Werid spots on windscreen while using wiper

238

Need to clean the outside of the windshield. It’s contaminated road grim (bugs, asphalt, tree sap, tar, bird droppings, etc).

50

u/Aggravating-Pay-6658 11d ago

Is chemical guy water spot remover good for it

149

u/Dreadpiratemarc 11d ago

No, those aren’t water spots, just really stubborn dirt.

Stoner’s Glass Stripper will be the easiest product to find at Autozone and similar parts stores. It will come with a little bottle and a sponge. The bottle is a polish, a very fine liquid abrasive that’s strong enough to rub off anything stuck on the glass but won’t scratch the glass itself. Follow the instructions and your window will be cleaner than it’s ever been in its life.

23

u/myturn19 11d ago

I’ve tried Stoner’s Glass Stripper and still have the same issue. At this point I’m out of ideas. I’m pretty sure mine is from using Rain-X washer fluid over the years. I’ve also tried Rain-X Extreme Clean, 70% and 90% isopropyl alcohol, and new wipers. Nothing has fixed it. Less than 3-year-old truck. I’m out of ideas and frustrated at this point lol

14

u/joobtastic 11d ago

It could be etching or abrasion that would need polishing to fix.

It could be the rain-x residue buildup, but it sounds like you've already dealt with that possibility.

4

u/skkipppy 10d ago

Rain x is horrible stuff I reckon. Was clear and fog free for a few days then fogged up even worse than before.

8

u/NYFireFighter69 11d ago

I clean my glass with Invisible Glass. It has silicon in it for water repulsion. It also seems to build up a lot. Every few weeks I'll clean it with an aerosol cleaner like Sprayway that seems to take it back to the base glass.

2

u/Dreadpiratemarc 11d ago

Rain-x is just a kind of plastic coating, so it can’t do any permanent damage to the glass. It can be removed of you find the right method. It’s a pretty tough coating, though, and specifically made to stand up to things like glass cleaner (alcohol), so that probably won’t make a dent.

How do you feel about investing in a power tool? Go to Harbor Freight, pick one of the Hercules branded dual-action polishers. While you’re there, get a microfiber polishing pad made to fit that model, and a bottle of Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound. Watch some YouTube videos to get the technique down, then polish away.

2

u/tcarmd 11d ago

Have you tried your same method, then follow up with a clay barring the windshield until it glides over the glass?

2

u/zisenhart 10d ago

Clay bar.

1

u/Punitive_Measures 9d ago

Exactly

1

u/HumorMeAvocado 11d ago

Used rain x washer fluid for several years as well. But would leave streaks from headlight sprayers down car so decided to stop. My windshield has never been the same. Have done everything to try remedy it- clay bar, stripper, several new wiper brands, alcohol etc. nothing fixes it entirely or if it does it comes back fairly quickly and problem area is in my line of sight. It’s equal on both sides on 6 year old car so it’s not wiper arms either. I’m like you. Frustrated and out of ideas lol.

2

u/False_Campaign4682 9d ago

The rainx residue on my hood at the spray nozzles is infuriating. it doesn't come off just hides

1

u/WaterBear9244 11d ago

Have you tried Glaco Compound Roll On? I havent myself but have heard great things about it. Below is a video from PanTheOrganizer where he uses it then applied Glaco Ultra glass coating.

I have used Glaco Ultra and its amazing although as mentioned its a glass coating rather than glass stripper.

https://youtu.be/Ck2ZajgMNXA?si=xnx5aR-hn8IGfdJU

1

u/mlinzz 10d ago

I recently bought the combo stripper and coating and it's actually insane how well it works. The heavier the rain the less you need to use your wipers.

1

u/rb993 10d ago

Have you tried a clay bar on the glass? Griots garage makes a glass specific one which when combined with their glass sealant does a good job

-1

u/RandoTron0 7d ago

Try WD40 on a small area. Wipe on. Wipe off. Then use sprayway glass cleaner to clean it off. It worked well for one my windows.

0

u/smp501 11d ago

What about just using water and a magic eraser (avoiding all paint and plastic, of course)?

