The last thing you want is to drive around with smudges, haze, streaks, or even dead bugs on your windshield. While cleaning this glass surface may not be the most fun part of washing your car, the payoff is big. Developing good habits and using the right car windshield cleaner will help you see better on the road and reduce the chance of accidents.
Good Habits for a Well-Maintained Windshield
Use a Bug Deflector
Besides interfering with your visibility while driving, the blood and grime that bugs leave behind when they splatter on your windshield can also be extremely difficult to remove. To save yourself the trouble, try installing a bug deflector.
This thin plastic strip functions as a barrier that keeps bugs off your vehicle. When installed at the front of the hood, it creates a blanket of air that sweeps annoying insects up and over your car instead of straight onto your windshield like normal. Although various types of bug deflectors come with different installation methods, all of them are relatively handy and easy to install.
Cover Your Vehicle When Parked
Nobody wants to see frost on their windshield on a cold winter morning. There’s nothing more infuriating than having to scrape ice off the glass. Over time, all that scraping will cause considerable damage to your windshield.
One of the most practical ways to keep frost off the glass in the winter is to use a windshield cover. You can easily buy one from the nearest accessories store, or you can use a piece of cloth, a tarp, or cardboard.
Keep Your Distance
Your chances of getting a windshield chip are higher if you regularly drive on highways. At some point, a car or a large truck in front of you will kick up stones and other loose particles on the road that will end up dinging your windshield. If you want to avoid this problem, it’s best to keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you when you’re driving at high speeds.
Don’t Ignore Windshield Repair Issues
Despite taking preventative measures, accidents that cause your windshield to get a chip can still happen. If you notice a chip on your windshield, be sure to have it repaired right away. Waiting for the chip to spread will eventually require you to replace the glass.
Keep Your Wipers Clean
Your wipers work hard to clear your windshield of bug splat, rain, and snow. Since they get a good workout through the seasons, you’ll want to keep them clean and well-maintained. Otherwise, their effectiveness will eventually wear out.
To keep the rubber from drying out, be sure to clean the blades. While you’re at it, check if they hug the glass properly. Be sure to replace your windshield wipers as soon as you’re able if you notice that they’re dried out, cracked, or worn.
Additionally, if you want to significantly prolong the life of your windshield wipers, it’s best to use Nano Magic’s Force Field™ Windshield Magic Wand. This formula coats your glass with a hydrophobic layer that protects your windshield while keeping your wipers in great shape.
Replace Old Windshield Wipers
Besides leaving streaks when cleaning off your windshield, worn wipers can also scratch the glass when the rubber wears down, and the metal arms that hold the rubber in place come in contact with the glass. You’ll want to take your car to the nearest auto shop for a windshield wiper replacement before you start hearing scratching or scraping noises.
It’s always a good idea to replace your windshield wipers if they’re beyond the point of just needing a good cleaning. Depending on use and the weather, experts recommend replacing them every six months to a year. If you want to go the DIY route, you can get windshield wipers from big-box retailers, pull off your old, worn-out wipers, and put on your new ones.
Clean Your Windshield Regularly
Although your windshield may look clean to you, bug guts, road dirt, and the elements can cause spots or a film to build up across the surface and take a toll on your visibility. Unless you clean the glass on a regular basis, you won’t be able to see clearly while driving in direct sunlight. It doesn’t matter if you get your car washed, waxed, or detailed professionally or by yourself. Don’t forget to clean your windshield as soon as the rest of the work is done.
Leaving the windshield for last allows you to prevent the glass from catching traces of unwanted particles and residue caused by cleaning the car. Since cleaning solutions tend to evaporate quickly under direct sunlight, it would be best if you do the work in a shaded area.
While cleaning, be sure to pay close attention to the edges of the windshield glass and its hard-to-reach areas. Head down to your local auto parts store to get a hand tool that’s specifically designed for glass cleaning. This tool can help you clean certain areas that you can’t get your hand and cleaning cloth into.
Stay Away from the Wrong Cleaning Materials
You’ve probably heard about the unusual windshield cleaning trick that involves the use of shaving cream. Keep in mind that shaving cream can wreak havoc on your car’s paint if you’re not careful.
You should also stay away from ammonia-based household glass cleaners that can emit toxic fumes that cause damage to the tint on your windshield glass. Moreover, these products can also ruin other materials, including rubber, plastic, leather, and vinyl.
Choose the Right Car Windshield Cleaner
If you want to keep your windshield in tiptop shape, you can’t go wrong with Nano Magic’s Auto Windshield & Glass Cleaning Kit. Besides being perfect for your windshield, our nanotechnology-powered formula is also safe to use on your windows, mirrors, and touchscreen displays. It starts working its magic the second it touches your glass, so all you have to do is to spray and wipe. Having clear and streak-free glass has never been easier!