Cloudy Windows that keep on giving

[Digger11]

i am just over this. I have read everything i can about Window cleaningbut just cannot get it right.

On all 3 of my cars - the picture is a 2007 Mercedes EClass but have the same issue on all 5 past and present cars.

I clean the windows perfectly with quality glass cleaner, and then within 10 minutes cloudiness/haze/fog reappears. I wipe this off and it is crystal clear, but then return 10 minutes later and all cloudy again.

I have used all of the main window cleaners including Stoner Invisible Glass, Eclipse HD Window Cleaner, Meguiar perfect clarity, and about 5 others. I am just about to retire hurt.

I have also used many different cloths, long and shirt nap Microfibre, Drying cloths and other various Meguiar and other brand cloths made for cars.

Photo below is a bit tough to see, but at the top 1/2 of the window you can see the reappearing smudges, I can wipe them off with a brand new Microfibre cloth, but they will return, they always do.
Please help if possible.

https://www.autopia.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33597&stc=1

[The Guz]

Mckee`s 37 20/20 cockpit glass cleaner would be my recommendation.

[lxjeremy]

Maybe a waffle weave? Do you smoke inside the car?

[Trewarin]

Is it condensation from wet carpets and upholstery?

What do you use on your trim and dash?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Digger11]

Hi,
No smoking. I use 303 occasionally on interior trim. Haziness is on both inside and outside of windows.
Merc is immaculate and garaged at home and work.
No dampness.

I think I`ll give all of my cleaning cloths a good wash as i just cant work out why the sstreaks keep on coming back.

Cheers

[dschribs]

I had the same problem w my Trans Am. I used a glaze on my glass and it never came back.

This is what I used (but I`m an old school guy)

Machine Glaze | ClearKote Wax and Polish Products (http://clearkote.com/products/machine-glaze)

Adams makes a glaze as well.

Brilliant Glaze on Inside of Windshield - Interior Cleaning & Care - Adams Forums (http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/32294-brilliant-glaze-on-inside-of-windshield/)

These are my go to glass towels. I`d never go back to using anything else.

https://www.theragcompany.com/premium-korean-microfiber-16-x-24-waffle-weave-towel/

[The Guz]

If the towels are contaminated then you can have issues. Also too much product can cause issues.

If you are interested in McKee’s 37 20/20 Cockpit Glass Cleaner (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/mckees-cockpit-glass-polish.html#.WUf7-2erGLY)

Some good reviews

https://www.autopia.org/forums/detailing-product-reviews/187397-review-mckee-37-20-20-cockpit-glass-cleaner.html

https://www.autopia.org/forums/detailing-product-reviews/187506-mckees37-2020-cockpit-glass-cleaner-review.html

https://www.autopia.org/forums/detailing-product-reviews/187287-impression-mckee-37-20-20-cockpit-glass-cleaner.html

This is the applicator after I used it on another persons rear glass. Stuff worked better than glass cleaner to remove this built up crud.

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/2420/McKees_Cockpit_Glass_Cleaner.jpg

[rlmccarty2000]

If you are having this problem time and time again it must be something like humidity causing the streaks. I use Nextzeit window cleaner, but it does not sound like a cleaner problem. Try a good polishing with McKees or Wolfgang glass polishes to make sure everything is off the glass. Use a white pad to see if you are pulling anything out of the paint pores, then seal with a good glass coating. If this doesn`t work then you are just cursed and you need to find a with doctor. Lol.

[tropicsteve]

do the windows have a window tint film applied?

[Mike lambert]

Wipe them down with 91% alcohol first.

[Digger11]

Thanks, Some great advice.
I have no tint, but do have some ISO Alcohol spray from when I opticoated, so will try that. Also like the ideas of using a white cloth to see if anything comes off as well as some of the glass polishes mentioned. Particularly like the sound of Cockpit spray as if good enough for an aeroplane.....

[Digger11]

Just to close this off, I rinsed out a couple of Microfibre cloths in warm water and a little bit of vinegar and gave the windows a once over. I then used a dry clean microfibre cloth to dry the window. Not perfect but 90% better.
Maybe over the years, as one poster suggested, I had tried so many different cleaning products that the windows had some of the sprays remaining on tnem and I was just pushing it around.

[Merlin]

I`m glad to hear they are looking better.

From my experience it sounds like the "fog" may be something attached or etched on the glass surface.
I do not believe that any chemical process will clear it up. It sounds like it`s only clear because it`s wet.
When the glass dries the "fog" reappears. This is normal. IMHO There are two ways to clean and polish.

Chemical and mechanical.
Think of it like decon on the paint. On paint I use IronX (chemical) followed by clay (mechanical).
It sounds like (to me) that mechanical is probably the way you need to go to obtain clarity.

Chemical
To begin, I might try something like CarPro Spotless Water Spot Remover.

Mechanical
I`d try CarPro Glass Rayon Polishing Pad 5" along with CarPro CeriGlass Polish

Think of it like putting a beveled edge on a piece of mirror.
http://dgmglass.com/images/mirrors/beveled/mirror-b-1.jpg
The glass is ground to create the bevel then it is polished.
The polishing is done with a felt wheel and Cerium Oxide (https://www.gtglass.com/glass-scratch-repair/cerium-oxide-glass-polish-8oz).

Another product that I have had success with is Rain‑X® X-treme Clean™ (https://www.rainx.com/product/glass-water-repellents-cleaners/rainx-xtreme-clean)
Rain‑X® X-treme Clean™ is gritty and a bit more aggressive than cerium oxide

My suggestion is to use a light to medium DA machine and "jewel" the glass.
This means a light duty machine like a PC or be gentle with a GG 6" polisher.
I`d suggest getting a few CarPro Glass Rayon Polishing Pads to do the windows.

In a nut shell: Use the machine, pads and products to make your glass clear again.

SIDE NOTE: When polishing glass it can get hot. Keep it wet and check temperature.
The side windows on vehicles are tempered glass. If the glass gets too hot it will burst.
Take your time and let the machine, pads and products do their job and you`ll be fine.

[Digger11]

and a final final post on this topic.

Couldn`t find the cockpit cleaner so bought some of the Adams Glaze from the video above and followed the instructions as per the Adams man in the video.

So far so good, windows look sparkling. Best they have looked for years - and each door window uses just a tiny bit of the Glaze, the bottle will last me about 200 years I reckon if I apply twice a year like Mr Adams suggests.

[mc2hill]

and a final final post on this topic.

Couldn`t find the cockpit cleaner so bought some of the Adams Glaze from the video above and followed the instructions as per the Adams man in the video.

So far so good, windows look sparkling. Best they have looked for years - and each door window uses just a tiny bit of the Glaze, the bottle will last me about 200 years I reckon if I apply twice a year like Mr Adams suggests.

It has other uses too - cleaning vinyl stripes, and actually enhancing the look of the paint!