Cleaning Inside the Rear Window?

KarlS · 09-08-2006

Some of you may be much more flexible than I am, but,...

I sure have a major time cleaning the vinyl off-gassing film off the inside of the rear window of my R171. I just can't reach much of the window without standing on my head. (Now THAT's a sight!

)

I've even tried to squeeze between the mechanics when the roof is in-between open and closed, but that's just plain dangerous because the pneumatic cylinders drop the roof without warning.

Ideas?

Thanks.

...Karl

**etyu** · 09-08-2006

I've tried using the so-called "glass wizard" (triangular pad on a stick, sold in stores like LinenNthings) with the microfiber cloth attachment and the results were less than satisfactory. Now I just straddle the center console with knees on each seat (covered with clean towel) facing the rear and try my best.

I sure would like to know if there's another easier way of doing this.

Corkscrew · 09-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarlS

Some of you may be much more flexible than I am, but,...

I sure have a major time cleaning the vinyl off-gassing film off the inside of the rear window of my R171. I just can't reach much of the window without standing on my head. (Now THAT's a sight!

)

I've even tried to squeeze between the mechanics when the roof is in-between open and closed, but that's just plain dangerous because the pneumatic cylinders drop the roof without warning.

Ideas?

Thanks.

...Karl

With my SL it is a lot easier as you can push the red button that will allow the underside of the window to lift up to the point where it is fairly easy to reach.

With my SLK I am thinking of employing a dwarf.

**-1-** · 09-08-2006

We know cleaning is a challenge. How do the tint guys do it?

Baron7700 · 09-09-2006

it took my tint a whole day to tint my windows. The side ones took him 30 mins. But the gear sides, and the black glass took him 7 and a half hours. (to do it right) It looks great tho, and thankfully, He only charges per window, not per hour.

**etyu** · 09-09-2006

Welcome Baron7700.

I wonder if anyone has tried moving both seats to their most forward position and then folding the seatbacks as far forward as possible. This might allow a slim individual to straddle the center console behind the seats and perhaps be able to reach the inner surface of the rear window better. Hmmm.. worth a try, I'll report back.

KarlS · 09-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

I wonder if anyone has tried moving both seats to their most forward position and then folding the seatbacks as far forward as possible.

Unfortunately, I'm not a "slim individual", so when I tried this I still needed an extra joint between my wrist and my elbow to bend around the roll bars.

**etyu** · 09-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

I wonder if anyone has tried moving both seats to their most forward position and then folding the seatbacks as far forward as possible. This might allow a slim individual to straddle the center console behind the seats and perhaps be able to reach the inner surface of the rear window better. Hmmm.. worth a try, I'll report back.

I tried this method. Being 66.5 in (169cm) tall and 140 lb (64 kg), I could straddle the center console but had to bend my neck considerably. The best position I could get was, while facing the rear and seated on the center console, to lean the body sideways to the left and use the right arm/hand to clean the right half of the rear window (right side of car); lean to the right and use the left arm/hand to clean the left half of the rear window.

I would recommend to use a nice, lint-free 100% cotton terry cloth and good quality auto glass cleaner ( I used Autosport brand from Autosportcatalog.com) so you only have to do this with a few strokes.

I had to clean the rear window twice because I used a microfiber cloth (that wasn't rated for glass cleaning) and it left what looked liked hundreds of very fine lint that were 0.5 mm long and hard to remove with a wet cloth, (even though the microfiber cloth had been machine washed several times in the past) until I used the auto glass cleaner and lint-free 100% cotton terry cloth.

Final lesson: probably suited to only those that are about 5 ft tall and 120 lbs (if you have a cute girlfriend or mate); always use auto glass cleaner and good quality glass cleaning cloth the first time. Taller individuals must learn yoga or be a contortionist.

I hope other forum members have better methods of doing this. I am open to suggestions. I might clean the rear window once every 4 or 6 weeks.

mtiede · 09-09-2006

I keep that windscreen netting on the roll bars. Can't see any dirt

KarlS · 09-10-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtiede

I keep that windscreen netting on the roll bars. Can't see any dirt

Now THAT makes a lot more sense!!

**Ynot** · 09-14-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron7700

it took my tint a whole day to tint my windows. The side ones took him 30 mins. But the gear sides, and the black glass took him 7 and a half hours. (to do it right) It looks great tho, and thankfully, He only charges per window, not per hour.

that's a long time, took my tint guy a little over an hour, most cars can be done in less than an hour. He did say the rear was a bitch to get to, he was drying the tint with a heat gun when I came to pickup my car. In my previous vehicles, SUV's, and sedans, by the time I'm finished with lunch, he's already done and working on another vehicle.

I tried to clean the rear once and it was extremely hard to get to, I never tried since.

bloflin · 10-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

...
I hope other forum members have better methods of doing this. I am open to suggestions. I might clean the rear window once every 4 or 6 weeks.

etyu, suggest you go back and try the window cleaner tool (from BBB or Linen's&Things) with microfiber until you get the hang of it.

Best thing I've found.

Practice on the inside front windshield until you get the feel on how to make it apply pressure in the middle or at the edges (depending on what you need). Also a feel on how much cleaner to apply (not too much).

