Smeary Windshield -- Driving Me Crazy!!!

competentone · 08-30-2007, 04:24 AM

My '99 Ford Taurus windshield has an impossible film on it that I can't get off. It is "oily-like" -- but when I try degreasers it actually seems to get worse?!!!

It is not just in the area of the wiper blades (I have cleaned and changed them multiple times) but that is where it gives the problems -- it leaves a "haze" when wet and the wipers are on, which is particularly annoying at night.

I've tried alcohol, paint thinner, lacquer thinner, acetone, brake parts cleaner (which looks like it is mostly toluene). After cleaning with solvents (wiping over and over with them), it actually seems to get worse -- which is the biggest mystery of all.

It is not related to any waxes/cleaners I use on the car, since I use the same things on my truck and do not have the same problems.

Is there something in the manufacture of the glass that involves something embedded in the glass that causes this problem (which could explain it getting "worse" when I use solvents)? Is there some other solvent I should try to cut this "film"?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions to solve this problem.

--Joe

masraum · 08-30-2007, 04:28 AM

Have you tried newspaper to do the cleaning? That's supposed to be one of the best.

Then, I've heard that claybar is good.

Neither of those works and none of the solvents has worked, then maybe try putting rainx on it. Yes, that seems counter intuitive, but hey, you've tried everything else, right.

Mule · 08-30-2007, 04:29 AM

Bar keepers friend or Cameo are a soft cleanser made for stainless steel. It will make your windshield like new & will not scratch. It will even take off the wipe marks from the wipers. Water wont even stick to it after. Use it on the wiper blades too. That & a micro fiber cloth & you'll be stunned.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-30-2007, 04:39 AM

Interesting Mule, where do you pick those up?

I've found clay bar gives good results.

competentone · 08-30-2007, 04:42 AM

I have been thinking about trying Bar Keeper's Friend -- I've used it before on cars that had hard water stains built up on their glass -- but this seems like it is some sort of "oily" film, so I wasn't thinking it would help. I'll have to give it a try.

I was thinking about Rainx too -- but that will be my last "desperate" act! (I'm just about there.)

onewhippedpuppy · 08-30-2007, 04:45 AM

New windshield?

New car?

competentone · 08-30-2007, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

New windshield?

New car?

Yea, thought about that too, but with my wife in law school, "extra" money just isn't there.

Porsche_monkey · 08-30-2007, 05:04 AM

Bon Ami

Mule · 08-30-2007, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Interesting Mule, where do you pick those up?

Grocery store. The stuff is like magic. Leaves the windshield like it's been rain xed.

BeyGon · 08-30-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Have you tried newspaper to do the cleaning? That's supposed to be one of the best.

Then, I've heard that claybar is good.

Neither of those works and none of the solvents has worked, then maybe try putting rainx on it. Yes, that seems counter intuitive, but hey, you've tried everything else, right.

I read about the claybar on the windshield here before, I tried it and think it worked great.