MGB & GT Forum
Barkeeper's Friend as windshield cleaner
Posted by mac townsend
|
|
Topic Creator (OP)
Feb 19, 2019 08:37 PM
Joined 20 years ago
24,294 Posts
|
(note USA Brand names used, have no idea of an equivalent in UK or Oz)
I have used this, and the "hasn't scratched yet" cleanser (Bon Ami) on ceramic stove tops as well as porcelain and other similar surfaces. Works very well.
Wondered if it would work on the buildup of crud on the MGB windscreen. First step, see if someone has made a you tube video<G>. Of course they have.
Second step...actually do it. Well, that's for tomorrow.<G> Although I cheated and actually did it months ago. And it helped clean the screen a lot when normal glass cleaning didn't help that much on a 47 year old windscreen.
Note: i did not pay any attention to the frame.
Certainly cheaper than using clay bar stuff on a messy windscreen, which I've seen suggested.
If your wife has a ceramic stove top, you might swipe some of the stuff she uses...and then show her the much cheaper Barkeeper's Friend (or the Bon Ami, which I think is about the same)
I think that after a full cleaning this followed by a Windex, or lite vinegar solution washing (vinegar does a great job on oily road grime, but too much and you'll smell it for a long time<G>
. I'd use Rain-Ex as the final treatment as it tends to then shed rain and dirt when later washed with plain water. (willing to accept disagreement here<G>
1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed
|
Feb 20, 2019 01:09 AM
Top Contributor
Joined 14 years ago
3,740 Posts
|
|
|
tvrgeek
Scott S
|
Feb 20, 2019 05:04 AM
Top Contributor
Joined 10 years ago
15,023 Posts
|
|
Feb 20, 2019 06:32 AM
Top Contributor
Joined 16 years ago
3,735 Posts
|
|
Usually too coarse of a particle in those. Glass is much softer as well. You could easily destroy your windshield....... There is Glass Wax made to do just that.... other glass polishes as well....
USMC 1967 - Always ... Semper Fi
79 RB Lowered, HS4s by Dave Braun & "Schlemmerized" 25D Dizzy, 9.5:1 CR, Mild Performance Cam, 18V with OD Tranny.
78 Midget MK IV Pagent Blue
73 GT in Black Tulip.. Engine by Hap Waldrop, OD Transmission by Dick Moritz Distributor is "Schlemmerized"
72 Midget MKIII Red
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-02-20 06:33 AM by warekl.
USMC 1967 - Always ... Semper Fi
79 RB Lowered, HS4s by Dave Braun & "Schlemmerized" 25D Dizzy, 9.5:1 CR, Mild Performance Cam, 18V with OD Tranny.
78 Midget MK IV Pagent Blue
73 GT in Black Tulip.. Engine by Hap Waldrop, OD Transmission by Dick Moritz Distributor is "Schlemmerized"
72 Midget MKIII Red
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-02-20 06:33 AM by warekl.
|
woodenu2
Paul Osborne
|
Feb 20, 2019 07:55 AM
Joined 19 years ago
262 Posts
|
|
mgblestyle
Philip Shave
|
Feb 20, 2019 08:38 AM
Top Contributor
Joined 9 years ago
776 Posts
|
|
|
Feb 20, 2019 10:39 AM
Joined 10 years ago
87 Posts
|
Wonder if this can be cure for foggy headlamp covers?
Horsepower is how hard you hit the tree
Torque is how far you push the tree
Oversteer is when you hit the tree with the back of your car
Understeer is hen you hit the tree with your front end.
Horsepower is how hard you hit the tree
Torque is how far you push the tree
Oversteer is when you hit the tree with the back of your car
Understeer is hen you hit the tree with your front end.
|
|
Feb 20, 2019 11:30 AM
Joined 22 years ago
2,045 Posts
|
It might be too coarse for the plastic of headlight covers, however I've heard
that toothpaste works.
I haven't tried it though... so not a recommendation.
Bill.
"Remember, for every mile of road, there are two miles of ditch."
Bill MacTavish
Clayton, Ontario
'70 BRG Roadster 'Monty'
that toothpaste works.
I haven't tried it though... so not a recommendation.
Bill.
"Remember, for every mile of road, there are two miles of ditch."
Bill MacTavish
Clayton, Ontario
'70 BRG Roadster 'Monty'
|
Feb 20, 2019 11:46 AM
Joined 10 years ago
33 Posts
|
|
|
Lake Forest Park, WA, USA
Sign in to contact
|
Feb 20, 2019 12:32 PM
Joined 19 years ago
848 Posts
|
Bar Keeper's Friend and Bon Ami both work great. Also, so does Comet and Ajax, and so does 0000 (Four ought) steel wool. DON'T use anything coarser than 0000 on glass, and use plenty of water. I have been doing this for decades. The trick is to remember that you are not sanding the glass - just cleaning it. Road film is tough to get off, but not impossible. The glass in a windshield is "toughened" (heat treated) and is very resilient. Vinegar and newspaper also work well for maintenance. Once per year (in spring to get the winter yuck off of the glass) for the intense cleaning then vinegar and newspaper for maintenance should be enough. If you have light scratching, folks such as Griot's garage make a dedicated glass polish that is designed to be used with a polishing pad on a random orbital buffer that will clear things right up.