A few practice sessions and you will then find the rear window is a "relative" breeze.

One note, with the pointed end/edge of the tool it is easy to actually get the microfiber down below the plastic trim. There may be dirt and/or "oil" there and once it's on the microfiber then you are just smearing it around the window.

Here's what I do. I clean the windows twice. First time I do the glass but leave about a 1 to 2 inch area around the edge not cleaned. Then I spray a little more on the tool, and do ONLY the edges. Then turn the microfiber over (or use another one), and go back and do the whole window again (but don't dig real deep below the trim at the edges).

Works for me.

Corkscrew · 10-11-2006

Good and useful post.

**etyu** · 10-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloflin

etyu, suggest you go back and try the window cleaner tool (from BBB or Linen's&Things) with microfiber until you get the hang of it.

Best thing I've found.

Practice on the inside front windshield until you get the feel on how to make it apply pressure in the middle or at the edges (depending on what you need). Also a feel on how much cleaner to apply (not too much).

A few practice sessions and you will then find the rear window is a "relative" breeze.

One note, with the pointed end/edge of the tool it is easy to actually get the microfiber down below the plastic trim. There may be dirt and/or "oil" there and once it's on the microfiber then you are just smearing it around the window.

Here's what I do. I clean the windows twice. First time I do the glass but leave about a 1 to 2 inch area around the edge not cleaned. Then I spray a little more on the tool, and do ONLY the edges. Then turn the microfiber over (or use another one), and go back and do the whole window again (but don't dig real deep below the trim at the edges).

Works for me.

Thanks Brooks, I'll practice as I have the tool handy.

**DesignoSLK** · 10-18-2006

Is cleaning the R171 rear window that much different from the R170? I have plenty of access with the top halfway or so b/w opened and closed. I do, however, have to leave the car running so the top stays in place...ouch.

FPF422 · 10-18-2006

the R171 is, IMHO, more difficult...

garulys · 01-05-2007

Hello !
you know, there is only one solution to reach every part of the rear window :
open the roof until the glass is quite horizontal and release the knob on the inside console only, not with the key, as the engine must run all the time you wash .
If the engine is shut off, after a while the roof goes down and it's very dangerous.

09-08-2006	#1 (permalink)
KarlS SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Clifton, VA Vehicle: 2005 SLK350 Firemist Red Posts: 4 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cleaning Inside the Rear Window? Some of you may be much more flexible than I am, but,... I sure have a major time cleaning the vinyl off-gassing film off the inside of the rear window of my R171. I just can't reach much of the window without standing on my head. (Now THAT's a sight! ) I've even tried to squeeze between the mechanics when the roof is in-between open and closed, but that's just plain dangerous because the pneumatic cylinders drop the roof without warning. Ideas? Thanks. ...Karl

09-08-2006	#2 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	I've tried using the so-called "glass wizard" (triangular pad on a stick, sold in stores like LinenNthings) with the microfiber cloth attachment and the results were less than satisfactory. Now I just straddle the center console with knees on each seat (covered with clean towel) facing the rear and try my best. I sure would like to know if there's another easier way of doing this. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

09-08-2006	#4 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,224 Country: Thanks: 54 Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts	We know cleaning is a challenge. How do the tint guys do it? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

09-09-2006	#6 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Welcome Baron7700. I wonder if anyone has tried moving both seats to their most forward position and then folding the seatbacks as far forward as possible. This might allow a slim individual to straddle the center console behind the seats and perhaps be able to reach the inner surface of the rear window better. Hmmm.. worth a try, I'll report back. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

10-18-2006	#15 (permalink)
DesignoSLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Vehicle: 2000 Designo SLK230 Posts: 1,678 Country: Thanks: 91 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Is cleaning the R171 rear window that much different from the R170? I have plenty of access with the top halfway or so b/w opened and closed. I do, however, have to leave the car running so the top stays in place...ouch. __________________ Kevin An American in Germany... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. '00 SLK230 Designo copper, '06 Saturn Vue, Cessna 172 (pilot) Last edited by DesignoSLK; 10-18-2006 at 01:54 PM.

09-09-2006	#5 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	it took my tint a whole day to tint my windows. The side ones took him 30 mins. But the gear sides, and the black glass took him 7 and a half hours. (to do it right) It looks great tho, and thankfully, He only charges per window, not per hour.

09-09-2006	#9 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,642 Thanks: 100 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	I keep that windscreen netting on the roll bars. Can't see any dirt

10-11-2006	#13 (permalink)
Corkscrew Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Vehicle: 2008 S600, 2006 SL55AMG, 2005 SLK200k, 2004 280S Posts: 696 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Good and useful post.

10-18-2006	#16 (permalink)
FPF422 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Buizingen - Belgium Vehicle: '05 SLK 350 - 7G Posts: 852 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	the R171 is, IMHO, more difficult...

01-05-2007	#17 (permalink)
garulys SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Performance Package Other Toys: bike BMW R1150RT Posts: 25 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	cleaning the rear window Hello ! you know, there is only one solution to reach every part of the rear window : open the roof until the glass is quite horizontal and release the knob on the inside console only, not with the key, as the engine must run all the time you wash . If the engine is shut off, after a while the roof goes down and it's very dangerous.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)