Keep Your Windshield Clean for your Auto and Truck

Ever wonder how to scrub away the bugs and sludge that collect on your windshield? Here are some basic tips to wipe away the grime and keep your windshield clean:

1. Go heavy on the wax. Wax your vehicle until a rag or towel rolls off the hood like a drop of water. An extra coat of wax in bug-magnet areas such as the hood or bumper provides an added shield against future splats - it'll be easier to get rid of caked-on bugs if you pay extra attention to the after-wash waxing. Putting a layer of wax on your windshield also helps prevent sticky buildup in your line of sight. 2. Remove leaves and twigs to prevent staining - and stinky air. Get rid of leaves, twigs and other debris that gather on the windshield and grille. Scrub the radiator with a brush and water to remove any built-up leaves. Doing this will help prevent future air conditioning problems, and your car won't smell so weird the first time you turn on the A/C to cool down. 3. Change your windshield wipers. Changing wiper blades every year helps keep your windshield cleaner by not spreading bug guts and dirt every time you flip the switch.

4. Peel off poop promptly.
Remove bird poop as soon as possible after a bird has dive-bombed your car. Some bird droppings are highly acidic, which could eat through the paint if you allow them to sit and bake.

5. Buy a bug deflector.
Seems simple, but it can reduce the amount of bugs ornamenting your car. You just slide, clip, or stick it to the front of the hood and it shields your vehicle from ominous chips, scratches and stains while you're driving.

6. Use a cleaner/degreaser before washing your vehicle.
Find the product that fits your needs, whether it's designed for bugs, tar, bird droppings or tree sap. Pretreat your car with the removal solution to give it time to break down the gunk for easier removal when you wash your car. Generally, citrus-based cleaners aren't as harsh on paint as petroleum-based cleaners. Both types will remove wax so you'll need to rewax your car once it's clean and dry.

7. Try some home remedies - remember to take extra care with these!

• · Solvents, such as WD-40, lift tar stains and tree sap.
• · Lighter fluid easily gets rid of tree sap - just don't smoke while you're using it!
• · Nail polish remover, applied with a cotton ball, targets tree-sapped areas. (Remove it quickly - don't want to ruin your paint job!)
• · Spray orange-based solvent on the car and rub with children's molding clay to remove sticky items.
• · Baking soda and water gently cleans dirty areas without scratching.
• · Bacon grease helps loosen hardened bug bits and other glued-on goop.
• · Cooking oil cleans off caked-on intruders.
• · Seltzer water (NOT club soda or tonic) loosens stuck-on bugs. Just watch it fizzle and then wipe away. This method works better (and is more fun) when done soon after an insect attack.
• · Vinegar or soda poured on a windshield helps wipe away immobile offenders.