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

[–] CDanger 1 points (+1|-0)

The wikipedia article for this was a fascinating read. Apparently this can/has been be used and resulted in

  • anasthetic for childbirth
  • cleaning rocket engines
  • intoxication similar to alcohol
  • groundwater contamination
  • cancer

Good stuff. Maybe your house can be declared a Superfund site if you spill a bunch of it.

Somewhere in my inheritance (read: mom's house) is about a half a liter of mercury. I think maybe I need to combine the two and dump it at the end of my driveway.

Yeah, there's plenty of stuff on the internet about it being used as an anesthetic. Weird.

[–] Polsaker 1 points (+1|-0)

Did you use any gloves?

[–] ScorpioGlitch [OP] 0 points (+0|-0) Edited

No. Didn't think of it but I didn't get any on me anyway because of how I applied it to the rag (which was think enough that it didn't soak through). It also evaporates much faster than rubbing alcohol. Like, spread it on a surface, blow on it, and it's gone.

Still, prolly should've.

[–] Polsaker 1 points (+1|-0)

I just found that it's legal to buy it here too, so might consider it to clean what nothing else can... just gotta shop for something good to stop the fumes first

Thanks for the head's up.

I'm not sure I agree with banning it. Most of what gets free (like 99% of it) is from evaporation and breaks down naturally within a week. It occurs naturally (in small amounts, mainly in algae). Buncha people who can't be responsible with it. Like how they told you to burn batteries in fire to get different color flames and clean the chimney...

I'm sure I can get some kind of respirator from a lab supply company.

[–] leaderofnopack 0 points (+1|-1)

I thought Trichloroethylene was banned in 77, anyway I use Ajax 3-Fach Aktiv Glasreiniger and it does well.

... No? I bought it online from a lab supply company. Shipped right to my door. Minnesota banned it last year, the first state to do so.

Ajax 3-Fach Aktiv Glasreiniger

Dude, gasoline wouldn't touch it. Rubbing alcohol wouldn't budge it. I needed something, heh, industrial strength. It's either that or have the windshield or entire car replaced.

[–] jobes 1 points (+1|-0)

I'll just deal with dirty windows instead of cancer treatment

One exposure is not gonna fry me. Besides, I got tired of windows that wouldn't stay clear and had to be wiped while on the road. I'll take the cancer treatment over a wreck at highway speeds.

[–] jobes 1 points (+1|-0)

My current car has had zero problems with internal fog, but in my last car it was infuriating. I'm not sure why there was such a difference

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".