Windshield

Z

zevo

New member
My car has a "film" on the windshield that is present for approximately 15-20 seconds after the windshield wipers sweep across the windshield. I've always understood that this is from oils on the windshield, but I'm not certain if this is true.



What is the best way to clean this? I'ts really distracting while driving at night in the rain.
 
I've seen it too, but I'm not sure what it's caused by. It could be a very thin film of water on the windshield that evaporates after a little while.

I would try putting RainX on the windshield, and possibly treating the blades with 303 Wiper Treatment.

You could also try polishing the glass first just to make sure it's clean.
 
Where do you live? I'm wondering if it's just condensation that is building up.



Have you cleaned your windows really well lately?



Paco
 
I live in michigan. I don't take the car to automatic car washes, but I could have gotten some quick detail spray on it by accident. I haven't cleaned it with any window cleaner in a month or so, I've washed with soap and water and dried it. I washed it well this weekend, but today it smeared again when I ran the wipers. It looked clean after washing it this weekend.



I'll try the Rain x. I had also thought about using some rubbing alcohol to take off any wax or oil.



Thanks for the help.
 
Have you cleaned your wipers recently? You'd be surprised at how cruddy they can get. I'd try that first using 303. Then, follow-up with some windshield wiper blade protectant. Prestone makes some as does 303 etc.



I have hunch that is what is leading to the smiring.



Paco
 
Zaino sells a glass polish that I have read is hard to beat. It requires use of a buffer for best results but is supposed to be worth it. It also cleans most anything that has accumulated.:cool:
 
Cleaning your wipers is important as was mentioned ^. I just use a little soap and water when I'm washing the rest of the Av.



I don't care for Rain-X although some people swear by it.



I have a routine for cleaning windows that works well for me. It's modified somewhat from the one mentioned in Gurureports. I use Sprayway window cleaner (heavily) and agitate with #0000 steel wool (don't use steel wool on the inside of aftermarket tinted glass). Then I go over the window with a squeegy. This removes the majority of the dirt, oil, etc. I then lightly spray with glass cleaner and buff with a good quality short nap microfiber.



About once per month or so I polish them.
 
Disappearing windows is a product and use OOOO grade steel wool to work product in. It will take anything, tar, bugs, film, etc off. Zaino glass polish would work good for that too.
 
I used this with a PC and an orange pad. Works very good and stripped every bit of contaminates. I think I went a little over board. Using the polish by hand would be sufficient IMO. Only do one glass panel at a time. This stuff can be a pain in the butt to take off.
 
I recently bought a bottle of 1z glas polish but have failed to use it yet...I even thought about using my oarnge pad with it but im thinking that a mf applicator will do just fine. I also use 303 wiper treatment and it has made a diff.
 
zevo said:
My car has a "film" on the windshield that is present for approximately 15-20 seconds after the windshield wipers sweep across the windshield. I've always understood that this is from oils on the windshield, but I'm not certain if this is true.



What is the best way to clean this? I'ts really distracting while driving at night in the rain.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah. This one is my pet peeve. The older you get, the worse the problem becomes too.

My GM owner's manual said to use GM part number ??? or Bon Ami. I forget the part number it said to use and I'm not going out there tonight to look at it. :) I just sprinkle some on a regular dish sponge and wipe it down real good. It's a ***** to rinse off, but well worth the effort. Just makes a mess. The winshield will NOT BEAD water when you've got it clean. The water will sheet off and you will have NO FILM to blur your vision. I've even noticed in a pouring rain I can see through the windshield even without the wipers going. The manual also recommended wiping your wipers with alcohol or at least with your windshield washer fluid.

I'm experimenting with all kinds of stuff right now. I've got the 303 wiper treatment packets coming tomorrow so we'll see how they work. I'm not overly optimistic.
 
the first thing that usually gives me problems with my windshield is my wiper blades. They dry out and then get an oily film buildup from the roads that absorbs into them. You just have to get a towel or newspaper and some windex to wipe em down. The second thing that usually fixes my smearing windshield problem is the glass polish. I bought zaino glass polish and it didnt do anything for me. I bought Detailer's Pride glass polish and it was a day and night difference! That works awesome, it feels gritty but works fast, you can hear and feel the difference when you slide the towel from part of the window that was polished to a part that wasn't. It goes from sandpaper to silk feeling. Afterwards I hit it up with some rain x if we are in rainy season.
 
Correct me if i'm wrong, but i remember reading something about using a metallic polish on glass too. If all else fails, and you have some metalic polish lying around, you might want to give that a shot. Like others said however, it will take everything off.
 
Did you user a buffer with the Zaino, it always works as stated but may not have been exactly what you were looking for.;)
 
You could always wash the windows a few times a year with a non-abrasive cleaner such as BonAmi or Bar Keepers Friend.
 
Is there any danger of putting scratches in the glass with the more agressive cleaning methods such as bar keepers friend or metal. I plan to get new wipers and thoroughly clean the windshield this weekend.



thanks for the input so far.
 
I'm not sure if I'd use Barkeepers Friend on my glass. The MSDS lists its ingredient as OXALIC ACID - DIHYDRATE. Bon Ami on the other hand lists it's ingredient as soap and Feldspar. I have used Bon Ami with no ill effects. JMHO
 
Zevo, glass and chrome have a similar hardness, so a good chrome polish is fine.



Autoglym has a great glass polish which I love using inside and out.



autopia_1823_161523




Get it here.



For really bad stains (heavy water spotting, mineral stains), I've found Brasso to be unequalled. Contains ammonia and pumice, and polishes the glass to brilliant gloss, no harshness. (Don't get it on paint!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top