Rear window cleaning

This is where you can find out about valeting and detailing--washing, cleaning, polishing, waxing and other car care issues.
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///M_aniac
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Joined: Sat 30 Jul, 2005 19:34
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  M roadster S50
Location: Belfast

Rear window cleaning

Post by ///M_aniac »

Folks,

Cleaned my rear window this afternoon for the first time with the BMW rear window (tooth)paste.

Really does the job. Couple of applications outside then couple inside. Awkward on the inside but results defo worth it.

:mrgreen:
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster

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Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?

With an M??


The World's gone mad :D
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold ;)
garyw
Joined: Fri 07 Nov, 2003 22:29
Posts: 2644

  Porsche

Post by garyw »

I've posted before about the BMW paste, It is a great product and seemed to last quite a long time before the window became cloudy again..
In fact I think I only ever did it twice in the two years of owning the Zed

garyw
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Kipper
Joined: Thu 15 Dec, 2005 18:33
Posts: 700

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: St. Saviour

Post by Kipper »

Did mine recently with Renovo, much improved but it doesn't seem to last long, how about the BMW gear, does it last.

What I mean is does the plastic appear scratch free as Renovo greatly reduces appearence of scratches but they come back. In much the same way as wax will hide scratches on paintwork for a while.

Less of an issue in summer as roof down most of the time. My wife said she could see much better since I cleaned the rear screen, I said the roofs down there is no screen

Wimmin!

Disclaimer.
(I accept no responsibility for any sexist interpretation of this comment.
I refer only to my wife and not wimmin in general.)
///M_aniac
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  M roadster S50
Location: Belfast

Post by ///M_aniac »

Kipper wrote:Did mine recently with Renovo, much improved but it doesn't seem to last long, how about the BMW gear, does it last.
Have just done it for first time there the other night, Kipper. Will report back in a few weeks. Remind me.

Garyw,

What's your experience been of its longevity?
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster

Image - The most powerful letter in the world.
Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?

With an M??


The World's gone mad :D
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold ;)
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Daneborough
Joined: Wed 04 Aug, 2004 05:49
Posts: 53

  Z4 M roadster
Location: Highgate Hill

Post by Daneborough »

Oxford_gruen_II wrote:What's your experience been of its longevity?
I've used the BMW product twice a year for the past 8 years (current and previous Z3s) with no problems at all with finish being maintained 6 months at a time.
2006 Z4M - Black Sapphire/Sepang Bronze Light
2007 335i Convertible - Black Sapphire/Black
///M_aniac
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Joined: Sat 30 Jul, 2005 19:34
Posts: 4054

  M roadster S50
Location: Belfast

Post by ///M_aniac »

Daneborough wrote:
Oxford_gruen_II wrote:What's your experience been of its longevity?
I've used the BMW product twice a year for the past 8 years (current and previous Z3s) with no problems at all with finish being maintained 6 months at a time.
Great news. Just stopped off last evening on way home - rear window looks superb after the treatment.

Thanks for the info Daneborough
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster

Image - The most powerful letter in the world.
Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?

With an M??


The World's gone mad :D
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold ;)
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Daneborough
Joined: Wed 04 Aug, 2004 05:49
Posts: 53

  Z4 M roadster
Location: Highgate Hill

Post by Daneborough »

Oxford_gruen_II wrote:Thanks for the info Daneborough
Happy to assist.
2006 Z4M - Black Sapphire/Sepang Bronze Light
2007 335i Convertible - Black Sapphire/Black
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Robert T
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Post by Robert T »

I use the BMW toothpaste too. I've had my hardtop on for the winter months and the screen was quite cloudy. I did both the inside and outside twice and it really makes a big difference. Won't need to do it again until next summer.

One word of warning - make sure you clean the screen thoroughly before you polish it - otherwise you'll scratch it - it's very soft plastic.

