Getting sap/wax off windscreen?

[larsie]

I am having problems getting rid of the streaking on my windscreen. It was especially noticeable today in the rain and made driving dangerous, especially with the glare of oncoming car headlights.

I have tried using a clay bar to clean the windscreen, I tried cleaning it with automotive glass cleaner, I replaced my wipers with Bosch wipers, I even tried mineral turps and nothing has worked.

When the wipers run over the glass, I can see round spots on my windscreen which I suspect come from the sap of trees that I have parked under. I'm at the stage where I'm thinking of getting a glass polishing kit or even getting the glass professionally polished ($165!).

Any thoughts?

[team_v]

Boiling water or a bit of eucalyptus oil always worked for me.

[Lucas_R]

Getting sap/wax off windscreen?

Is it just a stain you are talking about or is there actual residue of the sap on the glass?

If there is residue, try scraping it with a razor blade (new razor blade + clean glass + some windex or water as a lubricant). Use the razor on an angle of about 75 degrees to the glass. The razor blades im talking about are like this and can be purchased from hardware stores: http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/single-edge-razor-blades

If it's staining then you should try polishing the glass. Normal car polish is fine.

[larsie]

I don't think there is any residue because I've put elbow grease into cleaning the windscreen with a gentle scouring pad and when I run my fingers over it I can't really feel anything. I'm just wondering how tree sap can cause this much damage?!

I forgot to mention I also tried automotive bug and tar remover. I will definitely try the eucalyptus oil - it seems to work on so many other things. If that doesn't work I think polishing may be the only way.

[Tweeked]

I would NOT recommend boiling water on your glass eeekkk.. that may crack it.
I use a Clay detailing bar to clean mine the like new. It will remove all the dirt from the surface.

[Guest001]

I had a scruffy windscreen polished by NOVUS and it came up like new and removed scratches etc Was cheaper than a new screen

[team_v]

I would NOT recommend boiling water on your glass eeekkk.. that may crack it.
I use a Clay detailing bar to clean mine the like new. It will remove all the dirt from the surface.

Boiling water will not crack your windscreen......................
I have a glass mug for my tea/cofee and it has never cracked.

I preface this by saying you have to be within reason though (i.e. not at -10 degrees) however by the time the water boils and you actually get it to the car it will be more like 75 degrees not 100.

[h100vw]

Have you tried rain-x on it after cleaning. It repels the water and makes driving in rain much better. I rarely even use my wipers.

Gavin

[larsie]

I think I need to fix the problem before I use rain-x.

And it's definitely tree sap. I noticed a big blob on the roof of my car today - it almost looked and felts like glue. I managed to get rid of it from my roof using mineral turps. I tried eucalyptus oil but to no avail. I think I'm going to buy a glass polishing kit because I think this will be a recurring problem - I won't be able to avoid more tree sap in the future.

[Wolfgang]

Whatever you do, do not use Rain X, it will make the problem worse, I've always found it makes wipers skip.

Where abouts in Sydney are you?

[lol.u.mad.bro]

use a windscreen scraping blade..

I had the same problem with my windscreen. 10x better now. not perfect, but will last until i get a few more stone chips

[larsie]

That's an excellent video clip - he obviously knows his stuff about cleaning windscreens. I'll try the scraping blade and I've ordered the following polishing kit:
DIY Kit - Windscreen Repair (Medium Scratches) 75mm | Glass Polish AustraliaGlass Polish Australia

I'm in the Ryde area in northwest Sydney.

[Guest001]

That's an excellent video clip - he obviously knows his stuff about cleaning windscreens. I'll try the scraping blade and I've ordered the following polishing kit:
DIY Kit - Windscreen Repair (Medium Scratches) 75mm | Glass Polish AustraliaGlass Polish Australia

I'm in the Ryde area in northwest Sydney.

Yes it was a a good demo BUT he didnt seem to go out to the edges and I would have lifted the wipers to avoid nicking them if the scraper hit them.

Possibly he does it all when doing a proper job (hopefully)

The guy who did mine masked around the screen and did the whole thing. He used a proper polisher and a very very fine paste to clean it and remove light scratches.

The DIY kit looks interesting but you need a slow speed drill and I wouldnt like using abrasive disks much.

[Wolfgang]

That's an excellent video clip - he obviously knows his stuff about cleaning windscreens. I'll try the scraping blade and I've ordered the following polishing kit:
DIY Kit - Windscreen Repair (Medium Scratches) 75mm | Glass Polish AustraliaGlass Polish Australia

I'm in the Ryde area in northwest Sydney.

Damn!

I would offer to polish it for you but you are a bit too far afield.

[larsie]

I finally got around to polishing my windscreen today. I decided not to use the abrasive pads but just the polishing disk. I didn't do a very good good as it's actually more difficult than it looks but the windscreen is definitely much better.