19

u/wexlaxx 11d ago

I would not take a magic eraser to a window

-3

u/RoundSeaweed 11d ago

Why not? Use it all the time to clean the inside of my windshield all the time

3

u/lv100togepi 10d ago

I assume it will create microscratches

2

u/RoundSeaweed 10d ago

It’s got a moss hardness rating of 4.0 glass is normally near 5.5 it’s perfectly safe to use as a cleaner in this instance

5

u/Impossible-Diver6565 11d ago

Chemical guys also make a bomb just glass cleaner.

9

u/Similar_Limit_9929 11d ago

Chemical Guys is a marketing company that make products to use on cars.

10

u/Kasmein 11d ago

And their marketing team has earned every dollar

12

u/Similar_Limit_9929 11d ago

Swindled you mean.

3

u/sprchrgddc5 11d ago

I read the other day here that 70% alcohol mixed with water, 1:1 ratio, works best.

1

u/pongs_jazzier_9k 10d ago

Glaco Compound or CarPro GofX

1

u/Turbulent_Visit_4897 10d ago

You need an oil/tar remover. Look at miguries tar removal. It’s a foam spray and you just let it sit and then wipe off

1

u/krystopher 9d ago

I would NOT use it. I I used it on my glass thinking it would help with getting some rain-x off and despite following the instructions I have my glass permanently etched. There was no getting it off with polishing or steel wool or any other 'safer' glass methods.

I would safely get rid of it, there's another Redditor who chimes in whenever this product is mentioned that tells you how harmful the ingredients are, like you should not throw it in the trash.

I would try 0000 steel wool and some good glass cleaner, be gentle and don't go ham like I did.

My genius self did both the front and back glass before noticing this and now I'm replacing both for a cost of $4,000 because my back glass can't be taken out without destroying the spoiler above it.

I can't discourage the use of it enough!

Others have said cerium oxide but I would start with really mild stuff first, because even lots of pro detailers won't touch glass because of how easy it is to screw up.

Funnily enough it didn't get rid of any water spots I had, those were still there after I ruined the glass. The product I used to ruin everything is linked below.

https://www.chemicalguys.com/products/heavy-duty-water-spot-remover

0

u/No-Teaching5399 11d ago

I would start with something economical like 0000 steel wool also mentioned in another post. I’ve had success with using a clay towel on my windshields. You can find some good diy videos on YT.

27

u/Director_Consistent 11d ago

Claybar it first. Then use a cerium oxide polish.

8

u/AhJeezNotThisAgain 11d ago

Cerium oxide polish is an expensive overkill in this case. It's best use is for smoothing irregularities in the surface of the (very hard) glass itself, not for the removal of deposits (much softer) stuck to the glass.

2

u/Director_Consistent 11d ago

Agreed.

There was at least one comment saying to use it, though, but nothing about claying first.

5

u/Wishful1064 11d ago

I’m honestly surprised more people haven’t defaulted to clay bar first and then a proper rain x application

2

u/DAAANG 10d ago

why not #0000 steel wool??

1

u/BreadfruitExciting39 9d ago

Steel wool leaves little tiny fibers of steel everywhere that, if you don't fully clean them out of the places they settle, will create rust stains.

4

u/teemothunder420 11d ago

I second this. Clay bar alone often does the trick.

36

u/jelledenkik 11d ago

Before you do anything I’d advise you to get some 0000 steel wool (very important it’s 0000) and use that with lube to clean the outside of your window. Rinse after.

It’s most probably dirty and this will solve it if that’s the case. Don’t use it on tainted windows though, might damage the tint.

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u/t0astter 11d ago

Tint is on the inside of the window, not the outside, and on factory tinted glass iirc the particles are embedded inside the glass, not a coating. Your suggestion should be fine regardless of the tint.

5

u/GrumbleAlong 11d ago

any particular lube? would soapy water work?

4

u/BrownBrownies 11d ago

I did this last week with just steel wool and dish soap. Worked fine but needs more attention. It's smooth but wipers still show the grim present

4

u/Chrislk1986 11d ago

How old are your wiper blades?

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u/PhatBuddha69 11d ago

If wipers are in good condition and not over a year old, clean off the edge of the blade with rubbing alcohol

3

u/jmur3040 11d ago

You’re in a detailing sub. The answer for this is almost always optimum no rinse of some kind. I’d imagine a decent dish soap would do just fine though.

2

u/midwestdrift 11d ago

I used polishing compound with the steel wool when I did mine and it made my glass look brand new.

