Cleaning Wiper Marks off of windshield

[03Sport]

Ok, so I realize how dumb this sounds but I can't get the wiper marks off of my Explorer Sport...it looks as if whoever had the car before me never bought any new blades....here's what I have tried....Water and scrubbing, Windex, Car Window Cleaner, Bug and Tar Remover, Bar Keepers Friend. All to no avail! Any suggestions or proven methods would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[thepotroast]

Rubbing alcohol on a soft rag will be your best friend here. Apply it liberally to the clean/soft towel or rag and rub it vigorously over the windshield. It should help lift the rubber residue off. The higher the alcohol content, the better. Try to get 91% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol if you have it in your area....Target sells it for about $2 for a large bottle.

 

[03Sport]

Rubbing Alcohol

No dice on the rubbing alcohol

 

[swshawaii]

Are they scratches? If it's only rubber residue, try acetone or nail polish remover.

 

[03Sport]

I'm pretty sure they aren't scratches...will try nail polish remover.

 

[03Sport]

Windshield

No luck with nail polish remover...they aren't scratches as best I can tell.

 

[swshawaii]

May be a last resort, I would carefully use a single edge razor blade. GL

 

[03Sport]

About to try water/vinegar mix then Bon Ami before going to the razor blade.

 

[wood1]

I'm betting they are scratches. When you drag your fingernail across them and you will be able to tell.

I have used a very fine polishing compound with a rag with great results, but that's if you are removing marks that haven't damaged the glass like aluminum and plastic. Takes a bit of elbow grease.

If they are scratches a bit of advice, I would not try to polish scratches out of a windshield in the wiper sweep area, as with any polishing you are removing material and in a piece of glass that will cause distortion when looking through that area. Besides, the labour involved with polishing glass is usually not worth it. You have to buy a hard felt pad and several grades of polishing compound, constantly spraying water on the area to keep it wet... I usually would recommend changing the windshield or waiting until it was necessary to change it.

Post a couple pics if you can.

 

[03Sport]

When I scratch it with my fingernail it's smooth so I'm thinking its not a scratch.

 

[swshawaii]

Save yourself the aggravation and use a razor blade.

 

[03Sport]

Ok so not much luck with a razor blade either....will try the Bon Ami tomorrow. It may just be something I have to live with.

 

[03explorerL]

Generally if the blades aren't changed, they dry out and after a while of using them like this, if instills micro scratches into your windshield. I have found on a few of my detailing sites, that compounding it with 2 or 3 different compounds (finer as you go) will hopefully fix the issue.

 

[boominXplorer]

Try fine steel wool with bar keepers soap

 

[FIND]

hmmm, I've always just used vinegar and a scotch-brite pad. If that doesn't take it up, then it is scratched and should just be replaced. You can't always feel those scratches with your fingernail... Besides, rubber residue leaves a ridge too.

The worst stuff to get off is old rain-X. It leaves marks in the wiper area, and takes all kinds of elbow grease to get off. I hate even seeing that stuff in stores.

 

[J_Train]

I agree with you on the rain x. i spent two days on a windshield when i started out in detail at a dealership.

 

[03explorerL]

Old rain-x? Please explain. I apply it every 6 months to all our cars with no issues. Always holds up great too.

 

[FIND]

Old rain-x? Please explain. I apply it every 6 months to all our cars with no issues. Always holds up great too.

It leaves a residue on your windshield, and after you stop using it regularly, it gets hazy. Regularly re-applying it works, since it fills in the parts where the coating has worn down. It is much worse though in states that freeze.

 

[03Sport]

Update...I talked with an "expert" about the scratches today. He told me they are scratches, he said I should talk to a glass place to see if they are too deep to buff/polish out.

 

[swshawaii]

:scratch: