[Logansky]

I'm plagued by water spots from soda ash treated water even after drying with microfiber towels. I'll clean them with auto window cleaner and they are still visible to some extent.
Should I wax the windows or use something else?

Logansky

[Whippersnapper02]

I purchased a CR Spotless water deionizer for washing to prevent any spotting.

[Captain Spalding]

This stuff gets rid of stubborn spots, but doesn’t prevent them.

Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover.
Amazon.com: Chemical Guys SPI10816 Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover (16 oz) : Everything Else

[fkheath]

Originally Posted by Logansky

I'm plagued by water spots from soda ash treated water even after drying with microfiber towels. I'll clean them with auto window cleaner and they are still visible to some extent.
Should I wax the windows or use something else?

Logansky

I don't know about soda ash, but with acid rain, glass can be permanently etched. Once etched, there is no way to remove it, so the best solution is avoidance -- use purified water. Also, I've always used a chamois or cotton towel to dry my cars. Microfiber towels don't absorb enough water.

For painted surfaces, a ceramic coat would probably best to avoid acid rain and hard water spotting. Or just repeated waxing with a high quality car wax.

[ArthurKotb]

I use the Rain-X spray on my windows. Seems to do a good job. If it's a very light rain you can drive along at 70 and the rain just beads up and rolls off. It makes the wipers work easier too.

If you can get the spots off then this might be something to try. Don't use car wax. When it's raining and the wipers are moving it will leave kind of a white cloud behind, particularly bad at night. It's not easy to remove the wax either.

[CavPro]

Wax your glass.

[ArthurKotb]

Originally Posted by CavPro

Wax your glass.

I really suggest not doing that. I did it once and regretted it until it finally wore off. The wipers will make everything milky white when they swipe that water on top of the wax. I've had much better luck using the Rain-X. Beads up better than wax and doesn't streak.

[fkheath]

Originally Posted by CavPro

Wax your glass.

They actually make a product specifically for waxing glass:Amazon.com: E.J. Wheaton Co. Glass Wax, Polishes and Protects Windows, Mirrors and Metal Surfaces, Dries Chalk White, Easy to Apply and to Remove, Made in USA : Health & Household

[honda250xtitan]

treat your glass like your paint. cut and polish it. then treat it with rainx or whatever.

[Captain Spalding]

Originally Posted by fkheath

They actually make a product specifically for waxing glass…

Yep. Glass Wax has been around at least since the ‘60’s.

Originally Posted by fkheath

I've always used a chamois or cotton towel to dry my cars. Microfiber towels don't absorb enough water.

Yes. Microfiber towels are good at picking anything up but water.

[designfortheplanet]

Totally agree...waxing the glass sucks. It takes a while for it to go away. You can use newspaper and
Windex to scrub it off...I've found that works well if you don't want to wait as long.

[ArthurKotb]

Google Gold Seal Glass Wax and it says it's no longer in business. There is a Professional Glass Wax on Amazon but the Q&A says it's not the original from the 50s & 60s. A vintage 1970s can (like the picture above) is selling on eBay for $100.

Is glass Wax still being made?
Most glass waxes are not even made anymore. There are some places they can be found. Mom and pop stores and Amazon does have some. It just became an irrelevant step in cleaning that is not needed any longer because of brands like Rain-x that does all the work in one step that glass wax would do in two to three steps.Mar 15, 2019

Looking for glass wax? See where to find it in 2019 - MirrorCoop

[DirtyMarcus]

Originally Posted by Logansky

I'm plagued by water spots from soda ash treated water even after drying with microfiber towels. I'll clean them with auto window cleaner and they are still visible to some extent.
Should I wax the windows or use something else?

Logansky

To get rid of water spots you have to use a water spot remover like the one here. The trick is you need to use it in the shade and it cant be left on the glass long or it will etch the glass.

Adam's Water Spot Remover - Adam's Polishes

The best thing to do is to prevent the water from drying on the car and glass or something to neutralize the hard water. Adams makes a detail spray for that. When i wash the cars i spray this on everything and then dry them off. No water spots and adds a little extra shine to the paint.

Adam's Polishes Detail Spray | Quick Detailer | Best Detail Spray

Also use Rain-X on the windshield. That'll help prevent spotting and increase visibility when its raining. Wax glass is old school. Car care products have advanced greatly in recent years. Thats why you cant find that glass wax stuff, its obsolete.

[seatia]

You can polish out water spots and minor scratches and scuffs.
Same process as buffing paint.
Originally for professional use. Cerium Oxide

If you just have water spots from mineral deposits, then a vinegar solution will dissolve that. Sometimes I have even used a wet razer blade with it for faster results.