscreen using circular motions. If you get alcohol on the dash, clean it off immediately with a paper towel to avoid staining.
- Spray the glass cleaner directly on another clean cloth. Wipe the first half of the windscreen using vertical, and then horizontal movements.
- Repeat step 4 on the other half of the windscreen using the same cloth.
Expert Tips:
* Don’t spray the rubbing alcohol and glass cleaner directly onto the windscreen to avoid overspray staining the dashboard.
Time to check the condition of your windscreen
Regularly cleaning your car’s windscreen is recommended as it allows you to monitor its condition and ensure there are no small chips that you may not have noticed since you last cleaned the glass.
If you do notice a small chip, it’s important to get it fixed before it turns into a crack. Read here to find out more about how O'Brien® can repair a chip in your windscreen.
Make cleaning easier next time, with O’Brien® Vis-Tech!
A treatment for your windscreen, like our new O’Brien® Vis-Tech, can make your cleaning job much easier!
Not only can O’Brien® Vis-Tech help to prevent dirt, insects and other debris from sticking to your windscreen, it makes driving in the rain safer, as it improves your visibility by repelling the rain. One application lasts for up to 12-months (or up to 20,000kms), and can be applied by our expert technicians at any of our Service Centres. For more information on O'Brien® Vis-Tech, click here.
With locations across Australia, the O'Brien® AutoGlass team are your local experts for all things windscreens, so contact us online or call 1800 059 829 to speak to one of our friendly team members. Our experienced technicians will assess and discuss your windscreen repair or replacement options, as well as help with a range of auto accessories that can improve your driving experience, and help you get back on the road quickly and safely.