Any product that is designed to be used on a glass cook-top or for removing soap film from shower doors etc will also work very well - assuming that you are not intending to do this every time you wash the car... Make sure that you take a cloth and some isopropyl alcohol to wipe the wiper blades too - dirty wiper blades will transfer the yuck right back onto the glass.
I learned these "tricks" back in the late '70s/early '80s working in dealerships to do the "new car get ready"/Pre Delivery Services to get shipping crud, crayon marks etc. off of the glass of the new cars. Makes 'em sparkle! I also make it a policy to buy the BEST wiper blades available (currently Bosch Icons) and replace the wiper blades twice per year - start of spring (Seattle rainy season) and beginning of fall (Seattle really rainy season), and haven't been disappointed yet.
Be advised that using newspaper on the inside of windows that have been tinted with film will not work (for long anyway...) - the newspaper is fine on glass, but too abrasive for the tinting films. For that, use "Sprayway" foaming glass cleaner and Costco blue paper shop towels. "Sprayway" can be had at NAPA, Tacoma Screw and other better industrial/fastener/proper damn parts stores (NOT O'Reilly's or Walmart!!), or, online.
As for plastic headlamp lenses, a super fine polish (such as Griot's #4 machine glaze or 3M glazing compound) and a random orbital buffer will make quick work of foggy lenses. Toothpaste and patience will also work well to clear them up (a random orbital buffer is just WAAAAY faster & easier). Afterwards, wax the lenses just as you would the painted portions of the bodywork. This will add some UV protection to help keep them clear.
I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna van that has giant plastic headlamp lenses that Toyota wants $1000 EACH for. The van lives outside in all weathers. I first did the #4 machine glaze when the van was 10 years old and the lights were starting to fog up and get dull, and did a minor touch up again last year, and they are crystal clear.
I have restored ancient glass that has sat outside in the weather for decades and/or been primered/painted over using either 0000 steel wool and dish soap or Comet and the "no scratch" dish sponges many times over the years with great results. The typical process is: 1) Wash with dish soap and a "no scratch" sponge to get the loose stuff off, 2) Razor blade off tougher paint/glue/sealers/silicone, 3) either Comet and a "no scratch" sponge, or dish soap and 0000, then dry. A final touch-up with "Sprayway" makes glass look like new. When you are drying the glass, make sure to use a fresh clean dish towel, best if the towel is older and has been washed a million times so it is nice and soft and absorbent.
Any product that is designed to be used on a glass cook-top or for removing soap film from shower doors etc will also work very well - assuming that you are not intending to do this every time you wash the car... Make sure that you take a cloth and some isopropyl alcohol to wipe the wiper blades too - dirty wiper blades will transfer the yuck right back onto the glass.
I learned these "tricks" back in the late '70s/early '80s working in dealerships to do the "new car get ready"/Pre Delivery Services to get shipping crud, crayon marks etc. off of the glass of the new cars. Makes 'em sparkle! I also make it a policy to buy the BEST wiper blades available (currently Bosch Icons) and replace the wiper blades twice per year - start of spring (Seattle rainy season) and beginning of fall (Seattle really rainy season), and haven't been disappointed yet.
Be advised that using newspaper on the inside of windows that have been tinted with film will not work (for long anyway...) - the newspaper is fine on glass, but too abrasive for the tinting films. For that, use "Sprayway" foaming glass cleaner and Costco blue paper shop towels. "Sprayway" can be had at NAPA, Tacoma Screw and other better industrial/fastener/proper damn parts stores (NOT O'Reilly's or Walmart!!), or, online.
As for plastic headlamp lenses, a super fine polish (such as Griot's #4 machine glaze or 3M glazing compound) and a random orbital buffer will make quick work of foggy lenses. Toothpaste and patience will also work well to clear them up (a random orbital buffer is just WAAAAY faster & easier). Afterwards, wax the lenses just as you would the painted portions of the bodywork. This will add some UV protection to help keep them clear.
I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna van that has giant plastic headlamp lenses that Toyota wants $1000 EACH for. The van lives outside in all weathers. I first did the #4 machine glaze when the van was 10 years old and the lights were starting to fog up and get dull, and did a minor touch up again last year, and they are crystal clear.
I have restored ancient glass that has sat outside in the weather for decades and/or been primered/painted over using either 0000 steel wool and dish soap or Comet and the "no scratch" dish sponges many times over the years with great results. The typical process is: 1) Wash with dish soap and a "no scratch" sponge to get the loose stuff off, 2) Razor blade off tougher paint/glue/sealers/silicone, 3) either Comet and a "no scratch" sponge, or dish soap and 0000, then dry. A final touch-up with "Sprayway" makes glass look like new. When you are drying the glass, make sure to use a fresh clean dish towel, best if the towel is older and has been washed a million times so it is nice and soft and absorbent.
|
ohlord
Rob C
A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA
Sign in to contact
1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI"
1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND" 1971 MG MGB 1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2" & more |
Feb 20, 2019 01:59 PM
Top Contributor
Joined 14 years ago
28,879 Posts
|
4 Aught steel wool the professions glass/glazers choice 
LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'
1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION
FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED
RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972
LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'
1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION
FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED
RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972
Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Read the Forum Help (FAQ) or click Contact Support at the bottom of the page.
















