Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning windows - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

mcrane · 03-28-2016, 05:52 PM

Figured I'd pass this along from my own experience...

In the past, I have used every type of window cleaning sollution on the market, my most recent being the Invisible Glass brand. They worked well at first, but I soon found that the glass would get hazy and leave an annoying glaze/film. This made it especially difficult with nighttime glare.

I figured I would grab a microfiber towel and give Isopropyl Alcohol a shot. A half-dollar sized amount applied directly to the cloth and spread evenly, not only took off the glaze left over from the Invisible Glass, but left a streak-free finish. The Alcohol evaporates quickly, so once wiped there is no remaining residue.

I cannot believe I was spending good money on fancy glass cleaners. Rubbing Alcohol is cheap and can be purchased anywhere. Never going back!

I have heard some guys diluting the solution with water, but it seems to work great even with no dilution. Let me know if you guys have had similar experiences or if you feel that the dilution is necessary for some reason.

go_a_way1 · 03-28-2016, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrane

Figured I'd pass this along from my own experience...

In the past, I have used every type of window cleaning sollution on the market, my most recent being the Invisible Glass brand. They worked well at first, but I soon found that the glass would get hazy and leave an annoying glaze/film. This made it especially difficult with nighttime glare.

I figured I would grab a microfiber towel and give Isopropyl Alcohol a shot. A half-dollar sized amount applied directly to the cloth and spread evenly, not only took off the glaze left over from the Invisible Glass, but left a streak-free finish. The Alcohol evaporates quickly, so once wiped there is no remaining residue.

I cannot believe I was spending good money on fancy glass cleaners. Rubbing Alcohol is cheap and can be purchased anywhere. Never going back!

I have heard some guys diluting the solution with water, but it seems to work great even with no dilution. Let me know if you guys have had similar experiences or if you feel that the dilution is necessary for some reason.

How do you think it will fair on tint?

mcrane · 03-28-2016, 05:57 PM

Well I have tint all around and it has not harmed it at all. Plus alot of cleaners contain high alcohol content anyway.

go_a_way1 · 03-28-2016, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrane

Well I have tint all around and it has not harmed it at all. Plus alot of cleaners contain high alcohol content anyway.

I might give it a shot. I didn't think it would hurt tint but I thought I would ask. I have no idea why I didn't think of this, Thanks for the tip!

mcrane · 03-28-2016, 06:01 PM

Unless we hear differently, I'm going to use it as my primary cleaner from now on haha.

- Cheers

go_a_way1 · 03-28-2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrane

Unless we hear differently, I'm going to use it as my primary cleaner from now on haha.

- Cheers

+1 to that lol!! Windows are always the hardest to get perfect this might make that much easier

stevesnj · 03-28-2016, 06:37 PM

do a 1:1 dilution first. Reduce the water if you need it stronger

Shady195 · 03-28-2016, 08:21 PM

Do you vape?

The VG in e liquid loves to coat glass and its a pain in the **** to get off.

Respect BRZ · 03-28-2016, 10:18 PM

Funny I thought everyone knew that. This is what's recommended from many manufactures of aircraft and aircraft windows, both glass and plastic, with or without water beading coating. 50/50 alcohol to water mix.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

humfrz · 03-29-2016, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrane

Figured I'd pass this along from my own experience...

.

Good tip, there, mcrane .......

Someday, someone, might even rediscover vinegar as a window cleaner.....

humfrz

Packofcrows · 03-29-2016, 12:36 AM

Get as close to 100% as you can. I buy mine from electronic stores. I mostly use if to clean cpu and gpu paste.

Ultramaroon · 03-29-2016, 12:46 AM

Use distilled water for the solution.

mcrane · 03-29-2016, 05:08 PM

Good input guys. But, why is the dilution needed? Thanks

justatroll · 03-29-2016, 05:17 PM

If you have ever had a diet soda explode inside a hot car you will never get the residue to stop re-depositing on the windows when it gets hot again. It gets in the upholstery and will come out again and again.

As for the Isopropyl alcohol (IPA or isopropanol): Most detailing liquids are 50% water 50% IPA. You can use it on your whole car.
I even use it on my Matte vinyl wrap.

03-28-2016, 05:52 PM	#1
mcrane Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: MA Posts: 78 Thanks: 21 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning windows Figured I'd pass this along from my own experience... In the past, I have used every type of window cleaning sollution on the market, my most recent being the Invisible Glass brand. They worked well at first, but I soon found that the glass would get hazy and leave an annoying glaze/film. This made it especially difficult with nighttime glare. I figured I would grab a microfiber towel and give Isopropyl Alcohol a shot. A half-dollar sized amount applied directly to the cloth and spread evenly, not only took off the glaze left over from the Invisible Glass, but left a streak-free finish. The Alcohol evaporates quickly, so once wiped there is no remaining residue. I cannot believe I was spending good money on fancy glass cleaners. Rubbing Alcohol is cheap and can be purchased anywhere. Never going back! I have heard some guys diluting the solution with water, but it seems to work great even with no dilution. Let me know if you guys have had similar experiences or if you feel that the dilution is necessary for some reason.

03-28-2016, 06:37 PM	#7
stevesnj Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2016 FR-S Oceanic Blue Location: Southern NJ Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 2,158 Thanked 1,601 Times in 923 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	do a 1:1 dilution first. Reduce the water if you need it stronger __________________ My 2016 Build thread TRD Exhaust with custom quad tips, TRD Lowering Springs,TRD Quick shifter,LED;DRL, Projectors, and turn signals. Re-badge, 86 Nanny, WinmaxW2 Pads, K&N Drop In, Antenna delete

03-29-2016, 12:36 AM	#11
Packofcrows hey you, yeah you <3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2014 37J FR-S Location: Monterey County, CA Posts: 2,713 Thanks: 905 Thanked 1,258 Times in 809 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Get as close to 100% as you can. I buy mine from electronic stores. I mostly use if to clean cpu and gpu paste. __________________ Got my TRD wheels and TRD louvers. Thanks!!!

03-29-2016, 12:46 AM	#12
Ultramaroon chicken tonight Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 31,942 Thanks: 52,290 Thanked 36,615 Times in 18,979 Posts Mentioned: 1109 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	Use distilled water for the solution. __________________ service manuals

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03-28-2016, 05:57 PM	#3
mcrane Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: MA Posts: 78 Thanks: 21 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Well I have tint all around and it has not harmed it at all. Plus alot of cleaners contain high alcohol content anyway.

03-28-2016, 06:01 PM	#5
mcrane Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: MA Posts: 78 Thanks: 21 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Unless we hear differently, I'm going to use it as my primary cleaner from now on haha. - Cheers

03-28-2016, 08:21 PM	#8
Shady195 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Drives: '13 10 Series FRS #1203 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 850 Thanks: 7 Thanked 386 Times in 221 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Do you vape? The VG in e liquid loves to coat glass and its a pain in the **** to get off.

03-29-2016, 05:08 PM	#13
mcrane Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: MA Posts: 78 Thanks: 21 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Good input guys. But, why is the dilution needed? Thanks

03-29-2016, 05:17 PM	#14
justatroll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Drives: Full race 4cyl boxer Location: CO, USA Posts: 587 Thanks: 310 Thanked 510 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	If you have ever had a diet soda explode inside a hot car you will never get the residue to stop re-depositing on the windows when it gets hot again. It gets in the upholstery and will come out again and again. As for the Isopropyl alcohol (IPA or isopropanol): Most detailing liquids are 50% water 50% IPA. You can use it on your whole car. I even use it on my Matte vinyl wrap.

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