Window-washing for dummies

OT: but there's no mention of what type washer fluid y'all use. I'm a fan of Rain-X washer fluid. Puts a great coat of Rain-X on my windshields every time I wash.

 

After reading so many posts about dealing with Hazy windows in new Prius, I'm wondering if the enviromentally friendly bio-plastics being used aren't off gassing more than the old type of plastics and vinyl.

I'm also wondering if the problem wont improve with time.

The plastics in my 93 Honda have had over a decade and 1/2 to settle down, but I still find that my window stays cleaner longer in relationship to how clean I keep not only the inside window but the plastic dash underneath.

This isn't necessarily meant as advice that would work with a new Prius but I've always cleaned the inside of my windows using pure water and newsprint paper...wadded up newspaper. Believe it or not for me it keeps the inside window cleaner than anything else. Any product with additives just seems to streak or fog. Oh, occasionally an accident will happen that requires temporary use of a stronger product...but I've found that if I just maintain a clean dash, and a clean window using the simplest of products the window stays very, very clear. Infact I've had friends think their window was rolled down when it wasn't.

 

Reporting in on my weekend window washing. I got the window washing gizmo that Griot's sells along with thier window washing brew. After a good washing of the car, I did the exterior windows using the clear brew and the window cleaning towels that came with the brew. Not in love with those towels. They seem to move the liquid around and are slightly rough - used them then finshed with a microfiber towel that eliminated streaking.

The interior windshield. The passenger side was managable without the gizmo, but because of the steering wheel I couldn't reach in behind the display on the top of the dash. So on this side I used the gizmo and I have to say, it worked great. It allowed me to get into the deepest reaches of the front windshield and get it clean. So thumbs up on that.

Thumbs up too on the Griot's brew. I cleaned that inside windshield 3-4 times to be sure I got all the haze off. Later that day I was driving westward into the last afternoon sun and the windshield was clear and without streaks.

I did notice the ghost of some numbers on the exterior windshield - probably from the port. First time I've really noticed them so they don't bug me. I did use a bit of elbow grease on some rain spots I noticed - acid rain on my baby??? Say it ain't so!

 

Naa, its typical of all modern cars. It will definitely improve over time.