So how do you clean the inside of the rear window? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Dadillac · 12-05-2018, 06:23 PM

So today I cleaned the windows for the first time since buying the car on October 13th. Toyota did a somewhat adequate job of cleaning the glass before delivery but there were noticeable streaks left behind. Anyway for the rear window I first tried to get in the back seat and found out that that was not gonna work. So then I put the back seat down and laid on my back entering through the trunk. That got me into the perfect position. Removing my self from the trunk was the hard part. 52 years old, short at 5'7", on the chunky side, and arthritis pain everywhere. Thought I was gonna have to call someone to help me out. But I managed. So how do you guys clean that window? Just curious is all

Don

highway7 · 12-05-2018, 06:27 PM

Just climb in the back. Only tip I have is run your microfiber cloth parallel to the heater elements and not against

Sapphireho · 12-05-2018, 06:32 PM

I have a rear seat delete. Once a year I take out the bottom (2 bolts) and climb back there and clean.

Brink · 12-05-2018, 06:40 PM

I just climb in the back seat. The times I've crawled in through the trunk like that to work on something I also found it difficult to get back out - as I recall it was actually easier to get out through the front of the car rather than trying to get out through the trunk again.

Like highway7 said, just run the microfiber cloth parallel to the heating element. I believe the manual specifies to only use water due to the heating element (I prefer distilled water if I have some on hand). Just wipe the window with a damp rag, doesn't take much water at all, and dry immediately with another microfiber cloth.

Sapphireho · 12-05-2018, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brink

I just climb in the back seat. The times I've crawled in through the trunk like that to work on something I also found it difficult to get back out - as I recall it was actually easier to get out through the front of the car rather than trying to get out through the trunk again.

Like highway7 said, just run the microfiber cloth parallel to the heating element. I believe the manual specifies to only use water due to the heating element (I prefer distilled water if I have some on hand). Just wipe the window with a damp rag, doesn't take much water at all, and dry immediately with another microfiber cloth.

You are correct on the manual saying only water. I read that after I cleaned mine a few times with Windex.

HKz · 12-05-2018, 06:53 PM

yea no real easy way to clean the back window, gotta sweat it out a bit. I wrap a square piece of thin plastic with a microfiber towel and it makes it easier to reach the end of the back window where it reaches the shelf..

86MLR · 12-05-2018, 07:22 PM

I get my kids to do it, that's why you have them isn't it.

Oh, and a organ bank, my liver isn't gonna last forever..

bmacfrs · 12-05-2018, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86MLR

I get my kids to do it, that's why you have them isn't it.

Oh, and a organ bank, my liver isn't gonna last forever..

Cheers to that!

Mr.ac · 12-05-2018, 07:46 PM

I use the invisible glass Reach and clean tool. Makes life so much easier.

DandoX · 12-05-2018, 08:19 PM

In your manual it actually says not to use any chemicals and to gently wipe in a side to side motion. Don't wipe in circles or in an up and down motion.

By doing it that way it avoids damaging the rear window heating element which I guess can get damaged by chemicals or rubbing too hard up and down, because that heating element is basically glued to the inside of the window, so take care.

As for fitting back there, I just climb back with the seats up and just contort my body to try and clean best I can then take a break every 5-6 mins and get out so the blood can flow. I'm about 5'10 and I find it a pain in the ass to clean. The best technique is I ask the lovely Mrs Dandox who is smaller and more nimble to help clean the rear windows, this works the best.

Now an even worse pain in the ass cleaning back there is getting hair and leaves and other shmutz off the carpet shelf and behind the brake light, thats a pain.

StraightOuttaCanadaEh · 12-05-2018, 08:58 PM

Guys be careful. I was cleaning the back seat last year and because I've never been back there, when I was coming out, I kinda got stuck in the doorway and forced myself through. An hour later at home both of my shoulders were in agonizing pain. Turns out it a severe injury involving muscle insertions and possibly the disc in upper back. The resulting inflammation pinched nerves, which resulted in shoulder pain. Took a year of chiro and massage to fix it. So be careful with that window lol

SuperTom · 12-05-2018, 09:16 PM

I always use newspaper (not the glossy kind) and any form of window cleaner for automotive window cleaning. Old school trick

new2subaru · 12-05-2018, 09:19 PM

Magic eraser and a microfiber and then invisible glass and a microfiber.

The wife crawls back there and looks after it once a year.

