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Gunk water spots etc on windows

N

n8wrl

SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2002
Messages
308
Location
Clover, SC
Good morning!

I've been struggling with gunk that has appeared on my windows in the past few months - at least that's when I started to notice it. I've had this truck since January 03.

I've attached a picture - easiest to see in the tinted windows but it is on them all. It looks like water spots but I can't get them off. It seems to 'shimmer' at night where it is most troublesome. It seems uniform on all the windows including the sunroof, like it was applied or something. I have not been using any kind of wash-with-wax and I don't see it on the paint itself. I've tried Dawn (which should take wax off if that's what it was), numerous window cleaners, ammonia, even 'Oops' latex paint remover - nada. I use the exact same cleaning supplies on my other Av but I got it in May so it hasn't had as many washes.

I asked the service manager at my dealer this morning and she said it was mineral deposits from well water and the only way to get it off was to buff the windows! I don't recall seeing this on any other vehicle I've owned.

Any ideas on what this might be and how to get it off? Buffing the windows?

-Brian n8wrl
 

Attachments

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Try an abrasive product......

I suggest Zainos window polish or EASTWOODS.......

or heck you could try even a swirl mark remover but I find they do not do as good as a job as above products.....

Another product could be something like 3M finesse it polish or meguiars fine cut etc etc...

This stuff will polish it off.....

there is also another product on market....FORGET NAME..,...which is designed for your problem...it sprays a foam on which sits for a while then rinse.......If I remember I will post
 
I had some tree sap on my windows a while back - pulled out the razor blade scraper for windows - $2 at any hardware store - clean them right up. Might be worth a try
 
OH and I am on well water too - the razor blade took this off and if it doesn't work use some CLR - keep it off the paint :)
 
It looks more like a acid rain problem. Around here we have had in the past, problems with fall out from factorys causing damage to paint and glass. The spots looked like waxed paper! Try some denatured alcohol, it has worked on glass for me when nothing else would.

Butch
 
I always use 000 (fine) Steel Wool, window cleaner and newspaper (to dry) when I clean my windows inside and out. It's fast and does a great job. Be careful on tinted windows, though. Factory tint should be fine, but after market will scratch.
 
Looks like water spots to me.
Try vinegar - on a small spot first to test.
 
Brian - you have input from several members - have ou resolved the problem? What worked best?
 
Blueruck said:
Brian - you have input from several members - have ou resolved the problem? What worked best?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the delay...

No progress yet - I've tried bathroom cleaners supposedly for hard water stains on shower doors, etc. with no luck. I'm going to try vinegar today...

-Brian n8wrl
 
did you try bon ami or comet ? thats what gm uses. when i worked for a dealer thats what gm told use to use on glass to remove water spots ect on glass.hoppe this helps.
 
baddawgxl said:
did you try bon ami or comet ? thats what gm uses. when i worked for a dealer thats what gm told use to use on glass to remove water spots ect on glass.hoppe this helps.
Click to expand...

Comet? Something that abrasive on windows? Boy, maybe somebody knew something I didn't know - last year I bought a tub of car-care supplies at a silent auction and it had two cans of comet. I couldn't imagine where you'd use that on a car, but I'll have to give it a try on a small part of the window - thanks!

-Brian n8wrl
 
Brian,

I had the same problem as you. A friend of mine is as into his rig as I am into mine and he turned me on to a product called No Touch. I used it and with a little elbow grease the windows are gorgeous. I'd highly suggest you look into it. At $3.50 (in Hawaii) and I didnt use anywhere near the whole bottle you cant beat it. I'll go check where its manufactured at see if I cant get you a number while I am out at lunch. Good luck.

Woody
 
Woody said:
Brian,

I had the same problem as you. A friend of mine is as into his rig as I am into mine and he turned me on to a product called No Touch. I used it and with a little elbow grease the windows are gorgeous. I'd highly suggest you look into it. At $3.50 (in Hawaii) and I didnt use anywhere near the whole bottle you cant beat it. I'll go check where its manufactured at see if I cant get you a number while I am out at lunch. Good luck.

Woody
Click to expand...

That sounds really promising, Woody - thanks! Is it one of those specialty items you can only order from the manufacturer? Is it specifically for glass? Looking forward to finding out where to get it!

