Need help on car windscreen [urgent]

[S16]

Guys, I'm posting this behalf of my friend who owns a iswara. The story, he bought a water/rain strain remover (liquid form) and applied it. After applying it to the windscreen, a white/hazed layer formed. Even after few trials washing the windscreen with glass cleaner and few other liquids, the problem still there. So guys, any of you here have faced this kind of problem? Is there any method to brighten back the windscreen? Hope you guys can help us... Thanks a lot in advance...

 

[eohl79]

Bro S16 sorry to hear what happened to your friends Iswara windscreen. First of all the, let me share with what I think might be the cause of the problem. The water/stain remover in liquid form is most probably acid based and quite corrosive (very low pH value). The problem with using those acid based water/stain remover is it works well for glass surface that needs to be entirely flat with no scratch marks, pits, etc. So usually it is only safe for side windows and some rear windscreens (no wipers and glass dependent). Running your wipers on the front windscreen will create micro scratches (especially when windscreen is dirty) and gets deeper over time. Those scratches is usually not visible unless inspected properly under bright light. Even sand, dirt, stone, etc hitting your front windscreen over time would create scratches, pits all over the surface. When those acid based products gets into those scratches/crevices it may get trapped in the crevices and etch the glass thus causing the haze. Also those acid based products needs to be washed off immediately and properly after use - better neutralized. Besides the product, most modern cars have laminated glass for the front windscreen which is softer (probably easier to be etched by the acid) than tempered glass (side windows and some rear windscreens). That's why I stay away from those acid based water mark/stain removers.

A better and safer approach would be to try vinegar first which is a light acid to remove those water mark/stains. If it does not work, the safer method would be to use compound/abrasives meant for removing the water mark/stains. I posted an article on removing the watermark safely before on ZTH detailing forum. I've already tried it on a few cars and front windscreen too without any problems. Here is the link:
http://www.zerotohundred.com/newforums/car-detailing-forums/396809-safe-and-effective-waatermark-removal-on-glass.html

That said, I am afraid your friend's car windscreen would need to be polished off using special glass compound/abrasives (like Cerium oxide) and a rotart machine polisher with the right glass polishing pads (felt) in order to restore back the clarity. If the car windscreen isn't too expensive, get it replaced.

My 2 cents...

---------- Post added at 10:13 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 10:11 AM ----------

Bro S16, you can try CarPro CeriGlass kit which you can purchase from Ultimateshine website to see if you can remove the hazing. Not too expensive but no guarantees :)

 

[DanzEterna]

try using newspaper & rub the windscreen.

 

[S16]

Thanks a lot mr.eohl79, I fully agree with your explanation together with the facts. Yes, he used it for side and rear mirrors too, the water strain removed and the glass look pretty good and clean. I will follow the methods as u said and update you. Again, thanks a lot friend... :)

DanzEterna, i tried but no improvement... Thanks for your suggestion bro... :)

 

[g88]

your friend must be using TomCats bought from Carrefour.

 

[wegatech]

What brand your friend used? Better warn the other forummers here.

 

[S16]

your friend must be using TomCats bought from Carrefour.

Nope, he bought it from Jusco... :D

---------- Post added at 09:03 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 09:01 AM ----------

What brand your friend used? Better warn the other forummers here.

Sure Mr.Wegatech, will let u know later. :)

 

[spoon civic]

what brand that already use..better info..so that frenz can avoid from using it....

 

[peeche]

dear friends.. how about swirl marks on windscreen. any chance to remove it?

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

Wah....how come will have swirl marks on windscreen? :stoned:

Ermm...change windscreen?

 

[S16]

what brand that already use..better info..so that frenz can avoid from using it....

sure bro... haven't give a visit to my friend's place... :)

---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 02:23 PM ----------

dear friends.. how about swirl marks on windscreen. any chance to remove it?

you can try to use CarPro CeriGlass as advised by eohl179... CarPro CeriGlass removes the small scratches on the windscreen... But you need to use it with rotary device... Try to refer this link, quite helpful, http://www.autopia.org/forum/product-reviews/138733-review-carpro-ceriglass.html

I myself having problem with my windscreen, collecting some money to give a try on CarPro CeriGlass...

 

[spoon civic]

sure bro... haven't give a visit to my friend's place... :)

---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 02:23 PM ----------


you can try to use CarPro CeriGlass as advised by eohl179... CarPro CeriGlass removes the small scratches on the windscreen... But you need to use it with rotary device... Try to refer this link, quite helpful, http://www.autopia.org/forum/product-reviews/138733-review-carpro-ceriglass.html

I myself having problem with my windscreen, collecting some money to give a try on CarPro CeriGlass...

carpro same like polishing car body with polishing machine?

 

[peeche]

Wah....how come will have swirl marks on windscreen? :stoned:

Ermm...change windscreen?

don't know how it happens.
i left abroad for 3 months.
left my car at parent in law house.
when i asked everybody say don't know.


---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------

sure bro... haven't give a visit to my friend's place... :)

---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 02:23 PM ----------


you can try to use CarPro CeriGlass as advised by eohl179... CarPro CeriGlass removes the small scratches on the windscreen... But you need to use it with rotary device... Try to refer this link, quite helpful, http://www.autopia.org/forum/product-reviews/138733-review-carpro-ceriglass.html

I myself having problem with my windscreen, collecting some money to give a try on CarPro CeriGlass...

or anybody esle can do it for me.? i pay some laa.. hehe :wavey:

 

[S16]

try ask around... i have asked few shop around my place, all suggesting a new windscreen... that's why plan to do it myself together with my friend...

---------- Post added at 07:19 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------

carpro same like polishing car body with polishing machine?

yeap... but I believe there is a proper method to be followed, not by just playing around with the rotary device... you will need to choose the right polishing pad too... I'm still doing my read up on it...

