Golf cart windshields make a great addition to your ride. If you’ve ever been caught in a rainstorm out on the course, you’ll know just how useful they can be.
However, being exposed to the elements, it’s inevitable that they are going to get dirty from time to time. Though they can be cleaned very easily, it’s important to avoid some common mistakes which can cause permanent damage to your windshield.
With proper care, golf cart windshields can last for many years. Here’s everything you should know about cleaning and protecting them.
What Are Golf Cart Windshields Made From?
Most golf cart windshields are made of either acrylic or polycarbonate. These materials are softer than regular glass, meaning they can withstand branches, rocks, and other pieces of debris which may hit your golf cart whilst you’re driving out on the course.
Regular glass cleaners, such as Windex, don’t mix well with acrylic or polycarbonate windshields. The chemicals can cause permanent damage, including fogging, which would greatly hinder your visibility, and thus your safety. For the same reason, you should avoid spraying insect repellants too close to your windshield.
The other thing to remember when cleaning acrylic or polycarbonate windshields is to never use newspapers, paper towels, or any other rough material, as these will cause scratching. You’ll also want to avoid drying off the windshield with a regular towel.
How To Clean Your Golf Cart Windshield? (2 Methods)
Now that we’ve established what not to do when dealing with acrylic or polycarbonate, let’s take a look at how you should actually go about cleaning your golf cart windshield.
Golf Cart Windshield Cleaner
There are numerous cleaning sprays available with which you can safely clean your golf cart windshield. We recommend the Sprayway Glass Cleaner. It’s crucial feature is that it’s ammonia-free; as a general rule, any glass cleaner that is ammonia-free should be fine for your windshield.
You’ll also need some microfibre cleaning cloths, such as these from Mr. SIGA. The softer, the better.
Spray the ammonia-free glass cleaner all over your windshield. Don’t go too crazy with it, but don’t be shy either. Then, simply wipe it all away with a dry microfiber cloth. Wipe in a side-to-side motion, without applying too much pressure, until all the spray has been absorbed. Job done!
Soap and Water
Alternatively, you could save yourself a few bucks and use some good old fashioned soap and water to clean your windshield. Regular dish soap will work just fine.
Dip a soft cloth into your warm, soapy solution, and start wiping your windshield. Avoid applying too much pressure while making sure you get rid of all the dirt and grease.
When you’re finished scrubbing, rinse the windshield off with plain water, and then blot it dry with a microfiber cloth.
Drying is probably the trickiest part; you can’t leave it to air dry, as it will form soap spots, and you can’t rub it down with a towel in the normal way, as this will scratch the material. Blotting it dry with a soft cloth may take some time, but it’s worth it to give your windshield the correct treatment.
How to Repair a Cracked Golf Cart Windshield?
If your windshield has minor scratches, you may be able to rescue it with some windshield polish, preventing the crack from spreading and fogging up the material.
This Rolite Scratch Removal Kit works particularly well. It’s designed to buff out light, medium, or deep scratches while providing a smooth and glossy finish.
However, some cracks may be too large or deep to repair, in which case you’ll probably have to replace your entire windshield. To prevent this from ever happening, here are some handy tips…
Tips to Protect Your Windshield
In order to protect your windshield, and keep it cleaner for longer, there are a few simple measures you can take.
- You can treat your windshield with a special protectant, such as this EZGO Windshield and Plastic Protector. It basically provides a wax coating for your windshield, which works to deflect rain, clear foggy spots, resist scratches and marks, and reduce glare.
- Be mindful as to where you park your cart. If you leave it out in the open, there’s a good chance that it will become tarnished by the elements. If parking it indoors isn’t an option for you, try and find some shelter to protect it from the rain.
- Consider purchasing a folding windshield. These are built with a hinge in the middle of the window, allowing you to fold the top half of the window down. Not only is this a nice option to have on clear, sunny days out on the course, but it also allows you to more easily protect it if you store your cart outside. With it folded down, you can put a towel over the top of it, keeping it sheltered from the elements.
Final Thoughts
No matter how sensible a driver you are, your golf cart windshield is bound to get dirty from time to time. Since it’s made from different materials to regular car windshields, it’s important not to use certain products that you would usually use on glass.
Instead, purchase an ammonia-free glass cleaner and some soft microfiber cloths. These will provide a very fast and effective method of cleaning your windshield. Or, you could just use soap and water, which will work just as well.
If you manage to keep it clean and take a few simple precautions to keep it protected, your golf windshield should last you for many years to come.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
