Just got an x a few days back and we have been cleaning it up it was very dirty.

Have a big problem.
No matter what we try we can not clean the windows on one side of the car.
The body has this same stuff on it but with hard work it is coming off but on the glass it is not coming off at all.

Have no clue what it is.

Here is a photo of what it looks like.
Like dried water marks but they do not clean off??
The windows on the other side of the car do not have this on them only the drivers side windows do all the way down.

Anyone know what it is? and how to clean it off??? I need something strong.
We tried two different glass cleaners and soap and even tried to wax clean it off none worked.

Thanks
Photo
http://www.pbase.com/digitaled/image/103090516.jpg

Is it actually on the surface of the glass or could it be tint film going bad on the inside?

It's on the outside the inside looks good.
It's on the truck body to on this side but it comes off with a lot of work but on the glass it wont buge...

I would say......clay bar

Looks like it was to close to a sprinkler that was on during the day time, lol. Hardcore hard water spots.

Like soccerbrace said "use a clay bar" for the paint, and you can use a little CLR type mineral remover on a rag on the glass, but be carefull not to get it on the paint, and clean it all real well after.

Maybe try glass clearner with ammonia in it if you havent yet. that stuff works well.

Maybe try glass clearner with ammonia in it if you havent yet. that stuff works well.

But that would take his tint off

I always use a razorblade and glass cleaner.

James, the tint is on the inside and the film is on the outside...he'd be a-ok

If the clay bar doesn't work, try vinegar.

CLR that sound like a good one to try. we have tried glass cleaner with ammonia in.
I do not have CLR here but i will go try Vinegar in a few min...and if this will not work i will go get some CLR

I'm not sure if the vinegar will work, but I heard that it is used to clean off water spots.

Vinegar did not work it did nothing at all.

Will try and get some CLR and try that.

what about a clay bar?

Clay bar would be my next suggestion.

Clay bar would be my next suggestion.

I haven't tried this myself yet but I have the same thing on the outside of a couple of my windows. My window tint guy says that his trick is to use "00 grade" steel wool with lots of soap & water. He says you will get results quickly so be sure to work in very light / small circles making sure you keep the wool constantly wet. If you allow the steel wool to dry out he says it will scratch the glass but if done correctly it works like a charm.

If you decide to try it, let me know how it works. :wink-big:

You can buff that shit off with a low grit wax, or you can use a yarn buff pad and some regular zymol wax or something similar. I've buffed hardwater stains off windows hundreds of times. Im talking about a real buffer too, you can't get it off by hand.

If you use a low grit wax use a foam pad

We did not get any CLR yet buy my wife picked up a round buffer that you hook up to a power drill we will try out tomorrow.

00 grade" steel wool with lots of soap & water. that sounds good to.
IS 00 a normal steel wool i can pick up a Walmart?

I would soak a rag in brake cleaner before trying steel wool Just make sure the rag doesn't touch the paint.

Nothing works.
I used 00 grade" steel wool and soap and water did not work.
I used CLR it did nothing.
I uses CLR and steel wool still did not work.
Used a buffer that did not work.
Have not tried brake cleaner yet.
What the heck is this stuff.

Like creppy said ita probably water spots. It actually is like an etching in the paint from what I remember one of the collision repair guys at school saying. I'm guessng its the same for glass too

It'd be a shame if you had to replace that window because someone shot it out with a bb gun. :engel-big:

Seriously, what about taking it to a professional detailer?

Their absolutely hard water stains and they absolutely do come off. You have to use the buffer with a LOW GRIT wax which means the wax has tiny particles in it similar to fine sand. You can also try a yarn pad which is a special buffing pad made of 3 inch long yarn with the wax. The wax I used was a commercial detailing wax so I couldn't give you any specific waxes to buy but you need a grit wax. I've removed hard water stains many times this way and you can bet your ass if you've got them on your windows you've probably got them on your paint... might be harder to see though.

Nothing works.
I used 00 grade" steel wool and soap and water did not work.
I used CLR it did nothing.
I uses CLR and steel wool still did not work.
Used a buffer that did not work.
Have not tried brake cleaner yet.
What the heck is this stuff.

what about that clay bar? Try the brake cleaner too.

It's hard water spots.........
I have a well and my PT Cruiser has this shit all over the windows from the sprinklers.

Nothing works.
I used 00 grade" steel wool and soap and water did not work.
I used CLR it did nothing.
I uses CLR and steel wool still did not work.
Used a buffer that did not work.
Have not tried brake cleaner yet.
What the heck is this stuff.
I'd try using Acetone. Dampen a rough wash cloth with Nail Polish Remover and see if that works. Just make sure not to touch any rubber, plastic, or your paint with it.

