7

Reason: Hazy film that caused the windshield to fog up no matter what no matter the weather and was resistant to gasoline, window cleaner, rubbing alcohol, vinegar (did not try all at the same time).

Expectations: Either a perfectly clean windshield or a shattered windshield (never having applied to glass before, I didn't know what to expect)

Precautions: Car, in the garage. Opened both garage doors, both car doors, both garage windows, turned on a fan, put on a P95 mask which I didn't figure would do much.

Application method: Place folded rag to mouth of bottle, let soak in a bit, immediately cap the bottle. Applied evenly and quickly in both directions (horizontal and vertical) with slight pressure for a "scrubbing" motion.

Exposure Time: less than 5 minutes.

Results:

  1. The windshield is so clean it grips the microfiber cloth. Like to the point you have to use actual muscle to push the cloth across it to buff out the streaks. Out of curiosity, applied to rear view mirror and I've never seen it so clean. Mission success.

  2. Barely smelled the chemical but could still catch a faint smell through the mask.

  3. Didn't matter, fumes still got me. Ears ringing, mouth watering, slight tingling.

Conclusion: If you're looking for something to strip glass of all the dirt and grime that's on it, this is the way to go. Just don't be surprised when you get close to passing out quickly.

Post-operation: This stuff is getting put in my workshop and getting forgotten about until there's something I need perfectly clean and I can do it outside.

**Reason**: Hazy film that caused the windshield to fog up no matter what no matter the weather and was resistant to gasoline, window cleaner, rubbing alcohol, vinegar (did not try all at the same time). **Expectations**: Either a perfectly clean windshield or a shattered windshield (never having applied to glass before, I didn't know what to expect) **Precautions**: Car, in the garage. Opened both garage doors, both car doors, both garage windows, turned on a fan, put on a P95 mask which I didn't figure would do much. **Application method**: Place folded rag to mouth of bottle, let soak in a bit, immediately cap the bottle. Applied evenly and quickly in both directions (horizontal and vertical) with slight pressure for a "scrubbing" motion. **Exposure Time**: less than 5 minutes. **Results**: 1. The windshield is so clean it grips the microfiber cloth. Like to the point you have to use actual muscle to push the cloth across it to buff out the streaks. Out of curiosity, applied to rear view mirror and I've never seen it so clean. Mission success. 2. Barely smelled the chemical but could still catch a faint smell through the mask. 3. Didn't matter, fumes still got me. Ears ringing, mouth watering, slight tingling. **Conclusion**: If you're looking for something to strip glass of all the dirt and grime that's on it, this is the way to go. Just don't be surprised when you get close to passing out quickly. **Post-operation**: This stuff is getting put in my workshop and getting forgotten about until there's something I need perfectly clean and I can do it outside.

20 comments

Same here though it was a matter of when, not which. Didn't have this problem 3 years ago. In fact, I've never had this problem before. Been dealing with it for two years. Nothing notable in my car life changed in that time so I doubt it was anything "new".

[–] jobes 1 points (+1|-0)

Maybe run a dehumidifier in the car for a few hours and see what comes out

It wouldn't appear on other windows. Just the windshield.

And it wasn't moisture. It was some kind of gunky haze that seemed to allow moisture to settle onto it. I don't know if that makes any sense or not. I could literally drive down the road, watch it appear, rub a knuckle into it and clear a spot and then that spot alone would stay clear for the next 1 to 2 days and then something would coat it again. A regular cloth would kind of wipe it away but it'd be right back in a few minutes while a microfiber cloth (or a hand/finger) gave me a day or two break. It wouldn't clear up with cold air but hot air would clear it... which was good to know but not helpful in the summer (and it would still haze up on a hot day). It's not the glass because it wouldn't wipe away.

I keep nothing in the car except a few CD, a tire pressure gauge, registration (etc), and with the pandemic a mask and rubbing alcohol. And of course a microfiber towel.

I know last summer I had a problem where I was blasting antifreeze (thermostat control housing blew) and you could occasionally smell antifreeze when you turned on the air but this existed before that problem. And you'd think the rubbing alcohol or gasoline would have stripped at least a small spot but it didn't touch it. Maybe something from the road, some kind of oil getting sucked up into the defrost vents, maybe.