Car glass components maintenance tips

Glass care is important because some of the most important parts in your car are made of glass and driving would be potentially dangerous if your windscreen, windows, mirrors and lights were damaged. Regular cleaning and polishing of glass surfaces not only keeps them clean but also prevents them from steaming up during cold, damp periods.

The first step in maintaining glass parts starts during the wash. A simple rinse with water or a pre-wash with foam can remove the dust and other contaminants which might have accumulated on the glass surface. Use a clay bar to remove stubborn contaminants like tree sap or dried bird droppings. Use a soft cloth with a glass cleaning fluid to clean the glass without smearing it. Not cleaning the car under direct sunlight can also reduce the instances of smears appearing on the glass.

Polishing the glass surfaces gives them a clean, reflective look. Using a glass polish with a microfiber cloth can give you the desired results. Use circular and linear strokes of the cloth and also fold the cloth once every while to reveal a clean patch so that the cloth does not leave stain marks behind.  Once the polish is dry, buffing it with a soft cloth removes all the dust.

The glass covers used in light units on a car can fade over time, turning dull and stopping light from the bulb to effectively travel outward. Use detailing sandpaper along with a suitable lubricant to get the glass smooth and perfectly transparent again, polish the glass using a suitable polish to bring back the shine in them.

TIP: In most of the cases, after cleaning the glass thoroughly with very light soap solution and enough clean water and drying off with a soft cloth another wipe with a newspaper can do wonders to the glass.

TIP 2: When driving in the rain, if wipers fail, cut a raw potato and wipe the windscreen with the exposed surface of the potato all over. This will prevent accumulation of water droplets on the glass and give you a clearer view of the road ahead.