[dakini]

ok, it's bug season with a vengeance here!
millions of little flying critters are kamikazi'ing their way onto my windscreen and leave shooting star trails of bug guts.

anyone know of any good wipes or window cleaner I can keep in the boot for helping clean off the windscreen?

[a-z]

I use a good coat of "Rain X" with a good screen wash. I have heard that baby wipes are good at shifting stubborn bugs.

[mooneymini]

first bug hit my mini on friday afternoon.

im gonna hate it!

[dietcokeplease]

I use Rain X too. Makes it easier to wipe off the splat marks.

Holts have a product called Mixra/Bug Remover which is a foam that you spray on and leave for a few minutes. Then you squirt your wipers/washers and it works fairly well. It works better if you use one of those netted sponges.

Baby wipes are very good too. I use them all the time, but the wipes leave a hazy smear that impedes vision.

[TrufflePig]

use a foaming window cleaner and two cloths.

spray and wipe with one cloth.
and then wipe any residue off with the extra cloth (this cloth should be completely dry)

some detailers use a crumpled up newspaper instead of the second cloth and its work amazing. cleanest window i've ever had. you just have to use the newspaper per window as when it gets wet it'll leave marks so you need a few sheets.

[frylock]

Here's another vote for newspaper.

Also, if you go to the car wash to wash your MINI (I know most say you should handwash, but I don't), spray some of that liquid wax on your windows, too. It works just like RainX.

Armor-All makes window cleaning wipes that you can carry in the car.

I'm not sure how many of these goods and services are available in the 'British Antarctic Territory', though.

[TrufflePig]

newspaper kicks ass

cheers

[ricardo27]

I use newspaper with a product for clean glasses and a lots of persistance .Result = Like new!!!
Bst Regards

[dakini]

when i was at my local dollar store i found some individually packaged Rain-X wipes for $.10 each and stocked up. I think they'll probably help a lot when I need to clean the windows and am nowhere near a gas station.

thanks everyone!

[Electric Blue]

Use rain X to get a good coat on the glass. newspaper does work (and is a good way to recycle I suppose) BUT, Meguiars Glass Cleaner rocks!!!

[scouser]

Vinegar and water is the way to go, then dry off with newspaper. Most of your commercial glass cleaners have this combination.

You smell like a chip shop when you're finished but you have really clean glass on your pride and joy

[simeds]

if your next door neighbour keeps Racing Pigeons, move.......

[greencode]

I remember using Rain X years ago and although the beads of water ran off the screen nicely it left a film over the glass that you could see when using your wipers - very distracting on a dark and rainy night. I then tried everything to get Rain X off and nothing would remove that film.

I notice you all seem to love Rain X but is it really that good and do you still notice the film it leaves behind?

[ScaryLady]

I really love the Einszett stuff, from

Einszett Anti Insect + Pre-Cleaner

left it on about 2 mins and it rinsed off easily, taking the bugs with it. Brilliant product

[greencode]

And when you use it on your windows there's no misting up when your wipers are on?

[ScaryLady]

not that i've found. i wash thoroughly after use and meguiars glass cleaner as well, to finish.

[viperfire]

Autoglym fast glass got rid of some really stubborn bugs and tree sap. Leaves your windows with a streak free shine.

[hyperbluejames]

how about warm water and soap?? it's all you need, not any other products. vinegar for seriously splattered bugs at the most. then remember to dry with a cloth to avoid smears

[pappillon]

Get a spray bottle thingy, fill with a mixture of cornflour and water It's good stuff, and works really well on windows at home too (no smears)

[Ray Newby]

A tip I was given when I was in the RAF was to clean the windscreen with a pair of tights. They used them to clean the windshields on the planes of the Queens Flight and it is very good for getting dead insects off the windscreen. I often have to clean mine as my windscreen seems to attract most of the suicidal insects of East Anglia.