Streaky Windshield When Wet

[sheapsOB]

Hi all,

The outer surface of my windshield streaks really badly when wet. When running the wipers in a downpour they leave a trail of haze behind that takes a few seconds to clear up, so if they are running at full tilt visibility is greatly reduced. The streaks appear where the wipers contact the glass, and they show up whenever wet, never when dry. If i wipe a wet cloth or sponge across the glass, it appears splotchy and streaky while wet, and when I use a cleaner it appears to have an oily rainbow shine to it. When dried, no spots or streaks. The car is a 2008 with 31k miles. I purchased it less than 2 months ago with 28k miles. The blades were replaced during the 30k service, and I want to put bosche Icons or other solid-blade type wipers on, but not until I can find a way to clear these streaks off the glass.

I use Stoner Invisible Glass on the windshield, and it looks spotless and crystal clear when dry. This is not a problem with fog, condensation, or a dirty inside of the glass. Nor is it a problem with poor cleaning technique or a bad window cleaner. The other windows on my car are clear and streak free.

Has anyone else here experienced this problem? I have tried invisible glass, soap and water, simple green, goo gone, to no avail. The streaks always come back when wet. The windshield washer has no affect. I have found several thread reporting this issue on other forums, but no solid solutions. The only post that said they fixed this said they used Westley's Bleach White Tire Cleaner. I am off to walmart to locate this product if I can.

Any ideas? I am somewhat anal about having a clear windshield, and this will slowly destroy me if I cannot get it fixed.

[OutdoorOBW]

Try using some glass top stove cleaner. I use that to take off water spots and clean the glass really good. It is a little gritty but as long as you don't try and push it though the glass it will not scratch. Where I got my cleaner they also has some scrubber pads. If they don't just use a pot scrubber pad. Not something like a brillo pad.

Here is a pictures of the stuff I use:


A picture of the pad I was trying to describe:

[ETC]

I would use a good degreaser then follow it with a good glass cleaner or vinegar and water. Clean the wiper blades really well and see if that clears it up, if not, change the blades and see if they are the source of the contamination.

Does the area outside the wiper range have the same "oil rainbow" on it ?

[the evil twin]

^^What he said.
Simple Green or Spray 9. Also, use an alcohol prep pad on the wiper blades (your old ones) to clean them. Then check how it is using your hose. Most likely something got on your windshield and got spread around by the wipers.

[sheapsOB]

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried the first thing I found, which is actually called Westley's Bleche White Tire Cleaner. It kind of freaked me out using something so harsh, I was worried that overspray on the painted areas could damage them, so I was very careful. I sprayed it on, used a paper towel and dabbed it all over the surface to spread it, let it sit for a minute, wiped it off, buffed it, then followed with invisible glass. It seems to have done the trick. There are a few stubborn spots so I will do another application, but it seems to have worked.

I bought the weiman cleaner and pads above but havent used it since the Westley's seemed to work. I might bust it out just to make sure I have a deep clean across the whole glass, the Westleys was somewhat harder to apply.

Full-strength Simple Green had no affect on the streaks, which I found very surprising. As of now it seems I have found a solution. After another application of Westley's and maybe Weiman's, I will put on the Bosche Icons that I purchased. I am about to drive 1800 miles from Ohio to Utah, and I want a clear windscreen!

Thanks for the help and suggestions guys! If anyone else has the problem, I'd go straight for Westley's. I will try the Weimans on the rear window which suffers the same problem but is considerably less of an annoyance, and let you know how it goes.

[OutdoorOBW]

Good to know the tire cleaner worked. Keep us updated on the whole process and have a great trip to Utah.

[ETC]

A strong mixture of Dawn dishwashing detergent works as well for me as most degreasers without being unduly harsh on the paint and plastic of the car.

I had this issue with some car washing agents that have wax in them [at home and at car washes].

I've never been a fan of Simple green, I've never found anything that it does well so, I stopped buying it.