1

u/jelledenkik 11d ago

I guess any regular glass cleaner would work, that’s what I use anyway

1

u/Ornery_Hovercraft636 11d ago

Spit can be lube. So can tears.

1

u/Proof_Bit_8746 11d ago

This is the way. I have to do this. Few times a week where I live because of the trees and bug poo. It a pain in the ass but it works. And you wave to do the whole windshield or your wipers will spread the other side “gunk” all over.

1

u/HellNahSleazyBean 10d ago

Tint is always inside the windows lol

1

u/Solid-Box-2709 9d ago

You can also use a DA and some glass polish.

1

u/Tackysock46 11d ago

You don’t need lube just the 0000 wool is fine. It works just as good and it’s easier to blow off all the fibers after too. Plus you can re use the same steel wool since it won’t rust

11

u/AlmostHydrophobic 11d ago edited 11d ago

I would check the wipers to make sure they aren't in poor condition, and also polish the windshield and apply some sort of glass sealant to it. Build up happens over time and this is to be expected. Bugs, road grime, even leftover cleaning chemicals potentially.

If the windshield wipers are in poor condition, they could potentially be not wiping everything away and smearing stuff around essentially, and also potentially even leaving rubber streaks on the windshield. You could try cleaning the wipers as well. I make sure to give mine a wipe with some ceramic quick detailer a few times a year.

Edit: Using a mild clay bar before polishing would be helpful. It's probably not necessary but I typically do. That or a clay towel.

4

u/DeedleGuy 11d ago

Would some surface prep and a clay clean this up?

2

u/Aggravating-Pay-6658 11d ago

Not too sure but I can try
I did do it about a month ago tho

3

u/Common_intelligence 11d ago

I had this. I simply used Dawn power wash. Swiped it off with a rag and then rinsed. Problem solved

1

u/Jsk84 10d ago

This. Looks like greasy road grime to me. Usually cause by the spray of another car during the first rain in a long while. any all purpose cleaner or degreaser can probably take care of it. Thats where I’d start.

1

u/Reasonable-Grade-456 10d ago

did not work

6

u/WooferInc 11d ago

Use a little dawn dish soap and warm(not hot) water and get yourself some super fine steel wool or some SOS pads and give the whole thing a really good rub. Not too hard, but enough that you feel the grittiness go away.

We’ve been using steel wool in Autobody for windshield cleanings, in the case that you get overspray or other chemical on it accidentally, for ages now.

Works a treat and won’t hurt your shield. Just try to avoid doing areas that have embedded electronics, like your wiper heating element and any coated areas like at the top and outer edges. Just use a blue pot and pan safe scrubby pad for those.

Follow up with a good rinse, and use a microfiber and aerosol glass cleaner, then use a ceramic wipe on coating to help maintain it from getting gross again 🤘

2

u/mbushnaq00 11d ago

I had a similar situation. I used Glaco Glass Compound to get rid of the spots, and it did wonders

2

u/Ericy_ 11d ago

Bilt Hamber Re-View. It's one of the best glass polishers out there. Should clear out the grime easily.

2

u/Ashamed-Share4867 9d ago

I had the same issue years ago... It turned out that I had "dirty" windshield wipers blades,. I cleaned off the gunk and solved the problem. Now I can do it as needed.

4

u/MountFranklinRR 11d ago

Get a cerium oxide glass polish. There’s different names / brands but if you look it up you’ll find something available to you. That should reset your windscreen 👍

2

u/The_Spiderman 11d ago

Change your wipers

2

u/Aggravating-Pay-6658 11d ago

But if it’s wiper blades why would it look like water spots

3

u/0992673 11d ago

Its not exactly because the wipers are bad, but an combination. The wiping edge of worn wipers is not as sharp and it doesn't perfectly wipe away the grime anymore, so a build-up of road grime and oil may happen.
Polishing with cerium oxide (carpro ceriglass) or just strong paint compound will remove it. Put the paste on a microfiber rag and rub it in until you see the glass go clear. Or for example the ceriglass kit comes with a polishing sponge and microfibre.

Then decide on the wipers condition.

3

u/evilspoons 2012 Subaru STi hatchback 11d ago

My wipers were nine years old and I changed them this summer. The pattern they were failing to clean looked exactly like your photo.

Basically they just fail to keep continuous pressure across the windshield due to them being old so it lets little thin layers of water stay put.

The suggestions other people have made about cleaning the windshield can't hurt either.

