[ging]

I've got a problem with cleaning my windows and I've searched and can't quite find an answer so here it 'tis:
Got some sort of smeary filmy stuff on the inside of all the glass. This makes me think it is something either coming into the car or some sort of outgassing. However, I have used all kinds of cleaners on those stupid windows and nothing is working. I have cleaned over 10 times with varying stuff. Again, it is something that also seems to come back even after 'some' improvement from cleaning (hence the outgassing/some sort of drawn in something). The stuff is pernicious and it is affecting visibility during night driving. Anyone got some cleaning tips, thoughts on source of this junk? Could this be coming from the engine somehow? Atomized fumes? Evil curse?
Am hoping for a brilliant save but will settle for just being able to be rid of this before I start breaking things out of frustration.
TIA

 

[nobody]

I'd start with a razor blade to clean it all off then some MEK but be carefull with it as it will take the white off of rice.

 

[BQS4]

Ging;
Just to add my $.02 worth. I'd get one of those sticker scrapers with the straight blade razor in it and see if that doesn't take it off. Sounds like the windows were tinted at one time and the film was removed.
Gene

 

[Nathan Acree]

glass cleaner

I had the same junk on the inside of my windows, (I think its Opel plasitic crap), the ONLY thing I have found that works is-

Turtle Wax ClearVue Professional Strength Auto Glass Cleaner

from the back of the spray bottle:

safely and easily removes cigarette smoke, PLASTICIZER FILM, bugs road salt and tree sap.

It worked great and removed stuff that windex would not touch. I think I bought it at Checker.

Nathan Acree
Albuquerque New Mexico

 

[ging]

Okay, I don't think I explained myself well. This isn't a 'film' like tint film - it's smearing like maybe oil or other similar thing that would just smear around as you cleaned. There's not a 'solid' per se. It looks like the same thing you get when you don't clean glass well and have streaking left behind. Unfortunately you can evidently clean this all you want (with newspaper or paper towels or bricks - just kidding) and it still looks streaky/smeary no matter how well you do the job.
Or maybe you were saying do the scraper anyway... . I can be slow.

 

[ging]

I'll try that Nathan - sounds promising.

 

[greensmurf20]

if its something physically on the windshield i'd try to scrape it with a razor blade. razor blades wont scratch your glass and seee what you can get off of it.

 

[baronbors]

Antifreeze coming in through the heater vents- have you got a leak in your heater core?

 

[opelspyder]

Windshield film

I agree-very well could be coolant vapor applying to the windows, or you have some armor all accidently on the window?????

 

[GTJIM (R.I.P.)]

Vinyl plastisizer, antifreeze or Armorall - never would have thought of those last two! I clean the inside of my Rover screen each month with Methylated Spirts on a paper towel then use Windolene "Plus" (TM) - the NEW! Fresh Vinegar Formula glass cleaner - but it fogs up again over the next month.
I always thought it was the plasticizer but now will investigate the heater for leaks too.

 

[ging]

Great! Many ideas to try out. I have not done any Armor All'ing so hallelujah 'cause that stuff is a bear to get rid of - don't know about the plasticizer so the cleaners and razor blades will be tried. The vapors from antifreeze are something I will check out. That would explain a lot. The 'reoccurence' of the stuff or bleeding back into view like something out of a horror flick would indicate that a new layer was being added. Cool. I'll look.
Thanks folks for all the help.

 

[benncojr]

Ging,

Another thing that it could be: is film left from the gasoline vapors or the vapors given off by the dash/vinyl as it reacts with the UV light. The only think to do is wash the inside of the windows as described earlier, check the gasoline venting in the back to make sure it is all hooked up and working, and crack the windows when the car is sitting. Since your GT is sitting outside and exposed to the light, it will continue to have the film on the inside. The film is similar to the film left behind in a cigarette smoker's car. Other than that, the only thing to do (I do this) is keep window cleaner in the car and paper towels and wash the window when you are sitting at a red light.

Good luck HTH

 

[73Manta72gt]

I use white vinegar and some 0000 steel wool (doesn't scratch glass). then wwipe down with clean water.

 

[Sportwagon75]

Heavy Smoker

Sounds to me like it cold be tar and nicotine from a VERY heavy smoker. Is it a yellowish/tan color???

 

[Thom71GT]

Ok, heres what I'd do. Take a brick...............

You get the idea. There is a guy in N GA selling gt side glass on ebay right now.

 

[benncojr]

Ok, heres what I'd do. Take a brick...............

NOOOOOOOOO!

I have a lot of the side glass and the 4 back glass but I only have one front glass (it is in good shape).

 

[Old Hippie]

I agree with baronbors. It sounds like a vapor leak of coolant. I need to disagree with nobody (sorry, dave). MEK is not the safest item to use inside the car, or on you. Believe me, I used it for almost 20 years in a AirForce paint shop. Nasty stuff. Try using denatured alcohol and have a pressure test done in the cooling system and look around the back of the engine, where you could have vapors coming in.

 

[nobody]

That's why I put up the warning of it taking the white off of rice. It' one of the few I've found that will cut anything. Lacquer thinner is close too but also contains xzylene that can restabilize some things and make them harder to remove.

 

[ging]

The idea of leaks is sounding more and more plausible. I think I'll try everything though. Wanted to get around the back anyway to check the venting hoses - lot of talk about that recently and I occasionally smell gas, so ... . Plus, the formed plastic ducting going to the defrost vents is basically hanging under the vents, completely unattached. Remnants of duct tape are all over them.
The 'film' or whatever it is feels oily. We fixed an oil leak the other day (valve cover gasket) and I've wondered if there may be more access to the interior of the car from outside air than I thought - possibly getting some of that burning oil in the vehicle. I think that's a stretch though. Was getting a lot of exhaust fumes inside which I have nixed and will do more to permanently avoid that problem. Narrowing down the possibilities is the order of the day.
Thanks again for all the ideas and I'll let you know if I find a definitive answer.

 

[West Coast GT]

Another product good at removing just about any thing from glass is the RainX cleaner one uses prior to applying the RainX protective coat.