• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Safe way to remove hard water stains from windows?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 2000xp8
  • Start date Start date May 20, 2010

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,029
1,621
194
NJ
May 20, 2010
#1
  • May 20, 2010
  • #1
Ok, well my car sat for some time for my latest project.
Everything is done and good to go, but my drivers side was hit by sprinklers for quite a while.
So the D side window, mirror and a good portion of the windshield have serious watermarks on them.

During the day it's not too bad.
But at night i'd go as far as calling it a saftey issue, it's a blurry mess.

Rather not buy a new windshield right now.
So far i've tried newspaper and invisible glass to clean it.
Didn't help much.

Anyone try any of these window polishing kits?
I'd prefer not to make the glass worse.

No need to tell me i'm a jackass, i already know.
Never leave your car by a sprinkler head. Lesson learned the hard way.
 
Y

y0ukantride

New Member
Apr 15, 2010
36
0
0
Indianapolis
May 21, 2010
#2
  • May 21, 2010
  • #2
actually heard coca cola is great for cleaning exterior of windshield
 

fivespeedsteed

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 17, 2003
748
22
69
Richmond, VA
May 21, 2010
#3
  • May 21, 2010
  • #3
might be able to treat it like paint and wax it. other than that razor blade, window cleaner, soft steel wool, ect
 

Vinnietbird

Member
Jun 2, 2005
584
3
19
May 21, 2010
#4
  • May 21, 2010
  • #4
I've used CLR and I've also used vinegar.Both worked great for me.
 

1993SSP

Founding Member
Sep 5, 2001
1,194
0
37
Ky
May 21, 2010
#5
  • May 21, 2010
  • #5
SOS pads with soap work well, do not buy anything other than the original SOS pad. I tried some off brand once and ruined a quarter glass
 
M

MustangBill87

New Member
Jul 14, 2009
39
0
0
May 21, 2010
#6
  • May 21, 2010
  • #6
Use a buffer with a wool pad and fine cut meguiars. Tape off you window moldings w/ 1 1/2in masking tape to protect them also keeps them from collecting compound splatter.
 

Vinnietbird

Member
Jun 2, 2005
584
3
19
May 21, 2010
#7
  • May 21, 2010
  • #7
Oh, #0000 steel wool works great and won't scratch the glass.Also good for removing window tint residue.
 

Strippt88

New Member
Nov 24, 2006
81
0
0
Cedar Lake, Indiana
May 21, 2010
#8
  • May 21, 2010
  • #8
The Works shower cleaner eats the lime off the faucets and shower heads at the house really well, and it cleans it our drinking glasses too, like brand new. Not the white one, the purple one. It should do a job on your windows, just don't get it on anything else!
 
K

kickascii

Founding Member
Apr 8, 2000
241
0
16
Inwood,WV
May 21, 2010
#9
  • May 21, 2010
  • #9
This stuff right here works. I've used it on a few cars. Safe, and easy to use. Just follow the instructions:

DP High Performance Glass Restorer removes etched water spots from auto glass and restores perfect clarity. Apply with a polisher or applicator for
 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 28, 2004
3,356
208
114
Ohio
May 22, 2010
#10
  • May 22, 2010
  • #10
Bar Keepers Friend
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,029
1,621
194
NJ
May 28, 2010
#11
  • May 28, 2010
  • #11
Thanks for everyones input.
I tried vinegar and CLR they didn't work.

I've been too lazy to order anything online.

Parts stores have nothing to polish up glass.

So today i decided to try some headlight restore stuff.
I got a turtle wax headlight kit.
$8 at pepboys.

So far so good, seems to have worked really well. Night and day difference
I didn't use the polish, just the lubricant and their abrasive pads 1-4.
Did the winshield, d side window and quarter and half the back.
I'm almost out of lubricant, i guess it was meant to do headlights so they don't give you that much.
I guess it's just really wet sanding the glass.

The real story will be at night with the glare so i'll keep you guys posted.
 

fiveohwblow

Official Member
15 Year Member
Jul 21, 2005
2,169
145
155
May 28, 2010
#12
  • May 28, 2010
  • #12
As said above, steel wool with a rubbing compound will do what you need and will not damage the windows.
 
R

RatStang

New Member
Feb 11, 2010
544
0
0
May 28, 2010
#13
  • May 28, 2010
  • #13
The problem with "sanding" glass is that you end up with the star pattern from lights at night time. Headlight, street lights, any lights, and no matter how fine you get with the sand paper or how skilled you are at doing it, you still end up with that light flare.

I've done the CLR trick before and you have to keep the glass wet for 10 min or so, to give the CLR time to work. Didn't use to have to but that was before CLR was diluted to the innefective mess that it is today.

I might have to try that kit that kickascii linked the next time I have to do it.

Abrasives and auto glass though.... not my personal fav.

Good luck!
 

tims 86

Member
Apr 19, 2009
187
0
16
pittsburgh,pa
May 28, 2010
#14
  • May 28, 2010
  • #14
try to use some car wax. just dont do the windshield.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,029
1,621
194
NJ
May 28, 2010
#15
  • May 28, 2010
  • #15
Well, it's night time and seems the windshield is significantly better.
Just so you guys know, the "abrasive" pads in the headlight kit, aren't very abrasive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Progress Thread Nicholase "lights out" build-
  • nicholase
  • Aug 10, 2024
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 26 27 28
Replies
552
Views
40K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Monday at 12:34 PM
Noobz347
J
Progress Thread Family member 1989 GT- Backstory and updates
  • JRC99
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 26, 2025
JRC99
J
Took some pics, i do really own a mustang...
  • 2000xp8
  • Jun 20, 2023
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 6 7 8
Replies
148
Views
19K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 1, 2024
Mustang5L5
6
2010 Drivers Door Glass Hits Bottom Hard?
  • 6t9Mach1
  • Mar 3, 2020
  • 2010 - 2014 Specific Tech
Replies
3
Views
1K
2010 - 2014 Specific Tech Aug 13, 2020
velociamator
V
  • Locked
“Doing stuff the wrong way for the right reasons”: A related stupid story.
  • CarMichael Angelo
  • Apr 26, 2020
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
4K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 27, 2020
a91what
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?