Car owners dislike ghost residue on windshields
20 posts across 3 communities in the last 30 days; 90% from r/AutoDetailing.
“I did! It's definitely on the outside, the wipers are also creating a mist as they wipe across which disappears in like a second, but it's annoying. [re: Ultra Glaco application issue]”
“I've used rain x washer fluid for over 20 years, never had this issue. [re: Issue with windshield and windows]”
“I had exactly the same issue after using RainX for a few months. Meguiars and Chemical Guys glass cleaner could not remove it. I went into a local shop and explained the issue, and the solution for me was Bilt Hamber Trace-Less Glass Cleaner. No more issues since then, and I…”
Multiple users are experiencing a persistent, distracting film or residue on their car windshields that is only visible in wet conditions or at night. One user suspects it's related to a ceramic coating applied during a touchless car wash.
SOURCES (60)
“So I did clean with microfibre and windscreen cleaner and it was the best clean ever but in the night time when fog came, I could see the strikes. Why? [re: How to keep windscreen and mirror streaks free?]”
“I’m going to change wipers and see if that improves it. My current ones ive had for one year. They started to judder now with the coating as well. I’ll come back here after I change wipers next week [re: Windshield haze after using wipers – too much Glaco?]”
“I did! It's definitely on the outside, the wipers are also creating a mist as they wipe across which disappears in like a second, but it's annoying. [re: Ultra Glaco application issue]”
“2006 Honda Accord. A couple months ago I compounded played and waxed the car. As always I wasn't paying attention and waxed the windshield. Now is baked on and smeared in and with the darkness coming earlier everyday I am driving a lot in the dark. The haze is blinding. I have tried clay bar, glass cleaner, bug and tar remover, polishing compound, isopropyl alcohol. Nothing seems to work. The wax is Meguiar's Ultimate Wax. submitted by /u/BigSteve7979 [link] [comments]”
“Freshly washed and rainX on all windows. Now that the windshield is dry they’re gone but I’d like to know what’s causing this and how to fix it. Thank you ! submitted by /u/Majestic_Ninja183 [link] [comments]”
“Hmm I understand now. I've only experienced this when the windshield is still dirty/ not 100% clean and with an old glass coating. Or commonly no coating at all. I've worked in a professional setting and I've seen what you've described. Thing is coated glass is supposed to be slippery to the point where it's not grabbing lint. I don't even think what I define as "grabby" when product is drying would grab lint like you've described. Best I would say is try to”
“If true..this is some inception level stuff🙌🏻 [re: Another Windshield post. Wiper imprint? When the wiper is not used and it rains or the glass is foggy, the wiper imprint would be there. Once the wiper is used it goes away but quickly comes back. Would invisible glass glass stripper help? Wiper blade is about 7ish months old.]”
Do you have tinted windows? [re: Best way to get streak free windshield]
“Invisible glass! I second it! 🙌🏼 [re: Best way to get streak free windshield]”
“Those Rain-X windshield wipers do really good on a windshield that is clean as far as keeping it clean. I like the Longitude ones I think they are called. They are not cheap but you get what you pay for [re: Old RainX application removal question]”
“I've used rain x washer fluid for over 20 years, never had this issue. [re: Issue with windshield and windows]”
“I don't know what it is, I think your guess is as good as anyone's. I used melamine foam (magic eraser) and Dawn PowerWash to get it off my windshield. Just scrub at it for a bit and rinse off, worked great for me. [re: What is on the glass and what can i do to remove it]”
“Alright I need some help. Best way to get a streak free windshield inside and out? Aaaannndd go!! submitted by /u/Ricah_93 [link] [comments]”
“Huh, I order some RainX Xtreme clean paste to try to get it back to bare glass. Might need to look at your option too. Thanks! https://a.co/d/02k3eyKZ”
“I had exactly the same issue after using RainX for a few months. Meguiars and Chemical Guys glass cleaner could not remove it. I went into a local shop and explained the issue, and the solution for me was Bilt Hamber Trace-Less Glass Cleaner. No more issues since then, and I stopped using RainX. Make sure to have a proper screenwash as well.”
