getting the writing off my windshield

December 26, 2006 4:09 PM

Whats the quickest easiest way to get the serial number markings off the windshield of my recently towed car?

I'm talking about the hard wax-ish stuff the impound lot uses to write on the windshield to ID the car. I know i can scratch it off with a razor but i thought there might be some kind of cleaning solution that will make it come off easier

posted by sammich to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

If it's the same stuff I used to use to put drag race times on my windshield, it's just white shoe polish. A rag and Windex will take it off.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:12 PM on December 26, 2006

A razor is actually pretty convenient. Less work than scrubbing, and no risk that overspray from a solvent will hurt your paint.
posted by hutta at 4:18 PM on December 26, 2006

If it's the same stuff the police around here use (which I think might just be grease paint), soap and warm water have always worked for me.
posted by weston at 4:18 PM on December 26, 2006

I used a razor blade when it happened to me, and that was by far the easiest method. Some acetone on a rag after helped clear away any traces that remained. You could maybe reverse the order, but working in a glass factory for a while had me reaching for things in the order I mentioned. Don't know why, that was just way we did it...
posted by schwap23 at 4:22 PM on December 26, 2006

razor or formula 409/fantastik/simple green
posted by rhizome at 5:18 PM on December 26, 2006

Razor worked best for me. Get a nice scraper at a hardware or paint store and it'll be a 5 second job.
posted by wemayfreeze at 5:52 PM on December 26, 2006

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser worked for me.
posted by jeanmari at 8:00 PM on December 26, 2006

A credit card worked perfectly for me.
posted by hooves at 10:52 PM on December 26, 2006

Be careful with the razor. Auto windshields are quite soft in comparison to regular window glass. If soap or windex don't make a dent you might try auto wax.
posted by Carbolic at 9:32 AM on December 27, 2006

The cleaner they sell for ceramic cooktops (I usually use this, but there are others that seem just as good) has worked for me for getting tough marks off glass. If you know someone with a flat cooktop they may even have some sitting around you can use (it should only take a little bit).
posted by TedW at 11:01 AM on December 27, 2006

You could also try 00 Steel Wool with glass cleaner.
posted by kc0dxh at 1:22 PM on December 27, 2006