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Hard Water Deposits on Glass


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Hello all. It's been a while since I've posted but I'm still here.

I just bought a car that has some serious hard water deposits on the window glass. It looks like the residue from hard or salt water droplets that have landed on the glass and dried in the hot sun. I'm trying to find something that will clean it off.

I've tried Lime Away (for shower stalls), razor blading, and automotive cleaner wax. They all help but they don't really do the job.

A neighbor suggested using very fine steel wool and lots of water or Windex. I tried this on a small piece of glass and it seemed to work although it takes a lot of rubbing. I want to be sure I'm not damaging the glass before I do any more of it.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

The car came from Hawaii if that has anything to do with it.

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Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes.

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BonAmi cleaning powder - NOT the cleanser but the cleaning powder that comes in the yellow & red can with a chicken on it. It can be hard to find - most of the time it will be the small hardware stores that carry it.

Years ago, GM used to sell it for cleaning debris off windshields.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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I found that spray-on wheel cleaner, like you would use when you wash your car, works well on windows and doesn't leave an oily residue. I used the ArmorAll stuff on mine yesterday and they cleaned right up. I'm not sure if it would take off the deposits on yours, but could be worth a shot. Steel wool doesn't sound like a good idea to use on glass. It seems to me it would leave scratches. I don't know, I've never tried it.

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Ditto with the Bon-Ami, you will be shocked at how clean your windows are, how good your wipers work and how the water SHEETS off the glass. The Key is to get the water to sheet off

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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I had heard about Bon Ami on this site a couple of years ago but was reluctant to use it because of the confusion of cleaner vs. cleanser.

The Bon Ami website, http://www.bonami.com/, lists four products: Powder Cleanser, Liquid All-Purpose Cleaner, Liquid Cleanser, and Dish Soap. None of them is a Powder Cleaner so I'm still not sure what I'm looking for. I appreciate the help. I don't want to get too anal about this but I don't want to ruin my windows either.

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Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes.

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Bom Ami has redesigned their packaging (again). It's the powder product you are looking for; POWDER CLEANSER.

When you find it in a store be sure to the read the entire label. There was a disclaimer about windshields on the older design package.

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Bom Ami has redesigned their packaging (again). It's the powder product you are looking for; POWDER CLEANSER.

When you find it in a store be sure to the read the entire label. There was a disclaimer about windshields on the older design package.

I don't know if I would use the powder cleanser on glass. The original Powder cleaner was fine but I am not sure of the new formula. It seems as if Bonami changed the ingredients as well.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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I found Bon Ami at the supermarket. It's a powder but it has a different package design from any shown on their web site. It's called Polishing Cleanser and the label says, "Do not use on windows or mirrors."

I'm wondering if a clay bar would work (I've never used one so don't shoot me if it's a ludicrous idea). I'm reasoning that glass is harder than paint. If a clay bar shears off dirt particles without damaging the paint, it should shear off the water deposits without scratching the glass. Would it be worth trying on a small spot to see if it works?

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Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes.

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I can't speak to the clay bar question. But if you are not happy with your clay bar results, you might try some other common household products like:

vinegar

lemon juice

toothpaste (I use this on my watch crystal; it will be labor intensive on a windshield!)

Share your findings....

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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This is what you are looking for it states for Windows, Mirrors...

http://www.agelong.com/Bon-Ami-Cleaning-Powder-p/04032.htm

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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What I've learned/discovered so far:

CLAY BAR - I poked around the internet last night and found several clay bar vendors that say their product can be used on glass and mirrors. One suggested you clean your windows with clay that is too dirty to use on paint. They went on to say when the clay is too dirty for glass, use it on your wheels. I tried it this morning. Interesting stuff. It definately cleans the glass, leaves it very smooth to the touch, and improves water sheeting. It seemed to make the water spots less noticeable but they are still there.

LEMON JUICE/VINEGAR - I tried both lemon juice and vinegar and neither helped. Both left a residue on the glass that was hard to get off.

BON AMI - Thank you, BBF, for the link to the real Bon Ami. I ordered a twelve-pack so I should have enough to last quite a while. When it comes, I'll try it and report back.

While doing my internet research, I came across this stuff: http://www.detailedimage.com/Glass-Science-M5/Glass-Scrub-P52/10-oz-S1/ If the Bon Ami doesn't work, I'll try it. Sounds like it's designed to do exactly what I need.

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Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes.

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Glad to help, I think you will be shocked at how good it works

The Clay Bar is a fine abrasive a very fine one, that is what the BonAmi is a very fine abrasive that won't scratch

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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My Bon Ami came today (12 12oz. cans). So far, I've tried it on one window. As Ranger said, "That is one tough water stain." I think the deposits are almost as hard as the glass. Fortunately, the hardness of the Bon Ami seems to be in between the two. It cuts the deposits without scratching the glass.

It is taking several applications, a lot of elbow grease, and attention to detail (especially around the edges and in the corners) to get it all off. The Bon Ami is working, however. I'm grateful, I was afraid the marks might be ecthed into the glass.

I've been sprinkling the powder on a wet cloth. I apply it to the window and work it into a thin paste. I go over and over the area in a circular motion till my arm is worn out. While the paste is still wet, I wipe off as much of it as possible with a paper towel. I then remove the remaining residue and buff the glass with a soft, dry cloth.

I'm working on the worst windows first. Hopefully, the others will go faster. The Bon Ami does leave the glass very smooth and shiney looking.

I have one question: The package says, "For glass, mirrors, etc." but on the back, it says, "Do not use on windshields." Any idea why it would be good for window glass but not windshield glass?

I am now the proud owner of 12 cans of Bon Ami. Two or three would probably be a lifetime supply for me. If anyone would like some, E-mail me at chris.darwin@roadrunner.com and we'll work out a deal.

Thanks for all the good information.

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Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes.

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That has to be something other than water stain. I have very hard well water and it is not softened to the outside spigots. When I wash my car in the sun, the windshield always dries and gets hard water spots on it before I can get around to drying it. All it takes to get rid of them is to wet it again and then wipe it.

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I have no idea what the stuff is, it looks like water droplet residue. As I said, the car was originally registered in Hawaii. It's a Factory Certified Pre-Owned car out of lease. That's all I know. I'm thinking maybe they have very hard water over there, or it's salt water spray, possibly that got on it in transit to California. The right side windows are the worst but there's a little of it on all of them. The glass looks much better after a couple of applications of Bon Ami but it's going to take a while to get it all off.

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Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes.

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Well I "finished" cleaning the windows. They look amazing! There is still a bit of residue here and there but I can keep after it as I wash the car. The glass looks like its out of a car ad photo, the way it reflects light.

I did find Bon Ami scratches the paint, however, so try to keep it on the glass.

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Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes.

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Glad to hear that it worked, wait till you see how good your wipers work, if you have not, clean the blades with a rag and windex or squirter fluid

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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