Discussion
Hi guys,
I seem to be having this problem with every car, not just my current Jag... Regardless of what product or method I use, I'm always suffering from really bad smearing/streaking by my windscreen wipers. I've even changed the wiper less than 3 months ago for a brand new one, and it was ok (but not great) for maybe one month, and now it's so bad, that it's verging on being dangerous for me to drive when it's raining, because I can barely see, that's how bad it is. As bad luck would have it, it's always the area of the windscreen at my eye level that's the worst. If I slouch in my seat, or sit up very straight, I can see clearer...
Anyway, does anyone know of a product or a method of cleaning the windscreen or maintaining the wiper which would keep this problem at bay?
I can't even figure out if it's some sort of a caked-on invisible film on the windscreen causing this, or the wiper being damaged (but only after a few months?) or a combination of both...
Thanks.
I seem to be having this problem with every car, not just my current Jag... Regardless of what product or method I use, I'm always suffering from really bad smearing/streaking by my windscreen wipers. I've even changed the wiper less than 3 months ago for a brand new one, and it was ok (but not great) for maybe one month, and now it's so bad, that it's verging on being dangerous for me to drive when it's raining, because I can barely see, that's how bad it is. As bad luck would have it, it's always the area of the windscreen at my eye level that's the worst. If I slouch in my seat, or sit up very straight, I can see clearer...
Anyway, does anyone know of a product or a method of cleaning the windscreen or maintaining the wiper which would keep this problem at bay?
I can't even figure out if it's some sort of a caked-on invisible film on the windscreen causing this, or the wiper being damaged (but only after a few months?) or a combination of both...
Thanks.
Strange.
Check what solution you're using for the washer (and the mixture if you've added it yourself). If the wipers are new (and the screen hasn't been coated with RaineX or Ombrello) there is no reason why you shouldn't be getting a clear sweep.
As for cleaning, wipe with wet chamois followed by a drying/polishing action with a strong absorbent tissue should take care of any residue (left by smoking or poor cleaner etc).
The best cleaners are the most basic. In the trade, we use an alcohol-based cleaner with tissue paper (but remember we are dealing with never-before-used glass).
HTH
Check what solution you're using for the washer (and the mixture if you've added it yourself). If the wipers are new (and the screen hasn't been coated with RaineX or Ombrello) there is no reason why you shouldn't be getting a clear sweep.
As for cleaning, wipe with wet chamois followed by a drying/polishing action with a strong absorbent tissue should take care of any residue (left by smoking or poor cleaner etc).
The best cleaners are the most basic. In the trade, we use an alcohol-based cleaner with tissue paper (but remember we are dealing with never-before-used glass).
HTH
hi glassman, thanks for your reply.
i'm using some generic halfords washing solution. do you think it could be that? i actually doubt it, because the problem is the same, regardless of whether i've squirted some cleaner on the windscreen, or when it's raining.
i have no idea if my windscreen was ever coated with one of the coatings you mention. i've now owned the car for about 5 months, so that may have been done by the previous owner.
it's incredibly irritating, something seemingly so simple and trivial, but i can't get it sorted!
i'm using some generic halfords washing solution. do you think it could be that? i actually doubt it, because the problem is the same, regardless of whether i've squirted some cleaner on the windscreen, or when it's raining.
i have no idea if my windscreen was ever coated with one of the coatings you mention. i've now owned the car for about 5 months, so that may have been done by the previous owner.
it's incredibly irritating, something seemingly so simple and trivial, but i can't get it sorted!
vladman said:
hi glassman, thanks for your reply.
i'm using some generic halfords washing solution. do you think it could be that? i actually doubt it, because the problem is the same, regardless of whether i've squirted some cleaner on the windscreen, or when it's raining.
i have no idea if my windscreen was ever coated with one of the coatings you mention. i've now owned the car for about 5 months, so that may have been done by the previous owner.
it's incredibly irritating, something seemingly so simple and trivial, but i can't get it sorted!
In 15 years of automotive glazing I personally have arranged for about half a dozen windscreens to be changed due to excessive smearing. i'm using some generic halfords washing solution. do you think it could be that? i actually doubt it, because the problem is the same, regardless of whether i've squirted some cleaner on the windscreen, or when it's raining.
i have no idea if my windscreen was ever coated with one of the coatings you mention. i've now owned the car for about 5 months, so that may have been done by the previous owner.
it's incredibly irritating, something seemingly so simple and trivial, but i can't get it sorted!
It could be that the the screen is pitted and road grime has settled into the pores created by dust particles and airborne grit etc. Or it could be that the screen has been coated with a water repellant; as I understand, these solutions do need topping up periodically.
If you are comprehensively insured, why not pay the policyholder contribution (excess) which should be between £0 and £75 depending on who the policy is underwritten by? If your screen is not doing its job, it needs changing.
If you decide on this option, your insurer may direct you to their preferred repairer; there is one company in particular (very well known) who manufacture their own screens. Ask anyone in the trade (including their own technicians) and all will tell you that these screens are dire. Unless, being a Jaguar, there is a good chance you have a heated windscreen in which case, you will not have anything to worry about because they (that company) don't manufacture heated windscreens.
