How to remove water stains on windows

We just had the same issue with one of our windows. I bought a glass cleaning product from Palo Alto Glass and got some steel wool and the spots came right off. I also tried regular glass cleaners, etc. and this product was the only thing that worked for me. Sorry, I can't remember the product name right off, but I would think that if you call them they would be happy to sell you some.

I have used Lime-A-Way on a tempered glass patio cover with great success for more than a decade. It doesn't say it's for windows on the bottle, and smells quite toxic. If you use steel wool, make sure you follow directions. It's easy to scratch glass. Some automotive cleaner/waxes will clean mineral deposits on glass. The overhangs on Eichlers protect the windows very well. Every house was designed for it's lot, taking southern exposure etc. into consideration. Eichlers are the best house for keeping the sun off of the windows.

I'd have to echo the caution about scratching your glass--if you use a window scraper or steel wool, be very careful.

I live in the same tract as Dana though in a different model. I tried for 3 years to remove the stains on my windows and used everything I could find--various mineral deposit removers, paint remover type products, scraping, nothing worked. Now, I don't know exactly what caused the white stains on my windows but I lean to "acid rain" (etches glass) as none of the products I tried worked.

I had my glass replaced by the people Dana mentioned. They used and recommended a spray cleaner in a blue/white can simply labelled "Glass Cleaner" and made by Sprayway. You used to be able to get it at Restoration Hardware in Palo Alto for about $4.95 though I haven't bought any in some time (back of the label says it can also be used on chrome, tile and porcelain). Dana, does that sound like the same product?

Good luck with your glass cleaning and let us know if you are successful.
Jake

There is also a product that is used for taking off water spots off of cars. If it's safe enough to use on paint finishes I assume it would be safe enough for glass. I forget the name but if you go to a nice carwash place or auto store they often have this product.

Jake,

It's not the spray glass cleaner can. They left me a can of that when they installed the windows. This is something I actually had to buy from them that they recommend. I just went to look for it and it must be somewhere in the garage. I'll go out there tomorrow during the day and search for it so I can give you the name.

Dana

I've used Nothin's Better water stain remover with great results. It requires a lot of work, but worth it in the end. You can buy it at Auto part stores or look online for Watkins of Sacramento. There is a Teflon version of this product that might save you some time in the future.

You probably know this, but just in case you don't, here's an important point about the steel wool:

You can't just use any steel wool. It must be OO or OOO (Very Fine), otherwise you'll scratch the glass in a hurry!

Also, it's best not to use the steel wool dry. Use it with a glass cleaner or one of the other products previously mentioned.

I used to own a automobile detailing business and we used steel wool on the chrome and glass. It's great for getting bugs off the windshield.