what do you guys use to clean your windshields?

[rbridges]

I know it's a pretty basic question. Up to now, I've been using soap and water, but my CFI mentioned some stuff that may work like Rain-x. What is something that's definitely safe to use and works well? Do you guys go through Spruce or something from a local dept store?

[jetdriven]

We use Clearview plastic cleaner. Its 8$ a can, and half the price as Plexus but just as good. Its available at Spruce and other places. Also, only cotton or microfiber cloths, and wipe in one direction only, no circles. When we wash the plane, nothing touches the glass but water from the hose. Let it dry, spots and all, then clean it with Clearview.

[kerry]

I use this stuff called risco. Its a buck per can from the dollar store. Its a plege type furniture dust cleaner but it has more of a plexus feel. I've used pledge in the past but it seems to leave a glossy film. I've been using risco for 2-3 years with no issues.

[OR75]

Plenty of water to remove the bugs, Plexus once in a while.

Cans of Plexus are a lot cheaper if you get them at auto motorcycle or tap plastic kind of store

[FloridaMan]

We use Clearview plastic cleaner. Its 8$ a can, and half the price as Plexus but just as good. Its available at Spruce and other places. Also, only cotton or microfiber cloths, and wipe in one direction only, no circles. When we wash the plane, nothing touches the glass but water from the hose. Let it dry, spots and all, then clean it with Clearview.

This. To the letter. I use Rain Wipes microfiber towels and won't let one touch my glass if I've used it anywhere else. The reason for no circles is you'll see them when the sun hits it. .

I also use Clear View on my leading edges and cowling to get the bugs off.

[gofast]

Pledge....non-lemon flavored.

[GTWreck]

Novus 1. It does a great job on Plexiglass. That and a microfiber cloth stay in the plane and are used prior to each flight.

[jetdriven]

Further on the towels, we have two bags, one clean and one dirty. We use the clean towel once, then put it in the dirty bag. All to eliminate the possibility of a dirty towel scratching the glass.

[rbridges]

Further on the towels, we have two bags, one clean and one dirty. We use the clean towel once, then put it in the dirty bag. All to eliminate the possibility of a dirty towel scratching the glass.

I use a microfiber towel that's dedicated for the windshield. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[KSMooniac]

Plexus + microfiber towel that stays in the hat rack area.

[rainman]

Plexus plus microfiber that stays in the plane...pretty common response ...pretty good results

[Txbyker]

Aero Cosmetics makes some good products. I use wash and wax all on paint and glass too.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/fb/cleaning_zaerocosmetics.html

[Hank]

I love Wash-Wax All, use it everywhere but the windows. Red [degreaser] for the belly, Blue [regular] for the rest; Plexus for the windows. I buy white, all-cotton handtowels in bulk for the metal, and white, all-cotton washcloths for the windows. So far, so good. Use 'em til they are nasty and throw them out. Also use the washcloths with Mother's polish to keep the spinner shiny.

[Txbyker]

A little off topic but Scrubbing Bubbles (bathroom extend-a-clean) is the best I have found on the belly. I use that then go back over with the red degreaser and blue wax.

[flyboy0681]

Prist along with a microfiber rag.

[Bennett]

For what its worth, I've been using pledge on my aircraft windshields for years. I only use fresh clean (washed) microfiber towels, and use at least four clean towels for a windshield. I spray the Pledge on fairly liberally, and immediately wipe off the residue so it won't dry on the plastic. Can't prove it, but after doing this for a while, it seems to seal up the plastic, and fill in the tiny scratches and microscopic pits that accumulate over time - a least I can't see any swirls, and bugs just wipe off without effort. The airplane is kept in a hangar, and this helps a great deal as the sun only gets to the plastic when I am flying. Also, at the end of every flight I clean the windshield as above. I also use Pledge on my boat's dodger plastic, with the same excellent results.

[lahso]

I use Wash Wax All or distilled water, with a microfiber towel.

[bd32322]

pledge and sontara wipes (at aircraft spruce, has no lint, leaves no scratces on glass)

wash and wax all product on the rest of the aircraft. Aircraft Simple Green for cleaning belly when required

[knute]

I used to use Plexus and DuPont Sontara wipes (love those wipes! no lint, no scratches). I switched to Pledge, but it's "gooey" enough compared to Plexus that a Sontara wipe isn't as effective as a micro-fiber cloth. I like Plexus, but for me Pledge does just as good a job at a fraction of the price when used with the right cloth.

Costco carries bundles of the yellow micro-fiber cloths, so I just keep a big bag of clean ones in the hangar and a hamper for the used ones, and then run them through a long cycle in the clothes washer at home and send them back to the hangar. A little Aircraft Simple Green added to the wash cycle along with laundry detergent gets any grease right out of the cloths and they look & feel like new again.

The micro fiber cloths are also great for a quick "after flight" bug clean up on the leading edges, and the best stuff I've tried is Ardex HydroGloss, recommended by ArtCraft, the shop who painted the plane a couple of years ago. Similar to WashWaxAll, but cuts bugs better, and leaves a gorgeous shine on the finish that the next bug really doesn't stick to. Might make the airplane faster; who knows?

[jnisley]

Plexus for windows, Wash-Wax All for everything else.

[stevesm20b]

I use Plexus on the windows and to remove bugs from cowling and leading edges of wings.

[garytex]

Another trick is to only wipe in a fore and aft direction on the window. No matter how careful we are, there are going to be scratches. Vertical ones don't seem to throw the sun in your eyes as much as horizontal ones.

Additionally, flushing dust off the window with water and a bare hand first works. The hand can feel when the water looses its lubricity and disengage.

[Gilt]

Pledge...if you look at the formula it's almost exactly the same as plexus at a fraction of the price!

[N9453V]

I use Prist: http://www.pristaerospace.com/cleaner/index.html

It's $6.50 a can on Aircraft Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/FBprist3.php

-Andrew

[aaronk25]

Driwash classic for me on everything non greasy. Lubricates and cleans for the windshield DMSO it doesn't scratch and leaves a protective uv glaze behind so next bugs slip off easy. Great for quick upper wing cleaning too!