Windshield Cleaning Challenge

I'm having a problem cleaning my 2007 Lexus ES350 windshield. This is the original, not a replacement.



The problem is I have what appears to be "sparkly dust particles" on the outside of my windshield. They are only noticeable when light shines on the windshield at an angle, early morning - passing under streetlights at night, etc.



I have tried several things to get rid of this, I have clayed the windshield and I have used AutoGlym Glass Polish with orange 4" pad on a drill. I typically wash with ONR, and use Surf City glass cleaner with a surgical no-lint cloth. Often times when I ONR, I don't clean the glass afterward - i.e. the glass is cleaned with ONR and dried with my waffle weave.



The windshield does often feel stickyor grabby when moving a MF over it.



I assume this is lint and is held on by static - but I'm not at all sure about that. Sorry, but I don't have pictures.



Any thoughts or similar experiences?



Thanks.
 
My first guess would be that it's a bunch of light stone chips. If you are certain that isn't the case my first attempt to get rid of them, if they are lint, would be to use a squeegee and see if they are still there. If they seem to go away, or are greatly reduced, maybe it is lint and you could do your glass this way. Another way of cleaning the glass would be with Mother's Showtime detailer. It seems to clean very well and doesn't seem to enhance static. Should be less sticcky afterwards too.
 
Those are very tiny imperfections created by debris hitting the windshield. I kept a vehicle for 10 years, and by the time I got rid of it the thing was nearly undriveable in the morning due to that "star" effect on the windshield during sunrise/sunset when the sun is right in front of you. It was unnoticeable at all other times.
 
It isn't lint, it's tiny chips/pitting. Comes from small debris particles hitting the windshield. Look at the sun through the windshield of a brand new car, then look at it through the windshield of a car with 50,000+ miles, the difference is very obvious.



P.S. the same thing happens to the paint on your front bumper/leading edge of the hood.
 
it's pitting. The most common thing to do is replace the windsheild. It happens to every car that actually gets driven. You can try polishing them out. Usually dosen't help much especially for the cost compared to just replacing the windsheild.
 
I disagree that it's pitting, not that I know exactly what causes it. I have the same problem with my 2008 Accord Coupe.



It literally looks like someone took a bag of small stones and dropped it on the windshield. I most definitely haven't had that many rocks (or anything else) hit my windshield. Not even that many bug splatters!



The only time this effect occurs on my windshield is when I use ONR - if I bucket wash my car, the windshield is fine. Maybe its an interaction between windshield fluid and the ONR?



Either way, it's annoying, definitely one of the downsides to using ONR IMO.
 
fugaz15 said:
I disagree that it's pitting, not that I know exactly what causes it. I have the same problem with my 2008 Accord Coupe.



It literally looks like someone took a bag of small stones and dropped it on the windshield. I most definitely haven't had that many rocks (or anything else) hit my windshield. Not even that many bug splatters!



The only time this effect occurs on my windshield is when I use ONR - if I bucket wash my car, the windshield is fine. Maybe its an interaction between windshield fluid and the ONR?



Either way, it's annoying, definitely one of the downsides to using ONR IMO.







Ever drive down the highway? even once? If so then you've done exactly what it takes for pitting to occur. You simply need to drive through "Dusty" enough air at a rate of speed that basically sand blast your windshield. A dirt road, Construction, etc etc.. Any of them have the potential to pit the windshield.
 
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