Hard water stains

[TSI_Dan]

Hi guys,

The mornings are starting to become colder with increasing condensation overnight and I am starting to experience a problem I had last year. Basically the windscreen appears to have hard water spots and generally fogginess which cannot be seen when the windscreen is dry and warm. However when it is colder, misty or rainy the windscreen turns into this:





It takes a minute or two of driving to clear up in the mornings, and it of real concern driving away from home into the sun. It is also a real pain on those funny days where it is rainy and also sunny - visibility nightmare. I have seen several threads on this topic across the world-wide-web, with many opinions but that has made me even more confused and in search of some local advice.

I have tried a few methods including Momar/Gumption paste cleaner with 0000 grade steel wool (suggested elsewhere on VWW) but to no avail. I'm thinking the next option is to perhaps try buffing the glass with an abrasive compound. Would prefer by hand but I guess I could get a mechanical buffer if you guys think it might be necessary. I have buffed cars before but never the glass itself, so tips in that regard would be helpful too, I don't want to cause any damage. Or should I be going to a professional on this one? Would appreciate any assistance!

[MrDeathLad]

i have this as well, car lives outside. I've tried going over it with a clay bar but that doesn't work. Makes it not as clean as id like for shows... as well as that visibility thing

would love to know how to fix this.

[ATYPIC]

Try a citrus based general purpose cleaner.

[Guest001]

Looks like a typical cold climate windscreen in the morning Turn your heater on demist for a few minutes.

Some of it is obviously on the inside confirmable by running your finger along it.

[MrDeathLad]

mine is like dirt has collected in the water drops and when the water has evaporated, the dirt has etched into the glass (marks are outside only)

[Guest001]

mine is like dirt has collected in the water drops and when the water has evaporated, the dirt has etched into the glass (marks are outside only)

I had one like that buffed by Novus Seemed to make it better

[TSI_Dan]

Looks like a typical cold climate windscreen in the morning Turn your heater on demist for a few minutes.

Some of it is obviously on the inside confirmable by running your finger along it.

A small amount is on the inside, but does not really make a difference to the overall glare. Demist does not really make too much of a difference either. If I'm washing the car on a warmish day (or any day for that matter) and I run a wet cloth along the windscreen these marks will appear for a few seconds and then disappear when the water evaporates. Same issue in the rain too, makes the wipers not really that effective either.

[Jarred]

Car care products have done a video on how to polish your glass.

Razor blades are a good way to clean crap off your glass, and there are a bunch of really good glass cleaners out there. I'd be cleaning both inside and outside of the glass really thoroughly, and look at applying some sort of glass sealant and/ anti-fog. Duragloss have some nice sealants, rainx will do the job too

[brad]

I bought a job-lot of detailing products in December. There was a fair bit of stuff there that I have little use for.

The following may be helpful to you:
(listed in order of perceived abrasiveness)
Rain X Extreme Clean Glass Cleaner 355ml RRP$19.95 85% left. sell for $14
AutoGlym Car Glass Polish 325ml RRP$13.95 70% left. sell for $6
Duragloss Rain Repel Glass Cleaner 650ml RRP$18.95 60% left. sell for $8

I'm just in Blakehurst.

[bushman]

I had this problem, tried all the above to no avail. Then I came upon this gem.
Collect some cigarette ash, dump it on the screen, rub fairly hard with very damp cloth.
No other chemicals or detergents.
Sounds crazy but worked .
Try a small area first to see the difference.

[ATYPIC]

Yeah let's all rush out and take up smoking

[seangti]

I'd try stove top cleaner in a small area before taking a blade to it, e.g. Cerasel. Bear in mind, if the blade isn't in good condition or lubricated, it'll scratch the surface.

As suggested, using a blade like you'd use when cleaning the glass stove tops would be the next approach. Use a lubricant; car wash, detergent, spray and wipe, etc. It'll be a reasonably long, tedious process due to the size of the wind screen. Could try soften the surface with very hot water, add a detergent too (though bring the glass temp up if you're talking very cold conditions).

I used to be a detailer for Alfa Romeo years back, we'd have to use a blade on the windows to clean them due to protective film/wax which was on them from factory to protect from contaminents during transit.

[danielv10]

I've used AutoGlym Car Glass Polish on our old '95 Corolla with success. Got rid of all the stain and waterdrop marks.

[Martin]

I use Nanolex - simply awesome

The Autoglym product is worth a try - they have many good products

[TSI_Dan]

Thank you everyone for the replies, gives me a few more ideas to try on this frustrating problem! Also, thanks brad for the offer but in the meantime a non-VW mate has given me some Rain-X Extreme to try. I'll see how this goes before trying some of the other tips. Open floor for the products brad is offering though. Cheers!