They are probably water spots, the minerals in the water remain on your windows/paint once the water dries, and can etch small spots into your glass.

at first from the pic of that window i thought it was Rain-X... had too much Rain-X ( i know... how do you get -too- much?) on my window one time, looked just like that...

but if nothing has worked on it i would rule out any chemicals...

lol.. try leaving that buffer in one spot until it goes away...
or scrub really hard... come on, -real- hard...(im sure you've done this, j/k w/ya)

have a great day..



(i will eventually post pics of my X one day... swear on my wheels..)

at first from the pic of that window i thought it was Rain-X... had too much Rain-X ( i know... how do you get -too- much?) on my window one time, looked just like that...

but if nothing has worked on it i would rule out any chemicals...

lol.. try leaving that buffer in one spot until it goes away...
or scrub really hard... come on, -real- hard...(im sure you've done this, j/k w/ya)

have a great day..



(i will eventually post pics of my X one day... swear on my wheels..)

Uh huh, we will hold you to that since you mentioned wheels.....:D

any luck getting it off the windows?

im sure it will buff out of the body.


(oh the wheels are alright... not offroad spec or anything... but they do the trick.)

That my sir, is Tree Sap. He must have parked it under a tree. Yea like someone stated use a razor blade.

its acid rain.... try to use an acid based cleaner. I use "wire wheel cleaner" it wont hurt the paint that bad, just strip the wax. i would try not to overspray too much.

Any luck getting this stuff off? Now you've got me intrigued to know the outcome. I must know!!!! ;)


...but, it would be helpful to post a conclusion or any other successful or failed results. If others run across this with the same problem and same questions; it's nice to have a thread that has a happy ending with shouts of glee, success, and general warm fuzziness. Teary eyes are optional, but you score big points with the ladies ;)

:mocking:

Seriously though; how did it all turn out?

.... a happy ending with shouts of glee, success, and general warm fuzziness. Teary eyes are optional, but you score big points with the ladies ;)

Wow dave.. LOL

lol...yeah, I'm overtired and my weekends aren't long enough these days ;)

the stuff i use is found here (http://www.prowax.com/glass.shtml) it is not availible for purchase over internet. however it is from a local distributor. i do use a pro distributor and she told me that the water spot(acid rain) remover is the same thing as wheel acid(hydroflouric acid). it will etch the glass more to take the previous etch out.

wheel acid is called "wire wheel cleaner" at the local parts store. it is best if you get it from a distributor because it is in its concentrate form and will work a lot better. and its cheaper.

you could also try 000 steel wool, and some Armor all glass cleaner.

i don't think i would try the steel wool thing. I had to take "special buy" written in paint off the windshield when i got my x. it scratched the piss out of it. it said special buy for 3 years. luckily i have glass on my insurance. so one good sized rock chip later i got a brand new windshield.

wink wink. nudge nudge.

looks like the sap from a catalpa tree

m dad used to keep his project cars at my grandmas house under a catalpa tree...the sap would leak out of the little seed pods that fell from it and leak THROUGH the tarp and car covers that we used, leaving this nasty nast black film...

kinda looks like that

I have used 000 steel wool on glass many times.( I detailed cars for many years) Never use it dry, always use it with glass cleaner.

Looks like it was to close to a sprinkler that was on during the day time, lol. Hardcore hard water spots.

Like soccerbrace said "use a clay bar" for the paint, and you can use a little CLR type mineral remover on a rag on the glass, but be carefull not to get it on the paint, and clean it all real well after.

Yep. That's exactly what it looks like. Sprinkler spit.

class cleaner and a razor blade or steel whool.....thats what we use at the detail shop

I spoke to someone at a windshield replacement shop when my windshield was scratched to shit and he give me some stuff called “Polishing Cerium Oxide”and said to try buffing out the scratches with it. I always knew it as jewelers rouge and, before I got a life, I used it on a piece of leather with a little water to put razors edge on tools after normal sharpening. He said I should wait until the weather is a bit warmer because you need to use it with water and it makes a mess that would need to be hosed off. Afterward I should use some rain-x or the like. It got rid of all but the deepest of scratches.
The guy give me a baggie full and I tossed him a few bucks. Try to go this way because I think you can only buy the stuff in like a five pound bucket and I had half a baggie left after doing my windshield.
If all else fails I'd give it a shot on your window. Mix cerium oxide with water to create a slurry and put the slurry on a buffing pad. Harder buffing pads made out of hard felt, or leather work best. The polishing action will be fastest when the cerium oxide is damp, but not dry, or runny wet. Fill a spray bottle with water and use it to keep the area you are polishing damp. Good luck.

x4 on the razor blade. This is cheap and easy and should remove whatever is on your windshield.

dude, one of my first jobs was being an auto detailer at a dealership. when windows get those hardcore water spots, we use steel wool. its like a steel sponge but soft. its used on household kitchen stoves as well. it works wonders on windows.