“2 months back I applied RainX to the windshields for m 3 of my vehicles. After using the wipers on a light rain or washer fluid use I am seeing a white haze on the windshield as seen in the pictures. Looks worse in person. The haze will typically evaporate off after I use enough washer fluid. The wipers on the cars are 2 to 3.5 years old. OEM Chevy and Honda wipers. RainX was about 5 years old, possibly old with chemical separation, not 100% sure. I tried using isopropyl alcohol to remove the ha”
“Probably been asked a dozen times, usually see it in the early morning and whenever i use my wipers. Goes away soon after but it appears to be a film submitted by /u/shortorderboy366 [link] [comments]”
Consumer grades have varying percentages of CE. Check the label.
“Could be small.chips, but also could be something stuck to the windshield. Put a thin plastic bag over your hand and run it across the the glass. If it feels rough you need to clean it. I have used a clay bar or 0000 steel wool with some lubricant and clean the crap off.”
“Rain X windshield fluid? I've seen while using, some of the worst thing on the market IMO.”
“The rainx residue on my hood at the spray nozzles is infuriating. it doesn't come off just hides”
“You need this. Click here . I had the same thing on mine. It's a layer of oil and fine dust film. The surface of the glass looks smooth, but it really isn't. So you need something to remove the oil from it. Oh, after using this, you also will want to use SOFT99 Glaco Roll On Large - Water-Beading Glass Sealant to seal down the surface of the the glass. https://preview.redd.it/8kore0wvmrth1.png?width=1710&format=png&auto=webp&s=bb4cae2894754928858a05eb930a4ff7d5b56661”
“The blades aren't the cause. They're the evidence that something is on the outside. They aren't gliding across the glass smoothly from whatever is on it. That's why there's a pattern and trail being left behind. You need a polish to scour it off.”
“This is your problem. Clean the windshield and put on new quality wiper blades. You need to make sure the windshield is really clean. Use a razor blade to remove any built up gunk, sap, etc. Then clean it with glass cleaner and use the two towel method to get everything clean. Every time you wash the car, lift up the wipers and clean them with a microfiber cloth.”
“Thank you for the detailed answer. I’ll check it out, I actually clean the wiper blades. I’m one of those guys that lift the blades up lol and once I’m done cleaning the windshield I hit the blades. I got Bosch on their right now, thinking about going back to OEM wiper blades though Lexus.”
My car is parked outside 24/7 and when it was brand new, I noticed this problem after a few months. What worked for me was applying RainX to the windshield. Tried a…
“I have this post saved as a guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/1pbnjb5/comment/nrrxs3a/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button I really didn't follow it to the extreme, but it did teach me that using 0000 steel wool is ok on glass! I used steel wool and a combination of water spot removers to get rid of years of water spots on side mirrors. Another embarrassing thing I admit to not doing in the”
“I’m moving to an apartment that has its own car wash and vac. I should be able to add a foam cannon to the pressure washer. I have a pump sprayer it’s just sitting tbh was a cheap one.”
“I think the protection piece is as important as the polishing piece. I would also consider what chemicals are being used to clean the windshield with as well.”
“Yes it goes away temporarily but it comes right back especially at night time.”
“Yeah when I was driving it went away for a bit but it starts coming back almost immediately if I slow down. Were you able to fix it permanently?”
“Rain x is horrible stuff I reckon. Was clear and fog free for a few days then fogged up even worse than before.”
“I’m honestly surprised more people haven’t defaulted to clay bar first and then a proper rain x application”
“This is driving me crazy! How do I fix this? submitted by /u/everydayrice [link] [comments]”
“Used rain x washer fluid for several years as well. But would leave streaks from headlight sprayers down car so decided to stop. My windshield has never been the same. Have done everything to try remedy it- clay bar, stripper, several new wiper brands, alcohol etc. nothing fixes it entirely or if it does it comes back fairly quickly and problem area is in my line of sight. It’s equal on both sides on 6 year old car so it’s not wiper arms either. I’m like you. Frustrated and out of ideas lol.”
