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NASTY uncleanable film on windshield...

14K views 31 replies 17 participants last post by  nerd  
#1 ·
My entire windshield is covered in a thick film that doesn't want to come off and makes it hard to drive.
Windex, paint thinner, Awesome cleaner, and a razor blade all fail to get this film off. One unique suggestion I got is that, when the heater core has been acting up, some coolant steam can come out through the defrosters while running them and make this kind of film.
This makes some sense because it has been that way for a long time and the coolant was way low before I topped it off recently.
Has anyone gotten this before, or know of some strong glass cleaner?

~R
 
#5 ·
Try brake cleaner but be very careful not to get it on anything but the glass. Spray on a small rag or t shirt first. I used it to get glue off windows from tint, then used window cleaner with newspaper to get the residue off followed by a wipedown with a micro fiber towel. Oh, work with the doors open or windows down.:wink:
 
#8 ·
Try laquer thinner , then use window cleaner... It usually removes anything and leaves no residue..Do not get it on paint or dash or it will disolve it..If the film is on the inside it probably is coolant or rerigerant oil or both ,from a small leak being faned by the defrost..
 
#9 ·
Thanks for all the advice you guys! I'm working with some brake clean and heavy duty S.O.S. soap. The midsection film came off great, the top and bottom of the windshield is where it's thickest and will take some more scrubbing. After all that I'll hit it with glass cleaner and be good to go. Trying to get my heater problems fixed so the film stays gone!

~R
 
#14 ·
also try PlastX from Meguiars. I used it to buff wiper scratches out of my wife's old sebring windshield.
 
#18 ·
Sorry about the late ass post. But I have the same problem, only thing I found to work, was when the heat was on and blowing the coolant moisture out, I could take rubbing alcohol and after a lot of scrubbing, get it to go away, but two weeks later, and it's right back... I hate the heater core on this car...
 
#22 ·
Brake clean and newspaper works good, but mine is built up so thick it'll take some more work. I think the bigger issue is to resolve what's wrong with the heater core. Also, the ATC box in my Trep was acting up so i yanked it out. The only thing is that now the defrosters are on whenever the car is, and you can smell the antifreeze/coolant while they're on.
 
#26 · (Edited)
actually, every post i've seen is bascially wrong. :p water and vingar with newspaper works, but only if you've been keeping it decently clean since new. use the edge of a sharp razor blade. even strokes will remove the film and not etch the glass. they use the technique at toyota where my buddy works, actually.

warning: do NOT use it on the INSIDE. it's to clean off outside road film, otherwise you'll ruin the ceramic on the inside.
 
#27 ·
Since I'm the one with the problem, and tried what you say, which btw doesn't work, I guess you are wrong. All your idea does is smear the film. It's totally clear and you wouldn't even notice it until it's thick enough that vinegar won't do ****.
 
#32 ·
Then stop your ****ing whining and replace your windshield. :p (keeping in mind that I already read you found a solution). haha.
 
#28 ·
Did you try PlastX?