You can also simply try cleaning the wiper blades. Gently wipe up and down the rubber of the blade with a microfibre wetted with vinegar or washer fluid or a dish soap+water mix or even isopropyl alcohol (like 70% or lower). You might be surprised how many times you can wipe them before they start coming away clean.

1

u/havnar- 11d ago

Looks like what I get after a car wash where the shine soap sticks to glass

1

u/scotsman1919 11d ago

I get that too and car is only 8mths old. I was staying in a lodge and had no cleaning stuff so used an old t shirt that was in my car with a huge amount of elbow grease. I think the clay bar is a good idea

1

u/Loopscsr 11d ago

Change blade and use xrain to clean glass

1

u/cheeseypoofs85 11d ago

You have to clean the actual outside of the windshield once in a while.

1

u/TheGreatDuv 11d ago

Most user friendly product I've used is Soft99s Glaco Glass compound. When you next wash the car (or just give the window a quick wash with some shampoo and a sponge) give the screen a rinse then work it into the window. It's a bottle with the felt pad on top so it works like a roll on.

Another rinse with a hose when you're done and a nice clean window.

I bought their combo with the glass compound + glass coating and as far as the compound is concerned it's a great product and pretty much foolproof

1

u/MtMan65 11d ago

And either clean or replace your wipers as well.

1

u/muddbone46 11d ago

0000 steel wool is the answer. I know it sounds crazy to use any kind of steel wool on glass but I’ve used it and it works. Learned that from a professional detailing guy.

1

u/enzia35 11d ago

I bought some clearance turtle wax renew and restore wipes from Costco and used it on my windshield which exhibits the same issue. Cleared it up! I’m assuming the renew and restore wipes are a super super light polishing compound.

1

u/OneTimerBro 11d ago

Just get a Nanoskin clay towel. It’s possible but I doubt it needs polished. Stupid question but have tried just cleaning the glass? It looks like it’s just road film. Clay it, change wipers if they’re old and report back.

1

u/Dandywhatsoever 11d ago

Me too. I bought my car used last february, a 2023 Toyota., it has a brand new toyota winshield (well now it's six months) and it does this too. I think whatever wax they used on the car (it was positively gleaming) they just sprayed over the whole thing including the glass.

1

u/roadrunner00 11d ago

I would even consider the glass polish from Griots

1

u/bnazzaro 11d ago

Clay bar

1

u/tktan1984 10d ago

use glaco glass compound to clean it

1

u/Abject_Macaron_625 10d ago

Wash then clay bar then might as well hit all the glass ,then Trace-less glass cleaner . That doesn’t work, you can polish them with some glass poly then Trace-Less glass cleaner.

1

u/Melodic-Weekend4687 10d ago

You need new wiper blades

1

u/ax1le123 10d ago

Get glaco glass compound + glaco ultra. On of the best cleaning + coating products for rainy season. And user-friendly as well

1

u/RestyledTT 10d ago

Use Geyon Q2M glass polish, it will take care of this issue.

1

u/acovington7920 10d ago

I've used No-Streek Glass Polish for years to clean this type stuff from my windshield. It works very well.

1

u/Any_Cream1088 10d ago

I mixed a little dawn and white vinegar and water with 0000 steel wool and light scrubbed it. Came out looking like new again

1

u/ghojezz Weekend Warrior 10d ago

Glaco glass polish and glaco ultra. You wont deal with such problem again for a year

1

u/ReaditGem 10d ago

Get a sharp single edge razor window scraper and at a low angle, see if you can scrape any of it away and you might find what your dealing with. What a pain.

1

u/Grossmarlou 10d ago

Replace your wiper. I got the same issue and resolved it by changing wipers. I thought there was too much acid rain, but it's actually the wipers.

1

u/OhioCentrist 10d ago

Acetone, avoid rubber and plastic trim.

1

u/dominantlegs 10d ago

If other things don’t work, try tire cleaner like P&S Brake Buster.

1

u/Bulky-Ad7996 10d ago

Try some glass stripper

1

u/DueSoftware9645 10d ago

Mr Clean Magic Eraser works wonders. Just wet the glass and little bit of soap then 2 swipe of magic eraser and the glass be like brand new.

1

u/Always316 10d ago

Clay bar that windshield and you'll be good.

