Many often asked, “can I use Windex on my car?” Yes, you can use Windex on your car. But ensure that the Windex is a free-ammonia Windex. If you want to keep your car looking clean and shiny, then Windex is the product. Just spray it onto any surface of your car and wipe away dirt.
The best way to use Windex is by applying it directly onto a sponge or rag and not into the air around your vehicle. This will ensure that only those surfaces that need cleaning get cleaned while keeping those already clean from getting stained or damaged.
You can also use this product on tinted windows because it does not leave any streaks behind after being appropriately applied. (Note, this is specifically for a kind of Windex that is free from ammonia substances).
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Can I Use Windex On My Car Paint?
No, you should not use Windex on your car paint. Windex is designed to clean glass, so it’s not the best choice for cleaning anything else. Windex contains ammonia and other ingredients that can damage your car’s finish. In addition to damaging the paint, using a window cleaner like Windex can compromise its ability to repel water and protect against rusting.
When working with glass surfaces in general, you must choose an item that is specifically made for this purpose, even if the bottle says “paint cleaner” or “all-in-one spray cleaner.” For example, We recommend using [this brand] on automotive glass instead of Windex because they’re formulated specifically for this use case.
Why You Cannot Use Windex on Your Car Paint
Although Windex can be used on your car, ensure it does not get in touch with your car paint. The ingredient used can cause more damage than good because of the used components. Some of the ingredients include the following:
1. Water
Water is a solvent, and it can remove dirt and grime from your car. It can also remove wax, polish, and paint (if you’re not careful). If you have a dirty car that needs to be washed, use water. The only time you might want to consider something else is if you have applied a protective coating like wax or polish.
If this is the case, then it’s best to use a product specifically designed for cleaning these surfaces before attempting any other kind of cleaning methods on them, such as soap or shampoo.
2. Sky Blue Dye
Sky blue dye is not a paint, wax, or sealant. It’s food coloring. The color of your car may be affected by the dye, but this depends on the car’s original color and how well the sky blue dye sticks to it. If you want to preserve your car’s authentic look and feel, we recommend checking with an auto technician before using Windex products on your vehicle.
3. Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate
Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate is a surfactant, a chemical that lowers the surface tension between two liquids. It’s safe to use as an ingredient in cleaning products and personal care products like shampoos, soaps, and lotions because it won’t irritate your skin or eyes.
However, this isn’t the case with car paint. Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate can damage your car’s finish when applied improperly (or if you don’t clean off all residue).
4. Isopropanolamine
Isopropanolamine is a chemical compound used in cleaning products. It can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. The EPA lists this chemical as “highly toxic” because it can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed.
5. Lauryl Dimethyl Amine Oxide
Lauryl dimethyl amine oxide is a surfactant. It is not recommended to use on your car because it’s an ammonia-based ingredient and can potentially damage the paint finish.
Also, if you leave this product on your car for too long, it could dull your vehicle’s finish. Finally, there have been stories where people used Windex on their cars only to find that their windshield wipers no longer worked properly.
6. Ammonia
Ammonia is a robust alkaline solution found in many commercial car wash products. It is used as a pH adjuster to help strip old waxes and polishes from automotive paint before applying new ones.
Many of the most popular car care brands use ammonia in their products, including Meguiar’s, 3M, Mothers California Gold, Turtle Wax T-200 Paste Wax, and many more!
However, you should avoid using ammonia on your vehicle because it can cause chemical damage over time.
Read: Problems After Using Cataclean
Conclusion
Windex is safe to be used on your car, but it is exceptionally unsafe for car paint. It contains ammonia which can cause your clear coat to fade or even get scratched off.
Over time the ammonia in Windex will remove wax from your car and make it more susceptible to damage from the elements. Ammonia also dries out rubber seals which can lead to cracks and tears.