 

[spoon civic]

try ask around... i have asked few shop around my place, all suggesting a new windscreen... that's why plan to do it myself together with my friend...

---------- Post added at 07:19 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------



yeap... but I believe there is a proper method to be followed, not by just playing around with the rotary device... you will need to choose the right polishing pad too... I'm still doing my read up on it...

Why don't go to Dr.Cermin which is specialist for winscreen repair?

 

[eohl79]

Guys, CarPro ceriglass is only good for removing light haze and watermarks by hand. With a rotary buffer you can only reduce very light swirls and scratches. First of all you need to check the depth of the swirl/scratch mark, if you can feel with you fingernail tip most likely ceriglass won't help much. You would need special glass cutting/sanding discs like 3M trizact glass sanding discs of various grit sizes. This is a job for a professional and if your car windscreen does not cost a couple thousand dollars don't bother... Get it replaced.

Glass polishing is usually done with cerium oxide which is different than compound/polishes for paint which usually uses aluminium oxide as its abrasive. Cerium oxide also has different grades and quality. CarPro ceriglass has some cerium oxide in it. With a rotary you would need to use felt buffing pads. Not sure anyone selling it here in MY. Can get from eBay though. Please be extreme careful especially if you want to use a rotary on the windscreen. Most windscreen are laminated glass and the heat build up from machine polishing could cause problems to the glass lamination. Compounding/polishing/sanding levels the surface and in this case the glass. If you are unsure of how much glass you are levelling/removing - making it thinner, don't do it. Risky.

 

[LesleyAprotto]

A better and safer approach would be to try vinegar first which is a light acid to remove those water mark/stains. If it does not work, the safer method would be to use compound/abrasives meant for removing the water mark/stains. I posted an article on removing the watermark safely before on ZTH detailing forum. I've already tried it on a few cars and front windscreen too without any problems.

Can vinegar really work?
My car rear windscreen, left front and rear door windows, left side mirror got water mark stains.
Car wash boys wants RM180 to remove the stains
Discounted to RM100 after bargaining...
BUT...........
If vinegar can clear the stains, i dont mind buying 1 litre...
If its not too troublesome, can you teach me step by step how to apply the vinegar to clear the stains?
Do i need a motorised polisher or can be done by hand? Thanks in advance...

 

[eohl79]

Can vinegar really work?
My car rear windscreen, left front and rear door windows, left side mirror got water mark stains.
Car wash boys wants RM180 to remove the stains
Discounted to RM100 after bargaining...
BUT...........
If vinegar can clear the stains, i dont mind buying 1 litre...
If its not too troublesome, can you teach me step by step how to apply the vinegar to clear the stains?
Do i need a motorised polisher or can be done by hand? Thanks in advance...

FYI, you do not need a motorized polisher (rotary buffer aka RB, etc) to remove the watermarks unless you intend to remove scratches/swirls on glass. Those who use RB for watermarks are over doing it as it can all be done by hand. Besides using an RB can burn the plastic side trims and rubber if you are not careful. Doing it by hand can also ensure the very edge of the windows are covered.

Always try least aggressive method first and always try on a test spot first.
1. Wash windows
2. Use automotive clay bar (Soft99, etc) to clean surface.
3. If still have watermarks, use regular vinegar with a rag/cotton cloth. Rinse surface properly after trying. (P.S: You don't need 1L of vinegar.... go get from somebody's kitchen-la )
4. Still can't remove? Safe way is to use abrasives to remove the watermark by hand. I used Osren watermark remover abrasive powder with 3M sanding sponge/pad.

Drop me a PM and maybe we can do a DIY TT to remove the watermarks - for free-la of course

 

[LesleyAprotto]

FYI, you do not need a motorized polisher (rotary buffer aka RB, etc) to remove the watermarks unless you intend to remove scratches/swirls on glass. Those who use RB for watermarks are over doing it as it can all be done by hand. Besides using an RB can burn the plastic side trims and rubber if you are not careful. Doing it by hand can also ensure the very edge of the windows are covered.

Always try least aggressive method first and always try on a test spot first.
1. Wash windows
2. Use automotive clay bar (Soft99, etc) to clean surface.
3. If still have watermarks, use regular vinegar with a rag/cotton cloth. Rinse surface properly after trying. (P.S: You don't need 1L of vinegar.... go get from somebody's kitchen-la )
4. Still can't remove? Safe way is to use abrasives to remove the watermark by hand. I used Osren watermark remover abrasive powder with 3M sanding sponge/pad.

Drop me a PM and maybe we can do a DIY TT to remove the watermarks - for free-la of course

Thanks for your kind step by step instructions....
I will give it a try....
If it still doesnt work, i will ....
YELL FOR HELP !!!:

 

[eohl79]

Oh yeah, FYI after removing all watermarks (usually by abrasives) the glass surface is in excellent condition for Rain-X or similar glass coating. Some people do complain of Rain-X destroying your wipers... But actually it all depends on how you do it. Here is how I do it:
1. The best prepared surface of a glass is when you see the water sticking/sheeting on the surface
2. Dry surface completely and properly
3. Apply rain-x with a cloth liberally and leave it to stand in the sun for a few hours or overnight. Don't buff off like what most people do! This is to ensure it bonds to the glass properly.
4. Next using your regular car shampoo, wash your car and windows! Washing with car shampoo helps to remove all rain-x excess away and completely.

Works for me so far on both silicon and rubber wiper blades and helps to reduce waterspots. My theory behind my method is when buffing the windscreen after rain-x app with a dry cloth, you are still not able to remove the excess rain-x completely. So using your wipers on the screen after that will give you wiper judder. Hope it helps.