VERY Thick Smokers Film on Windshield

[willowcat11]

I am detailing my Dad's car this weekend, and he is a heavy smoker. The inside of his windshield is obviously thickly coated with the smoke film.

What do you guys turn to, or suggest using to knock a large portion of this stuff off the window before you use your normal window cleaning product.

I remember try to tackle this issue in the past with my normal stoners glass cleaner, but the film was too much.

Thanks all and have a great week!


Ray

[Britsdaddy]

Steam would probably work best, although i've never used a steamer. I've done a couple of cars like that though using only a foaming glass cleaner and razor blades. It's a nasty, time consuming job. Good luck.

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

I once had a windshield with nicotine staining so thick I couldn't understand how the driver could see. I pre soaked with window cleaner and used the triangle head on my steamer covered in a MF towel to remove most of the heavy stuff. Those towels were done after that too.

If you don't have a steamer, then you'll just have to clean the windshield multiple times. I have never personally, but wonder if clay would remove a bunch.

[kesmit]

I've never dealt with that exact situation, but magic erasers typically work well.

[Ricorocks]

I remember back in the 70's a small office which had many smokers. I mixed ammonia & water & did the office with a sponge, it looked like afterwards, someone had repainted the office. The smoke so discolored the walls & windows.

Good Luck

[MikeC78]

Match in the gas tank. I like the magic eraser idea. Nothing easy about getting rid of that nasty film. Furthermor, I believe I'd reject cleaning a smokers car, unless I had a hefty down payment.

[GSKR]

I am detailing my Dad's car this weekend, and he is a heavy smoker. The inside of his windshield is obviously thickly coated with the smoke film.

What do you guys turn to, or suggest using to knock a large portion of this stuff off the window before you use your normal window cleaning product.

I remember try to tackle this issue in the past with my normal stoners glass cleaner, but the film was too much.

Thanks all and have a great week!


Rayeasy and simple,section one half of the windshield first,then saturate stoners on glass and clean with fine steelwool then wipe your edges first and pull it all together in the middle of you're section.Then repeat again without steel wool.same method on the other side of windshield .If you try to tackle the windshield all at once will be hard.as your cleaning with wool keep the glass wet don't let it dry on you the nicotene will smear as you do your final wipe,and use a micro towel with a short nap,and no paper towels.good luck and let's us know the results.

[GSKR]

I remember back in the 70's a small office which had many smokers. I mixed ammonia & water & did the office with a sponge, it looked like afterwards, someone had repainted the office. The smoke so discolored the walls & windows.

Good Luckammonia will stain the dash if your not careful.

[dow jones]

If the windows are not tinted I would try Isopropyl alcohol.

[Ricorocks]

Mr. Jones are u up or down today

[Mike Phillips]

Just to chime in...


Use a glass polish for removing water spots and road film on the outside of the glass on the inside glass.

Exception: DON'T USE GLASS POLISH ON WINDOW TINTING FILM


The same way a glass polish will remove water spots and road film it will cut through and remove Smoker's Film and Vinyl Fog. Then wipe the residue off with clean microfiber towels. Follow this with your favorite spray-on glass cleaner.


Rubbing a glass polish on an incline angled sheet of glass from the inside of a car means being a contorsionist. Here's a tool that would help...


Nanoskin hand backing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-autoscrub-hand-strap-applicator.html)



http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/559/Hand_Polishing_001.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/559/Hand_Polishing_002.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/559/Hand_Polishing_003.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/559/Hand_Polishing_004.jpg





Here's some tips for cleaning the inside glass...

Mike's Glass Cleaning Tips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/49998-mike-s-glass-cleaning-tips.html)

The Glass Master Pro Glass Cleaner (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/41312-glass-master-pro-glass-cleaner-janna.html)


:)

[dow jones]

Mr. Jones are u up or down today

Unfortunately down but there is always tomorrow. :xyxthumbs:


That area where the glass meets the dash, always a pain to get to.

[petflunky]

I soak the window with Windex and wipe with paper towels. I do this two or three times. Final wash is with Invisible Glass.

[hogie]

Tsp will knock nicotine smoke stains off the walls of a constantly smoked in house. I wouldn't be surprised if it cleaned up glass equally well. You wouldn't want to get it on the dash or interior though

[willowcat11]

Just to chime in...


Use a glass polish for removing water spots and road film on the outside of the glass on the inside glass.

Exception: DON'T USE GLASS POLISH ON WINDOW TINTING FILM


The same way a glass polish will remove water spots and road film it will cut through and remove Smoker's Film and Vinyl Fog. Then wipe the residue off with clean microfiber towels. Follow this with your favorite spray-on glass cleaner.


Rubbing a glass polish on an incline angled sheet of glass from the inside of a car means being a contorsionist. Here's a tool that would help...


Nanoskin hand backing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-autoscrub-hand-strap-applicator.html)



http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/559/Hand_Polishing_001.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/559/Hand_Polishing_002.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/559/Hand_Polishing_003.jpg

http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/559/Hand_Polishing_004.jpg





Here's some tips for cleaning the inside glass...

Mike's Glass Cleaning Tips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/49998-mike-s-glass-cleaning-tips.html)

The Glass Master Pro Glass Cleaner (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/41312-glass-master-pro-glass-cleaner-janna.html)


:)


Mike,

Thank you very much for that tip and technique. I love it, every night I come of this forum I learn something new.

Have a GREAT New Year, and take care!


Ray