So how do you clean the inside of the rear window?
 

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

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

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

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. :bonk:

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..

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! :cheers:

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Only once a year, and I prep.