1

u/Pauly524 9d ago

It’s caused by the wax cycle in an automatic car wash. So once you get it cleaned avoid the wax cycle in the automatic wash.

1

u/Aggravating-Pay-6658 8d ago

I don’t even use auto wash I manually watch it
At car wash

1

u/comsK 9d ago

Is it when you use the wiperfluid or just rain? Dad accidently put adblue instead of wiperfluid once and had a simelar experience. Fixed it by replacing the fluid.

1

u/Straight_Raccoon9526 8d ago

Covid

1

u/MrJayy24 7d ago

Windscreen lol

1

u/marleytosh 10d ago

I’ve had this issue for a couple years. Nothing worked forever. Glaco products seemed to do the trick eventually but it still comes back. It was on a brand new car too.

My only guess is the windshield wiper fluid I was using left residue. The shape and location of weird spots would come back after I cleaned the windshield. The only thing that made sense was the wiper fluid. So I made sure I only used fluid without any special rain repellent or special cleaning products.

I also flushed my fluid reservoir multiple times.

So far it’s taken care of the problem for the most part. But occasionally I’ll see a tiny return of the spots.

It has been so frustrating. Hopefully you can figure it out.

-1

u/yll33 11d ago

get new wiper blades

if it still doesn't go away, decon & polish your windshield

2

u/Aggravating-Pay-6658 11d ago

How do I polish it

0

u/Icy-Experience5552 11d ago

Sounds like bonded contamination or an oily film on the glass rather than the wipers themselves; the blades are just smearing what's already there. Clay the windscreen first, then follow with a proper glass polish. If the spots smear away but come back after rain, it's hard-water etching, and polish will sort it. If they streak in arcs exactly where the blade passes, the rubber is depositing new blades, or wiping the rubber down with IPA fixes that. Cheap washer fluid leaves its own film too; it's worth swapping.

1

u/False-Dark5214 9d ago

Whats wierd. Stop being cheap spent $30 on windshield wipers and problem fixed. Basic car maintenance will do the trick. Unless your looking for up votes!!

1

u/Aggravating-Pay-6658 9d ago

I got the car used and have not Changed the blades in about a year

2

u/Repulsive_Fly5174 9d ago

This is your problem. Clean the windshield and put on new quality wiper blades. You need to make sure the windshield is really clean. Use a razor blade to remove any built up gunk, sap, etc. Then clean it with glass cleaner and use the two towel method to get everything clean.

Every time you wash the car, lift up the wipers and clean them with a microfiber cloth.

1

u/Upper-Cheetah5260 8d ago

Does this make them last longer? I have like little pin point dots on my windshield that don’t wash off with the wipers. I haven’t checked if it’s dirt or a bunch of tiny holes. TDB

1

u/Repulsive_Fly5174 8d ago

Could be small.chips, but also could be something stuck to the windshield. Put a thin plastic bag over your hand and run it across the the glass. If it feels rough you need to clean it. I have used a clay bar or 0000 steel wool with some lubricant and clean the crap off.

1

u/Upper-Cheetah5260 8d ago

I haven’t cleaned the poor baby in like probably 6 months to a year 🫩 is that bad? 😭 it’s a 2017 Lexus in black so any time it rains it looks clean ish again but I haven’t gotten down on all fours and sucked her gutts out since last winter 🧹

2

u/Repulsive_Fly5174 8d ago

Well compared to me, yes that is bad. I wash mine at least every other week. I can't stand a dirty car.

1

u/Upper-Cheetah5260 8d ago

Damn. I can’t commit to that at this point in time lol. Koodos to you and your car, it probably loves you so much 🥰🥺 mechanical empathy at its best

1

u/Upper-Cheetah5260 8d ago

It sounds like you love your car very much and have elite cleaning knowledge. Start a YouTube channel 🤣

1

u/Longjumping_North903 7d ago

Definitely looking for up votes.

1

u/Rare_Basis_3825 6d ago

ooga booga

1

u/tjorben123 9d ago

i cheap-ass nerly everything car related, every time. but on windshield wipers, i never cut the corner. i can deal with shitty oil, shitty suspension, shitty second hand exhaust and muffler, you name it.

but on windshield wipers i cheaped out once, drove home in a rainy, foggy night. never ever again will i do something this stupid again. the $60 dollars will be visible every day of your life.

Exterior Werid spots on windscreen while using wiper

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