It also helps if you're double-jointed :lol:. I still haven't quite got into the corners on the inside. Anyone got any tips on how to get those last irritating little bits?
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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///M_aniac
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  M roadster S50
Location: Belfast

Post by ///M_aniac »

Robert T wrote:
It also helps if you're double-jointed :lol:. I still haven't quite got into the corners on the inside. Anyone got any tips on how to get those last irritating little bits?
Try and try again. you'll get a little bit further into the corners each time. Wrecks your arms though.
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster

Image - The most powerful letter in the world.
Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?

With an M??


The World's gone mad :D
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold ;)
dudeone
Joined: Thu 27 Apr, 2006 15:04
Posts: 112

  Not specified
Location: Stokesley

Screen

Post by dudeone »

I use Meguiars PlastX, when I bought my Boxster it had a cloudy rear screen but after approx 3 applications its nr glass quality.
///M_aniac
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  M roadster S50
Location: Belfast

Re: Screen

Post by ///M_aniac »

dudeone wrote:I use Meguiars PlastX, when I bought my Boxster it had a cloudy rear screen but after approx 3 applications its nr glass quality.
Must give this a shot....
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster

Image - The most powerful letter in the world.
Cloz wrote:There is something that will never change is my love for Z3
smartypants wrote:Conor?

With an M??


The World's gone mad :D
smartypants wrote:The Z3 rear is a great thing to behold ;)
Zim
Joined: Thu 25 Sep, 2008 14:42
Posts: 65

  M roadster S52

Post by Zim »

hmm... tried looking for the BMW product.. does it have an office name? or am i just gonna have have to google bmw toothpaste :P

/Z
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Geoff H
Joined: Sat 08 Nov, 2003 12:03
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Wellingborough

Post by Geoff H »

Zim wrote:hmm... tried looking for the BMW product.. does it have an office name? or am i just gonna have have to google bmw toothpaste :P

/Z
This is what you want
Attachments
toothpaste.jpg
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Titan
Joined: Fri 01 Apr, 2005 20:20
Posts: 4002

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: North Yorkshire

Post by Titan »

Auto Glym SRP is just as good - and you can use it on the rest of the car (except the hood :head: )
I've used both and would say the Auto Glym is possibly even better - it's certainly more readily available :wink:
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Zim
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  M roadster S52

Post by Zim »

ooo thanks, will try to get that...

/Z
drdrake
Joined: Tue 11 Aug, 2009 19:42
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: colchester

Post by drdrake »

just used auto glym polish on rear window and it worked a treat!!
no need to track down the expensive Bm stuff (although im sure that works great too)
keithyj
Joined: Mon 27 Apr, 2009 16:23
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: falkirk

Meguiars plastic cleaner

Post by keithyj »

I use Meguiars and with good results and you can use on your lens covers,fogs and rear brake and clusters very happy with results but have a crease line on rear from fold but it is coming away with each try! and agree inside is very dificult to get in all areas
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meguiars-Clear-Pl ... _617wt_890
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Robert T
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Post by Robert T »

drdrake wrote:no need to track down the expensive Bm stuff (although im sure that works great too)
It depends very much on your definition of expensive. I paid £8.80 for my BMW toothpaste back in 2001 and I'm still on the same tube. A little goes a very long way! That's about a pound a year!

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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MarkOliver
Joined: Wed 02 Jul, 2008 16:29
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Manchester

Post by MarkOliver »

insert your own tooth paste jokes
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muppet
Joined: Wed 08 Feb, 2006 17:16
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  Z4 sDrive20i M Sport
Location: Roof down getting a tan

Post by muppet »

I have always used this which did the job, then one I was polishing the car and just kept going with the Autoglym super resin which made it clearer than ever. Both products also work well on the headlamp covers as well :zmurf:
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calbens
Joined: Mon 12 Dec, 2005 23:21
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Appley Bridge
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Post by calbens »