I'm no glass expert, so feel free to flame me Glassman.
I had a similar problem on a 911.
I changed the wipers for silicone ones from here http://www.piaa.co.uk/wipers/wipers.asp
More expensive, but they certainly cured the problem.
Might be worth a try.
I had a similar problem on a 911.
I changed the wipers for silicone ones from here http://www.piaa.co.uk/wipers/wipers.asp
More expensive, but they certainly cured the problem.
Might be worth a try.
A method I successfully use does sound a little scary - swarfega and a nylon scouring/washing up pad! Honest!
With a dry windscreen, use plenty of the green (hand cleaning) swarfeg on the scouring pad and lightly give the screen a good going over and also over the wiper blades. Do not rub the screen rubbers, trim or any paintwork as the scourer will damage the surface.
Leave for a couple of minutes, and then wash off with a strong jet of water from a hose pipe. Then wash the car (including the screen) as normal.
One source of your trouble may be car washing shampoo which has wax substances added, if you use shampoo, that is. Repeated washing will keep adding wax substances to the screen and wipers. My swarfega method at least stops the continual build up.
Hope this helps.
With a dry windscreen, use plenty of the green (hand cleaning) swarfeg on the scouring pad and lightly give the screen a good going over and also over the wiper blades. Do not rub the screen rubbers, trim or any paintwork as the scourer will damage the surface.
Leave for a couple of minutes, and then wash off with a strong jet of water from a hose pipe. Then wash the car (including the screen) as normal.
One source of your trouble may be car washing shampoo which has wax substances added, if you use shampoo, that is. Repeated washing will keep adding wax substances to the screen and wipers. My swarfega method at least stops the continual build up.
Hope this helps.
Jaguarnut said:
A method I successfully use does sound a little scary - swarfega and a nylon scouring/washing up pad! Honest!
If you say so...TBH., I regularly get calls from people looking to remove scratches from their windscreens caused by scourers and the likes.
Scratched glass usually means: time for a new one; as a sideline to replacing glass (and to assure the customer that I'm not looking to profit from their bad luck) I invested in a piece of kit that will polish-out light abrasions and scuffs. As a matter of fact, just today, I went to look at a Seat Leon Cupra; the owner removed a sticker from the middle of the screen and tried to scrub away the glue residue with a dish sponge (with a scourer pad on one side of it).
His insurer's nominated repairer recommended that he renew the screen telling him, "nothing can be done" re: scuff/scratches. Mr Cupra guy also intimated to me that he did not want a new screen from them after they managed to 'lose' his VIN number from his previous car while they changed the screen.
Scourers:
IMHO.Swarfega is an exfoliating scrub too.
Not a good combination for glass. But if you say it has worked for you, the people who have approached me for scratch and scuff removal are either extremely unlucky, or their scourers are a bit too abrasive.
My opinion.
I think I'd better add some clarity(!). I use cheap scourers which by virtue that they tend to be a bit limp, are not too agressive. I use them with minimum pressure applied and a good dollop of green swarfega - and only when the 'screen is badly marked by kamikaze flies or by an excess of wax and/or traffic film. I rather suspect that if I used a quality scourer like attacking a dirty saucepan, then I might need a new screen.
I use this method on an ad-hoc basis on 4 cars, the two Jaguars both have had new windscreens since I have owned them because of previous damage. So far they remain crystal clear and my 'show' XJ40 still wins awards.
If anybody has any better suggestions, please detail them. If anybody uses this method, care is required.
Happy cleaning!
I use this method on an ad-hoc basis on 4 cars, the two Jaguars both have had new windscreens since I have owned them because of previous damage. So far they remain crystal clear and my 'show' XJ40 still wins awards.
If anybody has any better suggestions, please detail them. If anybody uses this method, care is required.
Happy cleaning!
Jaguarnut said:
I think I'd better add some clarity(!). I use cheap scourers which by virtue that they tend to be a bit limp, are not too agressive. I use them with minimum pressure applied and a good dollop of green swarfega - and only when the 'screen is badly marked by kamikaze flies or by an excess of wax and/or traffic film. I rather suspect that if I used a quality scourer like attacking a dirty saucepan, then I might need a new screen.
I use this method on an ad-hoc basis on 4 cars, the two Jaguars both have had new windscreens since I have owned them because of previous damage. So far they remain crystal clear and my 'show' XJ40 still wins awards.
If anybody has any better suggestions, please detail them. If anybody uses this method, care is required.
Happy cleaning!
Screens that are littered with hundreds of dead flies can be cleaned with hot water / appropriate detergents. However, there are times when a bit more effort is required to shift the stubborn stains. I find using a single-edge blade is best for this.I use this method on an ad-hoc basis on 4 cars, the two Jaguars both have had new windscreens since I have owned them because of previous damage. So far they remain crystal clear and my 'show' XJ40 still wins awards.
If anybody has any better suggestions, please detail them. If anybody uses this method, care is required.
Happy cleaning!
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