-Brian n8wrl
 
Woody said:
Brian,

I had the same problem as you. A friend of mine is as into his rig as I am into mine and he turned me on to a product called No Touch. I used it and with a little elbow grease the windows are gorgeous. I'd highly suggest you look into it. At $3.50 (in Hawaii) and I didnt use anywhere near the whole bottle you cant beat it. I'll go check where its manufactured at see if I cant get you a number while I am out at lunch. Good luck.

Woody
Click to expand...

NO tOUCH that is the stuff I was thinking of above.......pretty good for water posts I hear inside the house too.....Thanks for the memory adjustment woody
 
I've used a clay bar on my windows before. After I was done clay barring the paint I went ahead and used it on my windows cuz I had some tree sap or sumpin on there. It worked.
Hopefully you find some way to get the crap off your windows...good luck.
-Lew
 
Yeah, I must concure with Lewdog, give the clay bar a shot. They seem to take everything off of my windows...

~bekind
 
ygmn said:
Woody said:
Brian,

I had the same problem as you. A friend of mine is as into his rig as I am into mine and he turned me on to a product called No Touch. I used it and with a little elbow grease the windows are gorgeous. I'd highly suggest you look into it. At $3.50 (in Hawaii) and I didnt use anywhere near the whole bottle you cant beat it. I'll go check where its manufactured at see if I cant get you a number while I am out at lunch. Good luck.

Woody
Click to expand...

NO tOUCH that is the stuff I was thinking of above.......pretty good for water posts I hear inside the house too.....Thanks for the memory adjustment woody
Click to expand...

Checking out http://www.notouch.com...
 
n8wrl said:
Checking out http://www.notouch.com...
Click to expand...

OK after checking this no touch is not what I was thinking of.....There is also another product similar name......made in New Orleans but sold on internet.....used for soap scum and water marks on shower glass and also windshields......I will remember someday and post it....

http://www.diamondite.com/welcome.htm this is one...kinda uses clay but some special cleaners and follow up treatment stuff....

Lengthy Autopia Review HTH
 
there is a multi-purpose cleaning product called "bar keeper's friend".
it will not scratch glass and leaves a beautiful shine. it's incredible in the kitchen too. just use a wet rag, put the powder on the rag, scrub and then buff with a clean dry rag. you'll be amazed at the shine. and it takes little effort. it is in a gold can that looks like ajax or comet. ;D

did i mention it's cheap??

fiancee of aetatis.
 
Howdy Aetatis and Fiancee of Aetatis,
Welcome to the club. Notice that you are in Atlanta. From Lawrenceville myself. Will have to join us for a local GTG (Get To Gether). I think the next one is a cruise into the North Georgia Mountains. Our local area Cruise Coordinator is Wvusquatch. Look for him on the boards or send him a IM.

Also, have a major GTG happening in Savannah - Tybee Island coming up weekend of Oct. 10. Would love to see you and your new 2004 AV there. Would that be the first Road Trip for the new AV?
Look on the main page of the site for a link to this outing. They have links for discounted hotels and such if you might want to go.

Now, onto the subject of your post. I have used Bar Keepers Friend in the house for years. Never tried using it on a vehicle. Will have to give it a try myself.

Reidan
 
aetatis said:
there is a multi-purpose cleaning product called "bar keeper's friend".
it will not scratch glass and leaves a beautiful shine. it's incredible in the kitchen too. just use a wet rag, put the powder on the rag, scrub and then buff with a clean dry rag. you'll be amazed at the shine. and it takes little effort. it is in a gold can that looks like ajax or comet. ;D

did i mention it's cheap??

fiancee of aetatis.
Click to expand...

This stuff is very similar to COMET etc etc.....uses very fine abrasives for cleaning action.....NOt bad.....but I fear scratches on my windsheild and I have seen them dish scruffy thingys scratch a windshield....

Fair warning is all...

 
Try some Rain-X on your glass this will stop those water spots. Looks like water deposits from a mechanical cooling tower.
 
I have the old window spotting problem. Does anyone know how to get rid of the water spotting and prevent it from happening again.
Thanks.
 
I thought I read that a clay bar would remove spots, but I've never tried...someone please confirm.

What I have tried is vinegar for light spotting and it works ok. I got brave on my wifes older car that was pretty bad and used Meguires polisher (part 2 of the 3 part system, I think) and it worked. That may be a bit harsh and need to test and make sure it's not scratching. As far as keeping it from happening again? Probably not much you can do except wash frequently and don't let it build up. Try not to park near sprinklers and in the sun, too :)
 
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