Windscreen help.

malinheader

Bought a car last year and noticed alot of like oil residue patches on the windscreen. I thought at first it was probably a mechanic had rubbed his hand on the screen or maybe wax from a polish. Anyhow the screen is perfect on a dry day but when when you have to use the wipers it is nearly impossible to see out of clearly and impossible at night. Tried neat fairy liquid and rinsed repeatedly to try to break down but no good. I'm at the stage now of thinking of replacing the screen. Any experience of this or anything I could try to clear the screen.

Atlantic Dawn

I'd try clay the windscreen, it should clear any contaminants on it. Could be worth replacing the wipers too if that works, they may be contaminated too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJkfrY2owb0

Here's a clay kit, widely available...

https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/car-cleaning/clay-bars/meguiars-quik-clay-starter-kit-342789.html

Cass

I use isopropyl alcohol on my windows (inside and out) to remove tough/stubborn residue from trees, roads, etc. Works a treat and leaves absolutely no residue itself. Simply apply liberally to a microfibre cloth and work the windscreen well with the cloth. This can also be used in conjunction with a window cleaner. Use the window cleaner first to rmeove heavy soiling, then the isopropyl alcohol for the perfect finish.

Only slight drawback being, getting it. Only place I found that stocks or sells it are chemists, and they only sell in 500ml bottles at about €18 a pop. Still a little goes a long way.

I'd also take the advice above and change the wipers. Whatever was on th windscreen is now on them. Easier/better to replace than try to clean them and risk contaminating the windscreen again.

beachhead

Would a good quality white vinegar do the job?

Cass

Yup. Either neat or mixed up to 50/50. Just be a little careful where the vinegar goes. That it doesn't touch anything that doesn't react well to vinegar, like car paint. If left long enough or "missed" it may cause damage.

malinheader

Thanks for replies. I will definitely be changing the wipers. I tried a household degreaser with no results. The screen is like a rainbow when wipers on. Will try your suggestions at the weekend. Thanks all.

malinheader

Washed screen, dried and cleaned with glass cleaner then good cleaning with white vinegar ,twice. Dried off and cleaned with glass cleaner again. All clean clothes and wipers same process. Small improvement but still rainbow affect on windscreen when wipers working. Try the clay kit and then the alcohol next. Really annoying.

Cass

Have you replaced the wipers? Not just cleaned them. Whatever is on your windscreen is more than likely on your wipers. Some forms of residue will not show as dirt, but will adhere to the wiper and cause that effect even on a clean windscreen. Best bet is to replace wipers and eliminate them as a cause then continue to clean the screen.

malinheader

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118080004#Comment_118080004

Going to have to change wipers definitely. But after last clean with glass cleaner I can still see a rainbow affect on the screen when wipers are lifted up.im thinking no point changing the wipers until I can get the screen totally clean.

Cass

What glass cleaner are you using?

malinheader

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118080174#Comment_118080174

Elbow grease glass cleaner. Streak free..

It also has vinegar in it.

Cass

Much like Windolene. I don't like those "generic" glass cleaners. I find when using them there is a "glide" effect and you have to chase and scrub to remove all residue (from the cleaner itself) when using them.

You ideally want something that evaporates quickly and has a stronger/concentrated formula. GTechniq, Meguiars, ADBL, all do a really good glass cleaner.

malinheader

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118080246#Comment_118080246

Thanks for that. Will ask for one in the car shop when getting the clay. Cheers

FDave

Did you clean the inside of the windscreen?

PsychoPete

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118077972#Comment_118077972

Just get 5l of panel wipe in the motor factors

Cass

Can do that too. Work smart, not hard. 👍️

malinheader

Would the panel wipe be better than the iso alcohol or same as. Cheaper maybe.

Cass

It would be the same price for 5ltr of panel wipe as the 500ml of IPA. Its [the panel wipe] a cleanser/degreaser used when prepping a panel for paint work and is basically watered down IPA. I don't know the exact ratio but its somewhere in the 12 - 15% mark meaning it wouldn't be as concentrated as the 500ml bottle of IPA, but would, with more elbow grease (the action, not the cleaner) give the same effect in theory.

PsychoPete

Pretty much the same thing just with degreasers in it. I'd replace the wipers first and go from there. Clay it or even machine polishing the windscreen might be needed

malinheader

Thanks. Don't want to replace the wipers until I can see something working on the screen. I will get the alcohol at the weekend and see if it clears it. Thanks for all the help.

corks finest

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118080202#Comment_118080202

Vinegar- work in with a newspaper, be heavy handed- repeat and u should see a big difference ( change wipers first)