Son used Windex on my Car

[s550worley]

So while I was at work my son decided to use Windex to clean my front bumper for me... He's 3 so obviously I wasn't mad at him, just an innocent mistake, but I know ammonia is really bad for paint and it sat on there for probably around 6 hours before I was able to clean it off. Do you guys think it's anything to worry about? It looked fine but I was wondering if it'll have a bad effect on the life of the paint in the future.

Sponsored

 

[kz]

So while I was at work my son decided to use Windex to clean my front bumper for me... He's 3 so obviously I wasn't mad at him, just an innocent mistake, but I know ammonia is really bad for paint and it sat on there for probably around 6 hours before I was able to clean it off. Do you guys think it's anything to worry about? It looked fine but I was wondering if it'll have a bad effect on the life of the paint in the future.

It'll be completely fine. Ammonia is bad for interior plastics. In fact I saw people in dealership use glass cleaner on the car that was about to be delivered to make the paint look shiny .

 

[IceAge]

A bug that splatters all over your front has more dangerous chemicals or should I say toxic waste. Paint is much more durable than you think and no way any issues. Heck lousy water used on your car that sits will do more damage and or even acid rain.

 

[Rapid Red]

As others have said, Windex hurts nothing . Have cleaned a bike and HotRods for years with it.

How I discovered this usage, was drive along. Had a bike at the time. Noticed some guy using it on his, and went home tried it, 40 years ago.

A good quicky clean up, just saying soft rags not paper towels.

 

[RasJeremy]

Some brand nerds probably will light me on fire, but I've done a lot in detailing and beside my primary job I do car detailing and I use glass cleaner on paint a lot!

Even though there is paint cleaning and degreasing products a lot of them are pretty pricey - I got a tip years ago using glass cleaner instead and I have done that ever since.

Long story short... You're fine! the most damage it could have caused was if he rubbed it around and some dirt would have made minor scratches, so as stated in post #2 - clean it and wax it

 

[GTP]

I always clean the glass on my cars last. Of course, a little of the spray gets on the paint, and I pick that up with the glass cleaner cloth.

But then again, I switched to SprayWay (no ammonia) because it absolutely does not streak.

 

[splatrd]

Ammonia is an issue for tint. It will discolor it if you use ammonia based cleaners on tinted windows.

 

[NoVaGT]

Just spray that shit all over your car. Top to bottom, side to side, front to back. Leave it to bake in a 105 degree sunny day.

A'int gonna hurt nuthin'.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Totally fine. I grabbed it by accident once instead of the spray wax lol, figured out after I did a panel and something was odd (not slick).

 

[celica0774]

It'll be completely fine. Ammonia is bad for interior plastics. In fact I saw people in dealership use glass cleaner on the car that was about to be delivered to make the paint look shiny .

Careful there.
While Windex may be OK for paint, the ammonia in it will attack any polycarbonate. Does anyone know if the light housings are polycarbonate?

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-plexiglass/

 

[compprep]

Son used Windex on my Car

Right after watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" by any chance?

 

[W.O.T. Stang]

Reminds me of a story from awhile back. My 11 year old nephew washed one of my older mustangs with dawn dish soap as a surprise and didnt tell me... he wanted to do something nice for me for my birthday, so he thought he'd clean the mustang.

Next time it rained - i noticed that none of the water was beading up like it used too. For those that don't know, dawn strips all of the wax off the car. Im glad i found out before the heavy texas sun hit. It will burn through clear coat like a magnifying glass through an ant!

 

[IceAge]

Reminds me of a story from awhile back. My 11 year old nephew washed one of my older mustangs with dawn dish soap as a surprise and didnt tell me... he wanted to do something nice for me for my birthday, so he thought he'd clean the mustang.

Next time it rained - i noticed that none of the water was beading up like it used too. For those that don't know, dawn strips all of the wax off the car. Im glad i found out before the heavy texas sun hit. It will burn through clear coat like a magnifying glass through an ant!

Yep No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

 

[Interceptor]

Dish detergent and washing machine soap will also etch glass leaving spots.

 

[dguzzi]

My friends son used a brillo pad to wash the family Fairlane. It made his driveway pink for a while as well.

Sponsored