I'm a clean freak and I love to detail cars. My cabinet for cleaning supplies is 4x2x7 and is stuffed full. My pet peeve is streaking or hazy windows. I can have windows that look perfectly clean, then drive into the sun and see streaks or haze. I go insane. So last night at midnight I went out to the garage and emptied out my cabinet. By George, I was going to win this fight, and I did. I now have the perfect process for getting 100% perfectly clean windows. So clean, you won't know they're there. I recently bought a 1973 GTO with 7000 miles on it. It's a gorgeous car, but the elderly owner did not do a very good job keeping the windows clean. This was my guinea pig. Here's my formula for success. The brand names may or may not be important, but I used what I had on hand.

1) Clean the windows inside and out with Sprayway glass cleaner. I have used this for over 50 years for cleaning windows.
2) Wax the outside of the windows with Meguiar's Cleaner Wax.
3) Clean and buff the inside of the windows with Adam's Polishes Waterless Car Wash.

That's it. You'll have perfect windows.

 

my dad would use newspaper to clean windows, no lint

 

Not familiar with "Sprayway" products. It's not ammonia-based, is it?

 

Sprayway X2.

To the OP what did you use to wipe the glass dry?

 

I've found that car wax and car windows is not a good mix. They tend to yellow or cloud your vision over time with wax buildup. I just use Invisible Glass aerosol window cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

 

Streaks always drive me crazy, too. I now use a mixture of mostly rubbing alcohol with water, sprayed on and dried with paper towels. It works great on windows, mirrors, bathroom cleaning, and the fumes aren't anywhere near as harmful as ammonia. Saves money, too, since rubbing alcohol can be bought at the dollar store. Any strength will do.

 

I windex the **** out of the windows with blue shop papertowels. Sometimes needs a second pass. The trick is to get it dry between passes.

 

Careful. Ammonia is corrosive. Make sure you don't use too much and keep it from dripping into the channels or the cowl area.

 

I've been using Invisible Glass with microfiber towels from Griots.

 

x2 on Sprayaway

Momma had a spray bottle for cleaning in the house. I stole it and used it to clean my 96 Oldsmobile. It works much better than Windex, isopropyl alcohol or ammonia cleaners. I just use a clean microfiber towel to apply and buff it.

 

Cigar smoke does a nice job on the glass cuts the glare

 

Griots garage clear glass cleaner. I uses only towels that are for the windows. Bam

 

Maybe I’m old school cheap, but I’d try 50/50 white vinegar and newspapers. The unpleasant smell will pass. If you’ve got hazing that does not wipe off, hit it with 0000 steel wool, and repeat. Perhaps decades of nicotine are prolonging your progress.

 

*underrated comment

 

Nope. Perfectly safe for tinted windows. It comes in a blue and white aerosol can.

 

Mmmmm yes, another cigar smoker I guess. It does leave a film doesn't it?

FWIW my vote is for water/white vinegar mixture, I have some in the shop and really like the way it cuts most dirt and grease and it is CHEAP.