Window Glass Cleaner vs Automotive Glass Cleaner
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Hi,
I’ve seen in Paul’s sharpening videos that he recommends Automotive Glass cleaning spray for lubricating the diamond sharpening plates.
He stressed Automotive glass cleaner rather than window glass cleaner.
Does anyone know what the difference that he is highlighting?
Thanks
Darren.
I’ve used regular no-brand glass cleaner without any problems. I like De-solve-it better though because it keeps the stones cleaner.
Marc
Thanks for the reply.
I’ve been using normal household window spray, and it seems to work okay. I do seem to use far more of it than Paul does in his videos, so maybe automotive cleaner is more (say) oily / thicker?
Regards
Darren.
Doesn’t Paul also mention somewhere that plain water is just as good? I remember thinking ‘then why use glass cleaner?’.
Maybe the biggest advantage is that glass cleaner comes ready to use in a spray bottle 🙂
I was wondering the same question. I used window glass cleaner and also water as lubricant for my stones. water gives rise to rust on the stones (remaining abraded plane iron particles). I didnt notice this when using glass cleaner.
But the difference between automotive and window cleaner is mysterious to me also.
I use oil stones… but I assume you get more car washer fluid for the money then home glass cleaner.
Most glass cleaners are water with a very small amount of ammonia added. The ammonia helps the water evaporate faster and it won’t let the iron particles rust.
Window, automotive, water with ammonia.. Its all the same (within reason). There may be a few difference between brands. My wife buys one that has a pleasant scent so it probably has some kind of oil to mask the ammonia.
As Paul states, you can use straight up water. I still do. Just wipe the stone off when you are done.
Well, if we’re comparing experiences, I moved to diamond plates (Eze-Lap) for the bulk of my day-to-day sharpening about 10 or 12 years ago, though I still use selected oil stones and Japanese water stones for other blades from time to time.
My must-have purpose for using fluid on diamond plates are:
I – lubricate the plate in use:
2 – float off the residual particles:
3 – leave a clean plate after a wipe.For most of that time I’ve used a home-made 50/50 blend of water and methylated spirit, with a few drops of washing up liquid as a surfactant. The water floats the particles and the meths acts as a solvent, while the soap reduces surface tension in the fluid.
Works beautifully.
Once a month or so the plates get a scrub with abrasive kitchen cleaner Vim/Ajax or the like.
The original plates are still working well, even though they went through the usual well-reported initial dulling of the surface.
@howardinwales , to what volume are you adding a few drops of detergent? A few drops to a quarter-liter of 50/50? Just trying to get a feel for your proportions. I may try this with 100 proof vodka (to avoid the methanol).
Good question, Ed.
I use an old squirty bottle, ironically an ex-window cleaner container, of 500 ml capacity.
It’s usually about half full of 50/50 water/meths to which is added about three or four large drops of liquid detergent.
Vodka may be OK for you, but I’d avoid the soap if you’re knocking it back!
But we don’t drink alcohol in Wales…………… what do I know?I have never seen Auto Glass cleaner, so I just have been using Zep or Simple Green spray on my Diamonds and so far so good. I to have been woundering the difference is.
Steve
Household glass cleaners contain ammonia, which can damage automotive glass tint films. Automotive glass cleaners do not contain ammonia, and are thus safe for tinted auto glass.
I was also wondering this today, I bought window cleaner, then remembered Paul said Auto-Glass. The difference is that window cleaner has vinegar whereas auto glass is alcohol. I imagine vinegar/acid is not a great thing, and alcohol will help it dry faster.
Now my brand new diamond plate is looking golden with rustiness 🙁 So I’m just using water.
What cloth do people use because my various rags just disintegrate on to the 250 grit?
I use WD40. It works like a charm and no chance of rust.
@howardinwales , Really? No alcohol in Wales, or just not at football matches? I don’t drink (never liked the feeling), so maybe I should visit. In any case, the vodka really was just to avoid the methanol exposure.
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