Robert T wrote: Anyone got any tips on how to get those last irritating little bits?
You need to straddle the seats Rob :lol:
Place a knee on each seat, just watch out for the handbrake :P

muppet wrote:I have always used this which did the job, then one I was polishing the car and just kept going with the Autoglym super resin which made it clearer than ever. Both products also work well on the headlamp covers as well :zmurf:
Does the AG Super Resin not smear? Do you put it on in a circular motion and is that on both sides? Sorry for the Spanish inquisition Mupps :wink:
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muppet
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Location: Roof down getting a tan

Post by muppet »

No smearing for me and i do it inside and out . I apply using a Meguirs polishing pad(the wee yellow hand one) and buff off with a microfibre cloth... I think I use circular action..... I didn't expect the Spanish inquisition :zmurf:
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lycrake
Joined: Fri 01 May, 2009 18:16
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Post by lycrake »

I paid £3.51 for the toothpaste from the BMW dealer in Ipswich the other day... pretty cheap. I need to get rid of that fold mark in the window though!
KERMIT1970
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 18:28
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  M roadster S50
Location: ARDROSSAN

BMW toothpaste

Post by KERMIT1970 »

Hi Can anybody give me BMW part no of toothpaste ordered last week from local dealer, picked it up today it was glass cleaner , they say the part no has been changed and are unable to find product.
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Titan
Joined: Fri 01 Apr, 2005 20:20
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: North Yorkshire

Post by Titan »

AFAIK they have discontinued the toothpaste.
However, Autoglym SR polish is just as good
Image :devil:
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Robert T
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Location: Cheshire

Post by Robert T »

It is shown as part #4 below, part number 81.22.9.407.665, approx price £6-7. If price is shown it is usually orderable.

lycrake, is this what you bought?

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Convertible and Roadster care - BMW parts catalog

If it is discontinued, then you will have to use another plastic polish - my concern with that is that using something else may cause the plastic to go brittle more quickly. Only time will tell I'm afraid.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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Geoff H
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Location: Wellingborough

Post by Geoff H »

Robert T wrote:my concern with that is that using something else may cause the plastic to go brittle more quickly. Only time will tell I'm afraid.
Exactly my thoughts on using Autoglym Super Resin Polish and anything not made purely for plastic rear windows
lycrake
Joined: Fri 01 May, 2009 18:16
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Post by lycrake »

Yep the tube of toothpaste is what I bought, I believe it was that cheap. I remember looking on here and people saying it was £8, and then remembering being pleasantly surprised at the dealers!
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
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Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

Think I remember buying from this guy over 12 months ago,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MGF-MGTF-MG-MGB-S ... 5ad45c572a

The important thing is to buy the polish especially for this type of plastic as it's not just just the cleaning, getting rid of fine scratches etc but one that will make the plastic flexible and pliable if thats the right word. This stuff works really well and definitely helps when lowering the roof and makes the rear window much less likely to split due to going hard.

Tim.
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Tufarlian
Joined: Sat 14 Mar, 2009 20:21
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Cheshire
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Post by Tufarlian »

Try this.

Turtlewax Soft Top Window Cleaner.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165682

Seems to work just fine and it's on special at just £2.49 at Halfrauds.
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Titan
Joined: Fri 01 Apr, 2005 20:20
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: North Yorkshire

Post by Titan »

Just found this Renovo plastic window polish on eBay.
I've no idea if it's any good but thought the link may be useful for the non-toothpaste owning Auto Glym doubters :)
The seller also stocks Gummipflege.
Image :devil:
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G2JRP
Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2009 04:34
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Location: Dereham

Post by G2JRP »

I have got some of this and I was suprised by the results.

Very good would definately recommend, I did try Auto glym SRP before and this is loads better
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Cloz
Joined: Fri 30 Jun, 2006 01:41
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Boucherville

Post by Cloz »

Geoff H wrote:This is what you want
http://www.zroadster.net/forum/files/toothpaste.jpg

It's no longer available. Is someone have tried the new BMW window cleaner?(spray)

Cloz
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Alex L
Joined: Sun 23 Oct, 2005 21:16
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Location: North Oxfordshire

Post by Alex L »

Been using Renovo for years, it's good stuff. They also make hood cleaner and re-proofer among other products
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