Best exterior window cleaner?

[Capt. Rodbone]

Good morning folks. We are about 20% into our Loop on our Grand Banks. One of our challenges is we haven’t settled in on the best window cleaning product. Getting them to clear and clean is a major chore do any of you have a suggestion on what we might try? Thanks in advance!

 

[backinblue]

Are you talking glass windows or vinyl? Different answers for each.

 

[Capt. Rodbone]

Glass cleaner?

We figured we might get this question. We aren’t for sure however they are tinted and I’m speaking about main salon windows only. The other windows in the heads and cabins are almost certainly original and are clear. These have a nice tint to them. The boat had a major refit in 2003, so we think these windows were replaced or at a minimum tinted somehow.

Is there a way I can know for certain what we have? The Mrs. says she doesn’t think they are glass or vinyl.

 

[ranger58sb]

I'd guess tinting would be on the inside... so if so, exterior cleaning wouldn't affect that.

We usually just use vinegar and water, outside on our glass.... sprayed from an old Windex spray bottle, wiped off with a car window squeegee.

-Chris

 

[backinblue]

By "vinyl" I meant flexible Isinglass. I suppose you could have hard plastic windows somewhere. Glass should be obviously glass just from the feel or tap it with a screwdriver or something. For glass, I use Rain-X. It's a great cleaner and also repels water and spray to some degree for a while. For Isinglass, I like to use 303 clear vinyl cleaner. There are other types of cleaners/waxes for Isinglass, but this is the easiest to use and works well and offers some protection. Would probably also work well if you have some hard plastic windows, portholes, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/303-30215-Cl...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[Tator]

The formula we have found that works best for us on windows with salt spray is 1 gal. warm water, 1/2c ammonia, 1/2c white vinegar and 2 TBS cornstarch. I apply this mix with a blue sponge using the textured side. I then use a good squeegee to remove. I have a small Turkish cotton towel to wipe the edges and any area the squeegee didn't hit. I sometimes follow with a blue microfiber cloth to further polish. Takes about a minute or less per window.

Tator

 

[Comodave]

For eisenglass I use Sumner 210. It is amazing in what it can do for older eisenglass. It sprays on and polishes off with a diaper. Very quick and easy to use. I get it on Amazon.

 

[backinblue]

For eisenglass I use Sumner 210. It is amazing in what it can do for older eisenglass. It sprays on and polishes off with a diaper. Very quick and easy to use. I get it on Amazon.

But I don't wear diapers (yet!).

 

[Comodave]

Maybe it is time to try something new???

 

[fgarriso]

CLR for GLASS

 

[Miz Trom]

We ran into the problem of glass windows that wouldn't get clean with the usual cleaners (we tried everything from Windex to the concoction that Tator references) on an older boat.

The saltwater spray appeared to be etched into the glass.

Then we found "GlasWeld proClean - professional grade glass restorer."

https://glasweld.com/product/proclean-solution/

Great product and easy to use. Follow the directions and you'll be very happy.

Cheers,
Mrs. Trombley

 

[Dougcole]

The glass windows on our boat were badly water spotted when we bought it, and like Mrs. Trombley, I tried everything to get them clean with no luck. Eventually I met a professional detailer on the dock who told me to buff and wax them. It worked great.

The first time I used a wool pad on my high speed buffer with LIGHT compound. Now i use 3M perfect it polish with wax and a microfiber pad on my random orbital. I do the windows once or twice a year. It works great and really makes them shine. Also helps prevent new stains.

I use vinegar and water or baby shampoo in distilled water to clean in between. But those won’t take off hard or salt water spots that have been there for a while.

This method also works great on shower doors by the way.

 

[SteveK]

I suspect the inside has a tint film added. Then it was cleaned with a product not compatible which damaged it to appear dirty.