“Why not? Use it all the time to clean the inside of my windshield all the time”
“Its not exactly because the wipers are bad, but an combination. The wiping edge of worn wipers is not as sharp and it doesn't perfectly wipe away the grime anymore, so a build-up of road grime and oil may happen. Polishing with cerium oxide (carpro ceriglass) or just strong paint compound will remove it. Put the paste on a microfiber rag and rub it in until you see the glass go clear. Or for example the ceriglass kit comes with a polishing sponge and microfibre. Then decide on the wipers con”
“I get these weird spots on my wind screen while using wiper. I don’t know if it’s wiper or something else. Not sure what to do. submitted by /u/Aggravating-Pay-6658 [link] [comments]”
“Yup. This is why I avoid coating my glass. The frequency that you end up with smearing or weird hazing like this is too common.”
“My car is ceramic coated and I regularly use rinseless wash/waterless wash/ceramic toppers etc. With the recent rain I noticed beads in the hood area that stays as beads and doesn't fly off even at 50-60 mph. Eventually I got baked in the sun and formed water spots. What do I need to do? Devon wash perhaps? submitted by /u/artic_icecat [link] [comments]”
“If you’ve truly tried everything, look into a glass polishing kit. Iv never used one personally. But they use a sort of light abrasive before polishing to remove stubborn things.”
“I spent about 30-45 minutes trying to clean my daughter’s windshield that had a heavy film of the substances in the title. She hasn’t cleaned the windshield in 2 years. I used IPA, Glass Cleaner, Cleaning Vinegar, and Dawn to try and get it off. I went through an entire stack of microfiber cloths and a roll of lint free shop towels. It is definitely cleaner than it was. However there are still swirls where it’s just smearing when wiping that obstruct vision at night with oncoming traffic. Is the”
“Washed my car last week (warm day) like I usually do with Chemo Guys Snow Foam and dried quickly when done with my Griot Towel. A few days later under certain sun it looks really hazy. I tried invisible glass and TRC Glass Cloth but didn't work. Tried 320gsm microfiber with vinegar them wiped with another mf and water. What am I doing wrong and what should I use? Iso 91% and dawn? Chem guys spot remover, McGuires spot remover? submitted by /u/Competitive_Fan_95 [link] [comm”
“Hello all, as might many of know, if car stays under the rain for a while, black streaks are appearing, especially on corner of the window seals, under the mirrors etc. After sitting under rain for a while my car had them too as always, when I washed it, all of the strains are disappeared except one that on the back, it came from inside the back window and went down to the bumper. I tried IPA, Tar remover but these didn't work out. Car is new, so I don't want to go aggressive on paint, s”
“Seems like no matter what I do I leave streaks. Any products/suggestion? Using “streak free” glass cleaner rn Inside and out submitted by /u/Chef_WeeWee [link] [comments]”
“That looks more like contamintaion/film on the glass than just normal streaking from ur glass cleaner. Th fact tht th wipers temporarily clear it nd then it comes right back makes me think thre's something bonded to th windshield could b mineral deposits/water spots, an oily film, or possbly residue from th glass sealant u applied previously. I'd first give th glass a proper deep clean rather than just going over it again with Sprayway. Try a dedicated glass cleaner with a clean microfib”
“I have something similar after I accidentally left my car near my sprinkler system at home even though I cleaned it quickly after it happened. It's well water so it has a metallic smell and the spots come back every time the windshield gets wet.”
“I once did something similar to mine. Stopped at a store and grabbed a steel scrubber trying to take off the film on the windshield and it ended up looking like yours. Got a bag of cerium oxide and tried polishing it for hours and couldn't remove them. Then I was driving by Rossi Field and got hit by a softball which cracked it. Ended up getting it replaced for $100 deductible.”
“After using a glass cleaner on the windshield a particular area, towards the center seems to be very clear and when it rains, the water sticks around the border of that cleaner area. What could be the reason ? submitted by /u/vijay_n [link] [comments]”