Window Streaks (hot wax applied?)

Window Streaks (hot wax applied?)

Author
Discussion

mattcov

Original Poster:

721 posts

225 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Anyone got any recommendations of a product to polish/clean windows to get rid of what I think is "hot wax" streaks (ie the stuff that "valeters" cover the car in? Its a pita in this weather as you can see it on the screen even after using the wipers and the side windows.

Ta

Matt

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi Mat.

You can try cutting it back with a machine buffer and something like G10 or jewelers rouge but make sure your glass and what ever you use to polish is spotless or you could polish in some scratches.

Alternatively any decent independent windscreen company should have something like Sika clean, it's used to remove contamination before gluing glass in.

Glassman

22,499 posts

214 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
mattcov said:
Anyone got any recommendations of a product to polish/clean windows to get rid of what I think is "hot wax" streaks (ie the stuff that "valeters" cover the car in? Its a pita in this weather as you can see it on the screen even after using the wipers and the side windows.

Ta

Matt
Yup, the van is suffering from this affliction too. It's fine when the glass has the heater blowing on it, but anything less than warm and it's like the wipers have suddenly failed.

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
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Does Sika not remove it Paul?

Glassman

22,499 posts

214 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
Haven't tried it, mate (only noticed the issue two days ago). Besides, the paste form is NLA.

mattcov

Original Poster:

721 posts

225 months

Thursday 30th October 2014
quotequote all
I'll try something this weekend. Its bad at night when raining with lights coming towards you. Really annoying.

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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I've seen it on a car once before, we assumed it was some form of was from a car wash sort of thing. It was a pig to remove but did eventually with lots of G10 on a mop.

mattcov

Original Poster:

721 posts

225 months

Tuesday 4th November 2014
quotequote all
Had a bit of a go, but cant get rid of it good enough mad. Its on two of the cars (so its nothing im using) and I'm sure its that "stuff" they put over it with the pump spray - ie the hot wax.

Glassman

22,499 posts

214 months

Tuesday 4th November 2014
quotequote all
mattcov said:
ie the hot wax.
...and it ain't for glazing the paint either!

PoshTwit

1,218 posts

152 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
Have you approached the Valeters and asked them to sort it? If they have any kind of customer care they should do so without question. If not - you're using the wrong people!

To be frank, anyone that leaves your glass smeary could be doing all sorts of horrible stuff to the rest of your car.

I'll just leave this here so you can find a proper company whow will care about what they're doing - www.pro-valets.co.uk

mattcov

Original Poster:

721 posts

225 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
Afraid its not down to one place. First car came back from a main dealer service with a wash and it was on it, other was local place, but I remember sitting in the car and watching in dry on the windows... I don't think its just on the windows either, just more noticeable frown

PoshTwit

1,218 posts

152 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
OK - If it is wax, then you shouldn't need to resort to abrasives to remove it. A mildly acidic glass cleaner should do it, or you can even clay the glass which should remove it.

By "the stuff valeters spray on your car" can you be a little more specific? At what point in the process was it sprayed on? Could be a TFR or prewash solution which, if allowed to dry on the car, particularly if the panel temperatures are high, will be a little more problematic.

Generally the key to identifying the best, most sympathetic removal method is identifying what needs removing in the first place.

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
PoshTwit said:
OK - If it is wax, then you shouldn't need to resort to abrasives to remove it. A mildly acidic glass cleaner should do it, or you can even clay the glass which should remove it.

By "the stuff valeters spray on your car" can you be a little more specific? At what point in the process was it sprayed on? Could be a TFR or prewash solution which, if allowed to dry on the car, particularly if the panel temperatures are high, will be a little more problematic.

Generally the key to identifying the best, most sympathetic removal method is identifying what needs removing in the first place.
The example I've seen was (we suspect) Muhr (SP?) wash and wax and as a windscreen fitting company we had many special chemicals for glass decontamination prior to fitting and nothing we used would touch it. The only way we managed to shift it was with time, buffer and cutting compound.

PoshTwit

1,218 posts

152 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
crossy67 said:
The example I've seen was (we suspect) Muhr (SP?) wash and wax and as a windscreen fitting company we had many special chemicals for glass decontamination prior to fitting and nothing we used would touch it. The only way we managed to shift it was with time, buffer and cutting compound.
Oo-er! It must have some pretty nasty ingredients if that is the case. It never ceases to amaze me what some "professionals" will use just to make their lives easier.

Personally - gentlest is best. Sure it takes a little more time and is therefore more expensive but the quality and longevity of the results speak for themselves.

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
Hey if you find a gentle solution please share it. We only had alcohol based glass cleaners, anything that removes this problem would be great.

jas xjr

11,309 posts

238 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
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i would just scrub the screen with quite warm water

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
jas xjr said:
i would just scrub the screen with quite warm water
Quite warm? You maveric

PoshTwit

1,218 posts

152 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
crossy67 said:
Hey if you find a gentle solution please share it. We only had alcohol based glass cleaners, anything that removes this problem would be great.
Having just re-read my reply, my dig at "professionals" could have been misconstrued... It was aimed at the "valeters" who use the harsh chemicals in the first place, not us poor souls who have to pick up the pieces afterwards!

Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I make a fairly good living putting right the problems caused by the local £5 wash, Car Park Cowboys, Hobby Heroes, etc...

Glassman

22,499 posts

214 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
PoshTwit said:
I make a fairly good living putting right the problems caused by the local £5 wash, Car Park Cowboys, Hobby Heroes, etc...
It's the same in my line of work (supermarket) Car Park Cowboys attempting to repair windscreen chips, and 'insurance approved' goons allegedly replacing glass to an acceptable standard. They make us look good.

Kindred spirits thumbup

crossy67

1,570 posts

178 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
PoshTwit said:
Having just re-read my reply, my dig at "professionals" could have been misconstrued...
Not at all, I mean it, if you find anything let us know. It's not a common problem but when it happens it can be a pita.