BonAmi on the Windshield??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
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From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
BonAmi on the Windshield??
Ok, I have heard a number of times about using BonAmi on the windshield to remove surface haze/minor scratches. I have the mother of all stupid questions on this right here & now!!! Ya ready??? Ok no rock throwing now...but when I apply the BonAmi... do I use a circular motion, up&down, back & forth or doesn't it make a difference??? Anything in particular to apply it...rag....polishing disc...sponge??? Don't want to frig up the windshield...so thought I'd take the chance, embarrass myself and ask.
To all
To all
Last edited by Chewch87; May 26, 2006 at 08:00 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
There are two types of BonAmi: one is in the supermarkets and is in a gold and red label can. It says, do not use on glass. One is in a black can and is usually at old line hardware stores.
Years ago, the gold can actually didn't prohibit use on glass; recently, it does. Also, years ago (and maybe still) Chevrolet used to have a black and green Mr. Goodwrench type of can that they sold that was re-labeled BonAmi. Definition: it WAS safe to use on glass. They may still; don't know.
So, be careful. And to answer your question, assuming you've got the right can, either way, but swirling motion (circular?) works just fine for me.
Alternatives: Griot's and I think Eastwood sell glass "polishes"---probably high quality because they sure are high priced]. Also, if you think about it, ceramic cooktops have glass polishes at Target, Walmart, etc. I've used the last-mentioned. And as a stopgap, I've used Stoner's "Invisible Glass" to some limited success--not great, but ok. It cleans but removes no scratches.
Years ago, the gold can actually didn't prohibit use on glass; recently, it does. Also, years ago (and maybe still) Chevrolet used to have a black and green Mr. Goodwrench type of can that they sold that was re-labeled BonAmi. Definition: it WAS safe to use on glass. They may still; don't know.
So, be careful. And to answer your question, assuming you've got the right can, either way, but swirling motion (circular?) works just fine for me.
Alternatives: Griot's and I think Eastwood sell glass "polishes"---probably high quality because they sure are high priced]. Also, if you think about it, ceramic cooktops have glass polishes at Target, Walmart, etc. I've used the last-mentioned. And as a stopgap, I've used Stoner's "Invisible Glass" to some limited success--not great, but ok. It cleans but removes no scratches.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
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From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
I did buy the gold label from the supermarket...and used it on my 05 Impala....luckily I used one of those car wash scratch free brushes on a handle and kept it wet worked up & down . No damage thankfully....got alot of the insects and embedded junk out (lot of highway driving) but I won't use it on my Vette or anything else now that you mention the difference in Labels. I'll check with Griots....I bought some chrome polish and claybar stuff from them a few weeks ago....I'll see what they have. Thanks!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by George Dickel
I haven't tried it myself but have read it in car care articles that toothpaste will take out minor scratches in glass. It is slightly abrasive but not enough to cause damage.
j\k, it really does wash off completely.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
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From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
That is true, and I've used it before, too. The only problem is going down the road smelling like Crest or Colgate! j\k, it really does wash off completely.
j\k, it really does wash off completely.I'm partial to Pepsodent myself....but I refrigerate it.....my wife says I'm MENTAL...but we all have our faults
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 433
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From: Gig Harbor WA
I was told by an old "Glass Guy" that one should always try to polish glass vertically. That way the sunshine reflects the least noticable amount.
The abrasive ingredient which is used to grind or polish glass is Cerium Oxide. You can either mix it up yourself or look for it on the list of ingredients on a commercial product.
Bon Ami contains Sodium Carbonate and Calcium Carbonate. The abrasive is Feldspar which has an MOA=92S scratch hardness of 6. This means that the abrasive won't scratch any material which has an equal or higher hardness number. Most glass is in the 6.5 range and the abrasive in Bon Ami won't touch it.
The abrasive ingredient which is used to grind or polish glass is Cerium Oxide. You can either mix it up yourself or look for it on the list of ingredients on a commercial product.
Bon Ami contains Sodium Carbonate and Calcium Carbonate. The abrasive is Feldspar which has an MOA=92S scratch hardness of 6. This means that the abrasive won't scratch any material which has an equal or higher hardness number. Most glass is in the 6.5 range and the abrasive in Bon Ami won't touch it.
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Safety Car
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From: Beautiful Down Town "SWINDLEHURST" Long Island NY
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
That is true, and I've used it before, too. The only problem is going down the road smelling like Crest or Colgate! j\k, it really does wash off completely.
j\k, it really does wash off completely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by Chewch87
I'm partial to Pepsodent myself....but I refrigerate it.....my wife says I'm MENTAL...but we all have our faults
I think I agree with your wife.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Chewch87
I'm partial to Pepsodent myself....but I refrigerate it.....my wife says I'm MENTAL...but we all have our faults
I know you don't and I don't but all the rest out there........hmmmm.Have a safe holiday weekend!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Cap'n Rich
I was told by an old "Glass Guy" that one should always try to polish glass vertically. That way the sunshine reflects the least noticable amount.
The abrasive ingredient which is used to grind or polish glass is Cerium Oxide. You can either mix it up yourself or look for it on the list of ingredients on a commercial product.
Bon Ami contains Sodium Carbonate and Calcium Carbonate. The abrasive is Feldspar which has an MOA=92S scratch hardness of 6. This means that the abrasive won't scratch any material which has an equal or higher hardness number. Most glass is in the 6.5 range and the abrasive in Bon Ami won't touch it.
The abrasive ingredient which is used to grind or polish glass is Cerium Oxide. You can either mix it up yourself or look for it on the list of ingredients on a commercial product.
Bon Ami contains Sodium Carbonate and Calcium Carbonate. The abrasive is Feldspar which has an MOA=92S scratch hardness of 6. This means that the abrasive won't scratch any material which has an equal or higher hardness number. Most glass is in the 6.5 range and the abrasive in Bon Ami won't touch it.
Cap, I'm not disagreeing with you.
I'm just merely pointing out the mfr. says specifically on the can, do not use on glass. For whatever reason. And, in '98 or so, the can did not have that caution on their cans. Specifically, it was also "re-badged", so to speak, and used by Chevrolet, sold over the counter.
I don't know if it still is, but I'm glad to read that there are other C4ers using the store brand successfully (which means to me, not scratching their windshields).
On the off chance that mine is a "soft" windshield (whatever the heck that might mean), I'll choose a brand that doesn't recommend against use on glass. That's just me, but I do appreciate your analysis.
)
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
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From: Jacksonville FL
Originally Posted by Cap'n Rich
It's prolly okay on the windshield - just, for pete's sake follow the warnings!!!!!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 433
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From: Gig Harbor WA
Originally Posted by Midnite 88
Could you please explain the word "prolly"? I have never seen that word in a dictionary. Of course I could "probably" be reading the wrong dictionary.
Rich
