Yext Auto Glass Article

01.15.09

Tips for Windshield Cleaning and Maintenance

Besides the obvious safety functions of keeping you and your passengers inside the car instead of on the pavement after an accident, windshields are important because they keep help maintain visibility when driving. If you didn’t have windshields, rain, snow, flying debris, birds, insects and many other objects may hamper your vision and impair your driving. Thanks to windshields, drivers have a layer of protection that keeps their visibility clear in almost any situation.

Here are some tips to keep your windshield clean and well maintained.

  1. Buy Good Windshield Wipers – the mechanical windshield wipers were patented by Mary Anderson in 1905. By 1916 they became a standard in American automobiles. Today, automatic windshield wipers keep windshields clean from debris, bird droppings, rain, snow and sleet. Windshield wipers can scratch and damage the surface of a windshield if they are used when no windshield wiper fluid or other liquid is applied to the surface of the windshield. For most cars, windshield wipers should be replaced at least once a year in order to ensure proper function. Good windshield wipers will keep your windshield clean and your visibility high.
  2. Buy a Bug Shield – although bug shields and wind deflectors may seem like an extraneous car accessory for only the most diehard of car enthusiasts, they actually add a significant layer of protection for drivers. Bug shields are designed to keep chips, pebbles and stones, and most importantly, bugs, from splattering against your windshield. If you’ve ever driven down a high freeway and experienced the misfortune of a bug splattering against your windshield, you’ll understand why splattered bugs can seriously impair your visibility. A bug shield is an inexpensive accessory that provides another layer of safety.
  3. Use Nail Polish Remover, Vinegar or WD-40 – for hard to remove debris and gunk, try nail polish remover, vinegar, and if all else fails, WD-40. Bird droppings, tree sap and other sticky substances may cling to your windshield reducing visibility. Make sure to clean your windshield off as soon as you notice that your view is obstructed. These household items will not damage your windshield.
  4. Keep Ice Out – this is an important point for people who live in colder climates where snow and ice are common. Snow and ice can be damaging for windshields, especially if they are not dealt with properly. Always remove ice and snow as soon as possible with a snow brush. If left untreated, the ice can harden further, making it difficult to remove. Don’t go crazy with your car’s defroster as an extreme swing in temperature from cold to hot can weaken the integrity of the windshield and may cause it to crack. The best way to avoid this is to keep your defroster on low while you idle the car and scrap the snow or ice off manually with a snow brush or scraper. Most importantly, be gentle with your windshield, since excess force can also damage the windshield.