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Restoring your vehicle windshield and windows to like-new condition takes more than just a squirt of glass cleaner and a paper towel.
So says Richard Nevels, owner of Showroom Shine Auto Detailing.
”If you’ve ever wondered why your windshield and windows still look dirty after a quick wipe, it’s because summer grime clings stubbornly to the surface.”
“Summer grime” is Nevels’ way of referring to a variety of contaminants which reduce windshield visibility. For instance, off-gassing from interior plastic can create a hazy appearance. Other contaminants contributing to the windshield haze include dust, cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, soot, sunscreen grease and insect goo.
Nevels began detailing in his college years to earn extra income, but his eye for detail turned the side hustle into a career. His experience spans three decades and includes family minivans, luxury sedans and classic show cars all carrying his signature meticulous touch.
Nevels has the following recommendations for creating crystal-clean, streak-free vehicle windshields and windows both outside and inside:
1. Prep your vehicle
Work in the shade to prevent glass cleaners from evaporating quickly and leaving streaks behind.
Open your windows slightly for ventilation and to keep cleaner fumes from building up inside your vehicle.
Drape microfiber towels over your dashboard and door panels to catch overspray and prevent stains or moisture damage.
”A proper preparation prevents unnecessary rework and keeps your car’s paint protected during the cleaning process,” Nevels said.
2. Use the right products
To save time, Nevels suggests having the following accessories available:
- Ammonia free-glass cleaner (scrub clean and polish)
- 50/50 mix of distilled water and rubbing alcohol
- Bug/tar remover
- Clay bar with lubricant (optional)
- Glass polish with rayon pad
- Waffle-weave microfiber towels (different colors to avoid confusion)
- Detailing brushes and foam applicators (for edges and corners)
3. Rinse before wiping
Rinse the glass to wash away loose grit and dust that can scratch the surface when wiping.
”Think of it as sweeping before mopping—it’s the foundation for a perfect finish,” said Nevels.
Hose with a gentle spray. Avoid high-pressure blasts directly at window seals to prevent water from entering into the vehicle.
Use the spray to remove heavy debris so your towels can glide over the glass without dragging grit.
4. Remove bug goo
Summer bugs and sticky sap don't just leave a mess on the exterior of your vehicle windshield and windows. Insects also damage your glass if left to bake on the surface.
Apply a bug/tar remover on the glass. Caution: Make sure to read the label for application use. Leaving the solution on the surface for more than two or three minutes may cause streaks and spots.
Wash off gently with a soft sponge. Rinse thoroughly to avoid smears from leftover cleaner residue.
5. Rerinse the windows
Are you washing your entire vehicle?
Give the glass a second wash again to keep dirt from other panels re-contaminating it. Use a mild car soap that protects your wax and paint.
Clean the windshield wiper sweeper area where grime tends to build up. Rinse well to remove leftover suds.
Dry gently with a waffle-weave microfiber towel that won’t leave fibers on the glass.
6. Remove microcontaminants
Does your glass still feel rough after washing and drying? That’s leftover tar, sap or bug residue still sticking to the glass surface.
Use the clay bar with a generous amount of lubricant. Glide in straight lines to remove sunbaked grime, tiny sap spots and airborne metal particles—impurities that regular washing cannot remove.
Now does the glass feel smooth to the touch?
This means the clay has lifted all the stuck-on contaminants from the glass.
Nevels advises wiping each section dry with a clean towel to ”leave the surface perfectly prepped for polishing or spot treatment.”
7. Eliminate water spots
Summer sun and outdoor sprinklers often leave windshields and windows with hard-water spots and mineral rings.
”Water spots etch the surface and if neglected leave permanent marks or scratches,” Nevels said.
Use a gentle water spot remover with a microfiber applicator to work in small areas.
Follow the label instructions and protect the surrounding trim. Rinse right after treatment to clear away any leftover water spot remover.
8. Apply polish
Nevels explains that polishing glass isn’t just for a showroom shine—but also removes stubborn haze, light wiper marks and microscopic scratches invisible to the naked eye.
Applying the polish with a rayon pad because the pad gets rid of water spots and minor scratches without damaging glass, Nevels said.
“Once polished, the glass sparkles in a way that regular cleaning can’t match.”
9. Clean wiper blades
Dirty wipers can undo your hard work by smearing grime across clean glass. Spray an all-purpose cleaner on a towel and wipe the blades.
An important tip: Always spray the towel and not the glass to prevent the overspray dropping on the car’s paint.
Clean the panel beneath the windshield and wiper areas to remove stubborn grime. To avoid streaky glass, always keep your wiper blades clean and grit-free.
10. Buff exterior glass surfaces
Apply the glass cleaner on a towel and wipe your exterior glass in vertical strokes from top to bottom. Flip the towel frequently and apply enough cleaner to lift grime without drenching the glass.
”If you’re looking for spotless glass—don’t skip this step,” Nevels said.
Buff with a dry microfiber towel until the glass squeaks. Work with light pressure and quick motions to remove all leftover residue.
‘Heavy pressure smears residue across the glass, while light, fast strokes break it up and lift it away for a spotless finish.”
11: Clean inside surfaces
Wipe the inside glass with a damp microfiber towel. Use a gentle all-purpose cleaner to remove oily summer buildup.
Finish with a dry towel to prevent streaks from forming and to get rid of sunscreen residue and cigarette smoke.
Don’t forget to clean the base of your windshield, behind the rearview mirror and window tops.
”Rolling down the windows a few centimeters exposes grime that hides on the top edge. If you skip this step, the next time you roll the glass down you’ll get dirty lines across your clean window,” said Nevels.
”It’s a small detail that makes your work look professional,” Nevels said.
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