I've used clay bar on hard water stains like this before and it works really well. The absolute, 100% best solution I've found for getting a window clean is to use the cheapest-of-the-cheap glass cleaner and newspaper. Soak it, then scrub with a big wad of newspaper, then once it dries, take another wad of newspaper and scrub. It takes some elbow grease but you'll never see a cleaner window. For sap, soak and soak and soak in glass cleaner, then scrape very quickly with a razor, like everyone else says.

*bump* anything get fixed?

its salt water i have it on all windows

i dont know if anyone mentioned it but you can use the verry verry fine steel wool on windows to pull up gunk. i have had to do this methoud once when my GF was painting some furniture up wind of my car.....

try using gasoline

Vodka (cheap vodka that is) will clean even the toughest dirt/grime from your windows.

Trust me, this works. My friend has a vacation home on the coast and found out this remedy for saltwater residue on the windows from an old timer.

I pray to jebus that you didn't use sharp objects or "gasoline".


P.S.
You can take a sip in between wipes :D Ohhhh yeah, cleaning was never this good mate.

this will remove it every time I use it all the time,If I wash my truck and dont dry it my windows look just like that its hard water spots
put it on a micro fiber and rub away when done the glass is as clear as new
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e108/PEPSI6446/SDC11227.jpg

if it is from water lime away is like CLR but it works better. if its from water lime away and a little elbow grease might work

1) Claybar with a quick detailing spray
2) clean with a good glass cleaner
3) hit it with some rain-x in the small yellow bottle (liquid) - rain-x takes off all the marks and will leave you with amazing vision in your side windows. I did all the windows in my X and now I never get hard water spots anymore either since the rain drops right off

Good luck!

For the rain-x, put it on a paper towel, wipe it all over the window and let it dry/haze for a few minutes. Then wipe it off with a microfiber cloth with some window cleaner, should come out insanely clear and clean.

i always use simple green for hard water spotting. it WILL pull your wax off tho so be aware! :lutscher-big:

I haven't tried this myself yet but I have the same thing on the outside of a couple of my windows. My window tint guy says that his trick is to use "00 grade" steel wool with lots of soap & water. He says you will get results quickly so be sure to work in very light / small circles making sure you keep the wool constantly wet. If you allow the steel wool to dry out he says it will scratch the glass but if done correctly it works like a charm.

If you decide to try it, let me know how it works. :wink-big:

yeah as far as I know this is the best way! make sure you keep it wet!!! if you don't want to do this then maybe try a rubbing compound it works well too for those who are a little skeptical towards the steel wool

Use the finest steel wool you can find. I work at an auto body shop and thats what we do.

Holy Necropost batman!

What ended up working?

Try a fine rubbing compound or wet sanding with a 300 or 400 grit paper.

try vinegar and water mixture, i always use it on my windows before i wash my car, takes off water spots bugs yada yada yada, just take a spray water bottle with water add like 2 or so table spoons off vinegar.....works like a charm!

Did you ever get this fixed ?!?!?

Wow, this is an old thread. Since its been revived, I'll toss in my pennies. Acid rain on the windows is a pain to get off, but I've found a great product that works wonders. Its made by Malco, and is called glass and chrome polish. It is a pumice based liquid that is really easy to apply and will remove the spots, haze, and lots of other contaminates. Works well on chrome too. I had to pick it up at a specialty detail supply shop. Large container that I've now had for 8 years and continue to use with success.

Try using a piece of steel wool with the glass cleaner outside only. that has worked for me. Also I clay bar the windows when I do the whole car as well.

same for me with Fine steel wool and clay bar. worked wonders when GF was spraypainting upwind too close to my car and i had overspraw on the windows.

00 Steel Wool is great for overspray, but really won't touch acid rain, or waterspot etching. The OP has a waterspot issue. Vinegar works some of the time, but the Malco stuff has yet to let me down. Cleaned up some hopelessly lost glass with it. Its a wonder drug in my cleaning cabinet.

