I can't keep the windshield clean ffs

[Valpo Jeep]

If you want to keep the windshield clean then fold it down. Just don't smile while going down the road with the window folded flat.

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[AFD]

Feel ya. Just wasted time meticulously cleaning all the dead and smeared bugs off my windshield the other night only to drive into a swarm of tiny gnats and then a few minutes later a swarm of large bugs that kept exploding into spots the size of a half-dollar each.

And the last windshield cleaning prior, I added a coat of Rain-X, which really didn't do shit and swapped out my blue -20F washer fluid to a jug of Rain-X all-weather for ice and bugs - which also doesn't do shit except leave a milky smear of colored fluid everywhere.

Doesn't seem to matter if I spray the fluid asap or wait and worse yet, no matter how much or how little I spray, the fluid somehow wraps around and splashes onto my driver's-side window and gets stuck there leaving hard to clean spots. Never had that happen with any other vehicle before and that bugs me just as bad as the bugs.

Gonna try a new set of wipers next and maybe one of the taller stick-on spoilers at the front of the hood, but really doubt that either of those will help much either.


Related question. I just bought a tall can of Rain-X window cleaner spray for this very reason. Where in a 2-door (with a sub) can I safely stash something like that for daily use where it doesn't become a heavy projectile in the event of a collision or emergency braking??

 

[Heimkehr]

...swapped out my blue -20F washer fluid to a jug of Rain-X all-weather for ice and bugs - which also doesn't do shit except leave a milky smear of colored fluid everywhere...the fluid somehow wraps around and splashes onto my driver's-side window and gets stuck there leaving hard to clean spots.

Related question. I just bought a tall can of Rain-X window cleaner spray for this very reason. Where in a 2-door (with a sub) can I safely stash something like that for daily use where it doesn't become a heavy projectile in the event of a collision or emergency braking??

The dual-purpose (i.e., all-temps) formula isn't well regarded for the reasons you mention. That's why I linked to season-specific fluids on p. 1. The chemistry of each is focused on a single use case.

Can you lash the spray bottle to the roll bar? If not, do you have pockets or MOLLE webbing on the rear of the front seats?

 

[AFD]

The dual-purpose (i.e., all-temps) formula isn't well regarded for the reasons you mention. That's why I linked to season-specific fluids on p. 1. The chemistry of each is focused on a single use case.

Can you lash the spray bottle to the roll bar? If not, do you have pockets or MOLLE webbing on the rear of the front seats?

Yeah, I recall having the same crappy experience with all-weather Rain-X before, but not until after I ordered 3 jugs of the crap

It doesn't seem to clean bug guts much better than the regular blue deicer fluid, but seems to streak and make more of a mess elsewhere. It was literally the only bug-specific fluid available anywhere on my side of the state that was rated for -20F temps and with our crazy temp swings, I absolutely refuse to use anything that isn't sub-0F rated this close to winter (temps are already hitting 40F and the bugs around here are worst during August and September evenings).

I was thinking about maybe finding a narrow diameter fire extinguisher velcro mount for the back of the rollbar. I do have the MOLLE seat backs, but with the 2-door, that's probably more of a pain to get to than something at the rear. In hindsight, I probably should've just ordered the plastic bottle and stashed it under the seat.

 

[Heimkehr]

It doesn't seem to clean bug guts much better than the regular blue deicer fluid, but seems to streak and make more of a mess elsewhere. It was literally the only bug-specific fluid available anywhere on my side of the state that was rated for -20F temps and with our crazy temp swings, I absolutely refuse to use anything that isn't sub-0F rated this close to winter

I dig what you're saying (remember, we're de facto neighbors ). The green and orange formulas that I use look and smell distinctly different, likely due to proprietary ingredients that make them so mission-focused.

Our nighttime temps are indeed beginning to flirt with the high 40s. The days are still warm, though, and there are still enough bugs hitting the glass that I'm not quite ready to drain the Jeep's fluid reservoir and fill it up with orange. Soon, though. This is why I keep an empty bottle on hand, so that I can collect the unused fluid for next year. Don't get me started on what even a simple bottle of washer fluid costs these days... ?

 

[AFD]

I dig what you're saying (remember, we're de facto neighbors ). The green and orange formulas that I use look and smell distinctly different, likely due to proprietary ingredients that make them so mission-focused.