Sapphireho · 12-05-2018, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StraightOuttaCanadaEh

Guys be careful. I was cleaning the back seat last year and because I've never been back there, when I was coming out, I kinda got stuck in the doorway and forced myself through. An hour later at home both of my shoulders were in agonizing pain. Turns out it a severe injury involving muscle insertions and possibly the disc in upper back. The resulting inflammation pinched nerves, which resulted in shoulder pain. Took a year of chiro and massage to fix it. So be careful with that window lol

Only once a year, and I prep.

12-05-2018, 07:22 PM	#7
86MLR Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Drives: 2002 VX Commodore SS LS1 Auto Location: Sydney Posts: 2,203 Thanks: 500 Thanked 2,185 Times in 1,111 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I get my kids to do it, that's why you have them isn't it. Oh, and a organ bank, my liver isn't gonna last forever.. __________________ Disclaimer: This post represents the official views of the voices in my head at the time of posting. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133311 I'm only here for the biscuits

12-05-2018, 07:46 PM	#9
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I use the invisible glass Reach and clean tool. Makes life so much easier. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

12-05-2018, 08:58 PM	#11
StraightOuttaCanadaEh Wes Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: Artisan Spirits '17 86 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,794 Thanks: 1,165 Thanked 1,674 Times in 994 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Guys be careful. I was cleaning the back seat last year and because I've never been back there, when I was coming out, I kinda got stuck in the doorway and forced myself through. An hour later at home both of my shoulders were in agonizing pain. Turns out it a severe injury involving muscle insertions and possibly the disc in upper back. The resulting inflammation pinched nerves, which resulted in shoulder pain. Took a year of chiro and massage to fix it. So be careful with that window lol __________________ Instagram: @gt86ws

12-05-2018, 09:16 PM	#12
SuperTom Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: C5 Corvette, '17 Toyota 86, Jeep XJ Location: New Castle DE Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 1,436 Thanked 914 Times in 528 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I always use newspaper (not the glossy kind) and any form of window cleaner for automotive window cleaning. Old school trick __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Advice to clean Rear window carpet	DandoX	Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash, Wax, Detailing, Body Repairs)	17	02-02-2018 12:15 PM
Tiny chips on inside of window	Norinradd	Issues \| Warranty \| Recalls / TSB	16	09-14-2016 07:45 AM
How to clean the inside of the windshield	ML	Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash, Wax, Detailing, Body Repairs)	10	04-01-2014 08:51 PM
WTB: REAR window top Brake Light (just top half with leds) or full rear deck	Kayzer Soze	Exterior Parts (Aero, Lighting, Etc.)	1	08-31-2013 02:23 PM

12-05-2018, 06:27 PM	#2
highway7 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Drives: FRS 2013 Location: Toronto GTA Posts: 182 Thanks: 2 Thanked 98 Times in 58 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Just climb in the back. Only tip I have is run your microfiber cloth parallel to the heater elements and not against

12-05-2018, 06:32 PM	#3
Sapphireho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: '15 ultramarine Location: Idaho Posts: 13,192 Thanks: 5,451 Thanked 18,240 Times in 8,609 Posts Mentioned: 155 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have a rear seat delete. Once a year I take out the bottom (2 bolts) and climb back there and clean.

12-05-2018, 06:40 PM	#4
Brink Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Drives: 2017 BRZ Location: CA Posts: 665 Thanks: 200 Thanked 392 Times in 236 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I just climb in the back seat. The times I've crawled in through the trunk like that to work on something I also found it difficult to get back out - as I recall it was actually easier to get out through the front of the car rather than trying to get out through the trunk again. Like highway7 said, just run the microfiber cloth parallel to the heating element. I believe the manual specifies to only use water due to the heating element (I prefer distilled water if I have some on hand). Just wipe the window with a damp rag, doesn't take much water at all, and dry immediately with another microfiber cloth.

12-05-2018, 06:53 PM	#6
HKz Reformed Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: '23 GRC, '11 Prius, '04 RAV4 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,313 Thanks: 1,234 Thanked 1,133 Times in 588 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	yea no real easy way to clean the back window, gotta sweat it out a bit. I wrap a square piece of thin plastic with a microfiber towel and it makes it easier to reach the end of the back window where it reaches the shelf..

12-05-2018, 09:19 PM	#13
new2subaru Weight Weenie Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: 15 FR-S Location: Canada Posts: 2,584 Thanks: 5,015 Thanked 2,330 Times in 1,346 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Magic eraser and a microfiber and then invisible glass and a microfiber. The wife crawls back there and looks after it once a year.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password