Film on Exterior Windshield

[BillE]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

Another thing to try is, "Bartenders Friend."

Make a paste and using an a cotton rag...like the toe end of a white sport sock...scrub hard in circular motion...rinse well.

A product that did a great job was, "No-Touch Auto Glass Stripper" (GS8), but it looks like it is no longer made. Maybe you have a friend that has some squirrelled away (?).

Bill

[Anne2]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

I just re-read your post. You are using Windex. That was the window cleaner that caused me endless grief. Get a different window cleaner NOW. I promise you will get better results. I suggest Stoner Invisible Glass, but I'm sure the good folks here can make other good suggestions as well. Stop using Windex and I promise you will get better results.

After all the Windex, I tried Turtle Wax Bug & Tar Cleaner (which had another type of solvent). Now I am awaiting the conditions I need (night, raining light to moderate, cars coming at me) to see if it made any difference. I also got some ArmorAll Auto Glass Cleaner, which does not have ammonia, which I will try next if I have to, and also try the Stoner product, and the recommended Ultimate Compound. What's the solvent in the Stoner's?

[Anne2]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

Well, this is why I suggested using some Ultimate Compound prior to using rain-x. The abrasives in Ultimate Compound should remove the film that is on the windshield without hurting the glass itself.

Thanks! I will give that a try.

[Super Dave]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

I just re-read your post. You are using Windex. That was the window cleaner that caused me endless grief. Get a different window cleaner NOW. I promise you will get better results. I suggest Stoner Invisible Glass, but I'm sure the good folks here can make other good suggestions as well. Stop using Windex and I promise you will get better results.

[Super Dave]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

I have one thought about the film on your windshield. For a longer time than I care to admit I had a film on my car's windows that I could not remove no matter how many times I cleaned it. Finally I came to the conclusion that it was the glass cleaner itself that I was using. I switched glass cleaner and the problem vanished instantly. Maybe try this simple step first before taking more drastic measures. Also don't forget that it might be something on the towels you are using.

[The Guz]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

I would go ahead and use clay followed by ultimate compound. I would follow up with some glass cleaner to clean up any compound residue that may be left. Finally a coat of rainx. Similar process to that video I posted other than you not having a tool. It will take some elbow grease by hand but it can be done.

New blades will help. They should be changed out routinely. It helps to clean them regularly as well just like in the video.

[DasBurninator]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

Yes, I have used RainX for years. I was hesitant to put it on this windshield until I get off whatever is on it because I did not want to further "seal" whatever it is on the windshield. I will try more of the suggestions given (including replacing the Subaru blades--- with only 5400 miles on them--- with Bosch blades.) Hopefully, something will work and I can get the RainX on before worse weather hits. (By the way, would the RainX seal the film on, or would it actually help clean it since it has alcohol in it?)

Well, this is why I suggested using some Ultimate Compound prior to using rain-x. The abrasives in Ultimate Compound should remove the film that is on the windshield without hurting the glass itself.

[Anne2]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

M205, M105, M100 are all various polishes and compounds made by Meguiars.

The consumer version of these that can be purchased at say Walmart or an autoparts store are Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish.
I suggest giving some Ultimate compound a try on the windshield. Make sure you wipe it off afterwards and then clean it with some glass cleaner and a clean towel.

I'd also suggest putting something like Rain-X on it as well. You'll need your wipers much less as the water will roll off the windshield at about 45 MPH.

Yes, I have used RainX for years. I was hesitant to put it on this windshield until I get off whatever is on it because I did not want to further "seal" whatever it is on the windshield. I will try more of the suggestions given (including replacing the Subaru blades--- with only 5400 miles on them--- with Bosch blades.) Hopefully, something will work and I can get the RainX on before worse weather hits. (By the way, would the RainX seal the film on, or would it actually help clean it since it has alcohol in it?)

[DasBurninator]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

What does M205, M105, and M100 refer to?

Can you tell that this is the first time I have ever had to handle a car problem myself? Up until recently, either the dealer or my local shop has been able to take care of any problem I come in with. But, due to incompetence added to the current attitude of "whatever", that is not the case anymore. The service rep at the dealer actually told me that this glare-problem might be due to the design of the windshield! Subaru designed a windshield that puts the driver in white-out conditions if it is raining and another car is approaching? It's amazing what these guys will tell a woman!

M205, M105, M100 are all various polishes and compounds made by Meguiars.

The consumer version of these that can be purchased at say Walmart or an autoparts store are Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish.
I suggest giving some Ultimate compound a try on the windshield. Make sure you wipe it off afterwards and then clean it with some glass cleaner and a clean towel.

I'd also suggest putting something like Rain-X on it as well. You'll need your wipers much less as the water will roll off the windshield at about 45 MPH.

[Anne2]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

Glass is VERY hard. It takes cerium oxide to polish the glass itself. M205 wouldn't even put a dent in it. I'd skip straight to M105/M100 if I was trying to remove a factory coating from glass.

What does M205, M105, and M100 refer to?

Can you tell that this is the first time I have ever had to handle a car problem myself? Up until recently, either the dealer or my local shop has been able to take care of any problem I come in with. But, due to incompetence added to the current attitude of "whatever", that is not the case anymore. The service rep at the dealer actually told me that this glare-problem might be due to the design of the windshield! Subaru designed a windshield that puts the driver in white-out conditions if it is raining and another car is approaching? It's amazing what these guys will tell a woman!

[DasBurninator]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

I had this issue on my 2014 Lexus RX350. Looked like someone applied a protectant unevenly. I tried several glass cleaners and finally had to resort to #205 with a polishing pad on my PC. I hate to suggest anything too abrasive as there may be a permanent factory coating on the glass to repel water. I tried the least abrasive approach until I got the results I wanted. Be sure to tape off the trim if you use this approach to protect the trim and maybe cover the paint to avoid any splatter.

Glass is VERY hard. It takes cerium oxide to polish the glass itself. M205 wouldn't even put a dent in it. I'd skip straight to M105/M100 if I was trying to remove a factory coating from glass.

[jfelbab]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

I had this issue on my 2014 Lexus RX350. Looked like someone applied a protectant unevenly. I tried several glass cleaners and finally had to resort to #205 with a polishing pad on my PC. I hate to suggest anything too abrasive as there may be a permanent factory coating on the glass to repel water. I tried the least abrasive approach until I got the results I wanted. Be sure to tape off the trim if you use this approach to protect the trim and maybe cover the paint to avoid any splatter.

[DasBurninator]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

I've noticed on new windshields they have a coating on them that is less than ideal. I hit the glass with something like Ultimate Compound first to get rid of the coating that the MFG leaves on the glass. Followed up be cleaning the glass and then a good glass sealant or ceramic coating.

[Anne2]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

I dunno... unless it is something with the wiper.... ***** to spend more money, but could try to upgrade the wipers... I have had good luck with RainX (not the ones that 'leave' RainX behind) and Bosch brands that are those single bar style wipers.

Yes, I was thinking about changing out the wipers, too. I'll try the cleaning tips and then add in that, if needed.

[The Guz]

Re: Film on Exterior Windshield

You are correct that tool he is using is a dual action polisher.

Murr gave a good step by step guide on which products to use. The video goes a little deeper but the concept it the same other than the razor blade he is using. Start off with what Murr posted and go from there.

I would clean the blades with glass cleaner as Larry shows in the video.

Hard to say why one side is worse than the other. Surface contamination can sometimes be unpredictable.