water stains on windows

[Ted Osborne]

A product that I have had excellent results with is Spot-X. It comes in a powder and you mix a little water to make a paste like and put it on the window and scrub it around and use a towel to take off.

[B~C]

I like that Bar Keep stuff but I ran across the Spot- X and gave it a try. It worked to well, I can't tell if the durn windows are open or closed now, they're so clean. It says on the box not to use on painted sufaces but I had to try it on the Hondas. It did a fine job of cleaning of the deposits on the leg.
thanks for the tip

[Ozark Boater]

One other thing that works for cleaning water spots and paint over-spray from glass is 000 steel wool. Move the steel wool in a back and forth motion and not in circles. Make certain there isn't any other residue (i.e. sand, dirt, etc.) and don't use any thing more coarse than 000. It works well. If you are nervous about trying this, test a small spot first.

Another trick we used in the body shop for removing wiper streaks from the windshield was epoxy thinner. Put some on a cotton rag (an old T-shirt works well) and clean the glass surface as you would with a glass cleaner. When moistening the rag, do it away from the boat so that you don't drip any on the surface. Follow the first step by cleaning with a glass cleaner.

A few words of caution here. Don't drip or spray it on any other surfaces and stay away from painted window frames or rubber trim or it may remove paint. This stuff is very flammable, so don't smoke while trying this.

[Chubby Bunny]

Everybody, I've basically finished this project and wanted to comment on several methods:

(1) Windex, 409 Glass, et al. Useless.

(2) Vinegar and water. Useless.

(3) Scraper blade. This removed a nice layer of junk but did cause noticable scratches. Having had this work 100% of the time I've done it at home to remove paint, I would not recommmend it in a marine environment to remove calcium/salt.

(4) "A-Maz" from the local Ace Hardware. This product is supposed to be rubbed on, then sit on the windows for awhile. I found that this did remove a nice bit of the stains but hit a point of diminishing returns.

(5) Bar Keeper's Friend. I had tried one coat before the A-Maz and didn't see any change. HOWEVER, having the time this morning to apply four or five coats with only moderate elbow grease, this removed 99% of the stains.

Conclusion: Bar Keeper's Friend is the technique to pursue if you have the time & patience to work through multiple scrubbings. Sea Wolf Joe, I think you were the first to mention this, so thanks for the advice!!!

Regards,

[C-Val]

Hi All

Just working thru this issue now - windows are so filled with salt spots can hardly see in the sun!
I rubbed window with bar keepers friend as suggested but haven’t noticed any change as of yet (Arm is tired!)

Do you think it would be ok to put the cream on wool pad on my drill to do a more thorough rubbing off of salt spots? We are talking serious baked on salt. Looks like hasn’t been cleaned since the 80’s!

What are your thoughts?

Thanks

[gulfcoast john]

Bob Austin clued us in on the best tx: Amaze plus their poly sponges at any Ace Hardware, or Amazon. great on shower doors, too! Takes some elbow grease, but so does any alternative!
Then, Rain-x spray regularly.
Thanks again Bob for all your insights!
Best,
John

[thataway]

As John notes, we have found "Amaz" is a product one of our local glass companies put us onto. It is what they use for commercial cleaning of difficult stains.

I don't see any negative with the power buffer, but don't get it too hot...I have never tried the Amaz with a power buffer, but why not?

With Rainx (on glass only), the salt water will bead up and often you don't need the windshield wipers. It also makes other materials easier to get off.

[C-Val]

Thank you so much!

Will buy some Amaz tomorrow and give it a try!

[haliman]

Barkeepers Friend is a great product and can get in a spray or powder form. Great for removing rust also. And it's cheap.

[thataway]

Yes, Barkeeper's friend is a great product--its principle ingredient is Tri Sodium Phosphate, (which is even cheaper). It is mostly for removing rust and similar stains. Not all that good for getting salt water stains off glass.

[localboy]

[ssobol]

Wouldn't Salt-Away either straight or diluted a bit with water do the job too? If it's good enough for your engine, it'll probably do the windows.

[thataway]

Salt-Away, contains sulfamic acid, and some Tri Sodium Phosphate, perhaps some anti corrosion ingredient. It used to list the sulfamic acid in the MSDS, but now only mentions the TSP. Claims non toxic to humans, except for slight eye and skin irritation. Generally it is thought to be about as effective as white vinegar.

Amaz is even more secretive--except there is a small amount of several organic compounds. One can will last a long time!

I think keeping RainX on the windshield is a lot less work than getting salt off if it drys and bakes on....

[tsturm]