Spring cleaning is a concept we are all familiar with at home. When the spring sun shines through the windows, it reveals all the dust and dirt, but often also gives you an extra burst of energy to clean a little more thoroughly. If there’s any extra energy left over after spring-cleaning your home, it’s worth taking it to the car. After all, the spring sunshine can cause road hazards when the inside of a dirty windscreen reflects the low sun.
“Washing the inside of the windscreen is a car wash detail that is often missed. It is one of the easiest ways to improve your driving safety as a motorist,” says Mika Klemola, workshop manager at the Herttoniemi branch of the Finnish damage repair chain InCar.
Another reason why many people are reluctant to wash the inside of the windscreen is that it is so easy to leave streaks that annoy motorists. But with the right tools, a streak-free finish is easier to achieve and the benefits are tangible – and eye-pleasing!
“For example, there are many tunnels in the capital region, where there are even warnings about the glare of the sun when driving out. If the windscreen is dirty on the inside, it doesn’t help even if you’ve driven straight out of the car wash. You also have to remember to wash the interior, and spring is a good time to do that,” says Klemola.
Tips for washing
A dirty inner surface of the windscreen causes glare due to light refraction. The dirtier the surface, the more dazzling the effect.
“Before you start, it’s worth protecting the dashboard, for example with a towel. When choosing a detergent, it is best to use a detergent made for the purpose, to make the drying phase easier,” Klemola advises.
After spraying the detergent, the surface should be rubbed cleaner. This should be done with a tool that does not leave lint or other excess on the surface of the glass.
“Microfibre is good here. There are also ready-made cleaning tools on the shelf. My own tip is to wash the glass surface twice at once: the first time to get the dirt off, the second to dry the surface neatly without streaks. I use a moistened microfibre cloth for the first round, so that the glass doesn’t dry too much the first time either. Only for the wiping cycle do I choose a clean, dry microfibre cloth. Chamois dryers are also good for this,” says Mika Klemola.
When washing the windscreen, it is also a good idea to check its condition.
“Spring is a particularly vulnerable time for windscreen damage. Remember, it’s always a good idea to repair cracks in your windscreen straight away. The first thing to do is to clean the crack. Then cover the crack with transparent tape. Then it’s time to go to a professional to repair the glass. A small crack can be costly if the damage starts to spread as the glass cracks further. In spring, heat fluctuations are still high and the glass can easily crack further as it warms up,” Klemola reminds.
Motorist’s spring checklist
Go through these points and head into summer with a clean and well-maintained car:
- Cleaning the glass inside
- Car wash: sand & road salt off
- Wiper blades: get them right before the summer rains!
- Vacuum the inside of the car and wipe the surfaces
- Change summer tyres, balancing
- Check the oil & wiper fluids.