Windscreen cleaning

[Nige]

This isn't a detailing question but recently every time I clean the inside of any of our cars windscreens inside a few hours afterwards if goes kinda hazy.  It's not too noticeable during daytime light but in the evening the street lighting refracts/bursts over the screen.

It's like there is a fine film of grease or silicone that remains on the screen.

I've used Autoglym Fast Glass, various household glass cleaners (Windolene, etc) Vinegar Spray and just soapy water and it's the same in all our cars.  

Never use to have the problem, is it something that has chemically changed for health and safety reasons or is that I'm just sh*t at cleaning glass.

What do you guys use, what clothes, etc?

I just spray on and then wipe off until dry with kitchen towel.

[Beaky]

Sounds like you have some kind of contamination on the screen. Are you using the same cloth, has the missus changed her laundry powder/conditioner?  

Have you tried a mild alcohol solution, let it dry, then use a glass cleaner with a new micro cloth.

I agree that glass cleaners don't seem to have the same cleaning ability as before, ask your local detailer what the use (Autobrite) as this maybe more potent. 

 

 

 

[SurlySurdi]

I have used fast glass for a number of years with a microfiber cloth. The one thing I do afterwards though is to use a paper towel from a roll to go over the glass at the end. I find this gives a smear free and very clear finish. The paper towel is one of those you find in workshops, blue in colour. Give that a go.

[Nige]

That's my usual routine, fastglass with either microfibre followed up by blue roll.

I'll keep trying,  Oddly it less of an issue in the Porsche but is more apparent in our two daily drivers.  Wonder if its an a/c thing?  It always looks fine straight after, but then within an hour or two it's hazy?!

[SilverWT]

15 minutes ago, Nige said:

, Oddly it less of an issue in the Porsche but is more apparent in our two daily drivers.  Wonder if its an a/c thing? 

All my daily drivers with a/c have the same issue and have done for years. I used to think it was due to high motorway miles and many fumes entering  the car. But, the wife's daily gets the same with just local milage, her old car without a/c did not get it.

One of modern life's mysteries.

 

Mark

[Nige]

Wonder if it's something to do with the the content of the a/c pollen filters?  Although they do look just like a regular paper filter and have been changed recently.

[Lesworth]

is it an age thing Nige? Thinking maybe cataracts.

[Nige]

I squint when I think of you Les, makes my vision go hazy.

[GaryH]

38 minutes ago, Nige said:

I squint when I think of you Les, makes my vision go hazy.

Maybe you got some liquid in your eye whilst thinking about him Nige ? 

[Ian Comerford]

8 hours ago, Nige said:

I squint when I think of you Les, makes my vision go hazy.

I think that’s a different problem…….

But if you two want to share a room next week when we are away just say..

[World Citizen]

2 hours ago, Ian Comerford said:

I think that’s a different problem…….

But if you two want to share a room next week when we are away just say..

Might be a squeeze as it leaves no room for a central pillow defensive wall but the three of you could share a room and one bed 🤮

 

[Beaky]

Think I'll bring a hammock to be on the safe side! 

[Lesworth]

I'm fine as long as your feet don't smell Xris.

[Bugs 77]

From windscreen grim to foot odor, nice work team.

 

[Nige]

Went at again last night, just used Lidl household glass cleaner and blue roll.  Lathered it and used plenty or blue roll to thoroughly dry it off.  Seemed OK last night, though this morning there are a couple of patches of hazing.

 

[mean in green]

Most glass cleaning products use ethanol as the primary solvent, with a few percent methanol or propanol and some colour to add shelf appeal.

Just methanol would be a step up in cleaning strength terms. 

[mascot100]

I'm always hazy in the mornings!

 

[johndglynn]

Try isopropyl alcohol on a clean microfibre to clean the internal glass surface, super common for daily drivers to build up a film on the inside that then holds damp in cold weather. Give it a re-do once every few months. Both Cayenne and Civic were painful for fogged up windscreens until I started doing this. Nothing else seems to do the same job.

Make sure you use a microfibre that is either new or has not been washed with fabric conditioner. Do not use conditioner on microfibres.

[ALEX P]

Maybe try Rain-X or Fog-X Nige. I've always found them ok. 

[GimmeShelter]

On 08/09/2022 at 12:32, johndglynn said:

Try isopropyl alcohol

Same issue as Nige.  Air con in all the cars (inc the IB), so that might explain it.  Just ordered some isopropyl alcohol, so thank you!

[ROBINWILD]

Has anyone ever noticed how clear and spotless windscreens are when you see them in "through the windscreen" scenes in films and on TV? Sometimes to the extent that they remove the rear view mirror as well.

Maybe get in touch with MGM or 20th Century Fox and ask them how they achieve it....

 

 

[mean in green]

They sometimes take them out, as for example in the Cosmic Girl video (see the random hair movement with closed windows). 

Maybe try that Nige...!

 

[Chris T]

I don't think they take them out, but they do shoot a video like that over several days when lighting is just right and just pick and choose shots when there are no reflections. Shooting the whole 4 mins may have taken 10 or more passes, 2 or 3 with a heli rest in car style and with bonnet or windscreen mounted cameras. Final edit not at all put together with shots from a chronological order. Polarising filters also help here.

I'm sure the drivers involved were happy to do as many runs as required!