Serious glass cleaning problem

[jimwh]

Here's the problem: I have what appear to be water spots on my glass (mostly front & rear) that will not come clean. Interestingly, the wiper path area is not a problem.

Well, I've tried everything I can think of; various commercial glass cleaners, vinegar; alcohol; distilled water; a mix of vinegar, alcohol & water; and I think I'll try Bon Ami next (I've never had problems with it before).

The problem is similar to when you park your car near the beach and salt spray (mostly salt granules with a littel moisture) layers onn your car. When you first use washer fluid it smears and then cleans off. This only smears a little, but not much. I got brave and tasted my finger after a wipe, and it really has no taste. I was thinking that I might be able to determine if it was oil or salt or something.

When I wash the car, it is not really that visible from the outside, but from inside, it is visible. It is most noticeable when the car gets dirty.

Any suggestions? If I can stay away from glass polish or having to use a buffer, I would like to. I don't know what kind of problems I might introduce. Isn't there a coating on the outside of all glass now as a protective measure?

[waxman]

Try using a car polish that is safe for clear coats. That seemed to work for my problem. Polish the window and buff off. Did wonders. Bon Ami would probably work just as well but would be a little messy

[adjulian]

I tried everything you tried, short of Bom Ami though. Then I decided to take a scouring pad from my kitchen to the glass and sure enough it seemed to remove the water spots with lots of elbow grease, but also left lots of scratches. This I would not recommend because I ended up having to polish my glass with the Eastwood Kit. (check out my review in the Product Reviews section if you like) Now the rear glass looks brand new again.

I decided to cut my losses while I was ahead and not do anything. The spots have seemed to disappear for me through washing and working on my glass a little longer with a sponge.

I feel your pain. I will look forward to hearing suggestions.

[BradE]

Try Zaino Z12 Glass polish. It has mild abrasives that will clean the glass and will remove etching, stains and films. It will not scratch or distort the glass in anyway, just clean it.

[Ron Ketcham]

Would you take a scouring pad to your clearcoated paint??

The glass used today is very similar to clears, it has a lot of polymers in it.

Now you will have to "power buff" it.

You will have to polish out the scratches and the etching that was the original concern.

Sorry, but that is the facts.

Take a look at the Ford process, has all the steps to use regular automotive polish products to remove this concern.

Look under the OEM/TSB Section at www.autoint.com and go to Ford Tech Tips, it has the process.

If you are not comfortable, print it out and take it to a quality detailer and have him do it.

If he says to use steel wool or an acid in place of buffing, run the other way, real fast!!!

[adjulian]

Eastwood Glass Polishing kit with great results!

Won't do that again