[sheapsOB]

So I would expect to have heard more issues like this from people here, but I think the culprit might be Subaru's OEM washer fluid. After I had cleaned the windshield with the Westley's, the problem was gone. I put on a set of Bosche blade-type wipers, and they worked great. No streaking. I did my best to avoid using the wiper fluid, as I wanted to replace it with my own mix of distilled water and Stoner Invisible Glass. As I was driving I would exercise the rear washer to try to use up the last of the fluid, until the tank was empty. Right when I finally emptied it, I took my car to the subie dealer to get an oil change, and they filled the tank with the oem fluid without asking!! I was so pissed, but I guess they shouldn't assume that people dont want their washer fluid filled back up for free, they probably thought they were helping me out. Sooo after a couple weeks of having to use that washer fluid, my windshield is having the same problem again! I havent yet bothered to do another round with the westleys, but I did finally drain the tank again and fill it with a mix of distilled water+invisible glass. Seems to have right away helped eliminate some streaking, but I will probably have to give it another pass with the westley's to get it back in prime condition. i might actually try the stove glass cleaner this time. anyway, I thought I would share my woes. Nobody else having this issue?

edit: I should say the culprit could easily not be the oem fluid, and could just be road grime, oil, grease, etc that is being spread by the wipers. but it just seemed uncanny the timing with getting the oem fluid topped off and the problem returning. bogart.

[BOBOBW]

On one of the car shows they recommended Bar Keepers Friend powder which is what I use along with wiping the blades down with Isopropal alcohol every month or so. Have also used Bon Ami with good results. Would not use anything stronger (Ajax, Comet)

[1carrotcake]

Originally Posted by sheapsOB

So I would expect to have heard more issues like this from people here, but I think the culprit might be Subaru's OEM washer fluid. After I had cleaned the windshield with the Westley's, the problem was gone. I put on a set of Bosche blade-type wipers, and they worked great. No streaking. I did my best to avoid using the wiper fluid, as I wanted to replace it with my own mix of distilled water and Stoner Invisible Glass. As I was driving I would exercise the rear washer to try to use up the last of the fluid, until the tank was empty. Right when I finally emptied it, I took my car to the subie dealer to get an oil change, and they filled the tank with the oem fluid without asking!! I was so pissed, but I guess they shouldn't assume that people dont want their washer fluid filled back up for free, they probably thought they were helping me out. Sooo after a couple weeks of having to use that washer fluid, my windshield is having the same problem again! I havent yet bothered to do another round with the westleys, but I did finally drain the tank again and fill it with a mix of distilled water+invisible glass. Seems to have right away helped eliminate some streaking, but I will probably have to give it another pass with the westley's to get it back in prime condition. i might actually try the stove glass cleaner this time. anyway, I thought I would share my woes. Nobody else having this issue?

edit: I should say the culprit could easily not be the oem fluid, and could just be road grime, oil, grease, etc that is being spread by the wipers. but it just seemed uncanny the timing with getting the oem fluid topped off and the problem returning. bogart.

Hi there, I think I have the same problem. I searched hard online and only this thread came close. I thought I was the only 1 on the planet with this bizarre issue.

Happened to me today - as I went to get my car after work in the underground parking I noticed some water were dripping on my windshield...I was able to see already white lines (hard water substance like) on my windshield. I got home and used warm water and try to scrub out the white stuff....tried using window cleaner....thought it was just some hard water leaking from the piping from the underground parking lot. But then I noticed water marks (where the white lines were) won't go away....and if I run my finger across the lines I could feel some drag. I then ran back to my computer and search and search but couldn't find any solutions....I tried vinegar (thought it maybe just some stubborn hard water marks) but it didn't do a thing. Tried goo gone...no help.... When I wipe dry the windshield no water marks or streaks....but if you can locate where the lines are...you can still feel the drag as you run your finger across it....so anyway...it would really help if anyone really has a solution to my problem...my car is new and it's really tearing my heart apart after this stupid and strange experience. Obviously I won't park at the same spot at work and I will try to see what the heck is that water or water like substance dropping from the ceiling in the underground parking. Anyone has the same / similar problem?? have a fix?? Thanks for your help. Really appreciate it.