Just be glad it's not what happened to my brother's windows (both on drivers side). Stupid shop that was fixing his exhaust used a grinder near by and threw the hot metal shavings right onto the glass. The hot shavings actually melted into the glass and left all sorts of marks similar to your picture (not quite the same though) with the added benefit of rust appearing around some of the bigger patches.

wow just did a little searching and chrome polish can be used as a window and mirror cleaner. mothers even sugest using it to do so.

I have water spots on my entire X (well with calcite tank) and went to NAPA where the guy personally guaranteed me that Lucas Slick Mist spray-on wax removes them. I haven't tried it yet but the guy uses it and it also has good reviews.
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad319/corolla4sale_photos/lucas-oil-products-slick-mist-speed-wax-24-oz_6803660_175.jpg

EDIT: I will try the ideas in this thread for the windows, but I have them on my paint as well and this seems to be a safe way of dong that.

wow just did a little searching and chrome polish can be used as a window and mirror cleaner. mothers even sugest using it to do so.

Something like Never-Dull ?

would you use never dull on chrome? Never used it, it looks more like a metal polish NOT a chrome polish.

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05208.html

I use it on ALL my chrome on my Z28. It is THE best...

I've also heard of going to a marina store (if you live not far from one) and using one of the boat window cleaners. They're suppose to be pretty good at removing any find of film/gunk due to so much salt-water exposure....I haven't tried it myself though.

I'll try to get a hold of some and try for you guys....

Alright guys here's a definitive answer for the water spot problem:
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad319/corolla4sale_photos/swirlx.jpg
My uncle gave some to me and it works AMAZING. I waxed over my water spots and they still came right off with this stuff without any elbow grease at all, and it didn't even remove the wax.

AND it's safe to use on paint, unlike a lot of other options

here's another thing that might work, but be careful. I've used lacquer thinner to remove things from glass before. If you use it be real careful it is EXTREMELY flammable. keep the cover on the can tight [it'll evaporate at room temp] and NO source of flame around. also don't let it on the paint. But it'll clean glass squeaky clean of just about anything. when you're done just leave the rag outside- it'll be dry in minutes. also do it outside if possible or at least open the garage door.

Looks like hard water spots which you might be SOL but using ammonia on the outside wont matter because tint is on the INSIDE

http://pic.phyrefile.com/b/bl/blind_io/2010/02/18/zombie-thread.png


lol


:) :) :D :) :D :) :D

Just got an x a few days back and we have been cleaning it up it was very dirty.

Have a big problem.
No matter what we try we can not clean the windows on one side of the car.
The body has this same stuff on it but with hard work it is coming off but on the glass it is not coming off at all.

Have no clue what it is.

Here is a photo of what it looks like.
Like dried water marks but they do not clean off??
The windows on the other side of the car do not have this on them only the drivers side windows do all the way down.

Anyone know what it is? and how to clean it off??? I need something strong.
We tried two different glass cleaners and soap and even tried to wax clean it off none worked.

Thanks
Photo
http://www.pbase.com/digitaled/image/103090516.jpg

Holy Crap!! I have the same problem. It looks like tree sap (I assume) and it's only on the cab side-rear window.

I tried windex, simple green, grafix remover, goo gone, turtle wax bug and tar remover and NOTHING worked. I was ready to pull out my speed polisher with SystemOne polish. I might also try that SwirlX polish.

it looks like a hard water stain use clr and a sponge

I believe EddieX tried CLR and was unsuccessful.

I believe EddieX tried CLR and was unsuccessful.

sorry i must of missed that but rain x use to make a windshield glass scrub it might work

I'll have to look into RainX. I've never seen it before. I have an electric polisher to try out first. Then I'll try McGuires SwirlX. If those two don't work, maybe RainX will work.

I've found that the polish you buy to restore hazed headlights works on tough water spots like that. It's really just a micro fine rubbing compound.

I gave it a shot with the SystemOne polish I have. It's an all in one Compound & Polish. Great stuff. I used a microfiber sponge and did a hand polish test in a small area. I couldn't freaking believe it!! It actually worked. I didn't want to "wax on wax off" the whole damn window. I have a 4" pneumatic polisher which I will break out on my day off and give it a whirl.

It worked!!! I used a 3" wooly pad on a pneumatic polishier. Then switched to a foam pad using the SystemOne X3 all-in-one polish. It turned out beautifully. I was worried I might blur the glass. But the polish worked like a champ.

nice. i need to to do this to my honda

I used a deer. Then I put a new windshield in. Worked great.

Try Jet Fuel. I parked my X behind a Delta Jet and it took care of the water stains right away...

You guys are characters. Lol