What is this on my windshield?

L

Leadfootluke

New member
I am driving our family's extra vehicle while I search for a new car and I have noticed annoying stains on the outside of the windshield. They are very noticeable when the wipers are on, or the light hits it right.



The van I am driving has sat outside for most of the spring and has been parked under trees at times. I have tried everything but polishing at this point. Any ideas what these markings are and/or how to remove them? The pictures are small because I uploaded them in a hurry. Thank you!



You can see them on the left side after the windshield is hit with water

IMG_4688.jpg




Up close

IMG_4689.jpg




And after you wipe the water off

IMG_4691.jpg
 
That was my thought, given the pattern of the stain.

I've tried anything from water, to soapy water, to glass cleaners, IPA, to an APC of 3 different varieties, 0000SW with cleaner, Claying it, etc. Nothing phased it.
 
Are you talking about the wiper streak pattern on the windshield? I'm wondering this too because I took our 2006 Honda Civic to college and it has always been garaged until this year. It has sat in a covered parking structure all year. I clean it weekly, but I've noticed within the last month or two when I would get in the car at night and the light would hit it just right, I would see what appeared to be a perfect pattern of the wiper tracks across the windshield, not scratches, just the film pattern, although I hadn't used them in months. Never would see this after cleaning the car, just a few days later. I figured it was from the defroster due to the winter months and cold nights. Well now that it's summer, it is becoming more evident that my windows, front windshield and rear windshield will begin to fog up even though it'll be like 55 degrees outside, so this shouldn't be happening. I cleaned the windows inside, so there is no film on them. Is this problem on the outside like the OP said where I'll need to clay and polish the windows to remove it? I plan to do this with my orbital regardless when I go home on Friday.



I don't know if this is related, but I noticed last week when cleaning the windshield in the sun, it was hot so I turned the AC on, and the clean windshield began to fog in broad daylight! Now this is extremely weird because I've never experienced that in my life. Could all these problem be a result of parking outside with the windows up like 90% of the time, so is this film due to there being like no ventilation inside?
 
BTW, I think my problem is pretty much the same as yours inside with the film. Do you notice it getting worse at night causing excessive fogging inside even without the AC or heater on?
 
My concern is what looks to be blotches on the windshield. I have since washed it many more times and it appears to have gotten a little better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top