Our nighttime temps are indeed beginning to flirt with the high 40s. The days are still warm, though, and there are still enough bugs hitting the glass that I'm not quite ready to drain the Jeep's fluid reservoir and fill it up with orange. Soon, though. This is why I keep an empty bottle on hand, so that I can collect the unused fluid for next year. Don't get me started on what even a simple bottle of washer fluid costs these days... ?

Yeah, it took a bit of hunting to find some jugs of fluid that shipped for under $4 each. With the crazy prices of washer fluid these days, I'm not about to waste my gas and time driving around from store to store searching for a 99¢ jug that doesn't exist anymore. And the generic blue stuff is now $5 or more at the gas stations. The same shit I had locally shipped from a Walmart was selling for $15 with Amazon Prime!

Probably a dumb question, but how do you completely drain out your summer fluid before winter?

I'm kinda picturing you knowing how both blends taste from either using a siphon or maybe carefully holding a big funnel in an empty jug while your buddy pulls the wiper stalk and you try to catch it midstream ?

Maybe just disconnect one of the tubes and pull the wipers away from the windshield?

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Do yourselves a favor and get a quality squeegee scrubber and keep it at home. I use scalding hot water from the utility sink with 2-3 drops of Dawn on it. That will remove even the most baked on bugs with no need to visit the car wash.

Using a micro fiber with hot water and a few drops of Dawn will work just as well at removing bugs. Don’t use it on paint though, as the Dawn will strip wax from the finish. For your grille and hood, just use very hot water on a micro fiber.

 

[rohdawg]

Your thread title made me laugh out loud for real

 

[azjl#3]

Good idea! I use my random orbital buffer on my glass more than the paint.

This, with paint rubbing compound, glass is clean again, then rain x, then rainx washer fluid.

Now, how to keep painted parts of lower front grill bug free?

 

[AFD]

Besides trying different wiper blades, a deflector, different washer fluids, window cleaners and now a good scrubber/squeeggee (good idea @The Last Cowboy), I've also been planning on trying the 3D Bug Remover at some point, but still haven't thought of an easy way to work it into my routine when out and about (needs water to rinse it off).

Think somebody here recommended it and it seems to have good reviews. Iirc, it uses an enzyme that somehow dissolves the bug guts without scrubbing and without harming the paint or waxes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BFZRCQ/

Now, how to keep painted parts of lower front grill bug free?

The product I was just typing about might be the ticket. At least when you're near a hose.

 

[ErAcEr]

4.5 years of ownership for me and I've only filled the washer fluid once (technically it was the dealer when I went for the first round of clutch bs). I pay for an unlimited sub at the local wash factory, and they oblige to scrub my front probably because I have a cute doogo hanging out the window asking for a treat every time.

 

[Heimkehr]

Probably a dumb question, but how do you completely drain out your summer fluid before winter?

A length of vinyl tubing, ending in a bottle that is lower than the washer reservoir. A bit of suction to start and I'll recover most of the existing fluid.

Post edit to add photo.

A few other pointers:

-In lieu of a cotton or microfiber towel, use folded newspaper in conjunction with a decent glass cleaner on the windscreen for excellent results.
-To remove baked-on bug splatter or bird droppings, I'll cover it with a portion of a saturated paper towel. After 5 minutes or so, the mess will or should wipe off very easily.

 

[8ball]

This moving wall of a vehicle kills all the small insects in its way. I been driving it full of dirt til I picked up a family member from the airport, did detailed cleaning beforehand. This week I have been trying to keep the windshield spotless but It won't last one commute.

If you truly want to keep it spot less…lay it down and wear goggles ?

 

[tk1700]

As crazy as this sounds Lemon Pledge works great to remove baked on bugs on glass and plastic. Since its mostly water it doesn't harm anything. I started using it on motorcycles over 20 years ago. I'll use it on all the JL lights and grill. Spray it on and let is soak several minutes then wipe off with a microfiber cloth.

 

[Heimkehr]

Lemon Pledge works great to remove baked on bugs on glass and plastic.

+1. That's been the secret sauce for motorcycle riders who want an effective treatment for the plastic face shields on their helmets.

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